Gay Friendly Fire Island

Fifty miles off the south coast of New York's Long Island is one of the oldest and most iconic gay destinations in the world. Fire Island. It's name conjures images of early 70s flamboyance and sexual freedom but today it is home to art galleries, B&Bs and a few hundred year-round residents which swell to the thousands when summer tourist types take over. It's only about an hour and a half from Manhattan, but stepping onto the ferry (Fire Island is car-free and the sidewalks are boardwalks) is the first step away from the cares of the real world and into a beach paradise rich in gay history and throbbing with a vital gay scene.

Only 30 square miles in size, Fire Island is made up of many small communities like Ocean Beach, which is a hotspot for young straight partiers while Davis Park is more kid friendly. But when gay men say Fire Island, they mean two communities in particular: Cherry Grove with its full-service hotel, fine guest houses, restaurants, bars and dance clubs and Fire Island Pines with a quieter, more intimate residential feel. Regardless of where you stay, you'll think you've entered a different world as soon as you step foot on the Island. Stay up all night and watch the sunrise. Sleep late, lay down on the beach, and let go.

Cherry Grove is considered by many to be one of the first and oldest gay communities in the US. Today it is home to restaurants, bars, art galleries, and a liberal community. Uncommon or not permitted in other areas, nude sunbathers abound in Cherry Grove. Cherry Grove is also currently the more lesbian oriented of the two gay Fire Island communities, but in actuality, men dominate the nightlife scene in both areas.

The Pines is Fire Island's largest town with 700 homes. The population during the season consists mainly of men who are lucky enough and rich enough to own their own home in the Pines, or groups of guys who have gotten together to share a rental. Lavish charity fundraisers and nursing hangovers on the beach fill the afternoons while house parties and trysts on the beach fill the nights. In a mad and spectacular event, every year on the 4th of July, drag queens celebrate their independence by "invading" The Pines on the ferry from Cherry Grove.

Cherry Grove and The Pines are separated by a short stretch of undeveloped land containing beachfront, large dunes and trees and is alternately known as the Carrington Tract and the Judy Garland Memorial Forest but most often referred to as the Meat Rack. If you do choose to stroll through the Meat Rack, expect to encounter some extremely friendly native gay boys.

The Pines and Cherry Grove are reached on a ferry which leaves from Sayville, Long Island. www.sayvilleferry.com With the exception of emergency vehicles, cars are not allowed in most places on Fire Island. Be prepared to flex your biceps carrying your belongings from the ferry, or to rent a wagon to pull them behind you.

Whether it's for a weekend or for a whole summer or something in between, Fire Island is a fabulous place to relax in the sun, party on the beach, meet tons of new gay friends and, if you're interested, find a sexy summer fling.


Where to Stay? Gay Friendly Accommodations in Fire Island

Most of the gay friendly hotels are found in Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines. Because of the character of the Island, you won't find many corporate branded hotels. Instead you can pick and choose from an array of boutique hotels and guest houses that are not only gay friendly, but practically bursting with gay activity.

The Grove Hotel is one of the Island's most popular hotels boasting a Fodor's review that calls it "your best bet if coming to Fire Island to get laid." Room rates range widely - from $40 - $500 - depending on the time of year and whether you're arriving midweek or on a weekend. If you stay here, don�t even pack a shirt. You'll fling it off as soon as you check in and race to join the crowd bumping and grinding around the full-size swimming pool.

The Belvedere Guest House for Men is great for those who crave a little more style. Built in the style of a Venetian palace, the Belvedere is large and lavish featuring a gym, swimming pool and hot tub and sun decks. Rates range from $200/night midweek to $650 on weekends.

When booking accommodations in Fire Island, remember that there is limited space on the island and MANY people who want to visit. The hotels and guest houses fill up fast, so you might think of looking for a share. FireIsland.net or Craigslist.com are both great places to start looking for a house to rent for a week, a weekend or an entire summer. Again, prices for these gay friendly group houses vary depending on how close to the action you want to be, and what time of the summer you're looking to go. Most of the rental activity occurs in the late winter or early spring, so be a diligent gay man - plan ahead - and start looking early to make sure you get what you want.


What to See and Do in gay friendly Fire Island?

After your disco nap and before you start to primp for the evening out, there is lots of wholesome fun to be had in Fire Island. With beautiful beaches the over the top gay culture of Pines and Cherry Grove and miles of boardwalks and walkways to explore, you will never be bored on Fire Island - unless you want to be!

But beware - you won't find mall outlets, cineplexes and other big city attractions, Fire Island is a getaway from all that so be prepared to unwind and enjoy outdoorsy, low maintenance activities. Fire Island activities include camping, hiking, observing wildlife, surfing, boating, sports, fishing and swimming. But don't despair; Fire Island also features amazing New York restaurants, one-of-a-kind clubs, charming bars like Flynn's Fire Island, and other dynamic nightlife.

Large stretches of wilderness are gorgeous places to hike and catch sight of some of the islands many white-tailed deer, foxes or hundreds of species of birds. Swimming, kayaking, paddle boats and wind surfing are of course on the menu at the beach, as is surfing. Fire Island's position as a barrier island makes for some of the best surfing available on the mid-Atlantic coast. Boating and sailing are also an integral part of the Fire Island experience, and if you haven't found any hot seamen yet, you can always charter a boat at one of the island's marinas.

The arts are also a big part of Fire Island's culture. Arts Project Cherry Grove http://www.artsprojectcherrygrove.org/ hosts numerous art shows, cabaret shows and gay film nights. Each year, at the end of winter, the APCG throws an In-Town Party, as a get-together and reminder that spring and subsequently another fabulous and fun-filled summer are on their way.

Starting in June, The Arts Project of Cherry Grove celebrates Gay Pride with a fabulous filled film night at the community house and then continues the summer fun with classical music concerts at the main community house. In July, the Annual Art Show hosts the work of over two dozen artists who present original work for sale including oil paintings, original photographs, crafts, and jewelry. The Stand Up, Cherry Grove! Comedy show has become one of the most popular events. Seated at intimate, candle-lit cabaret tables, with their refreshment of choice in hand, you'll be charmed, regaled - and sometimes convulsed - by the tales and antics of some of Cherry Grove's familiar faces.


Where to Eat - Gay Friendly Dining in Fire Island

Despite its small size, there are several excellent restaurants on Fire Island. Hot spots are Ocean Beach and Cherry Grove. Cherry Grove is a predominately gay community on the east end of the Island. Ocean Beach on the other hand is more diverse with all ages, types, and well known for it's mix of family and 20-30 something's time share groups.

Cherry Grove's restaurants are varied in atmosphere and price: for lunch or dinner on the go, there are gourmet sandwich shops and charming pizza places with patio dining and moderate prices and burger shops with gyros, frankfurters and shrimp sandwiches on the menu. For a more formal dinner, there are several excellent seafood restaurants that feature clambakes and lobster specials that you can enjoy with a seaside view and a fireplace to gather round when it's chilly outside.

Gay Nightlife in Fire Island

As beautiful as the beach days are, the nightlife in Fire Island is even more exciting. The evening usually starts off with "low tea" and "high tea" dances, where people can go to see and be seen as the sun sets. Things then heat up as people move on to the clubs where big name DJs are spinning at The Pavillion, The Loft, or Cherry's, and guys dance until the wee hours - or until someone beckons them out for some alone time on the beach.

But by far, the biggest party of the year on Fire Island is The Pines Party www.pinesparty.com. Over 3,000 people come every summer to join in this circuit party. The 2006 Pines Party featured a superhero and villain theme, a "gigantic inflatable thunder slide", Super-Sumo wrestling and Xtreme Bungee-Run, massive dance space, a casino area, as well as more low key areas for chilling out and regaining energy during the long, intense night. Literally thousands of gay men were packed onto the beach for this wild party. And it happens EVERY YEAR.

For nearly a hundred years, Fire Island has been the location of the oldest gay and lesbian community in America. No matter what your interests are, from enjoying a quiet and tranquil day at the beach to partying nonstop, the Island offers fun, entertainment, and a beautiful natural setting combined with an affirming atmosphere to all members of sexual minorities.

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