Largo Dives and Bars: Christopher Street Bar

As discussed between the lines of this column, bars are a place for people to co-mingle and imbibe together. Some establishments identify themselves through hobbies (sports bar) or ethnicity (Irish pub).

Some, like , identify themselves by sexuality.

“We’re like gay cheers,” explained bar manager Mitch Demmons.

The self-described “biggest little club in Pinellas” offers a host of entertainment options that Largo homosexual bar-goers have come to look forward to. The diminutive dive has a stage for shows, dancers, a DJ, and karaoke – depending on the night.

The full stocked bar is replete with charming affects. Ceiling fans and low hanging lights dangle from the ceiling. The circular bar’s oak is offset with a soft yellow, which can also be found on the surround chairs. All of this adds to the gay/neighborhood bar/night club hybrid ambiance that Christopher Street cultivates.

Built four years ago, and inspired by New York City’s Christopher Street (a strip of road known for its historical amenability towards homosexuals), the bar is, upon first glance, out-of-place on 66^th and Ulmerton Road.

Not so, says Mitch.

“There was a biker bar that tried to make a go of it for a while, and they were really friendly. They stopped by to grab some Yuenglings."

Perhaps the bar is so popular, and fits in nicely with surrounding stores and bars like , is because it so welcoming. Christopher Street’s bartenders maintain that their drinking population is full of regulars who quickly accumulate new regulars when they demonstrate themselves as so. Whatever success they have builds off of that inherent attribute of kindness.

And, ultimately, that is what is wanted from a bar. Sure, a wide selection of craft beers and low prices is desirable, but ultimately one wants to attend dive where one feels comfortable, right?

Those bars that strive to nurture this quality create a niche within whatever community they inhabit.

Patrons, for the most part, want a bar to be an extension of their living room, and filled with people with a similar disposition.

Christopher Street Bar is this living room.