While the fraternity parties are winding down and students began the sloppy trek to the Rathskeller Pub and The Sports Bar, another bar on State Street receives notably less attention from Binghamton’s party animals.
Merlin’s, located at 201 State St., is distanced from the hustle and bustle of the better-known part of State Street. Its neighbors include apartment buildings and a diner.
This past Friday was like every other typical Friday, as a slightly tattered rainbow flag flew proudly in the wind and Madonna’s “Vogue” was blaring as people made their way to the spacious dance floor.
At first glance, Merlin’s seems like the “typical gay bar,” with the rainbows and disco balls, but once you cozy up with your friends on one of the bar’s comfy sofas or around a wooden table, it doesn’t take long to realize that it’s actually like any other bar, but more homey.
Patrons include a very mixed crowd comprised of students and locals, young people and older people, and gay people and straight people just looking for a good time.
“It’s a very free environment where anyone can feel comfortable,” said Jessica Donohue, a senior geological science major. “It’s definitely the best bar in Bing to dance, hands down.”
The 201 State St. location has been a gay bar for the past 40 years, according to current owner Lauren Herring. Merlin’s was founded after the former owner, Doug Guiles, was found murdered by his boyfriend in 2004. Herring, a former DJ, reopened the club with the help of Guiles’ sister because both felt the bar was “important to the gay community,” Herring said.
The bar was voted “Best Bar in Binghamton” by readers of the Press & Sun-Bulletin a couple of years ago.
“People tell me that it’s very relaxed, clean, comfortable and a safe environment,” Herring said.
Carlos Ali, a bartender at Merlin’s and the co-director of Binghamton University’s Rainbow Pride Union (RPU), said the bar is a place where respect is important.
“No matter who comes in, you’re treated with the same respect,” he said.
The bar holds regular weekly events, such as Wednesday’s Karaoke Night, or one of Merlin’s biggest nights, Thursday’s Drag Show Contests, complete with cash prizes. This past Saturday, the gay community in Binghamton and other neighboring towns came together to raise money for a local drag queen to be able to compete in a statewide drag queen contest.
The biggest night of the week varies, depending on what events are going on.
“It can get Sports Bar-packed some nights,” Ali said. “But even when it’s not that packed, it’s always moving.”
However, Merlin’s isn’t the only gay watering hole; there are other bars including Squiggy’s, located on Chenango Street.
According to Jody Strong, the owner and founder of Squiggy’s, it attracts more of a “middle-aged, professional crowd.” Squiggy’s is currently celebrating 18 years of business and will be holding an anniversary party on Monday.
“I think there’s still animosity there (in the gay community),” she said. “But in the last seven years I think it’s gotten better.”
A third gay bar in the area is Zippers on Conklin Avenue, which could not be reached for comment. However, the gay community is not solely limited to bars, there are plenty of “gay friendly” restaurants and cafes such as the Lost Dog Caf√É.√© and Cyber Caf√É.√© West, according to RPU’s magazine “Q.”
Lost Dog Caf√É.√© was established by a couple of “East Village junkies,” according to their Web site and has been an extremely welcoming environment for the gay community.
“We value their business and it’s very flattering to know that they’re comfortable here. Since we opened, part of the percentage of our customer basis has been the gay community in town and I don’t think that’s changed since then,” said Marie McKenna, one of the Lost Dog’s business partners. “I do think that’s a wonderful quality, and I think most places should be accepting.”