Every good gay bar, minus the guesswork.

West End, Commercial St · 161 Commercial St

The afternoon tea dance on the waterfront deck, starting around 4pm, is how a lot of people end their beach day, with a different theme on different days. It runs daily in summer and drops to weekends into the fall.

Carver St, just up from Commercial St · 9 Carver St

Two bars open onto the porch here: a low-key lounge with pool and games, and the Living Room, which has a piano and live singers in season. It's a friendly, unfussy spot for a drink before or after the clubs.

Bradford St at the Brass Key Guesthouse · 67 Bradford St

A small cocktail lounge inside the Brass Key, with a fireplace indoors and a courtyard with a firepit outside. Come for a well-made cocktail and actual conversation, usually from 5pm. It's seasonal, so call ahead late in the year.