Battle of the Bars

I never really understood the fascination some people have with "gay sports bars." What's so great about having (annoying) sports events on big-screen TVs while a bunch of (annoying) queens squeal about the latest Madonna album? (I'd rather watch the Madonna videos and tune out the chatter.) The only one I ever had any use for was Champs on 19th Street back in the mid-'90s, where a boxing ring in the middle of the joint doubled as a "back room." But Gym Sportsbar seems to be here to stay (I think they've opened a, um, sister location in Los Angeles), so of course no reigning champ would be complete without a contender. First up is Boxers NYC Sportsbar (on 20th between 5th and 6th avenues) who, despite just opening this week, has already dubbed itself New York's "premier" gay sports bar. Sounds like a typical upstart to me, although the calendar is sort of boast-worthy if not the least bit sports-related ('80s Night, "Show Us Your Boxers" night, etc.). If anyone goes, let me know how it is. I finally made it to Eastern Bloc last night -- the first time I'd set foot in the joint since it was Wunderbar back in '98 -- so I figure I should have my own review of the new "buds, suds and sports" joint in about 2015.

In this corner ...

Vs.