The Boroughs of New York:
Brooklyn Bound!
by Merle Exit
One dictionary defines the word “gentrify” as “to convert or renovate (housing) to conform to middle-class taste.” What the word actually means is that a run-down neighborhood has been taken over and renovated by gay men, thereafter causing straight people say, “Oh, wow! Look how nice this neighborhood is! Maybe we should move here.”
It’s not because the gay community needs to have its own secluded areas, but rather, it’s the need to dwell in a vicinity that is close and convenient, but is less expensive than a “downtown” locale. Such has been the case of what have now become upscale neighborhoods in Brooklyn, the most populous borough of New York City.
Brooklyn Heights.
Brooklyn Heights, just over the Brooklyn Bridge, is the first of these conversions, and is noted for its Promenade. With an excellent view of the Manhattan skyline, the Promenade is said to be one of the most romantic spots in town. The stretch of the area brings lots of runners. Expect to see over 600 historic homes built before 1860. Montague Street is the main drag in Brooklyn Heights, and has loads of wonderful shops and cafes. 
Park Slope.
The Heights becoming more and more overcrowded (and pricey), caused Park Slope to develop into the next trendy gay locale. It was so named for the abutting 585-acre Prospect Park, with activities that include: boating, ice skating, horseback riding, fishing and a zoo. www.prospectpark.org
Head over to the Brooklyn Academy of Music, a.k.a. BAM, at 30 Lafayette Avenue, for opera, theatre, cinema and New Wave music. www.bam.org
Nightspots in Park Slope include:
The Abbey, 536 Driggs Ave. (718-599-4400);
Bar 4 Park Slope, 444 Seventh Ave.
718-832-9800;
Excelsior Park Slope, 390 Fifth Ave.
718-832-1599;
and
Ginger’s Bar Park Slope, 363 Fifth Ave. 718-788-0924.
Grand Army Plaza marks a central spot that links these areas, and the nearby 52-acre Brooklyn Botanic Garden is delightful; most noted for its Japanese Hill-and-Pond Garden and rows of cherry trees. Each spring, a weekend-long cherry festival called Sakura Matsuri is held when the trees are in bloom. www.bbg.org. Be sure to also explore the newly restored Brooklyn Museum of Art, located at 200 Eastern Parkway, said to be the second largest art museum in New York City. www.brooklynmuseum.org 
Prospect Park, may have its own zoo, but when it comes to fish (and mammals) the sea, your best bet is New York Aquarium, located in the the only New York City locale that is far south and off the Belt Parkway - historic Coney Island - home to famed amusement park. Part of the Wildlife Conservatory Society, the New York Aquarium features over 8,000 animals including whales, sea lions, walruses, penguins and sharks. www.nyaquarium.com
Sheepshead Bay.
The abutting Sheepshead Bay area sports tour boats (and New York City’s largest section of Russian immigrants). There, you’ll expect to find the best Russian restaurants, food shops and nightclubs. Emmons Avenue gives access to the tour boats as well as the famous Lundy’s Restaurant.
Presently there are two areas in Brooklyn that have a sports complex. Coney Island’s Keyspan Stadium is home to the Brooklyn Cyclones, the New York Mets minor league baseball team. www.brooklyncyclones.com
Recently, a company called Aviator Sports took over the other Sports venue, the historic Floyd Bennett Field. Located on Marine Parkway, just off the Belt Parkway, the complex is home to the New York Sharks women’s tackle football team, who has recently become part of the IWFL Women’s Football Hall of Fame. Home games are held during the spring-summer season and tend to feature both the Lesbian and Gay Big Apple Corps and Cheers New York. www.nysharksfootball.com
Williamsburg
The latest neighborhood to gentrify is Williamsburg, located just over the Manhattan/Brooklyn Williamsburg Bridge. It is best described as being a center for the young and artsy, so far as music goes. Metropolitan, located at 559 Lorimer St. (718-599-4444), is reportedly Williamsburg’s original bar for gay men and women and their straight friends. Take in R bar, 451 Meeker Ave (718-486-6116), for “Mikey’s Big Gay Pajama Party.” A third hot spot is Sugarland, 221 North 9th St. (718-599-4044), dubbed as the neighborhood’s “queer performance space.”
Stay.
For those that would rather stay in the quiet neighborhood of Brooklyn, there is one gay owned/operated Bed & Breakfast. The Loralei B&B, located on the opposite end of Prospect Park, is a Victorian home that boasts two suites and easy subway access to Manhattan. www.loraleinyc.com
