Bubble Lounge @ The Garter ~ Venice ~ Every Wednesday Night

Our favorite thing about Abbot Kinney's bustling hot-stuff magnet The Brig was always its old school signage. Until now, when we stumbled into Bubble Lounge, where said stamp is now matched in old-school spirit and slick execution, taking over every Wednesday for gay girls and their straight associates to revel in retro. In my book, sapphic love never goes out of vogue, but with Samantha and Lindsay so up in the spotlight saying 'fuck the world' and loving the ones they're with, we're officially declaring kitty-licking the new black this autumn. Start practicing: La-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la (like KRS-1, not the Smurfs).

If you're part of the bold and beautiful rainbow cliterati, Bubble Lounge is Wednesday's swankiest, chillest spot to explore for relaxed, soused good times with no-bullshit babes. The vibe is as open and friendly as a house-party, with approaching and being approached feeling natural and fun. The music, not a note of techno heard, is set just right for chatting or pressing up with that girl over some Patron shots or Raymond Carver-esque cocktails. Sometimes a piano player bangs out live versions of Bowie, and sometimes it's a DJ on some classic, slinky lounge music that makes you feel 25% sexier under its hold. Burlesque dancers are known to appear twice a month, and even better, sometimes our favorite friend, free food(!!!!), makes an appearence, for the evening. Yes, a techno-less poontang parade with free eats and no cover. Isn't this what that Muslim martyr heaven is supposed to be like?

And time to celebrate if you're straight; there's still the typically model-esque Brig crowd in singles and pairs, slightly wayward and not exactly sure who to throw their lines to, but welcome and getting hammered just the same... straight defenses slightly lowered by the good times swirling around them. Gay men, you'll be doing your thing as always, but I hardly need to encourage you to go and get some, you guys are really, really good at that already.

Check out Bubble Lounge every Wednesday if flowing conversation and booze, sophisticated sex appeal, and pussy top your list. They also have billiards, if you enjoy other interests. If we can't exactly come right out and promise you'll be doing any pearl balancing come Thursday morning, we can at least promise you'll be getting drunk and happy in suitable style, making new friends on all sides. See you tonight!

This is generally the kind of 'stoked' look straight guys will get on their faces when surrounded by awesome lesbians for hours on end.