Inside: Other Side Lounge in Detroit

(Credit: Ese Esan/Metromix)

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Other Side Lounge

Status: Kevin Gustafson felt the gay scene in metro Detroit was missing something, so the 35-year-old bought an 1,800-square-foot property on East 7 Mile between Mound and Ryan (formerly the fleeting Blackjack Lounge) and opened the Other Side Lounge last month.

“Because I’m gay, I want to be around my own kind,” says Gustafson, who owns the Other Side with Mike Gill. “The gay-bar scene has faltered. I was looking for stability in the gay community.”

 The bar, which opened after 1 1/2  months of renovations, is named after a west-side gay bar with the same moniker that closed a decade ago.

Gear: There’s not much room to see and be seen in the 70-person Other Side, so relaxed is definitely the way to go when it comes to attire. Jeans, tennis shoes and T-shirts will work just fine. “It’s a casual dress code,” says manager Brian Richeson. “Shoes and shirts are required.”

Mood: The Other Side prides itself on being gay-owned and -operated, but everyone is accepted, Richeson says. “We have people from the neighborhood just kind of peeking in. We try to make them feel welcome.”
Most of the patrons at the Other Side are gay and a majority are male.

Pick me up: Guests can enjoy a variety of cocktails at the full bar, which runs the length of the venue. There are specialty drinks like Spanish coffee and daiquiris but no microbrews. During happy hour (4-9 p.m. daily), well drinks and domestic beer, normally $3, go for $2. Burgers, sides and salads are $7.99-$12.

Entertainment: DJs provide entertainment on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday. Monday is karaoke night, and Fridays feature drag shows. There are seven flat-screen televisions.

“Everything’s kind of evolving,” says Richeson, noting that a renovation of the patio has begun. “We’re trying to create an oasis in here.” He expects the patio to have a fountain and high walls to block it from the street.

Cover: None.

Parking: Secure, gated parking lot.