Just to let everyone know, in about two weeks I am off to Las Vegas – the lights, the slots, the margaritas. So, I am going armed with my camera and a plan to hit a lot of the LGBT hotspots while I’m there. Thanks for reading and look for pics and updates when I get back!

Where to go now? You can head to Posh (405 West 51st St) – the name should really not be Posh – for some drinks and dancing. It has a friend’s-stylish-apartment feel to it, and Happy Hour is from 4-8 if you want to get your drink on for less before everyone arrives. A lot of locals and Broadway actors stop by Posh in New York, and the staff are friendly and laid back. The dance floor gets crowded on weekends.

Another favourably-reviewed haunt is Sugarland in Williamsburg (221 N. 9th St). This place has an old time saloon bar, exposed brick and low lighting, making it feel cozy and more like a neighbourhood pub than club. G Lounge in Chelsea (223 W 19th St) is also relaxed, but is way more trendy than Posh or Sugarland. There’s no cover – a definite bonus in pricey New York. Happy hour is from 4-9 on weeknights, and various nights have different things going on (DJs, electric parties) and unlike other clubs in lesbian New York, G Lounge is open and airy, not dark and divey, so if you’re thirsty for a cosmo, this is the place to get it.

Gay Resorts on Fire Island

Fire Island became famous for the two gay resorts that started it all. The Pines and Cherry Grove were the place to hang out if you were gay and lesbian, and things haven’t changed. So, which one should you try if you’re thinking about a Fire Island gay or lesbian getaway?

Fire Island: Cherry Grove or The Pines?

The Pines caters to the buffed and moneyed Manhattan guys, while Cherry Grove is quite an eclectic mix: gay retirees, gay families, and most of the lesbian crow. It’s the more affordable of the two, and the people are really friendly and laid back. The Pines can be a bit snooty, the bars modern and filled with affluent males looking to get away from their fast-paced city lives.

If you do want to spend some time at Fire Island in the summer, book early. There are only a few hundred hotel rooms (and you’ll spend at least $200 nightly). You will likely find many seasonal Fire Island travelers who spend a few weeks or months there, so it can feel like you’re seeing the same faces wherever you go. Oh, and from October to April, Fire Island is dead, dead, dead. It doesn’t start to pick up until the weather warms up.

You can get frisky in the middle forest area between both gay resorts – an area called the Meat Rack. Both The Pines and The Cherry Grove are accessible only by boat, and the streets have no cars – making Fire Island the place to get away from civilization. Heck, leave your cell phone and laptop computer at home too!

The Grace lobby pool is open 24 hours, and boasts a gorgeous backlit bar, steamy sauna and a steam room just behind the stadium steps. Drip is on Mondays, and has become a favorite among the gay crowd.

First, you can check out the cabaret performances across the street at the Night Hotel at a gay themed evening called Foreign Affairs. Next, don your bikini or speedo and head to Drip!

The crowd is generally quite young at the Grace Hotel, but there is a good mix of gay, straight, young and old folks, which makes for a nice ambience. The bar is two levels, so there are plenty of spots to park it and enjoy a cocktail. (Just don’t remove the swimwear, as there is security there to make sure you don’t strip down too much).

Also: DJ’s Jonjon Battles and Corey Tut round out the party, and there are usually drag and burlesque performances. throughout the eve. Fabugo has a great deal right now: Big Nights in the Big Apple, where you get free hotel nights with participating hotels. Or, you can securely book the Grace Hotel starting at just $179 a night here.