Turns out we're not the only ones who appreciate the Round-Up Saloon. The popular Cedar Springs country bar caught the eye of Instinct magazine in its Best of 2006 issue as the "Best Gal-dang Gay Bar in the U.S. of A." The issue isn't up on the magazine's site yet, but the Round-Up posted a scanned copy of the article. So, just how did they pull that off?
"We're unique because 20 years ago there were a lot of gay country bars -- Los Angeles, New York, other places -- but not that many survived," says co-owner Alan Pierce. "The Round-Up just turned 26 years old. We also have a very friendly staff."
It also didn't hurt that Instinct managing editor Robbie Daw took notice of the Round-Up on one of his excursions to Dallas via the Dallas Tavern Guild, an alliance of gay and lesbian bars and clubs that "works year-round to create a better social environment for our community and to raise the consciousness of the greater Dallas community about our dedication and value as a part of the fabric of this great city," as stated on its Web site.
Daw came to Dallas by way of the DTG's annual spring press trip, during which GLBT travel writers, in association with the Dallas Convention and Visitor's Bureau, are brought to Dallas and told how great the city and its gay community are. Pierce and Round-Up co-owner Gary Miller also serve on the DTG board as treasurer and president, respectively. On executive director Michael Doughman's blog, he writes, "It is one my main goals to educate folks from all over the country and the world about the great Dallas GLBT community and it's [sic] remarkable hospitality. Our people are most definitely our greatest commodity and we need to let others know that this is a great place to live, to work and to play."
Apparently it's working -- at least according to Pierce, who says Destinations, a magazine geared toward gay travel, will be featuring Dallas in a six-page display in its next issue. Unfair Park couldn't reach anyone there to confirm, but I'll cross my fingers. This will so not please the Texas Eagle Form and the folks at the National Catholic Register.
Back at the ranch, The Round-Up is getting ready for its Annual Christmas Stocking/Basket Auction this Sunday. The auction benefits the Legacy Founders Cottage, a care facility in Oak Cliff for people living with AIDS. The event starts at 7 p.m. Gal-dang it, they do sound like a bunch of good ol' boys. --Rich Lopez
