Therapy   

It's booze and performance therapy for the sober and under-entertained here in this enormous two-floor space in Midtown. Despite the size, the place has an intimacy about it, perhaps due to the natural wood siding and communal seating made for mingling and conversation. The ownership, also of Barrage, Hell's Kitchen and Vinyl -- all predominantly gay establishments -- is trying to coax gay nightlife a few blocks uptown of Chelsea, and tempting the crowds with free nightly entertainment. "Cattle Call" is their answer to American Idol, hosted by the person who beat Britney Spears on Star Search so many years ago; Electroshock Therapy Comedy Hour brings a range of queer-friendly comedians on stage; '60s-style variety/talk format comes to life for Scott Nevins Presents; and Over Easy could be anything from paddle ball pros to dog acts. The entertainment for the most part will not be the typical drag acts that found at scores of other places, but cranked up a couple of notches to bring some originality to the sizeable stage. DJs spin every night of the week and a list of psycho-themed drinks are available, such as the Freudian Sip, A.D.D., and Bi-Polar, to go with the menu of chicken skewers, calamari and the like. Looks like Hell's Kitchen is getting a bit of a remodeling. -- Dan Glass