Boom Boom Room   

Whether you live on the El Toro Y or just steps from the Newport surf, if you're gay and living in Orange County you probably know the Boom Boom Room. A rare collection of surfboarders and hotel keycard holders assemble every night for the area's hottest gay dance and bar scene. Divided into two separate bars and a main dance floor, the club offers billiards, games and enough beach eye candy to relocate a fair share of city dwellers. Freshly bronzed beach boys with sand still in their hair mingle with a diverse crowd of young studs and matured mares for a scene that is as good as gay nightlife gets. The beach is within view from the entrance and the club is also part of the neighboring restaurant and hotel should the night call for a plan B. Marvelous on weekends and surprisingly good during the week, Boom Boom Room makes for the perfect summer pastime whether in June or January. -- Michael Martin