It is a crowded Saturday night. Waves of bass beats pulse deep enough to be felt outside. Behind the counter, LED and water displays illuminate the bar. Lasers cut through the dance room, piercing the artificial smoke. Men and women of all ages can be found mingling at the bar and dancing on the floor. Welcome to Splash, where everyone is invited.
“Everybody can come, no matter who you are, and have a good time,” co-owner Jeff Trudel said of the establishment which has become known as Baton Rouge’s leading gay club.
The club, located up Highland past the North Gate, has been heavily remodeled since changing hands to current owners Trudel and Cory Wise in October 2003. The two have invested about $250,000 in new equipment and displays.
Splash is best known for its high-tech dance floor, stage and three downstairs bars, but the club also features two pool rooms and a calmer video bar upstairs.
Trudel explained that patrons come to Splash because of its premier dance club atmosphere.
“It’s a safe, clean, state-of-the-art, high energy dance and video bar. Its energy level is high, but everybody gets along,” he said.
George’s Place, another well known gay bar, offers a different kind of atmosphere.
Nestled on the corner of South Boulevard and Saint Louis Street near downtown, George’s is a staple of the Baton Rouge gay community. Though it doesn’t feature outrageous drink discounts or a high-tech dance floor, George’s has been building a reputation for 36 years.
“We don’t have a lot of specials to draw people in,” said Chansley Dykes, manager and niece of the owner. “The friendly staff and atmosphere make people feel welcome.”
Current owner Richard Dykes began working at George’s in 1977 and bought the bar in 1987. He can often be found sitting at the entrance greeting visitors as they come through the door.
George’s is a small place with TVs surrounding the bar. There is also a small stage where groups like the Bayou Grizzlies, a social club and community service organization, perform. Three nights a week the stagecomes alive with karaoke.
“It’s the best karaoke!” exclaimed Holly Vaughn, who frequently visits George’s. “The environment is so accepting and fun.”
Cody King serves as George’s karaoke specialist, helping customers select songs and often providing back-up vocals.
“It’s kind of like family,” said King of working at George’s. “It is fun.”
The family atmosphere is an important part of the George’s experience.
“Everybody knows they can come here and be comfortable,” said Chansley Dykes.
L, a downtown bar that caters to lesbians, maintains a slightly more restrictive door policy than Splash or George’s. Manager Kristen Bradley explained that the policy, often restricting male entry, exists only to protect customers.
“We have to be very careful about who we let in. We want our clientele to feel safe and have a good time,” she said.
L is a smaller bar with one corner dedicated to a stage. The bar sometimes hosts shows and also features regular events.
Industrial Goth Night is the first Thursday of each month, and for it the door policy is partially lifted.
L is currently the only bar in Baton Rouge that caters exclusively to lesbians.
—–Contact Daniel McBride at [email protected]