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Review

Progress in Las Vegas happens so quickly, it's hard to believe the city is only 100 years old. In my mind, I still think of Vegas as a libertarian wild west with hookers, guns and cowboys everywhere... a city where anything goes, as long as you're straight. Well, that's all changed, except for the guns. And the hookers. Vegas is more gay friendly than ever, and this guide is all you'll need to get the best out of this adult fairyland (pun intended).

Too many guidebooks are afraid to offend; not Steve Friess, author of this guide and one half of the fabulous podcast "The Strip". He's not afraid to give his opinion on everything from food to shows to hotels, exuding a great sense of fun the whole way. Some sections are a bit twee, like "Vegas' Most Phallic" – do we really need to be told that the Stratosphere Tower is compensating for something? But I never would have known about the many hangouts away from the "fruit loop" (a one-block area featuring the clubs Gipsy, Free Zone and The Buffalo).

Friess is also quick to guide you to (or away from) the many traditional haunts that are not geared toward any specific sexuality. For example, Bill's Gamblin' Hall & Saloon (right on the strip) is a "redneck hole... the sooner they implode the place, the better." But Planet Hollywood now does "same sex weddings... a smart move, given the presence of Krave and The Miracle Mile Mall, two huge queer draws." Second City Improv at the Flamingo is presented "sometimes with gay performers who occasionally bring in some very funny gay humor" while regarding Spamalot, "if you or I had written this silly crap, it would never be staged."

There are also extensive sections about sightseeing outside of Vegas, plus an exhaustive list of gay resources and meetup groups. For anyone planning a trip to Sin City, buying this guide is a sure bet.

 -- David Gorgos