A Gay Bar That's Far From Chelsea in More Ways Than One

"We need a place where gay couples can come and chat about their graduate degrees," says a middle-aged man, drinking in the backyard of Dragon Lounge in Cobble Hill. Better known for its Middle Eastern food than its dance scene, the area has seen several gay bars come and go, but this Asian-themed lounge seems to have promise. The mood is laid-back and unpretentious. One guy recounted the warm feeling had on his last visit to the bar: A group of men dragged their chairs into a circle on the outdoor cabana and "just sat around talking for hours." Although the bar takes pains to be sexy—the walls are blood red and the young bartenders lovely to look at—the crowd seems to resist anything too over-the-top. Cocktails like the Urerection (Midori, rum, pineapple juice; $8) and Chinatown Slut (homemade green tea, liqueur, vodka, almond jelly; $7) are delicious, but too embarrassing to order. Most people opt for beer and casual conversation; no one's pretending to be in Chelsea.