A good time. It's all that matters. Gay, straight, transgender - whatever, as long as people are at gay bars and clubs in the Lansing area for the purpose of having a good time, then all are welcome.

There are four "gay bars" in the Lansing area, but they are not strictly gay. There are no "Gay Only" signs when you walk in, or all women at one bar and all men at another. So-called "gay bars" are beginning to mesh their clientele regardless of their sexual orientation.

Spiral Video and Dance Bar and X-cel Lounge-Dance Bar owner Tom Donall wanted an outlet to express his artistic abilities, and what he created were two venues with a big-city feel where people can express themselves.

"I did a lot of work around Lansing and no one let me get in and do their place, so I decided to do my own look and my own ideas so people could see my work," he said. "Both clubs bring a unique experience - it makes me happy to see people having fun because that's what it's all about."

Although some bars are still considered gay, it doesn't mean the breeders aren't allowed inside.

The State News decided to clarify for all you bar enthusiasts what each bar is about - but mainly, the four are all about having a good time.

Spiral Video and Dance Bar

Located in Lansing's Old Town and surrounded by the city's blue-collar industry, Spiral is a world all its own.

Donall decorated Spiral with an industrial Lansing touch of stainless steel counter tops and exposed brick. Spiral also has red velvet cushioned stools, art deco furniture and a liquor selection that is nearly wall to wall.

But interior decoration and atmosphere are two different things - and the atmosphere is what keeps Spiral patrons coming back.

"It's so relaxed and so not judgmental. It's the best bar by far, because you can be yourself - it's no pressure," communication junior Julielyn Gibbons said while wearing silver eyelashes, sipping what looked like a martini and laughing with her friends. "It has a wider spectrum and has different walks of life. There's not so much scrutiny and no one is judging you."

One frequent Spiral patron said, although Michigan is behind with the progressiveness of its gay clubs, Spiral is definitely worth his while.

"It's like Michigan gay clubs give this dark demeanor, like off the side street. For Michigan, Spiral is a big step forward," said Mark Jordan, of Pleasant Lake.

Jordan had a friend visiting from Iowa City, Iowa, and said the club scene there is further ahead in terms of acceptance.

"In Iowa City there is no such thing as a gay bar or a straight bar - people totally blend. It's more low-key," Jordan said.

Spiral Manager Colin Taylor said Lansing bars welcome all clientele and that Spiral is not strictly a gay bar - everyone is welcome.

"We have a very mixed crowd. I do not agree with labeling anything, I don't like doing that - I love to see every kind," he said. "I like to see people mix and get a long - a bar full of eclectic people that get along.

"Spiral is like the Taj Mahal of night clubs. It's very rich, but also welcoming - I try to look at it like a soap opera so (the customers) can't wait to come back next week."

Club 505

Friday is Club 505's 11-year anniversary and, along with every other night the club is open, special events will be featured.

Predominately known as a lesbian bar, owner Kathy Nicoll said all are welcome to Club 505, as long as they understand the type clientele the club serves.

"Honestly, our bar is mostly women, but everyone is welcome as long as there aren't any problems and as long as they are here to have a good time," she said.

Club 505 gives off the feel of your average corner-street bar. Neon beer signs decorate the walls, a big-screen TV plays a football game and people drink beer while playing along to the Friday night game event - Free Super Market Shuffle.

The game is like bingo, except with a deck of playing cards. Whoever has a complete line of the appropriately called playing cards wins whatever item is up for grabs. Last Friday, the gifts were a big container of pretzels with brown mustard, Hershey's Pot of Gold chocolates and various other items found at the supermarket.

"We actually do a lot of special nightly events and each night brings in a different crowd," Nicoll said.

Other weekly events include Free Pool Tuesday and Free Bar Bingo Thursday, which Nicoll said is the same thing as Free Super Market Shuffle, except small gifts such as candles are given away.

Club 505 also has a full menu, with everything less than $8. It's your typical bar fare such as burgers, sandwiches, popular Mexican dishes and appetizers. All food is served until midnight on weekdays and 1 a.m. on weekends, but the fryer is always open until close.

Friday's 11-year anniversary celebration will include free cover, door prizes, hors d'oeuvres and a DJ from 9 p.m. to close.

X-cel Lounge-Dance Bar

Set in downtown Lansing, X-cel patrons said this bar is swankier and less abrasive than the college bars in East Lansing. Decorated with deep blue walls, steel countertops and modish lighting, similar to Spiral, it's like stepping into a big-city bar.

"This is classier than a lot of the basement bars in East Lansing. When I come here, I don't have to watch where I'm stepping and I'm not waiting in line for 20 minutes for a drink," Lansing resident Jayme Birgy said. "I've never been treated rudely here - I guess it's all about customer service."

Aside from the famed Male Review on Tuesday nights, when five to six dancers entertain guests with their chiseled bodies and silver short-shorts, X-cel caters to straight crowds on specific nights, too.

Saturdays are college nights with Top-40, house and dance music, and the first Friday of every month is jazz night.

"We can promote and cater to anyone," said X-cel Lounge-Dance Bar employee Lisa Fahdialan. "Gay bars - they're a hard stigma to overcome because people think it's strictly gay and (X-cel is) not."

X-cel exudes an environment where people can feel comfortable with who they are, without the judging eye.

"This place is comfortable, you can be yourself and you don't have any criticism here," Charlotte resident Derek Albarea said. "It's one place all the gay people can come and we don't feel like the minority."

Manager Will John said younger generations are less rigid about experiencing new places that have diverse crowds.

"It's at this point, the scene has changed a lot anyway, the younger people are more free and open in different venues. Those younger people can go to any club and feel fine," he said. "A gay bar can be a threatening place to some people, but, in our society, everyone is becoming more comfortable."

Esquire Bar

Similar to Club 505, Esquire has that corner-street bar feel. There are pool tables, Club Keno and pinball machines, along with a gay-friendly rainbow Bud Light tap.

Located in Old Town, if Spiral is too high-energy for you, walk over to Esquire for a quieter, calmer atmosphere.

"This is my Cheers bar. People know me and it's comfortable," said Lansing resident Rick Martin. "It's more like a neighborhood bar, it's not as much as a pick-up bar or a meat market."

Esquire also is the after-work hangout for regulars.

José Colmeiro, an MSU Spanish professor and member of the Greater Lansing Gay Men's Chorus came to the bar after choir practice.

"You don't have to get all dressed-up to come here," he said.

Open for about 11 years, Esquire also has a leather night, which is the first Friday night of every month.

"We are more of a laid-back bar compared to the other gay bars," said Greg Lehman, a bartender at Esquire for five years. "We're like your leather cowboy bar."

Although there was no leather in sight when The State News visited, Esquire is much more low-key than the other swankier clubs in the area, but the patrons and workers like it that way. And as with all the other bars, Lehman said, of course, everyone is welcome.