Wicked Manors is ON! A Trip Down the Rabbit Hole.

Get ready for Wicked Manors 3 - A Trip Down the Rabbit Hole! This year's Halloween Block Party in Wilton Manors will be held on October 31, 2009 from 6 PM to Midnight...with the bars open till 3 AM!

Each year this party gets bigger and bigger and you have GOT to make it out. Plan a trip and spend the weekend. There are plenty of guest houses and hotels around Ft. Lauderdale and a few in Wilton itself. There are more shops and restaurants on The Drive than last year too.

The party has booths, entertainment, contests and lots more. It's really the southeast's hottest Halloween Party. I can't wait! You don't have to dress up either. Go as you are!

Check out the details and to see a video of last years party:
http://www.pgfl.net/wicked_manors/index.htm

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Start planning Halloween in Wilton Manors!

This year the name of the huge Halloween Block Party is "Wicked Manors" Since Halloween falls on a Friday, I predict this will draw a ton of people and be one hell of a party.

The 'theme' of the night is the 'Silver Scream'. Totally a camp fest....should be lots of fun.

Here is some info from their website:

"Dust off those wigs and over-the-top costumes, it's time to celebrate the most ghostly of holidays ... Halloween. Join us in Greater Fort Lauderdale for the hottest party in Florida – the Wicked Manors Block Party on Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors.

This year’s theme, “The Silver Scream” will feature classic horror films from the past with party-goers in more eclectic and eccentric costumes than anywhere in South Florida. Female impersonators, contests, food vendors, bars and themed booths will fill “The Drive” with lots of good old Halloween fun.

Looking to play some tricks or get some treats then come to one of these devilishly fun events or contests:

5 pm: Trick or Treat on the Drive
Get in the Wicked Manors spirit and trick-or-treat the entire length of the Drive from 5 pm to 7 pm. Participating businesses will offer special “treats” for the kids and adults and be on the lookout for your favorite storefront decorated in the spirit of Halloween!

7 pm: Wicked Manors Block Party Begins
Party the night away with a fabulous DJ and other live or (undead) entertainment.

Pet Costume Contest: Don't leave the pets at home! Dress up your dog, costume your cat, masquerade your mouse! Furry friends can win big in this contest! Prizes will be awarded for large and small breeds.

Celebrity Look-A-Like Contest: Has anyone ever told you that you look like Marilyn Monroe or maybe Hugh Grant? Here's your chance to dress like a diva, wear movie star make-up, be a Britney (or not). Celebrate your inner celebrity and join the fun.

Drag Queen Walk Off! Bring out the high heels for this one! A quick walk down the runway, past the crowds and back to the stage - FIERCE!

Costume Contest: The prizes get bigger and the judging gets tougher! Can you be the scariest? Or even the best?

Winners announced throughout the evening and at 11 pm, we crown the Lord and Lady of Wicked Manors! "

It appears the event is free, you'll just have to pay for parking. Also, for those of you not familiar with the area, there are many bars on 'The Drive' and I guarantee you can make a whole night of it. The Pride night festival was a blast and I'm really looking forward to this event.

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Matty's on the Drive opens!

Wilton Manors is seeing quite a few new bars opening. The latest on the scene is 'Matty's' located right on 'The Drive' (Wilton Dr.). It's in a prefect location too, right in the middle of all the restaurants and bars on The Drive. I haven't been there yet, but they advertise '1/2 price Happy Hour' from 11 AM - 9 PM...which means I have to make it there soon! This place could become the perfect 'after dinner' spot for cheap drinks. I also think they will have a Nintendo Wii set up for use of some sort. Should be quite interesting.

Matty's on the Drive is located at:

2426 Wilton Drive

Wilton Manors, FL

http://www.mattysonthedrive.com/

mattysonthedrive@myspace.com (for those of you brave enough to visit MySpace).

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Out of the Closet opening it's doors January 26th.

Out of the Closet Thrift Store and AHF Pharmacy will be holding their Grand Opening Gala on Saturday, January 26th. The opening ceremony will be held at 10:00 AM. If you wish to attend...please RSVP to crisaidam@aidshealth.org. Out of the Closet is a chain of thrift stores in Northern and Southern California and now they are opening in South Florida. They are owned and operated by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest provider of the newest medicine regardless of the patients ability to pay. They also offer free HIV testing and counseling in a private area of the store. AHF Pharmacy is a non-for-profit pharmacy. Stop in and see what the fuss is all about!
They've been slowly working on the space...and over the past 2 weeks have REALLY sped up. The boards are removed...and the windows are in place.

Fun Fact:

Out of the Closet Thrift Stores generate 30,000 donation and almost 1 million shoppers a year.

Location- 2097 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors. (The Drive)

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Great Breakfast spot on The Drive

Under new ownership, The Courtyard Cafe is finding it's place on The Drive. It's PACKED every morning. Every visit seems to be full of gays...so that makes for a great time. It's more of a 'diner' and the staff is VERY friendly. With the customers mostly ranging from mid 30's to 50's...you won't find any pretentious queens. While the twink won't feel out of place...he might get lots of attention. But then again, I've always gone at 9 AM on the weekends...I'm sure the clubbers are still sleeping off last nights drinking.

They have all the traditional items you'd find for Breakfast...and they also serve lunch (salads and sandwiches). They close for dinner...but have recently started to open late nite (Bill's Filling Station Bar is right next door!) serving some light 'after the bar' fare.

I usually end up getting 2 eggs scrambled, bacon and potatoes. Nick is always trying something different. Every meal has been top notch. It's a fun place and am really glad we started going there.

GaySofla rating: (3.5 flags out of 5)

Courtyard Cafe

2211 Wilton Drive

Wilton Manors, FL

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Naked Grape Wine Bar - Wilton Manors

While you are spending an evening on 'The Drive' you might want to check out Naked Grape Wine Bar. It's located right in the heart of Wilton Manors and if you love wine...you should really check them out. The Drive is full of gay owned and friendly restaurant, bars, shopping and more. Naked Grape fits right in.

Not a wine expert? No big deal. They can help you find the perfect one. They are even having a 'Wine Class' this week. It's their first and I'm sure they will have more to come. They also have a great selection of international cheeses, hummus, olives and crackers. What's better than wine and cheese?

Naked Grape Wine Bar

2039 Wilton Drive

Wilton Manors, FL

Inside picture from their website:

Picture from the street..taken by Daddy Ron:

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Out of the Closet Thrift Store, Opening in Wilton Manors

It looks like Florida will soon get it's own "Out of the Closet Thrift Store". With locations in California, they have been working on a location on 'The Drive' in Wilton Manors for months now and are slated to open any day now. It's located right across the street from a very popular bar/restaurant/retail complex and will be a welcome part of the community.

Out of the Closet is owned and operated by the AHF (AIDS Healthcare Foundation) and has been in operation since 1990 (mainly in CA). The Wilton Manors store is slated for a Fall Grand Opening. They are now accepting donations at the location from 12 noon to 7 PM.

The new location address is 2097 Wilton Drive. If you can make a donation (it's tax deductible) or stop by to shop...you never know what you'll find! (or who you'll find!) It's all for a good cause.

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Wilton Manors Halloween Block Party - Wicked Manors

Tomorrow Wilton Drive will be closed between 7th and 11th Ave for the Wicked Manors Halloween Block Party. Kids can go Tick-or-Treating on the Drive from 4 PM - 7 PM. At 7PM the adults come out to play.

This year's theme is "Hell on Heels" and they expect everyone to participate. What does that mean? Dust off your pumps or spikes and be prepared to strut down the street. There will be lots of events here is a short list of the 'goings on':

5 PM - Trick or Treat on the Drive

7 PM - Wicked Manors Block Party welcome by Miss Misty Eyez (local female impersonator). Music by G.I.R.L (GayInternetRadioLive) and street vendors and food. Misty is the judge for all the contests, so be nice!

8 PM - Dog Costume Contest. Cash prizes and other giveaways.

8:30 PM - Tattoo Body Art Contest. Yup, cash prizes too.

9 PM - Celebrity Look Alike Contest. This should be funny.

9:30 PM - Drag Queen Walk Off (take those in-home talents and put them to work!)

10:30 PM - Costume Contest. More cash and prizes

11 PM - Winners announced and closing of Block Party.

Get there early to find parking. Stay late and club hop. There are lots of places to drink on the Drive.

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Get to Know 'The Drive', Wilton Drive that is.

For those of you that have not been to Florida in many years, the new SoFla 'gay' mecca has shifted from South Beach to Wilton Manors. You might be asking yourself..."where in the $%^&$ is Wilton Manors"? Well it's about 35 miles north of South Beach right next to Ft. Lauderdale.

Ft. Lauderdale has stripped it's 'Spring Break' craziness and has managed to take the phrase "Where the Boys Are" to a different place. Ft. Lauderdale has many gay neighborhoods and the one with the most dining and entertainment options is Wilton Manors. It's located right outside the city limits and really close to the beach as well.

The main street is called Wilton Drive and has gone through a huge transformation in the past 10 years. Bars, restaurants, new condos, retail...they have it all. Be sure to check back as more is revealed about this great city.

By the way, the Ft. Lauderdale Mayor has been in the news quite often. Ignore him. Don't let the media make you think that is what everyone thinks here. We're all trying to figure out what his real reason is for all the hate...but then again, why bother.

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