Betty Jack DeVine and Gaytona.com are happy to present this Fun Guide To Daytona Beach for Gay and Lesbian Visitors to Florida and everybody else looking for a delightful time!  |
 |
If you love a beautiful beach that's wide with big waves that is not crowded at all, reasonable prices, delicious seafood, a casual attitude that prefers dressing-down to dressing-up, a variety of things to do - then you certainly should consider enjoying Daytona Beach the next time you're in Florida. The gay population of Daytona is not large, but they are spirited and cute and they have several gay bars to serve them, so this Fun Guide will tell you how to get to those, good places to relax on the beach, how to get around, where to shop, and much, much more. If you have any additions or suggestions or any comments at all, please write BettyJack@gaytona.com |
 |
How To Get Around Daytona BeachThat's the bridge over there that spans the Halifax River and connects International Speedway Boulevard to the Atlantic Ocean on the penisula that Daytona natives call "beachside". INTERNATIONAL is one of the mail streets you'll need to know in Daytona that will make getting around easy to do. Daytona is laid out on a traditional grid with the main roads going North/South and INTERNATIONAL is one of the key roads to take you East and West. Arriving in Daytona Beach, most often it will be via the interstate !-95 or the Daytona Beach International Airport. Either way, you'll use INTERNATIONAL and it is really the most spectacular way to begin your Daytona Beach adventure because you'll the Daytona Speedway, home of the spectacular television event, the Dayona 500. If you look at the little map we've created, you see that if you travel directly East on ISB you'll soon be at Daytona Beach's signature 1950's-style Downtown and then at the beach. Most of the roads you'll use after that are North/South as those are the tourist trails of today and long ago. |
 |
 |
 |
That's a glimpse of historic Daytona Beach Downtown, revitalized in the mid 1990's |
And look, that's a gay bar - Club Zeba - right there in Downtown Daytona Beach. And with that begins the listings of helpful suggestions to make your time in Daytona Beach enjoyable and fun. By the way, none of the listings here are paid advertisements or gay in any way unless specifically mentioned - just some of the things we gays know, that you might like to know too. |
 |
Gay Bars & Restaurants in Daytona BeachRumors1372 N. Nova Rd. 386 252 3776 Rumors is a casual disco and showbar that has drag shows several nights a week. The night we were there, a queen who looked like a hot football hunk and danced like one did some country numbers that were unforgettable. Rumors is located north of INTERNATIONAL on Nova Road. when you get to 8th Street, make a left and cross over the bridge. Take a left on the access road, and Rumors will be on your right. Look for the red awnings. The Streamline140 S. Atlantic (A-1-A) 386 258 6937 This building is where the NASCAR championship racing formula was invented; and now it's a gay bar and hotel. The design is 50's fabulous and the penthouse bar is a luxury you'll treasure but the crowd could be eclectic. Go for the view or the go-go boys in the bar downstairs. The Streamline is north of the intersection of INTERNATIONAL and A-!-A. Get a parking pass and parking instructions from one of their staff if you're there on a weekend night. Club Zeba200 South Beach St. Wednesday through Sunday 11am til 3 am 386 238 6001 Club Zeba is a restaurant and showbar with dancing, special events, and shows featuring female impersonators. Haven't been there yet but the proprietor is the dashing Neema who gorgeously styled the Groove and Love Bar gay clubs that preceded Club Zeba on Beach St., so it must be attractive; bet the crowd is too. Call for info as there's no web page yet. Gay RetailAll Things Pride2031 South Ridgewood Ave. (US 1 - across from the Scatch n Dent) 386 956 7351 All Things Pride offers a variety of pride merchandise, handmade jewelry and gifts. We haven't had a chance to shop here yet but do want to. Click Here for the All Things Pride website allthingspride.com Gay Publications
|
Where to enjoy the beachGo south on A-1-A (Atlantic Blvd.) passed Dunlawton heading toward Ponce Inlet. The state park at the end of the road is where the surfer boys hang. Along the way you'll see small public parking lots across from public boardwalks to the beach. Stop at one that has a visible port-o-john; you can take refreshments and stay longer that way. There are few condos and hotels along this stretch and cars are not allowed on the beach. Driving your car on the beach is permitted on many parts of the World's Most Famous Beach. Look for one of the many beach access ramps and have some cash ready to pay the toll. It's $5 for one day. Be aware of high tide and watch out for the soft spots or you might get stuck - that happened to our Buick one time. Click Here for the Volusia County webite that has comprehensive beach information  What a good idea. They've parked their Gran Marquis in the afternoon shadow of a high-rise condo. A cool way to enjoy the beach.
THE NUDE BEACH: Yes, there's a nude beach near Daytona. It is at the Cape Canaveral National Seashore, and you can see the space shuttle on its launch pad from there. These things are subject to change so check out the web for current info on the topic. Click Here for the nude beach webside  
|
RESTAURANTSThere are many good restaurants in Daytona Beach. These, we've personally sampled and they're offered as suggestions to help you begin your stay.Ocean Deck127 South Ocean Avenue(386) 253-5224 The Ocean Deck is on the beach just south of the Main Street Pier. You can eat upstairs in air-conditioned comfort with a close view of the breakers through the large glass windows. Downtairs, it's open air dining with a breeze from the beach. The Ocean Deck has a moderately priced menu and delicious cocktails. A good choice it the tuna sandwich, grilled in foil. It's perfect when you're hungry late as the kitchen is open until 2 am. Click Here for the Ocean Deck website it has a webcam that the beach Hull's Seafood Market10:30am to 8pm everyday111 W Granada Blvd. Ormond Beach (take US 1 North from Daytona Beach, turn right on Granada and Hull's is a few blocks before the bridge to the beach) (386) 673-8888 Fresh, local seafood from it's seafood store next door is prepared in numerous delicious ways and reasonably priced at Hull's. The atmosphere is casual with orders placed at a counter and served in to-go boxes that you can carry away or enjoy with a beer at tables inside or outside the small restaurant. Everything we've tried from the menu has been a wonderful treat. Get there before 6pm to purchase great local fresh seafood at Hull's seafood store. Click Here for Hull's Seafood Market's website hullsseafood.com  Crabby Joe's at low tide Crabby Joe's3701 S. Atlantic Ave.(386) 788-3364 Crabby Joe's is located south of Dunlawton. This casual grill is on a pier out over the ocean. A management change has caused a slight price hike and slight food quality reduction, but it's very enjoyable having lunch or an early dinner in the sea air. Lots of different seafood baskets and cocktails too. Crabby Joe's stops serving around 9:15 pm Click Here for Crabby Joe's website Racing's North Turn4511 South Atlantic AvenuePonce Inlet (386) 322-3258 When NASCAR started up in 1936, the first races were halfway on the beach and halfway on A-1-A. This fun beach bar and grill is located on the exact spot where the race cars turned onto A-1-A from the beach to race back down the road to return to the beach again. What an fabulous race course and Racing's North Turn is reminicent of the fabulous Dunes Clubs of yore where members could relax beachside in there swimwear amidst excellent food and beverage service. Best yet - this club is ope to everyone. Head south toward Ponce Inlet and it's easy to find. Click Here for Racing's North Turn's website Sherry's1500 S Atlantic Ave.(386) 252 2349 Sherry's is across the street from The Lincoln, just south of the Orange Street Bridge. It's a tasty and delicious soul food restaurant with very resonable prices. The vegetables are all very meaty so it's not a good place for vegetarians. It features an all-you-can-eat buffet or you can order from the menu. Stavro's Pizza House262 S. Beach St.(386) 258 5154 Stavro's is located in Daytona's Downtown at the southernmost end on the cornor of Orange St. It serves outstanding homemade pizzas but the decor is a little too bright to enjoy dining inside. Stop by an get a take out and be sure to try Stavro's Greek salad (ask for no meat if you're a vegetarian). These pizzas are a great for a picnic or dinner in your hotel room. DJ's Deckunder the Dunlawton Bridge on the North side(386) 760 2277 DJ's serves inexpensively priced fried and grill seafood items and cocktails. You can eat out on its rustic dock overlooking the Halifax River. Delicious cocktails too. Great when you're looking for a quick lunch or dinner. |
LODGING There are so many choices for lodging in Daytona Beach. The 1950s and earlier motor courts - don't you love The Lincoln's sign - are fast being replaced by luxury condos, but many are still around. If you adventurous, pick a motel on the beach by riding along Atlantic Blvd (A-1-A) starting at Main Street and heading South. There are motels and hotels all along the way, and many of them feature special offers on their signs. When you see one you like, stop and ask to see a room If you prefer something more upscale, consult your travel agent or the internet. One of our favorites that we've never stayed at is the Tropical Manor.  That's the Tropical Manor. Isn't all that pink a fab turn-on. Click Here for the Tropical Manor website
Asian Kitchen1609 N. Nova Rd.(at LPGA Blvd. in the Food Lion Shopping Center) (386) 238 7222 For some of the best Chinese take-out you'll find anywhere, stop by this small restaurant on the Mainland. We enjoyed the Shrimp with Garlic Sauce and the Chicken or Deep-Fried Tofu with Brocolli. Reasonably priced and perfect for a picnic at the motel or time-share. You can also dine simply in the few booths inside the restaurant. |
