05/16/2005
The Summer is Changing
From Provincetown comes word that the legendary Boatslip Beach Club, a late afternoon drinking institution (and former workplace of this writer way back when) is up for sale for $14.5 million and is slated for residential development. Built on a prime piece of land on Provincetown's waterfront, the 'Slip has been home for years to a June—October indoor/outdoor tea dance on its enormous wooden deck.
Those of you who can remember back to 1992 and 1993 might remember me carrying chaise lounges around the deck there for tips, or whipping up a mudslide from behind the bar. Ah, summer jobs!
Losing this piece of property as a commercial enterprise marks the end of an era for gay summer social life in Ptown. Who will pick up the slack? The times they are a' changing.
Related
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Also
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The End of an Era in Times Square [tr]
photo: Towleroad
Posted 9:07 AM EST by Andy Towle in Travel | Permalink
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WOW Andy, I didn't know you were slinging Mudslides behind the bar at the Boatslip? I was working the fron patio at the Crown & Anchor (Or Crotch and Ankle as the local gays call it) during those years. I graduated to the Backroom after that!
Posted by: Pablo | May 16, 2005 9:16:19 AM
Well, thanks, this news really ruined my Monday morning! :) This will be my 8th year vacationing in Ptown and it won't be the same if Boatslip is history. Your links to last year were wonderful. Ptown is heaven. Back to work now, ugh.
Posted by: Bob | May 16, 2005 9:25:11 AM
next, you'll tell me the A House is going condo...
see ya on the 4th!
Posted by: aka frank | May 16, 2005 9:48:56 AM
I understand the Boom Boom Room in Laguna Beach may turn into a str8 B&B.
Posted by: bmw | May 16, 2005 10:05:41 AM
happy birthday andy :)
Posted by: matty | May 16, 2005 10:13:00 AM
The Boatslip gone? I hate it when they turn part of my misspent youth into condos. Of course I'm the one who tried to convince a friend to buy a condo in what was one the Napoleon Club in Boston - "just because."
Posted by: John | May 16, 2005 10:36:25 AM
Say it ain't so!
Posted by: alan | May 16, 2005 12:04:08 PM
It'll be sad to see the Boatslip go, but there will definitely be another place to pick up the slack... supply and demand. hundreds of gay beachgoers ready to shell out a cover charge and buy expensive drinks need somewhere to spend their money.
Posted by: jake | May 16, 2005 12:12:43 PM
I think I'll wait to see if they get a buyer before I start waxing nostagic about my lost time on (and under) the Boatslip deck.
Posted by: Patrick | May 16, 2005 12:25:11 PM
Time to head over to the Pied :-) Beautiful pics....keep them coming. Ptown will always be special.
Posted by: Don | May 16, 2005 5:49:32 PM
My heart just sank as I read this. I have been going to PTown every summer since '92 and yes Andy I do remember your yummy mudslides :) I will appreciate my time there more than ever this August as it may be the last time :(
-Chris in DC
Posted by: Chris | May 16, 2005 10:50:35 PM
Crotch and Ankle? I thought it was the Frown and Canker.
What amazes me about that picture is actually how developed P-Town is. I think of it as two streets with some houses. Guess a bike's eye view is different than a bird's.
Posted by: Oliver | May 17, 2005 12:41:23 AM
Hope they keep the dick-dock operational . .. ;-)
Posted by: Craig | May 18, 2005 11:21:29 AM
not surprised, i believe the boatslip is owned by the same group that owns the atlantic shores resort in key west and it is closing after fantasy fest this year and becoming condos. where are the gay boys to go with the condoization of key west/ptown/ft liquordale?
Posted by: jake | May 19, 2005 2:58:20 AM