Play Nightclub, Church Street District

It welcomes everyone and, indeed, draws a mix of straights and gays, but Play (1519 Church St., 615-322-9627) is very much Nashville's - one of the South's - hottest gay discos, having been one red-hot destination club since it opened in 2004. Along with Tribe, next door, it's the see-and-be-seen gay hangout in town, with a decidedly youthful, attractive, well-coiffed, and stylishly clad crowd. Expect a ripping sound system, great dancing, fun drag shows on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, and other cool theme nights - live music on Thursdays, and great DJs on weekends (it's closed Mon. and Tues.). The gay-friendly Hotel Indigo is a couple of blocks north, and the gay establishments Outloud Cafe and Bookstore, Vibe Nightclub, and Blue Gene's gay bar are a couple of blocks east.