Paradise, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Cambridge may be the erudite neighbor of Boston, but it's also home to the cruisiest gay bar in the metro area (yes, it's even saltier than Ramrod and The Eagle), Paradise (180 Massachusetts Ave., 617-868-3000), a two-level space with toned and tiger-y male go-go dancers every night of the week. The downstairs area tends to be more about cruising, but there's gay porn showing late into the evening on both levels. The crowd is predictably social, and draws from a surprising range of ages, styles, and sensibilities, from preppy college kids to blue-collar daddy's to regular 30-something guys in jeans and Ts. It's a short cab ride or easy trip on the T (subway) from Boston.