Adobe Bar, Taos, New Mexico

The small, artsy northern New Mexico town of Taos has long had a popular following with gays and lesbians, but the town has relatively little going in the way of nightlife, and certainly no specific gay bars. That being said, the atmospheric, high-ceilinged lobby lounge at the historic Taos Inn, called the Adobe Bar (at the Taos Inn, 125 Paseo del Norte, 575-758-2233), is one of the friendliest and coolest hangouts in town, and it's absolutely GLBT-welcoming, as is the excellent adjacent restaurant, Doc Martin's. This lively space with seating on the patio out front in warm weather has traditional New Mexican viga-latilla ceilings, terrific "cowboy buddha" margaritas, live music just about every night, and arguably the best people-watching in this great little town. It's just a five-minute walk from the historic Taos Plaza, and also within strolling distance of many of the town's B&Bs and inns (including the luxe El Monte Sagrado). This is one of the great must-sees in Taos, and the surrounding hotel - which is said to be haunted by seemingly friendly ghosts - has funky, moderately priced rooms (some rather upscale, others relatively simple but still dripping with character).