Max's, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Tucked inside casually elegant adobe house in the heart of Santa Fe's funky Railyard District (also known as the Guadalupe District), Max's Santa Fe (403 1/2 S. Guadalupe St., down a short lane behind WilLee's Blues Bar, 505-984-9104) is an eclectic, world-beat restaurant serving very good food. But in this gay-friendly city that has very little going on in the way of actual gay hangouts, Max's functions as something of a de facto gay lounge. There's a nice wine selection, and the crowd is decidedly progressive, artsy, and comprising plenty of gays and lesbians. This is an especially fun spot after work or early in the evening, and perfect for combining cocktais or wine with some light - or even quite substantial - dining.