The Regent

Was at The Regent pub in Edinburgh to get away from the football (the twa local teams were in the cup final against each other for the first time in 100 years or something, and the streets were hell), and a group of middle-aged men in Hibs scarves came in, and enjoyed a nice pint together.

Then, once they were finished, one of them noticed it was “Edinburgh’s Gay Real Ale Pub” and then said “Gay real ale pub? We’re leavin’”, then they left.

They were obviously enjoying themselves before they noticed that it was a gay pub (which the guy conveniently didn’t notice until after they’d all had their pints).

THOUGHTS:

1) It’s a really nice pub, which had a lot of seats and good music and great ales. They were enjoying themselves. Why was it being ‘gay’ suddenly a problem? Worst case scenario, what, they get free condoms from the toilets?

2) Was one of the group maybe in the closet, and really wanted to go to a gay pub for a pint, whilst still maintaining his ‘tough’ exterior, so led people there while pretending he didn’t know it WAS a gay pub?

3) It was an amusing situation, but also depressing as fuck.

4) The Regent is a really good pub. Pints of Old Rosie cider for, like, £3.50 or something! That shit is 8% or thereabouts, and tastes great. It also had a Donna Summer album playing, and I won at a game of Trivial Pursuit.

5) I feel a bit guilty going to gay spaces with my girlfriend, as though I am a ridiculous bisexual with crossdressing tendencies I still obviously exercise white, straight male privilege due to being in a ‘conventional’ relationship. It’s good to go somewhere I feel comfortable wearing nail varnish and acting camp, though.

It’s a situation to think about, certainly.