The historic port city of New London (population 27,500) has a rich and illustrious maritime heritage, and today is perhaps best known for being the home of the US Coast Guard Academy, as well. like Connecticut College and Mitchell College. It is also the New England ferry terminal that runs regularly from East Long Island in New York across the Sound, and the largest community near the famous maritime life history museum, Mystic Seaport, which is located a just 10 miles east. Finally, New London is a good base for visiting New England’s two largest and most elegant casino gaming complexes, near Mohegan Sun (13 miles north) and Foxwoods (15 miles northeast).
With so many attractions nearby, and with New London just an hour’s drive from Providence and a two-hour drive from Boston, the area draws a good chunk of LGBT visitors and hosts the New London Gay Pride in late August each year. . Mystic Country is the tourism organization for the region.
Whatever the reason you visit the area, if you feel like going out for a little gay club, your options are somewhat limited in terms of specific LGBT hangouts. The old gay bar Frank’s Place, formerly in the center of New London, has closed. Yet another popular New London spot for gays and lesbians is O’Neill’s Brass Rail (52 Bank St.), which has a welcoming staff and a cozy, welcoming interior. Weekly parties like Martini Madness on Mondays, “All Demand” dance parties on Thursdays, and Latin shows on Saturdays are among our favorites.
This bar also receives a fair share of direct customers. New London is small and generally liberal enough that the nightspots are quite varied.
New London also has some cozy restaurants, including 2 Wives Brick Oven Pizza (45 Huntington St.), a beautifully designed, ardent ally of the local LGBT community serving fantastic thin crust cakes; and a fresh and friendly artisan coffee shop, Washington Street Coffee House (13 Washington St.), an inviting and comfortable spot that also serves delicious breakfast burritos, spicy miso noodle bowls, roast pork banh mi sandwiches, and other savory dishes.
Mohegan Sun y Foxwoods
The impressively large and expansive casinos a short drive north of New London are big draws for this part of the state, and even if you’re not a big player, they host big-name concerts, have a number of great restaurants, and have beautiful hotels. Both resorts are very gay-friendly, are big sponsors of New London Gay Pride in August, and have had events specifically geared towards the LGBT community, and Mohegan Sun offers its employees same-sex benefits.
North of New London, Mohegan Sun comprises a glamorous 34-story hotel tower with spacious and sophisticated rooms; a 22,000-square-foot Elemis spa; lots of shopping (coach, Dylan’s Candy Bar, Sephora, etc.); three big casinos; a concert hall that draws important acts; and a host of notable restaurants: Frank Pepe Pizzeria, Jasper White’s Summer Shack, Michael Jordan’s Steak House, Bobby Flay’s Bar Americain, Todd English’s Tuscany, and many more. There are also several bars and dance clubs, including Avalon, which occasionally has gay events.
About 10 miles east of Mohegan Sun, Foxwoods Resort Casino is another impressive and beautifully designed complex, and this company also provides benefits to same-sex employee couples and is a trusted friend of the gay community. The resort books big-name concerts, including gay music acts and comedians from time to time. It is home to several different hotels, including the luxurious Grand Pequot Tower; a wide range of retail options; many games, of course; two luxurious spas; a famous golf course; and notable restaurants and nightlife such as Vue 24, Red Lantern, David Burke Prime, Alta Strada, California Pizza Kitchen, Matches Tavern, and Golden Dragon.
Mystic y Stonington Village
Venture a little further east along the coast from New London, and you’ll arrive in the town of Mystic, with its famous Mystic Aquarium and the historic Mystic Seaport Museum of America and the Sea, as well as several exceptional dining options. Don’t miss the exceptional outdoor seafood venue, Abbott’s Lobster in the Rough (117 Pearl St., Noank), for exceptional seafood meals (open spring through fall only); and, right in the heart of downtown Mystic, the elegant Oyster Club (13 Water St.), a fancier option for seafood, with a menu that emphasizes local produce and sustainable ingredients.
It’s another 5 miles east to the charming little town of Stonington, which occupies a narrow peninsula on the border with Rhode Island. If you’re looking for a peaceful, historic, seaside getaway, yet close to New London’s gay nightlife, casinos, and Mystic Seaport, this little gem of a town is perfect (and is home to a fantastic gay community- friendly). boutique hotel, the Stonington Inn). Even if you don’t stay here, it is worth coming here to wander around this charming town and have a bite to eat at one of the excellent and cozy restaurants, such as the Water Street Cafe (143 Water St.), which serves creative food. Seafood; and the cozy and contemporary Milagro Mexican Restaurant (142 Water St.).
