Before Micky’s in West Hollywood, I had never really been to a gay bar before. Sure, there was divey Rooster Fish in Venice and the clubby, slick Abbey on Robertson. But the former didn’t have hot go-go boys (or go-go boys at all) and the latter was more straights-integrated.

But since my bro G and bro-in-law Chris live nearby and Micky’s was their Cheers, I had learned to stop staring at the hot go-go boys, get over the novelty of being one of only a very few straight women in the joint and just enjoy my cheap and very strong Jack and Coke. (They’re not known for their mixology here.)

But then in August 2007 an electric fire devastated Micky’s, in turn displacing many locals and those who had frequented the bar’s outrageous and fun theme nights. Twas very sad. No more divey watering hole, no more dance club for those who didn’t want to boogey alongside the Rage’s 18+ ravers across the street, no more bar where everyone knew my name, well, Chris’ and G’s names, and, more importantly, no more dancing boys to go with my early evening cocktail.

But now,

after two years and a huuuge makeover, the bar has reopened — officially this week but its soft opening was back in April. And no longer is it a dive with brick walls, a sticky wood bar and casually dressed barflies. Now it rivals the clubby air of both Eleven and the Abbey. H’well!

“For more than two decades Micky’s has been gay L.A.’s hottest community bar,” owner Michael Neymeyer said in a press release. “Times have changed and so have we; we’re excited to re-introduce our landmark space and revved-up attitude to everyone looking for a new nightclub experience.”

I attended the invite-only grand reopening complete with circus theme and an E-Road electric bike giveaway (random) this week alongside Chris and friend Dre. Chris was kinda irritated that he and his friends, regulars of Micky’s, too, hadn’t been invited to the party. But no matter, he was here now and we got VIP access to the new upstairs lounge and bar.

Unfortunately the exclusive treatment didn’t score us an open bar. But at least we got passed appetizers, like mini sliders, corn dogs, short rib tacos and fruit fritters which we got to enjoy on the prime people-watching balcony overlooking the bar’s smoking patio below as well as Santa Monica Boulevard. BTW, this would be the spot to catch the LA Pride parade this Sunday.

Another new addition to Micky’s, besides its full restaurant menu (with dishes that range in price from $7 chips & guac to $19 short rib entree), is its frou-frou cocktail menu of $10 mojitos and fruity “martinis” like apple, grape and blueberry martinis. No doubt this is meant to compete with Eleven and the Abbey’s specialty cocktails. Meh. I stuck to a Jameson on the rocks — a very generous pour!

Micky’s new glammed-up space — designed by Dean Larkin who’s also responsible for the renovated Farmer’s Daughter Motel — not only includes that upstairs lounge but a satellite bar near the outdoor patio up front as well as illuminated-from-within bar tops and a larger dance floor.

However, despite its beautiful makeover, so far some of the regulars don’t seem too keen on this new and improved Micky’s. Even though some of the bartenders have come back as well as some of the barflies, it’s definitely a whole new vibe. Suddenly I felt underdressed and the illuminated bar was hurting my eyes. But at least the bartenders and servers are still nice and the go-go boys have once again found their rightful place on their dance platforms. Yay!

Micky’s Weekly Schedule:

• Sundays — Decade: Simple fun on Sundays with cheap drinks. Escape features countless gogo boys, live surprise shows and some of the best pop music from the last 30 years.
• Mondays — Showgirls: Bring out your inner diva at Showgirls with performances from some of LA’s best drag queen performers.  At Showgirls you expect a little lip synching from Britney and Christina and a whole lot of attitude.
• Tuesdays — RUMORS: This 18+ night features dance & model competitions with $500 prizes, specialty cocktails and, of course, 12 hot young gogo boys themed out in different costumes every week.
• Wednesdays — Hot Rod: The filthiest night in town with Live Bondage shows every week, sultry shower scenes, shadow boxes, big muscle studs, over 15 beefcake dancers, 2 for 1 drinks and more. It’s all about the tease on Wednesdays.
• Thursdays — Club Papi Presents “Pan Dulce” or Sugarbread — Latins rule the bar.
• Fridays & Saturdays — Micky’s best gogo boys come out in full force.  Familiar favorites and new faces dance the night away for the audiences viewing pleasure.

More pics from Micky’s Grand Reopening.

Micky’s
8857 Santa Monica Boulevard
West Hollywood, California 90069 (map)
(310) 657-1176