Effex Nightclub: Just a few miles west of downtown is one of the city's most popular gay hangouts, Effex Nightclub.With a friendly staff, drag shows, karaoke, and other fun, the club draws sizable crowds, especially on weekends. The cost for an annual membership varies depending on if you live in the state or not. You must be a member to enter 'the Soch,' but everyone is welcome (as long as they have a valid photo ID). There you'll find Albuquerque Social Club, a private club for gay and lesbians, one of the neighborhood's and the city's most popular LGBTQ+ venues. Albuquerque Social Club: Historic Nob Hill, which is bisected by famous Route 66, lies a couple of miles east of downtown.The mixed gay-straight venue at the elegant Hotel Parq Central on the historic Route 66 offers seasonal cocktails, local beer on tap, wine, and small plates with vegetables, cheese, fish, and other regional items. Apothecary Lounge: Downtown is home to a swanky and beautiful indoor/outdoor tapas bar and lounge with an expansive roof deck that affords panoramic views of downtown and the Sandia Mountains.
