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This New Book on Queer Bar History Will Make You Appreciate Your Local LGBTQ Bar

The term “queer bar” is a misnomer. These sacred institutions contain multitudes. They’ve been the sites of rallies, meet-cutes, political campaigns, and chosen-family gatherings. They provide both refuge and risk. They’re places for parties and protests. When LGBTQ Pride erupts worldwide every June, it commemorates the Stonewall Uprising — an event that began at a queer bar.

But America’s historic LGBTQ havens are closing at an alarming rate. Between 2007 and 2019, the US lost 37 percent of its queer bars, according to research published in the journal Socius. Today, there are only about 21 lesbian-centric bars left in the country.

Few understand the complex realities of this queer-bar conundrum better than Dr. Eric Cervini, a Pulitzer Prize nominee and historian of LGBTQ culture and politics. In his latest book published with Miller Lite, Beers and Queer History, Cervini dives into the underreported stories of 10 iconic queer spaces, proving how integral they are to the country’s past, present, and future.

We spent time with Cervini to discuss the state of the queer bar and learn about into his favorite LGBTQ destinations around the US.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Matador Network: Why do you think it’s important to share a written history of queer bars in 2022?

Dr. Eric Cervini: When you look at queer history, you notice so much of the most important moments in our collective past happened at queer bars — whether it’s Stonewall, Compton’s, the Black Cat — because, for so many of us, these were the only spaces that were safe. And sadly, when you look at the numbers, they’re diminishing. They’re becoming an endangered species.

I think it’s so important to recognize not just the spaces that are in themselves historical, but also the people who existed there who not just survived but thrived in these spaces and literally created history. Whether it’s José Sarria or Marsha P. Johnson — so many different folks shaped who we are as a community in these spaces. I like reminding people of how queer bars, queer institutions, and queer politics are inextricably linked.

Photo: Miller Lite

Of the bars you write about in the book, only half are still open as queer spots today. Which remaining bar is your favorite?

Obviously, the Stonewall Inn. It’ll always have such a special, sacred place in my heart as the birthplace of queer liberation.

You recently visited The Stonewall Inn for your book’s NYC launch party. What’s your impression of the bar today?

I think they’ve done a great job preserving this historical space. You look at the numbers, and queer bars are really suffering as a result of gentrification and the COVID-19 pandemic. So many queer institutions went out of business, yet Stonewall is still alive. I think in the hands of other folks, there’s a very good chance it would’ve turned into a highrise condo, or turned into a straight bar.

That’s what happened on the west side of Los Angeles. We don’t have any queer bars now because they’ve either shut down or have been bought out by straight owners. [Stonewall] is still a shrine to our past. There’s a memorial outside for Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson. I’m very grateful that it still exists as somewhere we can celebrate our past.

Speaking of the past, when people tell the story of the Stonewall Uprising, it’s usually filled with folklore. But in your debut book, The Deviant’s War , you give a beautiful, accurate account of what happened. Can you correct some of the common misconceptions people have about those events?

I want to start by saying I don’t think the mythology around Stonewall is a bad thing. I think we have been excluded from so much of American Judeo-Christian ideology and mythology. We’re often told we don’t have a place in our own country, let alone in a more spiritual realm. Stonewall is our mythology. That is what we hold onto to explain our existence. And so, I think this is where history doesn’t necessarily need to be at odds with the storytelling that has emerged because that in itself is historically significant.

That said, one of the things I always like to correct is when people talk about who threw the first brick at Stonewall. People talk about Marsha P. Johnson and the first brick. The best story I like to remind people is that it wasn’t just one brick.

Photo: PeskyMonkey/Shutterstock

There’s an eyewitness account of Marsha P. Johnson climbing up a lamppost in a tight dress and high heels with an entire bag of bricks or something equally heavy. We know it was a bag, and we know it was very, very heavy — likely filled with whatever would have caused damage — and she dropped it on the windshield of a police car below her, shattering it. And I think that’s one of the most iconic moments, not just of Stonewall, but of all queer history.

It’s that moment that I think we should keep in mind rather than debating, “Okay. Who was the first?” Who cares about who threw the first brick? Talk about just pure cinematic quality and courage to be doing that. That’s the story I like to hold onto and imagine when I think of Stonewall.

What do queer folks lose when we abandon these queer spaces?

It’s a great question. I think if COVID taught us anything, it’s that there is something lost when we lose physical interaction with other people, with our community. I think you have to have a physical space in order to expand our community, expand our horizons, and meet a diverse group of people and have this completely organic conversation and meet folks who are different from you and have different lives than you. You can’t do that in a Zoom room. You can’t do that very easily online on various dating apps.

I think that’s what queer bars offer, not to mention the political aspects. Queer bars have always been the epicenters of political organizing by queer folks. I think we shouldn’t just commemorate their legacies of activism, but continue to use these spaces as organizing grounds — especially with 300 anti-LGBTQ bills targeting us this year alone.

You live in Los Angeles. What’s the best queer spot for a night with friends?

The west side of Los Angeles doesn’t have a queer bar anymore. And it’s so heartbreaking for a very large part of the city not to have our own neighborhood space to meet our community. But a group of folks have created a pop-up queer bar that throws happy hours every other Thursday, called West of Lincoln. It’s one of those places where you can stop in, just talk, and meet new people. Folks travel in from all over the city to see what the West Side queers are doing. It’s so much fun; I highly recommend it.

Another restaurant throws a party every other month called Gaywatch at James’ Beach. So you’re seeing folks trying to build the momentum to create some of these new permanent spaces. I think one way to make that happen is to support these periodic or temporary events that can hopefully turn into something permanent.

Photo: lazyllama/Shutterstock

Let’s zoom out and look at the entire US. What’s your favorite gay bar in the country?

I’m not sure if it’s open again, but the very first queer bar that I went was called Town in Washington DC. It was off Q Street, and it was the most magical experience for a little queer 18-year-old (on Friday nights, it was 18 and up), and it will always hold a special place in my heart. Unfortunately, it was sold and turned into highrise, luxury condos.

However, I think it’s going to reopen in a former church, which is just so amazing.

Editor’s Note: Town, which closed in 2018, is slated to open in the former Saint Phillips Baptist Church on North Capitol Street NE in Washington, DC. The building is currently under construction.

That sounds fantastic—the perfect place for a gay bar.

Exactly.

If you could write about any historic queer destination in the US, where would you choose?

Oh there’s so many, and there’s one that someone’s already working on. There’s about to be a book out about the history of Fire Island called Fire Island: A Century in the Life of American Paradise by Jack Parlett. I’d love to do more digging about the history of Fire Island, the glamorous folks who showed up and traveled there, and some of the people who shaped it and created it. Some very prominent literary folks would travel there. It’s something that I don’t know enough about, and I really want to research more and at least read or maybe write about it. We’ll see.

Your new queer history variety show, The Book of Queer , premiers in June, and you’re currently doing press for the release of Beers and Queer History. Despite all that, do you have any exciting queer-centric summer travel plans?

On Memorial Day, I’m going to P-town for the first time in probably 10 years. And my boyfriend has never been, so I’m very excited to introduce him to another queer mecca.

Copies of Eric’s guidebook are now available for purchase at shop.millerlite.com. The guide costs $19.33, honoring the year America’s first-known gay bar, Café Lafitte, opened in New Orleans. All proceeds benefit Equality Federation, an organization working to advance workplace fairness and equality for the LGBTQ community.

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This Luxury Montana Getaway Lets You Fly Fish With Top Chefs Before a World-Class Meal

The 37,000-acre Resort at Paws Up in Greenough, Montana seamlessly blends into the wilderness. The luxury property, which offers guests horseback riding, backcountry tours, and snowmobiling excursions among other activities, was designed with the intent of living with nature instead of in opposition to it. Fish and Feast, a weekend long culinary event held at the resort for five years running, aligns with the resort’s values of sustainability and appreciation for everything the natural world has to offer.

Photo: Resort at Paws Up

Held over Labor Day weekend at Paws Up resort, guests are promised an unforgettable experience communing with nature. Guests will spend their days fly-fishing and exploring the banks of the beautiful Blackfoot River; their nights will involve stellar meals cooked by visiting chefs. William Dissen is one of the guest chefs this year, who also happens to be a foraging expert and might even integrate a foraging lesson into the Fish and Feast weekend.

Photo: Johnny Autry

Chef Dissen is a multi-talented restaurateur who incorporates traditional Appalachian plant knowledge and sustainable food practices into his work. He spends his free time outdoors, hiking, fly-fishing, and foraging. While growing up in rural West Virginia, his grandfather would take him foraging for wild foods like ramps, mushrooms, and ginseng.

“I just thought he was kind of a crazy old guy and I was just humoring him going on a hike with him in the woods… fast forward and that’s one of the big things we showcase in our menus,” says Dissen.

His goal at the Fish & Feast weekend is to integrate these hobbies and what he does in his North Carolina restaurants (including The Market Place in Asheville) into a fun learning experience. Dissen will accompany guests on fishing excursions, and along the way he says there’s a possibility the group might “forage anything we saw in the forest at the resort while we were in transit to go fishing.” Any ingredients they gather will be used to make their meals.

While there is some element of planning when it comes to the menus (to adhere to guests’ dietary requirements) the bounties of nature will also help dictate the final look and flavor of each meal. But no matter how the final plate looks, the meal will be worthy of 5-stars: New York City-based chef PJ Calapa will work with Dissen to create every meal for participants (from breakfast to dinner) while Staglin Family Vineyards will provide wine pairings.

Dissen notes that there is room for getting creative based on availability if foraging does happen over the weekend: Finding nettles might result in the inclusion of nettle broth; if they spot young wild pine, it might be used to roast the fish guests catch in the river (although he emphasizes that most fish in Montana are catch-and-release and there’s no guarantee the forest surrounding the resort will offer any wild ingredients that will end up in the evening’s meal). Dissen’s knowledge of preservation will also play a part in any foraging that will take place over the weekend.

“[Say we find] spruce pine tips. We’ll pack those in sugar and make mugolio [a type of pine syrup made in Italy, typically with white mugo pine],” he says.

While Dissen has foraged and explored these areas of Montana in the past, he acknowledges that sharing traditional foraging knowledge is always a bit of a mutual learning experience. Some edible plants exist across the contiguous U.S. and are easy to recognize — others are a little more particular, and Dissen will often include local guides in the North Carolina foraging excursions he hosts to better understand each plant he encounters.

Whether guests have the opportunity to forage or not, Dissen expects the weekend to be a wonderful experience for both the chefs and the participants.

“It’s going to be a really fun opportunity to take a lot of what I’m doing here in the Western North Carolina region and be able to bring it out to the west and to the Rockies. I’m excited to learn about different flora and fauna out there, to go fishing and cook and meet some really wonderful people,” Dissen adds. 

To sign up for the Fish and Feast weekend at Paws Up resort, make a reservation for the experience at the same time you book your weekend visit. The Fish and Feast weekend costs $2,440 per night for two adults in a Meadow Home. $2,105 per night is the starting rate for tents for two adults. The experience is open to people interested in fly-fishing at any and all experience levels. Spots for the Fish & Feast weekend will fill up fast, as it’s one of the resort’s more popular weekend experiences of the year.

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Watch: What a $6,000-Plus Trip To Maldives During Rainy Season Looks Like

When you imagine a Maldives vacation, a few things likely come to mind: visions of travel influencers enjoying clear turquoise water, lounging on the decks of overwater bungalows, and taking in the sun’s rays, for example. However, go at the wrong time of year, and you may not be so lucky. Travel influencer Yulia Yrva documented an unfortunate circumstance where she was rained out during her Maldives trip.

@yulia.vyrva #storm #rainywearher #maldives #unlucky #badweather #expectationvreality ♬ Love You So – The King Khan & BBQ Show

Plenty of people in the comments blamed Yrva for mother nature’s decisions, saying she should’ve checked to see when the rainy season began before booking her $6,000-plus vacation (before factoring in the flights, as she noted in the comments). She spent six days on the island and only got two days with quality weather.

So when is the rainy season in Maldives?

The truth is when you travel to islands, you always run the risk of a tropical storm. Yrva mentioned this wasn’t her first trip, and she had stayed in Maldives with rain before but typically only getting rain for a day or two. The rainy season is typically between May and October, but Yrva mistakingly thought it started in June. And although it was probably still nice and warm outside, hopping in the ocean during those strong winds can be dangerous.

Booking outside of peak season is a great way to get your Maldives vacation on a budget, but it can be risky. You might end up like me, who traveled in mid-June and only had one day of imperfect weather — or you might end up like Yrva.

Still, you’ve got to admit, being rained out in paradise is still better than being stuck at work.

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End of an Era: The Last Public Payphone in NYC Was Just Taken Out

May has been challenging for those of us who yearn for the past. Just a few weeks ago, 2022 marked the end of the iPod. And now, people are hurting over the death of the New York City payphone.

On May 23, New York City decided to hang up on payphones as the last one, which was located in Times Square, was hauled away by construction workers. In true “we’ve moved on” fashion, the official Times Square TikTok account documented the moment.

@timessquare.nyc The last payphone in NYC was removed today in Times Square #payphone #TimesSquare #NYC #newyorkcity ♬ original sound – ly'

If you scroll through the comments, there isn’t a dry eye in the house, yet Manhattan borough president Mark Levine was not feeling very nostalgic as the defunct piece of technology left Seventh Avenue. He said the city is leaving behind the 6,000 payphones you could once find and entering into a new era where phones with no dial tone that require fishing for quarters are obsolete, according to ABC7 New York. However, there are still a few privately-owned payphones, and not all is lost. Clark Kent can be at ease knowing there are still four “walk-in” old-school phone booths located on West End Avenue, at 66th, 90th, 100th and 101st streets.

The city has been working on a modern way to fill the need. NYC residents and visitors can find 2,000 LinkNYC kiosks, with thousands more on the way to all five boroughs. The kiosks offer high-speed Wi-Fi, phone calls, a tablet for maps and city services, and device charging completely free of charge.

So although NYC has lost the payphone, city-goers are far from disconnected.

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Mark Your Calendar: In 2025 You Can Visit 25 Countries on One Epic Cruise

Cruise travel suffered significantly during the pandemic, but it’s back with more and better options than ever. Just in time to celebrate its 30th anniversary, the luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering the trip of a lifetime: 150 days at sea with stops in 25 countries.

Guests can embark from Miami or San Francisco. Either way, the ship sails across three oceans and hits South America, the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Alaska. The 2025 World Cruise goes to 25 countries and 97 ports over 36,295 nautical miles. And if you’re not ready to be perpetually back on land after 150 nights on the water, guests can add on 18 nights for stops in the Mexican Riviera, Costa Rica, Colombia, and more with full transit across the Panama Canal. Never before visited ports for the cruise line include the remote Robinson Crusoe Island off the coast of Chile and Muroran on the Japanese island of Hokkaido — plus a 3-day scenic cruise of the Antarctic.

Photo: Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Three hundred ninety-five excursions are included in the price of this cruise of a lifetime, and guests will gain access to 48 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The fee also includes first-class airfare, door-to-door luggage service, a comprehensive visa package, unlimited valet laundry including dry-cleaning and pressing, phone time per suite, onboard medical assistance, a commemorative gift, and more — all with the luxury Regent Seven Seas Cruises is known for.

“We know that our guests are looking for extended travel in exotic destinations, which is why we are incredibly excited to unveil the longest World Cruise in our 30-year history,” said Jason Montague, president and chief executive officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, in a statement. “Over 150 nights, travelers will not only experience the highest standards of service, cuisine and enrichment, plus enjoy a delightful array of luxury amenities, but they will also sail as far south as Antarctica, as far east as Asia and as far north as Alaska – all in one single, epic voyage as they sail Away in Wonder.”

Photo: Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Of course, a trip this extravagant comes at a pretty penny. The price for this 150-night sail of a lifetime goes from $86,999 to $249,999 per guest. Pre-registration for the 2025 World Cruise begins on June 1, 2022, and the sale officially begins June 15.

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7 Ethical Airbnb Animal Experiences To Brighten Your Travels

Unique Airbnb animal experiences are located all over the world. Of course, you want to support a tour operator operating ethically and treating the animals well. Each of these Airbnb animal experiences are safe and follow all guidelines of the World Animal Protection.

We hope you love the ethical Airbnb animal experiences we recommend! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

Parrots in Paradise Sanctuary

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Learn about Kona’s parrots, and the individual story of each resident here, at Kona’s only parrot sanctuary. Hawaii has many unique Airbnb animal experiences, but this is the only one that talks back at you. This parrot sanctuary gives these displaced parrots a space to fly and a safe place to interact with other parrots and people. Throughout the tour, you’ll get to know the range of personalities of the birds.

Location: Kealakekua, Hawaii, United States
Price: From $60 per person

Book Now

Frog Watching Night Safari

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Experience this one and only opportunity to commune with wild frogs at a wild frog sanctuary at night. Watch and observe these curious creatures at the time of day when the rainforest wildlife are the most active. You’ll see at least 28 frog species that have made their home in the ponds of the Arenal Oasis. Along with observing the frogs, the guides will also take you along the trails in the noisy night rainforest.

Location: Fortuna, Costa Rica
Price: $51 per person

Book Now

Bird watching in Serra da Estrela with experts

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Want an ethical Airbnb animal experience on the calming side? Then check out this bird-watching animal experience in Portugal. With specialists from the CERVAS – Center for Ecology, Recovery, and Surveillance of Wild Animals in this tour, you will be observing more than 150 species of birds.

Location:Manteigas, Portugal
Price: From $64 per person

Book Now

 

Sanctuary Tour and Pamper a Pig

 

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Who doesn’t want to pamper and love on a pig every once in a while? Come out and spend time with an adorable potbelly pig at the Wayward Ranch Animal Sanctuary. All of the potbelly pigs at this sanctuary were rescued and are waiting for all your love.

Location: Kerhonkson, New York, United States
Price: From $40 per person

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Afternoon tea with the Alpacas

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Here’s a fun and enjoyable animal experience perfect for the whole family. In this animal experience, you will have a nice afternoon tea with the alpacas. You’ll learn about the alpacas and then have a lovely afternoon tea with your friend.

Location: Southampton, United Kingdom
Price: From $44 per person

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Share the love with strays of Split

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Who can say no to those cute little faces? Come out and support a local shelter and hear about the activities, goals, and the dog’s journey in the shelter. Cuddle with these cute dogs, take photos, make a cute friend, and maybe even take them home.

Location:·Kaštel Sućurac, Croatia
Price: From $11 per person

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Save gibbons and save forests

Photo: Airbnb

Photo: Airbnb

Want to take your love for animals to another level? Try out Airbnb animal experiences that teach about the environment and wildlife, and this experience does just that. At the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, they introduce gibbons back into the wild. This is not a zoo but a place where they rescue, rehabilitate and release gibbons. Learn about species and their movements and more.

Location:Tambon Pa Klok, Thailand
Price: From $117 per person

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The Best Places To Eat at Knott’s Berry Farm, a Theme Park Designed Around Good Food

Southern California’s Knott’s Berry Farm is a theme park with a story as fanciful as the attractions inside. Knott’s Berry Farm has been running for over 100 years, but the park began as a roadside berry stand and fried chicken restaurant — long before Walt Disney ever planted his roots just up the road. The early dining operations proved to be so popular that the amusements side was first built solely to entertain hungry vacationers and their families; in fact Knott’s Berry Farm food is one of the main reasons people go there in the first place.

Although Knott’s Berry Farm has grown and expanded to now include some of the more common amusement park attractions, like roller coasters, its culinary origins are still very much at the heart of what helps it endure as a beloved family-friendly destination. The boysenberry, a hybrid fruit first successfully cultivated by the Knott family, appears in all kinds of snacks and beverages, from barbecue wings to craft cocktails.

As an avid park goer for over three decades, I can say with certainty that Knott’s Berry Farm stands out as one of the best in the United States. Knott’s Berry Farm food can easily be ranked among the best theme park food in the country, too. The park itself is a perfect marriage of the past and present, honoring its roots while providing top-notch entertainment and cutting-edge roller coasters.

What prospective visitors might not realize though, is that they should take a tour not just of the coasters but of Knott’s Berry Farm food offerings, too. The food and beverage program, including an award-winning boysenberry food festival, remains one of the top reasons I continue to visit the park again and again. From surprisingly good fried chicken to tangy boysenberry pie (both using the original recipe Mrs. Knott developed), dining here is as thrilling as the park’s many rides. Here is the best Knott’s Berry Farm food you need to try on your next trip.

Mrs. Knott’s Famous Fried Chicken

Photo: Carly Caramanna

Located just outside the gates of the park, the restaurant that started it all, Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant remains open and just as popular as it ever was. While the menu and space have rapidly expanded, the restaurant’s famous fried chicken is still the must-try dish here – and the perfect way to start your excursion inside the park. Paired with a side of house-made biscuits and boysenberry preserves, it’s the peak of fried chicken perfection with a crispy, briney exterior and juicy, meaty center.

The restaurant continues to use the original recipe, minus the lard, and the chicken arrives in their kitchen pre-marinated to keep their recipe a secret. In the restaurant’s lobby, you can catch a glimpse of the Knott family wedding china that was used to serve the very first chicken dinner in 1934.

Where to find it: Mrs. Knott’s Chicken Dinner Restaurant

Boysenberry wheat ale

The boysenberry sees itself in various forms on drink menus across the property, from mojitos to wine, but the park’s boysenberry wheat ale is where it really shines. The medium-bodied draft beer is light and refreshing, while the boysenberry flavor adds an extra tang.

It’s available throughout the theme park resort, including Calico Saloon in the park’s Ghost Town. Swinging doors will beckon you inside this Old West-style watering hole where you never know who will show up (Knott’s is known for their outstanding live actors). Pro tip: Most bars will stock a garnish skewer of boysenberries. Ask for one in your beer.

Where to find it: Calico Saloon

Elote Dog

Drawing on inspiration from its location in Southern California, the Elote Dog impresses with flavors of the region at the park’s Fiesta Dogs. The all-beef hot dog is topped with house-made esquites, a tangy-meets-spicy-meets-smokey blend of off-the-cob corn kernels prepared at the park. Wash it down with a Michelada, and it’s the perfect theme park snack, especially when the weather gets warmer.

Location: Fiesta Dogs

Boysenberry Soft Serve

Photo: Carly Caramanna

Available from Mix-It-Up Ice Cream, the park’s boysenberry soft serve is the pinnacle of the park’s signature boysenberry flavor, across all its menus. The texture is custard-like and creamy, the flavors of the hybrid fruit come through without being too over powering. Available in a cup or waffle cone, you can also enjoy it between two freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies.

Where to find it: Mix-It-Up Ice Cream

Tater Bites

These are not the plain old tater tots you’re used to serving at home when your picky eater won’t try anything else. Known for inventive toppings, like chipotle carnitas, pastrami, and bbq pulled pork, Calico Tater Bites takes the mundane and makes it extra special. The star of the show is under all those toppings, though: a layer of crispy, hot, and expertly fried tater tots. When prepared plain, they are also vegan friendly.

Location: Calico Tater Bites

Boysenberry latte

Avoid a mid-afternoon theme park slump with the boysenberry latte. The drink combines espresso with boysenberry flavors, steamed milk, and a touch of whipped cream. It’s surprisingly light and low on the sweetness scale with a tangy kick from the boysenberry that downplays bitter espresso. The perfect pick me up when your kids start to run you ragged on the roller coasters.

Location: Charleston Circle Coffee

Stuffed Churros

Photo: Knott’s Berry Farm

Disney might be famous for its many, many flavors of churros, but not all theme park churros are created equally. The stuffed churros at Knott’s Berry Farm are some of the very best, no matter how many Disney churros you might see pop up on Instagram. The park’s team of churro professionals is trained to hand-roll and fry these from scratch-made dough every day. The result is a churro with a pillowy inside and a light, crunchy exterior. After being fried, they are stuffed with your desired filling, including Bavarian cream or boysenberry jam.

Where to find it: Gourmet Churro Factory

Boysenberry pie

Boysenberry sugar cookies as well as vegan-friendly dessert options await at the park’s Ghost Town Bakery. Here, you can get a taste of a Knott’s original, their famous boysenberry pie that landed them on the map decades ago. Still made in-house, the tangy and fruity flavors of the berry complement the buttery and flaky pie crust. Call it a slice of history.

Location: Ghost Town Bakery

Knott’s Famous Chili

It’s not all sweets at the park’s beloved Ghost Town Bakery. Served in a fresh-baked sourdough bread bowl, Knott’s Famous Chili is a hearty lunch option loaded with ingredients that blend savory flavors with a hint of sweetness. It’s a filling meal that will fuel you for the rest of your marathon park day but won’t weigh you down before tackling more rides.

Location: Ghost Town Bakery

Fried Cheese Stick

Corn dogs are tried-and-true amusement park snacks, but Knott’s Berry Farm brings this iconic bite to a new level. Resist the urge to try their sweet boysenberry cornbread battered hot dog and go straight for the fried cheese stick. Like a jumbo version of the appetizer staple, this snack is rich and delicious — and offers the ultimate cheese pull. The outside is freshly fried, but not greasy, and opens to a heaping pile of warm, melted cheese. It’s decadent and best shared.

Location: Strictly-on-a-stick

Chicken and Rib Brigade Baskets

Don’t let its unassuming nature fool you: Fireman’s Brigade BBQ is a no frills establishment, offering standout barbecue in an open-air, quick service setting. The absolute must-try dish is its ¼ chicken and pork rib platter with fire-roasted corn on the cob. After ordering, belly up to the open kitchen as you watch them prepare the deliciously tender meats.

Location: Fireman’s Brigade BBQ

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The 12 Best Islands in Mexico for Every Type of Traveler

For a destination that’s so beloved by beachgoers, it’s a wonder Mexico’s islands don’t get more press. Between the Pacific Coast, the Gulf of California, and the Gulf of Mexico, Latin America’s third-largest country lays claims to around 100 islands. Some are remote and uninhabited; others have beach bars, boutique resorts, historical sites, and Indigenous settlements. Whether you’re traveling solo or with kids, prefer surfing or scuba diving, or you just want to throw back Tecates on the beach, Mexico probably has an island that’s right for you.

The best island in Mexico for big appetites and big budgets: Isla Holbox

Photo: Arkadij Schell/Shutterstock

Isla Holbox has become one of the hippest islands in Mexico among those looking to trade in the brasher resorts for something more laid-back and bohemian. With this popularity has also come boutique hotels at higher price points than you’ll see on many other Mexican islands — up to $300 per night if you’re feeling spendy.

Good food, on the other hand, is ubiquitous and affordable. Despite the sushi joints and brunch spots that’ve made their way to the island, Holbox’s most coveted bites are all relatively cheap eats — think tacos al pastor and, surprisingly, lobster pizza. Between meals, walk the blindingly white coastline, check out the wildlife in the Yum Balam biosphere reserve, and try a different water sport every day.

The best island in Mexico for solo trips and remote work: Cozumel

Photo: Yevgen Belich/Shutterstock

Cozumel has some of Mexico’s best scuba diving, but it’s also an expat hub with everything digital nomads need to stick around for longer than a dive trip. Long-term vacation rentals are easy to find, internet speeds are solid, and there’s a new restaurant around every corner, from chains like Señor Frog’s by the cruise ship pier to little taquerias far from the main drag. There’s some nightlife, but with Playa del Carmen a quick ferry ride away, that’s your best bet for a rowdy staycation. Alternately, when you want to play tourist on the island, rent a scooter and visit Cozumel’s Mayan ruins and the Punta Sur Eco Beach Park.

The best island in Mexico for surfing: Isla Todos Santos

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Not to be confused with the town of Todos Santos farther south, this island off the coast of Ensenada in Baja California has famously major swells. According to the Save the Waves Coalition, Mexico’s whole surf scene started in Ensenada, and the Bahía de Todos Santos is the country’s first World Surf Reserve. Big wave breaks like Killers on Isla Todos Santos can reach up to 60 feet, but don’t let that dissuade you if you’re new to the sport — you’ll also see smaller point and beach breaks that are beginner friendly. Winter is the best time to come if you’re a big wave surfer, but the island’s surf stays steady year-round.

The best island in Mexico for ecotourism: Islas Marietas

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Playa del Amor recently made Matador’s list of underrated beaches in Mexico, but that particular cove is just one of many reasons to visit the Marieta Islands — especially if you have a soft spot for conservation. Sometimes referred to as Mexico’s Galapagos due to its blue-footed boobies and other seabirds, the Marieta Islands are located in Banderas Bay off the coast of Nayarit. The archipelago is actually two islands and a handful of islets, which became a national park in 2005 and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2008. Several ecotour operators host excursions to the islands from Puerto Vallarta, located an hour away, and Punta de Mita, which is just 20 minutes away by boat.

The best island in Mexico for late nights and rejuvenating days: Isla Mujeres

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If you’re going to Mexico to get wild, stick to the mainland party magnets. If you’re looking for low-key island vibes with a sprinkling of nightlife, go to Isla Mujeres. Located roughly 15 minutes from Cancún via the Ultramar ferries that depart every half-hour from dawn until dark, Isla Mujeres has a main artery, Avenida Hidalgo, that’s well-trodden for both drinkers and diners. Evening activities generally kick off at Playa Norte around sunset when popular haunts like Green Demon start turning things up as the sun goes down. Just don’t expect to be out all night, as things tend to close on the earlier side.

In the event you do wind up with a hangover, Isla Mujeres also has a wellness scene that’s sure to clear up even the wickedest headache. There are several yoga centers and organic or vegan restaurants scattered around the island that you can shuffle between via golf cart, which is the preferred method of transport on the island.

The best island in Mexico for quality couple time: Mexcaltitán

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The nickname “Mexico’s Venice” may be tongue in cheek due to the fact that Mexcaltitán’s streets get so flooded during the rainy season that locals canoe down them like canals. But like its Italian nicknamesake, there’s something romantic about this Riviera Nayarit island. It might be the lack of cars, colorful houses, or charming central plaza. It could also be the belief that this small human-made island north of San Blas is the ancestral home of the Aztecs. Whatever the reason, even the Mexican government was enchanted by Mexcaltitán when it named the island a Pueblo Mágico, or Magical Town, from 2001 to 2009 and again in 2020.

The best island in Mexico for scuba diving: Socorro Island

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Off the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula, there’s a volcanic archipelago that received a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation in 2016. The largest of these Revillagigedo Islands is Isla Socorro, which has waters that are the stuff of legend for scuba divers. Manta rays, bottlenose dolphins, and humpback whales all swim here and often playfully approach divers, as do seven shark species including whale sharks, hammerheads, and white tip reef sharks.

Because of the strong currents, PADI recommends that only advanced divers make the trip to Socorro Island, which is only possible via liveaboard boats departing from Cabo San Lucas or San Jose Del Cabo. November through May is ideal when the seas are calmest to sail there.

The best island in Mexico for a family vacation: Isla Ixtapa

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The resort stretch of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo needs no introduction. It’s been a go-to holiday destination on Mexico’s Pacific Coast for decades, with attractions ranging from golf courses to a dolphinarium to entice all types of travelers, families included. Isla Ixtapa is not as well known until you touch down in the Mexican Riviera where it’s advertised as the number one day trip from Ixtapa.

It only takes a few minutes to reach the island from Playa Linda on the mainland, which alone makes it an excellent choice if you’re traveling with kids. Once there, you’ll appreciate how calm the waters are, how good the snorkeling is straight from the shore, and how many no-fuss seafood shacks there are to make sure no one in the family gets hangry.

The best island in Mexico for a history lesson: Isla de Mezcala

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In the early 19th century, Isla de Mezcala was the site of several battles during the Mexican War of Independence. Today’s visitors can tour former military battlements where local soldiers fought off the Spanish. But these ruins only tell the story of the island’s relatively recent history. Isla de Mezcala is also archeologically rich with pre-Columbian artifacts that hint at the lives of its early inhabitants, from ancient ceramics to early tools that were carved out of obsidian.

Among the sights to see while you’re touring the island — which is located in Lake Chelapa, Mexico’s largest freshwater lake — are the ruins of the central fort, the old barracks, the Chapel of La Isla de Mezcala where Indigenous peoples prayed to the Virgin of San Juan de los Lagos, and the current location of a sculpture constructed as an homage to the virgin under the island’s Tree of Life.

The best island in Mexico for kayaking and paddle boarding: Isla Espíritu Santo

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Rarely do the world’s prettiest places live up to the photos that advertise them. With its impossibly clear waters and rocky, unsullied backdrop, Isla Espíritu Santo does. The UNESCO-protected island is only accessible by kayak or boat, which you can easily charter in nearby La Paz. Whether you decide to spend an afternoon paddleboarding around the island’s perimeter or choose to book a sea kayak adventure that includes a few nights of camping on the island, Isla Espíritu Santo is not to be missed. Either way, pack some snorkel gear and keep an eye out for sea lions, sea turtles, and reef fish while you’re there.

The best island in Mexico for nature and wildlife: Isla Contoy

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A few miles north of Cancún, Isla Contoy is small but mighty. It spans a little over one square mile but was named a national park in 1998 owing to its vast and prolific biodiversity, notably four species of sea turtle and more than 150 bird species. The island’s wildlife is so precious, in fact, that only 200 people are allowed to visit per day. That means that you’ll need to book a tour through a certified operator in Cancún, Puerto Morelos, or Isla Mujeres, where many tours make pit stops anyway. Once on the island, you can only stay for the day, so plan to get there early if you want to explore the coastal dunes, mangrove forests, coconut palms, and modest museum overviewing the island’s pre-Hispanic heritage, and still have time to enjoy the white sandy beaches.

The best island in Mexico for Indigenous culture and handicrafts: Isla de Janitzio

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The first thing you’ll notice as you approach Isla de Janitzio while boating across Lake Pátzcuaro in Mexico’s state of Michoacán is its 130-foot statue of José María Morelos, a priest and revolutionary icon from the Mexican War of Independence. Yet on the island, it’s the Indigenous Purépecha people who drive the local culture. The Purépecha first settled in Michoacán in the 14th century and, according to legend, designated Janitzio as the center of their kingdom when the daughter and son-in-law of King Tzintzicha made it their home.

Today, the island is known for two things outside of its statue and Indigenous inhabitants: the fishermen who cast large butterfly nets into the lake, and the annual Día de Muertos celebrations. If you happen to be visiting at the start of November, hop on one of the candlelit boats that’s beckoned to the island by church bells to partake in the Feast of the Souls, sugar skull offerings, and the rest of the Day of the Dead revelry.

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This Bright Pink Hotel on a Tropical European Island Is a Literal Dream Getaway

If I had to describe my dream hotel, it would be some combination of a few factors. It would need to have a historical component, luxurious rooms, fantastic views, and plenty of outdoor space. And since it’s my dream hotel, I’d probably also throw in a Wes Anderson-esque color palette, a massive swimming pool, and heck, even a botanical garden. And why not a touch of wine and a sudoku puzzle in lieu of a traditional turn-down service?

Well, it’s not a dream: enter Belmond Reid’s Palace Madeira. The insanely cool hotel is more than 100 years old and cascades down cliffs on a peninsula jutting into the tropical blue waters of the Atlantic.

Yes, the Atlantic. That’s not a mistake; it’s not only the Pacific that houses lush, warm-weather islands. The historic, stunning, and bright pink property is potentially the most well-known hotel on one of my new favorite destinations: Maderia. It’s a small European island that offers everything from hiking to scuba diving to world-class mountain biking, canyoneering, cliff jumping, and delicious food. And lots and lots of wine.

If you’re a wine aficionado, you might be quite familiar with Madeira. In fact, the US Founding Fathers drank Madeiran wine when they signed the Declaration of Independence. Part of Portugal, Madeira is an island roughly 580 miles off the coast of Morocco, and the constant, near-perfect weather means it grows fabulous grapes (as well as nearly all other types of produce).

I’m already planning my next trip there, and there’s no question about where I’ll stay: Belmond Reid’s Palace Madeira — the Wes-Anderson-meets-luxury-estate meets-historic-seaside-hotel of my dreams.

We hope you love Belmond Reid’s Palace Madeira! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

It’s hard not to be immediately wowed by Belmond Reid’s Palace Madeira

Photo: Suzie Dundas

You can’t drive through the Funchal, Madeira’s capital, and not notice the stunning Reid’s Palace Madeira. The enormous, beautiful building is bright pink, set on a peninsula surrounded by gardens. And because it backs to the ocean, you can expect a wow factor when entering the hotel lobby.

I loved entering through the small double doors, immediately stepping onto a checkered black-and-white lobby with potted plants and historic photographs. That foyer directly opens to a massive balcony dotted with french doors. And that balcony — an excellent spot for coffee or an evening wine — overlooks the hotel’s botanical garden and, beyond that, the glimmering Atlantic Ocean.

Even the “basic” rooms are amazing

Photo: Suzie Dundas

I stayed in one of the hotel’s lowest-tier rooms, and it’s safe to say it was nicer than the fanciest rooms I’ve stayed in at other historic properties. The door opened into a carpeted hallway, with a door on the left leading to a massive bathroom with a soaking tub, separate shower, and high-end amenities. Past the bathroom was the large bedroom, with a door to separate it from the hallway area. My room, like all others, had a writing desk with a cleanliness/COVID kit and flowers, a cozy armchair with a footstool, and doors that opened to a large balcony.

My room was a “superior room,” which isn’t marketed as having ocean views — but it absolutely did. Belmond Reid’s Palace Madeira also has Deluxe Rooms, Junior Suites, Standard Suites, and Presidential Suites; I can’t even imagine how stunning those views must be.

It was once of the most luxurious hotels in Europe

Wealthy travelers would literally be carried up the rocky island’s cliffs from sea level. Photo: Suzie Dundas (Original photo at Belmond Reid’s Palace Madeira, c. 1905)

And honestly, maybe it still is?

Reid’s Palace was the first resort in Madeira and opened in November 1891 — two years after the death of its founder, William Reed. It was only open in winter to be an escape for wealthy Europeans seeking sunnier surroundings for months on end. Pricing started around £12 for a month-long stay (about £1,624.55 in today’s market). Rooms for staff and servants were less, at around £6.

The travelers who came to Madeira from Europe stayed for at least a month, especially as the sailing was long and often choppy. Guests would arrive via ship in the hotel’s early days, as roads hadn’t yet been built across the rocky and mountainous island. But the walk up the cliffs to reach the hotel was often too much for female passengers (and likely being clad in corsets and thick dresses didn’t help). As such, the hotel began a new welcome for travelers: it would send “muscular and gently men” bearing hammocks down to meet the ships at sea level and carry the women up the hill in hammocks to reach their rooms. The Reid family advertised this in guidebooks, promising that the journey would easy and that guests’ time could be spent in “unfatiguing exercise.”

Photo: Belmond Redi’s Palace Madeira

In its early days, guests would spend their stay attending garden parties, playing tennis, painting, dancing, and relaxing on the coast. The list of celebrities who’ve stayed at the hotel is too long to list, but includes emperors and queens, Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, arctic explorer Sir Ernst Shackleton, playwright George Bernard Shaw, and James Bond portrayer Roger Moore.

Guests socializing during an afternoon dance, circa 1920. Photo: postcard from Reid’s Palace Madeira

The whole hotel feels like going back in time to the glamorous heyday of turn-of-the-century travel, albeit with high-speed Wi-Fi and memory foam mattresses.

The outdoor space includes 10-acre tropical garden and three pools

Photo: Belmond Reid’s Palace Madeira

Aside from the fact that every one of the hotel’s 111 rooms and 43 suites has a private patio or balcony, the hotel has a nearly endless array of outdoor spaces open to all guests. It has three huge pools (one saltwater), numerous decks and verandas, and an ocean platform for easy access to ocean swimming. Naturally, there are sun loungers and umbrellas on the numerous tiered, grassy platforms between the lobby level and ocean level, so it’s easy to find a private area for two without having another guest nearby.

There’s also a 10-acre cliffside botanical garden, and the hotel offers a walking tour with a horticulturist two times a week. Though I didn’t have time to do it, there’s also a more in-depth botanical workshop available in the hotel’s greenhouse.

Photo: Belmond Reid’s Palace Madeira

The thoughtful details push it over the top

I may start requesting sudoku during every turn-down service just to see what happens. Photo: Suzie Dundas

Reid’s Palace Madeira certainly has the ambiance of a five-star hotel, but the small details push it over the top. Turn-down service included an evening sudoku puzzle, there’s a book library by the pool, and the toiletries are high-end and plentiful. When I ordered breakfast to my room, it arrived promptly at the scheduled time. And though I had just ordered a cup of black coffee, the delivery included an entire carafe, mug and serving plate, and cream and sugar arranged on a linen-draped tray.

Around the resort, there are vintage telephones and historical photos, fresh flowers, and rooms for everything from billiards to cards to lectures; guests are welcome to use all the spaces. There are even complimentary postcards in each room tucked into the nooks of the cute writing desks.

The food is bonkers good

Ricotta and spinach ravioli with a butter sauce and black truffle. Photo: Suzie Dundas

(Yes, that’s a technical culinary term)

The food at Reid’s Palace Madeira is beyond compare — simply delicious. Historic hotels sometimes rest on the laurels of their reputations, but this hotel does no such thing. Guests are greeted in their rooms with two traditional Madeiran sweets: bolo de mel (a molasses and almond cake) and queijadinha (akin to cheesecake and my absolute favorite).

Breakfast at Reid’s Palace is a spread with everything from cookies and pastries to hot items to a smoothie and coffee bar, fresh fruit, cheese, meat, and breakfast sandwiches — pretty much anything you can imagine. It’s served in a lovely room overlooking the pool terrace and even comes with a smoothie and “pastry of the day” served to your table.

The hotel has a beautiful old-school tea service with trays loaded with cakes and snacks. If you schedule an afternoon tea, I recommend doing it outdoors on the patio overlooking the ocean. I also recommend dinner at the fabulously decadent and high-end Villa Cipriani if you like Italian cuisine (ask for a table on the huge cliffside veranda). Reid’s Palace Madeira also has a Michelin-starred restaurant, as well as a historic bar that feels straight out of The Great Gatsby. There’s a low-key option for casual dining near the pool, too. Each restaurant was delicious, unique, and felt like it was part of the greater luxury experience rather than just a place to grab something to eat.

It’s near everything you want to do in Madeira

Canyoning is a popular activity in the island's interior and it's easy to reach if you're staying in Funchal. Photo: Suzie Dundas

All aboard! Passengers ride in wicker baskets nearly two kilometers down a paved road. Photo: Suzie

We took a Jeep day trip around the island with Discovery Island Madeira, who picked us up directly from the hotel. Photo: Suzie Dundas

I managed to fit a lot into my short time in Madeira, including a food and wine tour, a canyoneering experience, a day of hiking, and even a one-of-a-kind experience where I sat in a human-sized basket and slid down a hill, slowed only by a “driver” who’s rubber shoes created enough friction to keep me from reaching mach speed. And Reid’s Palace Madeira was convenient to all of it. I walked from downtown Funchal several times back to the hotel, and the various tour operators had no problem picking us up from the hotel’s central location.

Costs

There’s no beating around the bush: this is a pricey hotel. If you haven’t traveled much during COVID and are itching to treat yourself to a nice vacation, you won’t regret the splurge. It’s definitely a “bucket list” hotel. Off-season rates start at a semi-reasonable $370 a night, but in the peak of summer, rooms can be over $1,000 a night.

In general, however, Madeira is not exceedingly expensive and is much cheaper than your average US city. Going out in the evenings, we paid somewhere between €1 to €2 for beers and poncha, and entrees at high-end restaurants like Avista or Terreiro Concept start at under €20. As of writing, the USD to Euro exchange rate is almost one-to-one, which makes it a very favorable time to visit Madeira. Because Reid’s Palace Madeira is pricier, you could spend your final few days on the island there and pick a more wallet-friendly hotel for the rest of the time.

If you’re able to fly out of the NYC area, you can fly direct on TAP Air Portugal to Madeira for around $600. It’s around a six-hour flight, which is also how long it takes to fly to LA from NYC. So really, you could do it in a long weekend. 

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