A place of comfort

Metro Q — the “Q” stands for “queer” — may sound like a swanky and hip spot. But this new gay bar and grill, which recently opened its doors at 19092 Beach Blvd. in Huntington Beach, is mellower than your typical gay venue.

Co-owners of the Q, Ida Vallez and Scott Forst, said it’s meant to be a meeting place for everyone.

“It’s more like gay-friendly,” Vallez said. “Scott and I didn’t want a club, but a comfy establishment with good food and cocktails where gay couples could come with their families and just feel comfortable and accepted.

“So far, the crowd has been a mix of people — straight, gay, men, women and even kids. And that’s just what we wanted.”

Having grown frustrated with a lack of gay venues in Orange County, the longtime (gay) friends decided to become business partners and open the kind of place they wanted.

“Until now, you’d have to go Los Angeles or Long Beach to have the kind of experience we’re providing,” Vallez said. “Some of us would prefer to stay close to home, and now we can.”

The Q, which serves up traditional pub-style cuisine, including tasty homemade recipes and drink specials like the Q-Shot (a Hypnotique and X-rated concoction), also offers entertainment in the form of two pool tables, a dozen 50-inch plasma TVs — for sports or “Dancing with the Stars” — a juke box and plenty of chatty bartenders.

“We don’t have a permit for dancing yet, but we’re looking to add that down the road,” Vallez said. “We’d like to bring in some deejays and maybe put on some shows.

“It won’t be anything quite like the old Drag Night at Boom Boom Room, but we’ll have something fun.”

The Q, which opened March 25, will host its grand-opening party May 2. The festivities will include a free buffet, drink specials, raffles and celebrity guests to be announced.

Forst said the new spot has seen an excellent turnout and that he’s ecstatic to be a part of it.

“People have been looking for a place like this for a long time,” he said. “It’s a great, convenient place for everyone to come and have a good time.”

Metro Q is open all week. Visit www.themetroq.com.