Swallows goes upscale, ditches brunch

Drew Bixby

There's good news and bad news about Swallows Video Lounge & Bar, the pre-party/happy-hour gay bar now occupying the former Tosh's Hacienda/Kiva space at 3090 Downing Street. The good news is that - six months after launching and three months after I expressed "high hopes" for its success in a Drunk of the Week column - it's still open.

Phew.

More good news is that the lineup of specialty nights has improved, with new additions including showings of Rupaul's Drag U hosted by Nina Flowers (Mondays), beer pong and flip cup featuring $5 pitchers (Tuesdays), gay movie nights (Wednesdays) and more.

The bad news is that the one-buck, 32-ounce schooners of Rolling Rock I raved about are gone (though the schooners themselves aren't). And as of mid-July, so was most of the menu and Sunday brunch.

Here's the Swallows explanation (sort of) on its Facebook page: "You Drank...We Listened!!! Starting July 18, Swallows will no longer be serving Brunch on Sundays, nor will we have our full menu. Starting Monday the 19th We change our Hours to reflect a Full Upscale Gay Bar. We will now be open 8pm to 2am 7 days a week. With a New Happy Hour Special from 12AM to 1AM."

Some news is better than no news.