IBTs hasn't changed much over the years.
And why should it?
When it comes to Tucson's gay club scene, there's not a whole lot of competition.
"(Tucson's) other dance club is The Biz," says IBTs owner Mike Kramkowski, referring to Ain't Nobody's Bizness on East Broadway, "and that's more of the women's hangout."
On a recent Thursday evening, bartenders in nothing but black boxer briefs poured drinks on IBTs' outdoor bar, while two blond women in jeans and black tops danced in unison to "Cha Cha Slide" by DJ Casper.
Inside IBTs the walls are painted a drab gray. In one room there is a long wooden bar, the varnish scratched and well-worn in spots.
In the adjacent room there is a cozy dance floor, with mirrors on the wall and a DJ booth perched above.
People are also reading…
The décor does little to inspire but obviously isn't enough to discourage the throngs of techno-hungry partiers who flock to the club to grind and groove.
Kramkowski, 33, bought IBTs in 2004. It was his first venture into club ownership and he says he thought it was a good business opportunity.
He was right.
For two decades, IBTs has been Tucson's most popular gay club, offering '80s nights and Viva La Diva drag shows.
Jack Gallegos, 35, moved to Tucson from Austin, Texas, in 1999. He says he quickly fell in love with the club.
"I looked for gay bars on the computer and I found IBTs," he says. "Pretty soon it seemed like I was coming here every night."
On a recent Tuesday night, Washington, D.C., residents Chris Wingert, 27, and Ben Gander, 26, reunited at IBTs. The two were frequent customers of the club when they were students at the University of Arizona a few years back.
"There was really no other place on Fourth Avenue to dance," Wingert says.
"It was the home base," Gander says. "We knew the bartenders and they knew our drinks."
Quinton Jenkins, 51, is an event coordinator who has spun records at IBTs for 11 years. He says he likes that the club appeals to gay and straight alike.
"You'll see a husband and wife together, two guys together, two girls together," he says.
The name IBTs stands for "It's 'Bout Time."
"That came from the original owners," Kramkowski says. "It meant, 'It's about time to have a club where everyone is welcome.' "
Kramkowski says he makes customers feel welcome by providing ample security.
"We'll go as far as to take people to their vehicle if they feel unsafe," he says.
Looking for a place to grab a midafternoon beer? The IBTs happy hour is from noon to 8 p.m. daily and features $2 domestic beers and well drinks. During the day, the club's back patio provides a comfortable setting where customers can talk away from the music's thumping bass. On weekend nights, the patio morphs into a jam-packed dance floor.
No matter when you get the urge to let loose, IBTs will be open.
"We're open every day of the year," says Kramkowski. "We open up late two days a year, on Thanksgiving and Christmas."
Some things never change.
At IBTs, why should they?
If you go
IBTs
• Where: 616 N. Fourth Ave.
• When: Noon-2 a.m. daily.
• Cover: $3 on Saturdays after 10 p.m.
• More info: www.myspace.com/ ibtstucson
