Nooney X.
Yelp
If you're new in the area and have never frequented the Midway on it's infamous Queereoke night (the only night I've attended, besides the Neighborhood), you may need a primer for dress and attitude:
* Peg legged denim or corduroy pants that narrow toward an impossibly tight ankle (regardless of whether this flatters your figure). Such pants are preferably bought at Boomerangs. CHECK
*Dirty bandana, even though you are not from the Midwest and could not explain, if asked, why someone besides a bank robber wears a bandana. CHECK
*A pouch for your hand-rolled tobacco, which you fashion into a cigarette with effortless flair. CHECK
*A semi-vacant stare. CHECK
*A desire to applaud any boozehound friend who sings "Come to My Window" CHECK
Do I say this with judgment? Of course not (except for the bandana comment, because I was sporting my red Kansas neckrag while most of JP dykes were still in fanny packs). And if I had a pouch for my Bali Blonde Shag, I would certainly sport it.
Granted, the Midway can be a bit of scene, but I'm fairly convinced that the hipsters are legitimate. The Midway has grit, and that makes it feel real--dirty, scummy, with bathrooms that require WetNaps, but nonetheless real. When I'm at school in Long Island and I make it back during a break or holiday, the Midway feels...cozy. A happy scene, full of silly queers gleefully being themselves.
Cover and drink prices are reasonable ($3 cover, 3.50-4.50 drinks), and while you sometimes wait way too long for a beer, it's not because the 'tenders are pokey. The room gets crowded fast, and dancing efforts usually involve rubbing up against a lot of people besides your dance partner (and getting whacked by arms, shoulder and asses), because you're trying not to fall onto that suspiciously sticky floor. Tuck some hand sanitizer into that bandana (because no girl is gonna let you anywhere near the fun spot with unidentifiable Midway "gunk" on your hands) and be prepped for a good time, a random makeout, or at least one blazing rendition of "Come to My Window".