Downtown music spot Don't Tell Mama - from a "Cabaret" song of the same name - bills itself as a New York-style piano bar, where every night is open-mic night. Patrons are encouraged to sing along to Broadway classics, pop hits, and Country standards, and the entire waitstaff is drawn from a pool of local up-and-coming vocalists. Though not officially a gay bar, this is definitely on the list of LGBT-friendly businesses, and the dive-bar atmosphere keeps it unpretentious. No cover, one drink minimum, and be sure to bring some cash to tip the singing bartenders and the piano man.

donttellmama.com