Club Hippo , Maryland’s largest gay bar. (Washington Blade file photo by Pete Exis)

Club Hippo, Maryland’s largest gay bar, was listed among Out magazine’s 200 best gay bars in the world. Compiling “nominations, suggestions and polled friends and experts around the world,” Out lists the best 200 representing a variety of types to appeal to anybody “from a pierced and leather-clad cub to a skinny, go-go boy wannabe.”  The editors acknowledge this will spark debate.

For the Hippo, OUT says, “No visit to Baltimore’s gay scene is complete without Hippo, an institution since its founding in 1972 and for generations of ageless decades has kept the boys glued to their bar stools, gripping pool cues and transfixed by attractive and fun-loving Charm City citizens.” It should be noted that several months ago the Hippo renovated its saloon section and the pool tables were removed.

Also making the list is The Lodge from Boonsboro, Md., which attracts patrons from the Baltimore-D.C. area and beyond. Says Out of The Lodge, “The Lodge is the place to go dancing in Frederick, Maryland — on weekends, at least. Though they do occasionally open Monday for special holiday events, time at The Lodge is restricted to Thursday-Saturdays, which is alright, because you can pack a lifetime into one evening spent here.”

Baltimoreans who enjoy D.C. clubs will notice Duplex Diner and JR.’s on the list as well as Rehoboth Beach’s Blue Moon.