The 2011 Nicky Awards was not the only event bestowing recognition upon our community last week. The Union-Tribune just announced the results of its annual San Diego's Best awards, based on 538,932 tallies from ballots throughout the county ... and congratulations are in order to Baja Betty's, for winning "Best Gay/Lesbian Bar."

If you look at the list of top seven finalists, it was almost a 1-2-3 Chris Shaw sweep, with Urban Mo's placing second, and Gossip Grill fourth. Bourbon Street, Brass Rail, Martinis Above Fourth and The Hole rounded out the list, finishing third, fifth, sixth and seventh respectively.

Martinis not only got in the top seven above, but also won its own completely separate category: "Best Martinis Bar." An impressive achievement considering it was up against not just gay but also straight martini establishments throughout the city!

And in the "Nightclub" category both Rich's and Eden made the list, taking the fourth and sixth spot respectively. Again not a bad showing, considering the competition included straight downtown mega-clubs such as Fluxx and Stingaree.

Laugh Out Proud/Babette's Bingo at Martinis Above Fourth

Speaking of Martinis, the owners have several events this week definitely worth checking out.

The first is Laugh Out Proud, San Diego’s only comedy show geared toward the LGBT community. This month's featured headliner is Steve Hasley. He performs regularly at the Hollywood Improv, the Laugh Factory, the Los Angeles Comedy Store, Room 5, Acme and Akbar Comedy Club, and his television appearances include "Boston Legal," "How I Met Your Mother," "Will & Grace," "Six Feet Under" and "Nip/Tuck."

Hasley will be joined by local LGBT comedians Sarah Burford and Sean Wherley, local allied comedian Chase Brockett, and Los Angeles-based LGBT comic Erin Schauer. Showtime is at 8 tonight (Thursday).

The show is free, ages 21 and up. Guests are welcome to come early to enjoy a full dinner menu in the lounge setting of Martinis Above Fourth; reservations are required for dinner and may be made by calling (619) 400-4500 or visiting here. All other seating is first come, first served.

Then on Sunday it's time for another edition of Babette's Bingo Lunch with the ever Bab-u-lous Babette Schwatz. And this will be an extra special reunion of sorts, in that former star employee Joey Pena will be making a return visit, after having spent months overseas teaching English in South Korea. Welcome back Joey!

The doors open at 11 pm, and Babette begins calling the balls at noon. Your $15 meal ticket also serves as your reservation, and are available for advance purchase at Martinis; all other seats will be first-come first-served.

Thirsty Thursday Wet Contest at Bourbon Street

After the comedy show, look for me this Thursday night at Bourbon Street. Not only will there be the usual Wet underwear contest (hosted this week by the adorable Benny Cartwright) but there will be a hosted Smirnoff bar from 9 to 10 pm, for guests of SDPIX, see here for details. And there will be half-priced Smirnoff cocktails after 10 pm, $1 shot specials after the show, and dancing to the sounds of DJ Michael Carrera all night long.

The Range Dinner Theater: Brokeback Mountain

If you haven't been by The Range Kitchen and Cocktails yet, the hot new Hillcrest establishment located in front of the Ruby Room, you're really missing out! And this Wednesday, Sept. 14, will be a great day to do so, as they'll be having their first-ever Dinner Theater Event with a showing of Brokeback Mountain.

The evening will be hosted by Mrs. Taffy Meadows, there'll be food and drink specials all night, and cowboy attire is definitely encouraged ... so it should be a fun night! Admission is a $10 minimum food or beverage purchase; call (619) 269-1222 to reserve your seat and get the best view.

Last week's events

Check out SDPIX for all the Labor Day fun from last weekend, including photos from The 2011 Nicky Awards, the Quince Street Bridge reopening, Michael Mack's T Dance on the Bay, Labor Day Luau at Eden, Super Beach at Rich's, and Recovery Monday at Urban Mo's. Happy viewing!