Cover those mirrors! It's time to sit shiva for Jerusalem's only gay bar, the Shushan Pub. The four-year old drinking hole will close this week, for despite being the only space of its kind, the poor pub simply can't turn a profit. It did, however, challenge Israel's social divisions.

Says co-owner Saar Netanel:

Shushan is the only place in Israel where the Haredi [ultra-Orthodox], Arabs, religious and secular could sit together and have a good time. When they left Shushan, each returned to his own ghetto.

Things weren't always sunshine and lollipops, of course. Shushan went up in flames two years ago after arsonists did their destructive thing. Even then, however, Netanel didn't give up his dreams. Unfortunately reality has a way of creeping up: "At age 36, I am interested in other things. With all due respect to ideology, ideology does not pay the rent or municipal taxes." Um, duh! Why do you think Palestine's so poor?

London's G-A-Y Bar may soon get a new mama.

Mean Fiddler, the entertainment company that owns G-A-Y and G-A-Y Late, announced that it's considering an offer from music and entertainment investors, MAMA group, which owns myriad music venues and publications, including The Fly. Melvin Benn, Mean Fiddler's managing director, confirms the offer:

We consider the offer to be positive and are currently awaiting confirmation of that offer being confirmed before a final decision is to be taken. We anticipate the offer to be formalized in early August.

G-A-Y Club - a regular venue for the likes of Kylie Minogue, Madonna and Enrique Iglesias - may also find itself in Parliaments line of fire: politicos are considering using the Astoria hot spot for a new subway station. That would s-u-c-k.

Chicago's Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club is either the most forgiving gay bar — or has the most keen sense of generating publicity. Rather than joining the criticism of "fag"-calling White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen, the Kit Kat has instead named a drink after him: The Effen Ozzie GuillenTini. The martini "is made with assorted fresh fruits, vodka and served with a complimentary Sun-Times sports section for $8.50." You can enjoy one during the bars next drag show &mdsah; and all the way through baseball season.

Straight up: Gay bar makes Ozzie GuillenTini [Chicago Sun-Times]
Related: All Ozzie Guillen Coverage

AOL Cityguide truly undertook an tough mission: scoping out the nation's hottest bartenders. Off they went to New York, Chicago, L.A., San Francisco, and other urban epicenters to find the stiffest drink that matches the hardest abs.

So who would we enjoy to get dirty (martinis) with? Here in New York, we're voting for Therapy's Brandon, and not because he braves the Midtown masses without a shirt on — but because he's actually poured us a drink once or twice before. In Boston, Washington Square Tavern's Dermot has our vote and, while all the Los Angeles boys are too pretty, it's Busby's Spencer that's got us hankering for a double. Meanwhile, there's a reason we don't visit D.C. much.

America's Hottest Bartenders [AOL Cityguide]

The chance of a gay bar surviving the cut-throat West Hollywood club scene is about as good as Lindsay Lohan's next Mercedes' chance of remaining dentless. Up next for Los Angeles's famed boy’s town: iCandy Lounge. Our spies in WeHo tell us, despite one of the worst names in club history, the place might actually have a chance at lasting more than a few weeks.

More swank Soho loft than down and dirty pub, iCandy is decked out in rich woods, moody lighting, and modern furnishings. The drinks are strong, and not really any more expensive than your average Tinsel town bar and the food is top-notch. For nicotine freaks there are two smoking patios, one that overlooks Santa Monica Boulevard, where you can scope the local talent.

But what really makes the club is the best-looking gay crowd in the country (yes, we said it.) All those out of work actors and models gotta' hang out somewhere, right? Even better, the smokin' bartenders are hot and (gasp!) actually friendly.

iCandy is the brainchild(and we use the word 'brain’ loosely around here) of Tyler Robuck, and he, and the clubs opening are featured in the new Logo reality show, Welcome to iCandy. But, Tyler, the name? Why, oh why, the name?

Billie Ray Martin should have been a big star. In the mid-nineties, after the demise of the critically adored Electribe 101, Ms. Martin struck gold withe the UK top ten record Your Loving Arms, a song which cracked the US Top 40 and reached #1 on the Billboard Dance chart.

Martin has never captured the success of that early record, which is a shame, since her albums have gotten consistently stronger. Her voice is of the same intensity as Aretha Franklin and that is even more impressive when you realize it is coming from a small German woman. Calling London her home once again Billie launches a new club night Wednesday called Komputerliebe, downstairs at 43 South Molton.

Like Boy George before her, Billie is now embracing djing and promises electronic music for the connoisseur. Those in London should check it out. Those not lucky enough to attend should rediscover Martin's back catalog.