Trading Up

For the first time ever, TRADE SATURDAYS is moving to the main room of Space Ibiza NY for the city's newest Saturday night special event: SUPER TRADE, with DJs Brett Henrichsen (NYC) and Alexander (L.A.)! Info HERE.

OUT100 Turns 21 in NYC

Not on the list, 48 years strong!

Had a fun time with my pal Greg at the Out 100 last night, where the list that votes on who are the most influential LGBT people in the world turned old enough to vote. We been told this year's event had been "downsized" -- and with print media going the way of the gay dinosaur, it seemed logical -- yet it turned out to be the biggest and most fabulous party I can recall. Great running into Cyd Ziegler, Matthew Breen, Stephen Macias and lots of blog readers. Congrats to editor in chief Aaron Hicklin and everyone who made the magazine's birthday such a memorable one!

"Give me a f**king drink."

Some new friends 

Edie and Larry

This year's venue, Guastavino's, was really out of the way, but turned out to be worth the trip!

Cyd and Anthony

The other Jonathan Lovitz and friends

Macy's men strike a pose

With Advocate editor in chief Matthew Breen

Ruff Trade

Will I see you there?

Come get rowdy with the boys at Nowhere bar at RUFFHOUSE this Friday Nov. 7 from 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Join DJ EJACK and hosts Brian Pizza and Bryan Berretta as they celebrate sexy men who are a little ruff around the edges and ready for fun. Go-go boy Chad heats things up on the box as Ejack spins dark and sexy house beats mixed with eclectic pop. Drink specials all night long, come and ruff it up at RUFFHOUSE.

Join on Facebook HERE.

LOVEGUN Opens With a Bang!

Well, this photo of Benjamin Maisani and me didn't turn out so great, but the opening night soiree for his new bar in Williamsburg -- LOVEGUN -- was a clear success. My friend Allen and I got there just as things were beginning to get going, and got to spend some time chatting with Ben about his newest baby. He said that coming up with a location and a concept is his favorite part of his work -- "it's when you get to be really creative" -- and that he was shooting for a sleek, late '70s/early '80s disco look with LOVEGUN, which features a retro-looking neon sign on the back wall, and a giant neon MORE MORE MORE above the first-floor bar, a connection to the late dance queen Andrea True. The upstairs overlooks the main floor and has its own bartender, canoodling-friendly banquettes, plus the DJ booth. 

My friend Micah with the couple voted most beautiful

Before long, Andy Cohen arrived (I thanked him in person for the blurb he gave me for my book), then Anderson Cooper showed up (in glasses) and Kelly Ripa and her hunky hubby, Mark Consuelos. By 11, the guest-listed opening party was over, and the doors were open for business -- and business did they have! (The line was wrapped around the block.) I later saw photos showing a half-dozen of my friends there, yet I never saw one of them. (Micah got proof, above!) 

You couldn't see two people in front of yourself -- but you can be sure a fire marshal was not in attendance. The bar is hip and casual and has all the right things going for it to be a big success. (Just two stops into Brooklyn on the L train, boys.) I spoke to the bartenders at nearby Metropolitan about it and they all agreed that they were happy to have another bar in the area. They think it makes Williamsburg more of a destination now, and figure both bars will benefit for guys bar-hopping in the 'hood. If Friday night was any indication, Williamsburg is officially on its way to becoming the country's newest Boystown.

P.S. Since Ben told me he's always looking for his next project, I suggested Inwood and Hamilton Heights. Be on the lookout, guys!

UPDATE: People are telling me that Kelly Ripa mentioned the party on "Live! With Kelly and Michael" this morning!

New Gay Bar LOVEGUN Shoots Into Williamsburg This Friday

As Chelsea's gay scene fades into the distance and Hell's Kitchen's blossoms, nightlife fixture Benjamin Maisani and his business partners are taking a chance on a new bar in the bustling but not quite fully gay Williamsburg section of Brooklyn. I caught up with Anderson Cooper's better half to find out why he decided to cross the river this time around, what the boys can expect from his latest venture -- the subtly named LOVEGUN -- and if it was really him I saw eating sweet potato casserole at Boston Market all those years ago.

Great to talk to you, Ben. You've already got your hands in three bars in New York City -- Eastern Bloc, Bedlam and Atlas Social Club -- what made you decide to open a new one in Brooklyn? 
Opening a bar in Williamsburg seemed like a logical step for me and my partners after Eastern Bloc and Bedlam, where a lot of our customers come from that neighborhood. On top of that, there's a relative scarcity of gay bars in Williamsburg, and we felt that there was room for growth in that regard given how many gay guys already live and go out in that part of Brooklyn. Unlike other neighborhoods with a sizable gay community like Hell's Kitchen, Chelsea or even the East Village, Williamsburg isn't saturated with gay bars, which made this project that much more exciting. Finally, there's something quite thrilling about stepping out of Manhattan for the first time after almost 10 years of operating bars there to open shop in Brooklyn: it's such a different environment out there, and it feels like a totally new experience as a result.

What can the Williamsburg boys expect to find at LOVEGUN that they don't get get at Metropolitan and This 'N That? 
I think the main difference between LOVEGUN and the other gay bars in Williamsburg is that our space is quite versatile because of the high ceilings and the width of the main room. There are 2 floors, with a mezzanine overlooking the main area. The semi-private area upstairs is the perfect spot for a bit of people watching, while the floor below offers a great amount of elbow room for dancing and getting down and dirty. Also, we're putting a certain emphasis on our DJ programming, and are planning to have rotating guest DJs on the weekends, to keep things fresh and fun.

You're opening this bar with Pablo Raimondi, Darren Dryden and Chris Canon. You and Darren co-own Eastern Bloc and you co-own Bedlam and Atlas Social Club with Pablo and I believe Josh Wood too at ASC. How do you decide who to partner with on each project? 
Josh is indeed one of the partners at ASC, along with Pablo and Asi Mazar. All three are old friends of mine that I've known for many years, and we had been talking about doing a bar together for years (Josh was one of the people I initially approached about opening Eastern Bloc back in 2005). As you pointed out, Darren and I started Eastern Bloc together nine years ago, and I've been eager to do another bar with him ever since, as I like his style. LOVEGUN marks my third collaboration with Pablo since we opened Bedlam four years ago, he's becoming like my right arm at this point. It's also my first official collaboration with Chris Canon, even though Pablo and I have worked with him since Bedlam (he was the previous owner of that bar who sold it to us and subsequently helped us a great deal during our renovations there, and then at ASC when we were building that bar last summer). I like having partners, it's always nice to share the burden and challenges of running a business with other people, especially with those guys that I've been friends with for over a decade. I've always been told not to go into business with friends, but personally I found the opposite to be true: there's an element of trust that's inherent to such a relationship that makes it very reassuring for me to partner with those guys. Also, we each bring something different to the table, everyone taking care of different aspects of what it takes to operate a bar, and we work well as a team. I keep using the same people that I love and trust on all my bars, but I also like to shake things up a bit by changing the configuration of each partnership: for Eastern Bloc, it's just Darren and me, for Bedlam, it's Pablo and me, for ASC, it's Josh, Asi, Pablo and me, and for LOVEGUN, it's Darren, Pablo, Chris and me. The difference in the make-up behind each bar guarantees that the dynamic is different from one place to the next, which keeps things fresh and prevent all four places from being too similar or feeling stale. I would hate to repeat myself, so I try hard to make each of my bars quite distinct from each other -- starting with the decor -- and having different cooks in the kitchen is just one more way to achieve this.

What are the unique challenges of running a gay bar in New York City? 
I think one of the unique challenges of running a gay bar in NYC has to do with the importance of location. If you think about it, most gays bars tend to be concentrated around a few spots in Manhattan and Brooklyn: Hell's Kitchen primarily, Chelsea -- although that neighborhood as a gay mecca is definitely on the wane -- the East Village, and Williamsburg in Brooklyn. It becomes really tricky to open a gay bar outside of these areas, because by definition such bars are a bit of a niche market, so it makes business sense to stick to a neighborhood that already has a sizable gay community. Because there aren't that many neighborhoods in the city where one can open a gay bar and hope to be successful, location is key, even more so that with a regular bar. It's too bad because I love what I do, and I would like to be able to keep opening gay bars in various spots, but I'm somewhat limited by the reality of this situation. I already have one bar in HK, two in the East Village, and one in Williamsburg, so now I wonder where I'm going to go next. Already Hell's Kitchen feels like it's about to reach saturation point, so I'm very interested in figuring out where the next gay destination in the city will be.

Can we expect anything special on opening night in Brooklyn? 
Opening night on Friday, September 12, is shaping up to be quite a special evening. We're kicking it off with a party for friends and family only with a guest list from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., and then LOVEGUN will be open to all from 11 p.m. with a $5 cover for the launch of Frankie Sharp's weekly party "Girls," which promises to be insane. I think all the celebrities will come during the first part of the evening, and hopefully some will stay when Frankie and his crew bring out the real shenanigans to the dance floor!

And finally, I'm pretty sure you used to be a waiter in the back of Barracuda back when I was a youngster going there all the time. Am I imagining this, or did you and I share an affinity for Boston Market around the corner? 
Yes, I did use to be a waiter at Barracuda a billion years ago, funny that you remember that! Back then I was going to school at Hunter College while working full-time at the Morgan Library, and Barracuda was only a side job that I did on the weekends, not knowing at the time that I would end up making a career out of nightlife! And yes, I did go to that Boston Market on 23rd street -- and still do every once in a while -- as I love me some cheap comfort food!

Thanks, Ben. Sounds like you've got another hit on your hands! 

LOVEGUN is located at 617 Grand Street, within walking distance of the Lorimer Street subway station on the L train

It's Digestable!

As obsessed with '80s New York as I am -- I made my debut in '85! -- even I didn't know about the Crisco Disco. Lube yourself properly before clicking HERE.

(H/T Jeremiah's Vanishing New York)

Celebrating 'Area: 1983-1987'

Dolph and Grace make an entrance

John F. Kennedy Jr. waits to get in

Madonna with Area cofounder Eric Goode, who cowrote the book with sister Jennifer

Alannah Currie with Boy George

Keith Haring at work

Just a handful of the incredible photos included in "Area: 1983-1987," Eric and Jennifer Goode's upcoming coffee-table love letter to one of New York City's hottest night spots of all time. If you're a former New Waver, or just a lover of all things Downtown NYC, this is the must-have gift of the holiday season. Book's out via Abrams on Nov. 12 -- pre-order HERE.

More photos HERE.

DESCRIPTION: The fabled New York nightclub Area opened its doors in September 1983 and virtually overnight became the nexus of one of the most vibrant downtown art and club scenes in New York. Despite its short-lived history (it closed in 1987), Area was the place where A-listers from disparate worlds went to see and be seen. Area was the brainchild of four guys from California, among them author Eric Goode, whose vision was to create an art project on a monumental scale: Every six weeks, they gutted the enormous space at 157 Hudson and transformed it with a different art theme. Their wildly creative invitations to the opening night of each new installation became the hottest tickets in town, coveted by writers and photographers who together chronicled the club’s legendary scene. Drawing from an incredibly rich archive of material, Eric and Jennifer Goode tell the behind-the-scenes story of the club and its people, creating an illustrated memoir of an exciting time and place in the annals of New York nightlife.

Pre-order HERE. 

Greek Active

   Fun time last night with Scooter at the booming opening gala for Atlas Social Club (ASC), the new Hell's Kitchen (high) dive bar co-owned by nightlife titans Josh Wood, Benjamin Maisani (Eastern Bloc, Bedlam), Pablo Raimondi (Bedlam) and Asi Mazar (Splash). Spotted a few familiar faces -- including Whoopi Goldberg, the singer Eve (no sign of Adam, or Steve) and blogger Andy Towle, out way past his bedtime, along with beau Dave Grant. Then we had a nice chat with Next magazine editor in chief Alex Erikson, who has been steering the ship since Benjamin Solomon stepped down earlier this spring. Turns out Alex is a fellow Michigander -- he's from Rochester and I think I heard that his mom went to high school with you-know-who --but favors Katy Perry to his generation's Madge, Lady Who's-Her-Face. After one beer and a quick tour -- the place is long and narrow, not unlike Eastern Bloc -- we hit the road. Atlas Social Club seems like it's going to be a fun new hangout, but with a packed house on an unseasonably -- unreasonably? -- hot night, not even the best air conditioner could keep the place cool.  To learn more about the joint, click HERE.

More photos HERE.

Pablo Raimondi, Benjamin Maisani & Mark Consuelos

Edwin Joel Vazquez & Asi Mazar

Josh Wood and Whoopi Goldberg

Hell's Kitchen Confidential

Read about the four seasoned nightlife impresarios -- who also happen to be best friends -- who teamed up to bring Atlas Social Club to Hell’s Kitchen HERE. 

 Grand Opening at Atlas Social Club, 753 Ninth Ave (between 50th/51st streets), Sept. 14 at 9 p.m.; cover varies. For more info, click HERE.

Atlas Social Club Coming to Hell's Kitchen

With Splash closing this weekend I'm reminded of that old saying: When God closes a door he opens a gay bar. Next month, uber promter Josh Wood is slated to open the Atlas Social Club, described as "a gay speakeasy crossed with a retro athletic club." Wood is partnering with Benjamin Maisani (co-owner of Eastern Bloc and Bedlam), Pablo Raimondi (co-owner of Bedlam) and Asi Mazar (Splash). A.S.C. will be located in Hell's Kitchen at 51st and 9th Avenue. The partners say they are looking to bring a "downtown feel up to Hell's Kitchen."

Wood, of Josh Wood Productions, says:

"Atlas Social Club brings downtown uptown. The DJs. The vibe. The sensibilities. Hell's Kitchen has exploded as a nightlife hub in New York City, but there has not yet been a bar to bring that cool, edgy, downtown culture to the neighborhood. I'm thrilled to be opening this bar with three of my closest friends. We created A.S.C. as place for us and our friends to go."

A schedule will be announced for the fall season focusing on up-and-coming New York DJs with international guest DJ sets.

Should be interesting ...

Last Splash

As widely reported, New York's famed Splash Bar will be closing on Sunday, Aug. 11.  To commemorate the bar's 22-year run, the owners have just released a calendar of 10 Countdown Events, leading up to the final night.