Tuesday, March 27, 2012

BAR HOPPING | 2 Tea Dancing Delights!




BAR HOPPING
NIGHTCLUB & BAR REVIEWS FROM MARK & PATRICK of HUNTERS

I really don’t know if “T” or “Tea” is the correct spelling for a gay afternoon of music, fun, frolic and dancing. All I know is that back in the day the “Tea” dance was a Sunday event that most gay men never missed. In resort places like Provincetown, Fire Island, Rehoboth Beach, and Ft. Lauderdale the Sunday phenomenon was all the rage. Ah, does anyone remember the Marlin Beach on Ft. Lauderdale beach, The Blue Whale and The Pavilion on Fire Island? Sometimes set on the beach or near the beach, muscled, shirtless men were barely clad in Speedo’s. Caution was thrown into the wind as cocktails flowed and the music boomed on. The hedonistic, ceremonious dance was usually started at 4:00pm the same time as the English “High Tea”. That is why I am going to spell it “Tea” for the rest of this article. After an afternoon at the beach there was the prep time before the actual “Tea” that was just as important as the dance, if you catch my drift. All of us of a certain age can fondly remember the weekly pilgrimage to the local “beach-y” watering hole for the place to be seen and hook up.
Fast forward to 2012.

717 BREAKERS AVENUE. FORT LAUDERDALE BEACH FLORIDA. 954-564-6444

MARK SAYS:
The Royal Palms Resort of Ft. Lauderdale hosts an updated version of the traditional “Tea” Dance once a month. The gay resort is a three story, brilliant white, upscale resort steps from the beach with the most fabulous rooms. With two sparkling pools and two DJ’s pumping out the latest songs, this IS the place to be seen on a Sunday afternoon in Ft. Lauderdale. Although you might find it difficult to actually see anyone dancing at this Sunday afternoon party, the look and feel is totally, truly “Tea”.  I give The Royal Palms Resort the coveted five palms award plus a tanned, muscled pool boy with a big smile and extra time on his hands.
PATRICK SAYS:
It does not have “Tiny Tina” entertaining from the end of the diving board and you can’t dance in the “Poop Deck” while watching people swim in the pool but the T-Dance at the Palms is the closest anyone has come to recreating the Sunday T from the past. The staff is great, the venue is Fun, Clean, large and inviting. We have been a couple of times and it seems to be getting busier.  The only thing that would make it better for me and guys my age would be for the DJ to play Older, more relaxed afternoon type dance music.  This would hopefully start the guys around the pool to start dancing….. I give the “Palms T”  Five buff box boys.


Boom
2234 WILTON DRIVE. WILTON MANORS FLORIDA. 954 630 3556

MARK SAYS:
Although this “Tea” Dance doesn’t take place at 4:00pm or take place near the beach, this “Tea” is probably the truest replica to the iconic “Teas” of the past. DJ Richie Rich turns Boom into a time machine playing retro songs like:
“I Haven’t Stopped Dancing Yet (Gonzales),
Lay All Your Love on Me (Abba),
No More Tears (Donna Summer),
Come to Me (France Joli),
It’s Raining Men (The Weather Girls),
Star Love (Cheryl Lynn),

The Boss (Diana Ross),
Disco Heat (Sylvester),
So Many Men So Little Time (Miquel Brown), and
Souvenirs (Voyage). 
It is no wonder this weekly party is so well attended. Once you’re on the dance floor, you find yourself surrounded by sweaty box boys, platform shoes, rhinestone shirts, tambourines, whistles, glow sticks, finger lights, flashing batons, and hand fans. This is true “Tea” magic at its best! Thanks Boom! If you ever find yourself in Ft. Lauderdale on a Sunday, the “Tea” at Boom is a MUST, there is no equal. I give the “Tea” at Boom a pair of platforms, a sparkly shirt and an Afro wig. Simply the best!

PATRICK SAYS:
I think my partner says it all.  The music is addicting and the sites take you back to a less serious time in our lives.  Then venue is a far cry from the my idea of T, but with DJ Ritchie Rich and bartender Sal they seem to transport my dancing legs back to time when I could dance all night. If I could have my perfect T it would be to combine the best qualities of both the “T at Boom” and the “Palms T”. Until my fantasy becomes a reality I will continue to support both venues and dream of the past when I too was young, tanned and dancing the weekend away.    

Monday, March 12, 2012

IN EDDIE'S WORDS | March FUN + VEGAS, Baby!


“In Eddie’s Words” March Fun & Vegas Baby!
Well that was a fast month and the events at the end of February were great, we had a Hot Rodeo fundraiser beer bust and the Oscars the same day and the customers enjoyed both. Our annual Madri Gras Saturday and Fat Tuesday where a huge success! Our customers enjoyed the King Cakes with the winners getting giant Madri Gras beads. We gave more beads than ever this year.
 
We also had an employee outing and had a blast playing Bingo 
at the Fantasy Springs Casino. Unfortunately, we only had one bingo winner in the group. Maybe next time more of us will win!  On Sunday, March 11h most of the staff is heading to Las Vegas for the Bar & Nightclub convention which is always a great time!  It gives us a chance to have fun together away from work; I went ten years in a row and enjoyed every one.  I will stay back to run the club along with some other employees so the rest of our management staff can enjoy a well deserved break and get new ideas for our clubs.
 
We hosted a Primetimers function on March 5th.The guys enjoyed their social meeting, cocktails and a wonderful buffet by Bongo Johnny's. Don’t forget our nine-hour happy hour everyday and our Friday $2 well special, Wednesday underwear night and contest. Look out for St. Patrick’s Day Saturday, March 17th with green and Irish drink specials -  $1.50 green draft beer, $3 Scooby Snack, $8 Appletini $4/$5 Guinsess. Help us welcome in the first day of Spring on Tuesday, March 20th with drink specials- Cherry blossom Shooters $2, and Sweet Tea Vodka $3.
 
We would like to wish our
HUNTERS PALM SPRINGS employee of the month for February Miguel congratulations! A very Happy Birthday this March to two employees Troy T. and Brandon. April will be a very busy month with Easter and White Party falling on the same weekend this year and Dinah Shore the weekend before. So until next month check us out and like us on facebook, twitter and Yelp, have fun and cheers.

Monday, March 5, 2012

BAR BOUNCE @ L O T U S

BAR BOUNCE by








LOTUS BAR AT RIVERS CASINO
3000 South River Road . Des Plaines, IL . 847 795 0777

MARK SAYS:

This circular bar is in the heart of the brand new Rivers Casino in Northwest Chicago near O’Hare airport, but it is far from having a heart. When we arrived it was DOA and lifeless. Although the bar is somewhat pretty with extra large barstools and plush, monochromatic sofa seating around the perimeter, this bar is probably the most boring bar I’ve ever encountered. Even being surrounded on all sides by the action of a brisk casino business this bar is uninteresting, practically colorless and sleepy. The bartender was vanilla with absolutely no personality at all. The drinks were blah and the scene was just plain beige. How can that be? They are smack dab in the middle of a crowded casino. This bar needs a jolt from a defibrillator. I give The Lotus Bar at the Rivers Casino in slot machine lingo, a lemon, a plum, a blank space and a bell……..ding, ding, ding, zilch.

PATRICK SAYS:
Well my Slot Machine King partner pretty much said it all. One would expect some type of similarity to the Casinos in Vegas, but I was wrong.  My biggest complaint of Vegas Casinos is that they are way too loud; I only wish this was the case at Rivers Casino. No excitement, No Bells and sirens of the slots, No personality at all. The bar was in the middle of the casino, which should be bustling with people, but there were only two or three others sitting at the bar staring into space.  Our bartender with no enthusiasm took our order served our drinks and walked away, never engaging in eye contact or conversation. We even had to ask for another round or we were never going to get one. At this point writing about this experience even bores me and with that said, you only have to guess my rating. ????  

Monday, February 20, 2012

"IN EDDIE'S WORDS".



By Eddie Matarazzo, Bar Manager

Well February has been a very fun and busy month so far here in

Hunters Palm Springs our Superbowl party was packed and fans of both teams who were enjoying the game and the delicious buffet from
Bongo Johnny's and the
Giants won a well deserved game. 
The Third annual Duel in the Desert Gay Flag Football Tournament the last weekend in January was a huge success and the guys had a blast at their host bar Hunters Palm Springs.
The weekend of February 11th we had another great event The Palm Springs Winter Classic Softball Tournament and registration at Hunters Palm Springs, they also enjoyed the club all weekend for their fun after the games and had such great time.
We also welcomed all those who joined in the fun after the

Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards as well, it was nice to see people all dressed up in tuxedos enjoying a beverage. The rest of the month is still packed with upcoming events like Valentines Day with drink specials $3 Woo-Woo, $3 Blow Job and $5 Chocolate Cake shots. Presidents Day weekend February 17th-20th, with drink specials $5 Washington Apple shots, $3 Clinton Blow Jobs and $5 Astro Bombs all weekend long.
Get ready for our annual Mardi Gras Saturday,
February 18th and Fat Tuesday, February 21st for the celebration with lots of beads, drink specials $8 Hurricanes and two Mardi Gras King cakes with Giants beads for the customer who gets the baby in the cake on Fat Tuesday with drink specials $2, $3, $4 so stop by to join in the fun.
Don't forget the Oscars on Sunday, February 26th on the screens and see if your favorites win. We would like to wish Herbie from our door staff a very Happy Birthday and a Happy Anniversary with his wife, A very Happy Birthday to two of our favorite customers Curtis & Mieke. So we hope to see you soon, but until March enjoy and cheers!!  Eddie

Monday, February 13, 2012

Hello, I'm Tom


Hello,
My name is 
Tom Cloutier & I am the General Manager of Hunters Chicago.  I hope you are having a great start to the New Year!  I would like to extend a Happy Birthday wish to Angel LeBare, one of our regular fabulous performers and to the ever popular DJ Ron G who spins Friday and Saturday nights. 
Mondays at 8pm we will be showing RuPaul's Drag Race so you can come cheer on team Dida Ritz. 
Tuesday February 14 Valentine's Day come celebrate with that special someone.  We will have Champagne and Chocolates to set the mood.  If you currently don't have that special someone you may find him/her here.  DJ WillYum will be spinning the latest dance music from 10 to close for those that want to explore on the dance floor. 
Every Tuesday we have Team trivia on Buzztime, Hunters Chicago vs. Hunters Palm Springs with Mandy serving $1 Well drinks and $1 Domestic drafts and we even throw in the pizza.  I enjoy playing so there is a pretty good chance you will find me sitting at the bar with a playmaker shouting out answers.  Warm up is at 7pm, game starts at 7:30, lots of fun and no pressure.  DJ WillYum will be there for you the rest of the night, requests welcome.
Saturday February 25 is our Carnivale' Masks and Beads with DJ Lawrence K spinning you right into a Rio de Janeiro state of mind.  Compete in our Best Chest contest and if you are shy you can hide that pretty face behind a mask, your secret is safe with me.   Come earn your beads!
Sunday February 26 is Sinful Sunday, but you probably already knew that.  Keisha Foxxx has brought this great show into its third year and what a show it is.  They now have a celebrity with their own, Dida Ritz was cast on this seasons RuPaul's Drag Race.  Come see her and the rest of the cast perform live every last Sunday of the month and cheer her onto victory.  Congratulations Dida for making the show!!
We have renamed our dancers, Hunter Chicago HXD, Hot eXotic Dancers.  We still have all your favorites along with some brand new soon to be favorites.  Be sure to see for yourself every Thursday and Saturday Night.  Go to Hunters Chicago HXD on Facebook and like the new page for the line ups and the latest pictures.  
Hunters Chicago turns 30 this year, 1982-2012.  We will be having many parties and specials to celebrate this milestone.  I hope you will come help us mark this event throughout the year.   All of us at Hunters know that this would not be possible without our customers and we would like to show you our appreciation. 
Where to find us online.  Website Huntersnightclubs.com, Hunters Chicago, Hunter's Night Clubs & Hunters HXD on Facebook.  Also check in on Yelp for a Gift, just show your bartender. 
Are you planning a special event, Birthday, Anniversary, Office party?   Check out our Party room.  You can book the room with your own bartender for only $50.  We can help you plan your event along with decorating, cake ordering, catering, gift bags, posters, banners, custom glassware, and dancers.  Just let us know what you have in mind.    
If you have any questions, ideas or if you would just like to say Hi, my email address is Tomc@Huntersnightclubs.com. 
Spirits Elevated!
Cheers,
Tom Cloutier


BAR BOUNCE


BAR BOUNCE
F E B R U A R Y  2 0 1 2
Here we are right in the middle of the great American desert, Palm Springs. Sparkling like a rhinestone in the sun, Palm Springs shines with rainbow brilliance. It is gay and semi glamorous with a rich history of Hollywood mischief. Often referred to as a small pond, this desert was home to some pretty big fish. Names like Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Sonny Bono, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnez, Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood to name a few historic ones. Newish names include the designer Trina Turk, Suzanne Sommers and Barry Manilow. The names are iconic and so is the weather. Patrick and I now dive into the Palm Springs bars.

AZUL 369 North Palm Canyon Drive Palm Springs 760-325-5533

M A R K  S A Y S :
There is no better patio bar in all of Palm Springs. Malcolm the bartender is warm welcoming and pleasant. The ever present owner Georgie assures that everyone has a top notch experience. It was the perfect day, sunny in the 70’s with low humidity of course. The setting was just magic. The food was even better. Seated at the bar I was relaxing with some Ketel One Vodka, friends and a Buffalo burger with goat cheese, it was heaven. I only wish the afternoon had lasted longer. I give Azul thumbs up and a Jimmy Buffet smile.

P A T R I C K  S A Y S :
Well, like Mark said it was a beautiful sunny day therefor there was only one thing I should be doing and that was “To Get A Tan”. That said when Mark wanted to go meet friends at Azul I Kindly declined. The sun would wait for no one. We agreed that Mark would bring me back a Roast Beef Burrito.  Well after lying in the Sun for more than 90 minutes, I was getting very hungry. I called Mark to tell him that I was starving and I was heading his way if he was not already on his way home. He told me that he just ordered the Burrito and if I wanted to come I needed to do it quickly. I pulled on shorts, a tank top and flip flops and I was there just in time for my lunch. While there I also ordered 3 of their Azul Lemonades (the adult kind of course) after seeing them made for another customer. They were very good, as was the Burrito and
the first rate service.  We frequent Azul every time we are in Palm Springs, Thus making it our second favorite Drinking Hole.  A Hole in One for me.