The local hustler bar is reopening as an "alternative" bar and will be called Bar Friends.
This is the blurb that was sent to me:
The bar owned by Enchanting Encounters has undergone major renovations on the second and third level, in order to provide more attractions and space for our customers. Along with the change of interior and exterior, a change in atmosphere, staff and clientele was necessary. We are proud to say that we are now an alternative, distinguished bar, who caters to the Dominican and foreign population, not only focused on tourism. Regularly we host live events (music, shows, exhibitions). Please check it out on your next visit to Santo Domingo.
You better get there early, you want to make sure you beat the crowds.
Update: Bar Friends opened last night with a "fundraiser." There was a decent crowd there and everyone I spoke with agreed the place is very nice. The price to enter was RD$50 and there is a lounge on the second floor. Everyone left before midnight and headed over to the The Sports Bar, where we all partied til way after 2am.
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25 comments:
"Alternative Bar" alternative to what? Why would a gay visitor not want to go to a GAY BAR? There are tons of straight bars in the states that some of us visit with our straight friends and family members, but still don't quite feel at home. When in DR the GAY BARS are the place that we can be free to be. What about the buggarons will they not be there? I know that I don't want to use vacation time and spend money to come down to sit in a bar full of straight people and a few uppity queens. What kind of shit is this? There is nothing nicer than a good old fashion hustler bar with pretty bartenders an a charming owner.
And what a "nice neighborhood" for these "Echanting Ecounters". The "Alternative" is to just go to Jay-Dees or over to Parios where we can all be made to feel welcome. I am sure that Orlando and Jerry will be happy with this "change of atmosphere and customers" at "Bar Friends".
I sure won't be spending a dime there.
Now let me see am I missing something here? "A change in atmosphere, staff and CLIENTELE was necessary".I thought the atmosphere was fine when she wasn't there. The only staff member worth paying any attention too was Robinson I here that he now works for Orlando. Clientele there were only a few of us going there paying those outrageous prices anyway so what is this really all about?
I have written Angie and Leon to ask about this. I was planning on having a party at Bar Phoenix in January. But frankly, if "Bar Friends" is no longer a gay hustler bar, I just don't know. I had my birthday party there last May, and everything was wonderful. Everything was done as promised and the price was just right. I'm looking forward to a response from them.
I so enjoy reading Anthony's blog but I would like to make a recommendation.
Anthony, you write very well and should use that talent and write us all a series of novels like Armistead Maupin did in "Tales of the City"...this could be your version called "Tales of the Island" and I am sure it would be a great hit.
Go for it girl...don't waste your time with other ventures. You have the smarts and talent to write such a novel and I for one expect an advance copy.
The blurb sent to you Anthony, seems to have been written in a strange version of English. It's amazing how the use of punctuation can change a sentence or even help it to MAKE SENSE. What IS this PERSON trying to say????? This is GIBBERISH!! I get it.. it's a Halloween prank. Are these grownups? Was it written in crayon when you received it with little hearts over the i's? It's embarassing, really.
Hmmmmmm, someone once said "It is better to remain quiet and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt."
Gramatically speaking, this blurb is a mess! It speaks volumes!
Good Golly Miss Molly!
"We are proud to say that we are now an alternative, distinguished bar, who caters to the Dominican and foreign population, not only focused on tourism." What the hell does that mean? In what way is it distinguished and alternative. Just squash the madness cuz we need to bust a reality check on this one here! Hey, will someone in the DR please go up there and check it out so I don't have to waste my time with it cuz I know what is going on there...THE SAME AS BEFORE! An empty bar with myself, staff and a couple of boys....AND THAT IS ALL THAT WILL BE THERE. Funny, it never felt "enchanting" when I was there.
I have to agree with all of the posters on this topic. I once said that what made the Phoenix different was the rough edge it had to it. It was more hardcore than the other bars in town and so were the bugarrones both of which many of its clients enjoyed. If you change all that by fancy redecorating and selecting who will be allowed in, it is a recipe for failure. The high cost of drinks and the "nice neighborhood" as others have noted will only add to its final closing.
From Puerto Rico,
Rafael
I sat in dat bar I sat in dat bar waiting for locals to come in and not one showed up. You dont know how it feels to be in that bar all alone looking at the walls hour by hour. and paying 100 paso's for a bag of chips.
ms
Does anyone know how the Grand Opening was last night, how many VIP's were there and who are they. Did the French big shot show up?
The French Ambassador didn't make it, I think it was a scheduling conflict, or something.
Everyone wants me to write a book. One day... maybe. You think I have enemies now, wait til I write a book with AAAALLLL the things I have learned here. I would have to move to another country under an assumed identity.
What kind of hype is this with the new "Bar Friends"? Is this guy on crack or what?
The old Bar Phoenix was an ICON in the Carribean and known for its "rough edge" as someone previously pointed out.
I, for one, do not want to sit in a pink bar in that neighborhood and appear "alternative". Fuck it I am Gay and very proud of it. This person knows nothing of marketing and has no business sense at all.
As far as the book goes, and needing to run and hide, send it to the publishers and head for Haiti. Same climate but different language and atmosphere. There you can write More Tales of the Island. Seriously Anthony, sit your ass down and get to work on that book!
The gentrification of gay santo domingo is really sad. The Phoenix Bar has changed. Even the Duque has changed. They painted the walls, bought some new sofas for the lobby and barred the bugarones from coming in. Now, it has no flavor.
Anthony I see everyone is reading your BLOG even LEONA. Please note the changes to her blurb as posted on her web site.BAR PHOENIX is now BAR FRIENDS.
The bar owned by Enchanting Encounters has undergone major renovations on the second and third level, in order to provide more attractions and space for our customers. Along with the change of interior and exterior, a change in atmosphere, staff was necessary. We are proud to say that we are now an alternative, distinguished bar, who caters to the Dominican and foreign population, not only focused on tourism. Regularly we host live events (music, shows, exhibitions). Please check it out on your next visit to Santo Domingo. Notice that she does not mention change in clientele Gramatically speaking, this blurb is still a mess! With all of the education that she clame she has I would think that she could do better than this.
To the post above, referencing Leona, you may think this is a mess but Anthony has more education in his little pinky than you have throughout your entire body and at least HE can spell correctly.
In case you don't know, the correct spelling is "claim" not "clame". There is no word "clame".
I am sure all this expanded space will make the bar look even more empty than usual. When all the CLIENTELE stop going then so will the buggarones as well.
Have an "Echanting Evening" now!
I was in no way suggesting that Anthony was not educated. I was referring to Leona. I should have used spell check before posting my comment. Sorry for any confusion that my comment may have caused.
Ya know it's interesting that you all say the Phoenix was "hard edged". I guess that was in it's glory days cuz the only thing I found hard edged was the edge of the glass of a stupid crazy priced drink! I wonder, new name, new look...new drink price? Hey, I heard she got rid of the rag on her head?!!!!
Anthony how have things been at Bar Friends since opening night? I'm sure that you must be on the list of VIP's that are allowed entrance.
I hear that it has been very slow, but the place is very beautiful. At least that is what I'm told.
Anthony thanks for all the updates, just wish that you would blog more often. It's always a good read. Can't help but notice that anything about Bar Phoenix, Leona, Bar Friends (I suppose that they are all the same) generate lots of comments. Remember Darling inquiring minds want to know.
Well, as I always do, I will head to the Sports Bar where you don't get the drama and always feel welcomed by David Lee and his staff. We miss Ms Vickie and Davanita and hope them both well.
BAr Friends???? pay more for a drink than I do at home in the U.S.? no boys? restrooms with no water..no flushing no soap and no paper.........I want a good gay hustler bar and a little hygiene.
Folks, the are two sure things in life.....change and death. Bar Phoenix is no more, the buggarons know it and most of its patrons know it. Let's move on...
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