NANA'S BINGO makes FEATHERS the place to be on SUNDAY nights!

After weeks of telling my friend Scott that I would stop by Feathers to watch him host Drag Bingo I finally gave in and went. Now, I am not a Bingo person. I don’t have patience for the game, nor for the people who play it. I went expecting nothing and got a great surprised! It was such a wonderful evening! When I first got there I was greeted by security. They are usually busy and matter of fact, but tonight they were playful and friendly. I was having such a good time at the door, I was sad to have to leave. I really believe that crowds bring on extra, unwanted stress to people who work in the service business. Everyone WANTS and no one WANTS to be the one who WAITS. As a bartender I would try to serve who ever came first to the bar, or if I knew they were a big tipper; sorry, but that is reality guys. SHOW ME THE MONEY! But, DJ’s and security guards do not get to see the money, so SHOW THEM RESPECT. Showing ID is not an insult or unconstitutional- it’s a moment and an opportunity to smile at the security guard; remember, you might need their help later. I digress. I entered the bar to see a handful of customers. Not an impressive number of customers, but what a hot group of customers! It was like the best looking guys from Saturday night were handpicked and invited to this private event- which is opened to the public. Everyone seemed to smile and there was warmth of friendliness that filled the air. I got there at 10 pm and the patrons seemed to have been there since 9 pm when the club opens on Sunday. Vinnie was the bartender and kept everyone actively involved in conversation and drink. He created a laid back, casual atmosphere that the customers were enjoying. I have known Vinnie many years and I have never seem him so personable and attentive to each and every one! Now this is NOT to say that he is not that way other nights, I am judging from when we worked together on crazy busy nights and had crowds of people who felt they were entitled to immediate service! No matter how nice you were to some customers they would just bring in all their anger of the day and throw it at you. Vinnie was one of the calmest and really seemed to make people smile at their bad luck, I usually made them angrier. Enter the star of the evening “NANA CONWAY”, an old “grandmotherly” character with quite the saucy mouth created by Scott Barrows.

Scott has successfully created such characters as MANDONNA and VERONICA CONWAY. NANA is just the type of character you would expect to see hosting a BINGO game in a gay bar. NANA made the rounds to the customers and brought a personal touch to the evening. NANA went around selling the bingo cards. They were $2.00 each and a $60.00 cash prize was at stake. Instead of the “traditional” sitting and calling numbers, Nana pulled the ball and made her rounds with the microphone interacting with the players. When “O-69” was called who ever had it on their card was treated to a free shot. It was fun to watch Vinnie race trying to keep up with all the “O-69’s”. Within a half hour the place seemed to have gotten a little busier. On Sunday’s only the lower level is opened and there is just one bartender on duty. There were about twenty five people by this time and it was quite manageable for Vinnie. There is also a waiter/bartender there if back-up is needed. When bingo was called Nana paid the winner and called a cigarette break. During the break club music was brought on and all the singles were chatting with each other. The pressure of “getting lucky” was not present and a good time was being had by all. It was nice to see a variety of age groups hanging out and getting along. I have to say it was still an attractive group of men and noticed there were no women. I didn’t really think of it until now, huh. Bingo resumed and they were playing for a bar tab. Nana plays bingo until 1:00 am. It was REALLY a fun evening! It was nice to see people conversing and not just silently casing the joint for that HOT property. I wish every place was like this, but unfortunately, the place with the angry crowds will get the attention. I STRONGLY recommend NANA CONWAY’S BINGO NIGHT on Sunday is the place to be for ALL ages looking to meet a person and not just a hook-up. Just remember to leave your attitude at home- the only attitude at NANA’S BINGO is NANA’S. P.S…If you are planning a surprise party for a friend or partner, think about holding it at Feathers on a Sunday evening. NANA CONWAY and FEATHERS friendly staff can make any party a success and bring unexpected laughs! A private area is available for party set up.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON IN NYC

Sunday night is one of those nights where you don’t want to travel into the city to party. I am a Sunday afternoon person. Last Week I spent the day with a friend, Rich. We did brunch and strolled on the Highline in NYC. It was a relaxing day in, what some people consider a crazy city.

We took the train in so we would avoid parking and gas and toll prices. I thought it would be inconvenient, but I was surprised at how relaxed I was just sitting back and chatting casually. Brunch was at a small Irish tavern on Bleeker. I love taverns. I love the word tavern. They are so old world and it is like stepping in to a time machine and experiencing long ago. After an hour and a half brunch we ventured out into the streets of New York City and allowed the streets to play tour guide. The streets did a great job and directed us to the Highline. The Highline is the old ell train that the citizens turned into a walking garden.

It is so beautiful and creative. The old train tracks ate a part of the garden attraction and wooden lounge chairs are decorated with train cart wheels, decorated to the last detail.

The views are magnificent! Every picture you take is a post card.

We got off the Highline at 23rd Street and strolled to the GYM bar. The place was packed up front, but emptied in the back. It was a nice Sunday afternoon place, but everyone seemed to know each other. As a new comer I felt like Mr. Gower from “It’s A Wonderful Life”.

I tried to make eye contact with someone, anyone! But to no avail. Honestly, I don't think I am that ugly.

Everyone looked so stressed and seemed to be preoccupied with meeting someone and if you weren’t their type they had no time for you. We had one drink and then headed out to seek another adventure. We ended up going to BOXER’S, but had to stop into the LIMELIGHT which is now a department store! I was shocked to see all these sales racks in places where I used to dance! I had some crazy times in places where they had 2-4-1 tee’s. BOXER’S was the place to be; GREAT crowd for 4pm on Sunday and a friendly staff. The age group was diverse and the people made eye contact, many even smiled. I enjoyed a beer and was happy to be able to chat with my friend and have some nice eye candy to enjoy. The people were spread out and didn’t seem to be stressed. The problem with the train is that you are on a schedule. Our next train was at 6:35 in Hoboken. It was 5:15. We went over to SPLASH, which has 2-4-1 drinks, but the “pretty boy” bartenders have to get over themselves. At fifty I know I am not leaving with a bartender, nor do I want to, so do your job and be friendly. The back bartender was a little friendlier and had a cute personality. He should have been in the first one you meet when you enter. We had a drink with him and then left.

Rich is a pro at this and he had us at the train to River Edge by 6:30- 5 minutes to spare. I sat on the train and enjoyed being able to relax and not have to worry about driving and traffic! Definitely do it! I encourage everyone to just go out and do it! TOUR NYC! The fun part is that you can do it alone. You don’t need anyone to walk the streets of NYC, let the streets be your tour guide!

Why this blog?

So I recently started to go back out into the dating scene. I have been single for a while, but it was by choice. With all my friends becoming couples and my career in a good place I really don’t have an excuse to be single any longer. Now, I am not a new comer to the bar scene having bartended for over twenty years, but being behind the bar there was an unconscious “wall of protection”. The magic of being a bartender is that you can create your own client list of people you want to serve – annoying customers are swallowing their spit waiting for a drink. You only serve the people that look good and tip well- over fifty need not apply. God has a vicious sense of humor because now I am fifty waiting for a bartender to serve me. I HATE going out to clubs because all I see are young looking kids treating me kindly. I keep thinking they are trying to earn a Boy Scout badge for helping the elderly until I realize that they probably never even heard of the “Boy Scouts”! Being a third grade teacher I am constantly reminded that I am out of fashion. I have become the “pull my finger” uncle that is haunted by the sounds of my mother’s voice coming out of my mouth; “It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye”, “I don’t want to hear a tall tale; I want to hear the truth”, I blame the era in which I grew up. Really now, people were “Lost in Space”, we had “The Flying Nun”, and who could forget the witchy wife in “Bewitched” all characters that molded my Character Ed- I still twitch my nose whenever I want to disappear.

I recently dated a 29 year old who could identify with a vision of the flying nun, seems he had seen one after a bad ecstasy trip. It was so much easier when I was young and cute and everything I did was “charming”. At fifty forgetting your house keys isn’t being a scatter brain, its being on the road to Alzheimer.

I don’t want to turn into one of those bitter “used to be’s” who stand at a bar and whine and gripe about how “the kids today don’t know how to enjoy themselves!” “The music is so loud!” or the person who is bald and over weight that orders chinesse food take out and have their rented DVD under the arm, complaining that there aren't enough soy sauce packets. I think some of my working out is so that I don't turn into that.

I am very realistic to the bar life and understand that everyone has their time and you shouldn’t over stay your welcome. I tell the whiner’s, “you are a visitor and the way things are are the way things are supposed to be. You had your time-let go. It is time for a new generation to make memories. Stay and observe and enjoy, or settle down and stay home! Night life is for people looking for life and love. So, I am here to prove that you are never too old to find true love and that happily ever after isn’t just for fairy tales! Join me in my search as we attend the most popular, and talked about parties and see if they live up to their reputation or are they just hype. Is the bar scene really a youth oriented scene, or is there a place for the fifty plus to belong? On this blog I will describe the parties from the eye of a fifty year old. I will search for my happily ever after and hopefully encourage you to come out and look for yours.

Antonio's Birthday Bash at g-lounge

HOT AND SEXY! Antonio Cedeno promised and delivered! Wall to wall HOTNESS! Arriving late it took my eyes a few minutes to adjust to the beauty that surrounded me! I walked right into a summer blond go-go dancer. SURFS-UP! My mouth dropped and before I could recover a group of Latin hotness made their way around me to go out for a smoke. My mouth has still not recovered from surfer boy! BEAUTIFUL! Suddenly I felt a hug and squeeze and turned to see Antonio Cedeno and the warmest smile. I have known Antonio many years and he still makes me feel so special. He greeted me and asked if I need a drink and set me up before the night took him away. There was so much going on and so many people pouring in to see him! I was surprised that I did not see any of the Jersey friends. I stood there watching Antonio greet his guest and pose for pictures. I was so proud to just watch. I have known Tony (Antonio) for so many years and have seen life test him so many times. He rose to each challenge and always gave it his best. Sometimes he struck out, and sometimes he hit a homerun-tonight was a HOMERUN!

The dancers were the hottest as promised; the group was up for a great time; laughing and chatting up a storm! The music was sick! One great mix after another, DJ Billy Lace kept the crowd alive and moving. Amid the crowd there was a sudden flurry of flashes as Aiden Leslie made his entrance dressed in white. New York is definitely in love with this guy. I tried to say hello to him, but he was whisked away by adoring fans. I have to admit I love when I see people in their environment and Aiden Leslie’s place is to belong to the world. He posed and smiled like a child on Christmas morning. Aiden’s performance was BRILLIANT! I lose sight of my surroundings when he performs. What an aura!

As the evening progressed so did the number of guest and go-go dancers. I wasn’t sure who was a dancer and who was a customer and I was not complaining. The only thing to take attention off the evening’s sexual heat that the party was creating was the appearance of Tone Tone’s birthday cake! It was a GREAT evening and the present I got was watching my friend Tony (Antonio Cedeno) shine as bright as the stars! Happy Birthday Buddy and many, many more!