DC Bear Scene

Former EFN and Motley Manager Bill Gray is Mova’s Marketing Director

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Bearnaked Joe

Former EFN Lounge & Motley Bar Bear Happy Hour manager Bill Gray is now Mova's marketing director

Babak Movahedi replied to an email from me today to confirm former EFN Lounge & Motley Bar Bear Happy Hour manager Bill Gray is now Mova’s marketing director.

Gray is featured on Washington Blade’s “Queery” 20 Questions and recently told Metro Weekly in an article about EFN’s demise that he would “not return to the bar industry.”

Babak Movahedi:
bill is mova’s marketing director and will work closely with Justin croft, the general manager in taking MOVA to the next level. I am very excited about him joining our family and the only thing I can say about our move is that we will be at our new location by January 31, 2011 thanks

Photo by Joe Tresh

Posted in Bear Happy Hour | Tagged Babak Movahedi, Bill Gray, EFN/Motley, Mova DC | 2 Comments

Bill Gray Changes “EFN Lounge” Facebook Group Name to “Mova DC”

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Bearnaked Joe

If you’re a Bear and wondering how you got on the Mova DC Facebook Group page, read on…

Bill Gray, former manager of EFN Lounge and Motley Bar changed the “EFN Lounge” Facebook Group name to “Mova DC” today at about 3:20 p.m. DC time.

Mova, which was a popular Gay nightclub in DC formerly known as “Halo,” closed in January 2010 due to “exorbitant” rent, according to an article in the Washington Blade. A number of Bears are part of the renamed list, likely having joined as fans of EFN and Motley’s Bear Happy Hour.

Mova DC’s website can be found along with its partner bar in Miami, FL, at movalounge.com

Gray’s renamed group represents a large potential new marketing base for the club. At the time of this post the newly renamed group had 1,899 members, while previous Mova pages on Facebook had fewer members. Mova DC’s identity account on Facebook had 623 friends, while Mova Lounge Fan Page on Facebook (which primarily promotes the Miami location) had 578 fans. With the number of Bears on Bill’s list, will Mova DC pick up any Bear business?

Shortly after the name change, Gray sent an email blast to the group’s members saying that events will be held in the existing location before it moves, which makes me wonder why they didn’t just stay open in order to pay for their “exorbitant” rent:

New Management/New Staff/New Events/New Concept and New Location coming January 2011.

We will be implementing exciting additions and events at the existing location before we launch the new concept in January 2011.

Stay Tuned!

I sent emails to Gray and other club contacts to find out his role with the club, and whether they have a new location. It’s only been a short time, but I have not yet received a reply.

Posted in Bear Happy Hour | Tagged Bill Gray, EFN/Motley, Mova DC | Leave a comment

Cobalt Renames their Bear Happy Hour to “GRUFF”

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Bearnaked Joe

Just short of three hours after DCBearScene.com reported that Cobalt was requesting patrons input on renaming their Bear Happy Hour, Mark Rutstein, owner of Cobalt announced they were changing the name to “GRUFF” in a comment on the post.

Mark Rutstein says:
August 31, 2010 at 3:10 pm
The boys decided on “GRUFF” There’s the new name. Thanks for all the suggestions! Cobalt has been asked to do some contests and another bear promoter has approached the bar to assist with marketing.

No word yet on who the other “bear promoter” is or what contests they have in mind.

I find GRUFF to be an interesting choice of word. (I bet it was at least unconsciously inspired by “Scruff” the new Bear iPhone App.) I think they are trying to project masculinity through the name, but it also invokes harshness.

“Gruff” – adj.
Webster: gruff – “rough, brusque, or stern in manner, speech, or aspect”
Answers.com: gruff – “Brusque or stern in manner or appearance… SYNONYMS gruff, brusque, blunt, bluff, curt, crusty. These adjectives mean abrupt and sometimes discourteous in manner or speech. Gruff implies roughness or surliness but does not necessarily suggest rudeness…”
Dictionary.com: gruff – “rough, brusque, or surly”

By changing the name of the party from “Bear Happy Hour” to “GRUFF,” Cobalt can carve out their own niche and patronage that is separate from other “Men’s” happy hours in Washington, D.C.

Posted in Bear Happy Hour | Tagged Cobalt, FBHH!!! Friday Bear Happy Hour!, GRUFF, Mark Rutstein | Leave a comment

Washington Blade Looking for Bears

Posted on September 1, 2010 by Bearnaked Joe

Joey DiGuglielmo, a journalist from the Washington Blade would like to talk to regular customers of the Bear Happy Hours. Please give a shout to him at joeyd@washblade.com or just call his cell at 202-731-0829.

Posted in Bear Happy Hour | Tagged Joey DiGuglielmo, Washington Blade | Leave a comment

Earl Threatens to Make Southern Decadence Travel Difficult

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Bearnaked Joe

Hurricane Earl Projections as of 11 a.m. Aug 31, 2010

Hurricane Earl is threatening to to make the Mid-Atlantic region’s travel to Southern Decadence this weekend a little tough. Check out the map at NOAA – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

National Weather Service Advisory

Also some news reports:

Strengthening Hurricane Earl may rake U.S. east coast

The hurricane was moving west-northwest on a curving track that the National Hurricane Center said would take it near Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, on Thursday and Friday.

A direct hit could not be ruled out, and Earl was expected to bring drenching rain, dangerous seas and surf and gusting wind to the Atlantic Coast from North Carolina to New England and Canada, said Alex Sosnowski, a senior meteorologist for private forecaster AccuWeather.

Hurricane Earl threatens U.S. East Coast

The forecast track of Earl, the second major hurricane of the 2010 Atlantic season, showed the fringes of the powerful Category 4 storm clipping the barrier islands of North Carolina’s Outer Banks early on Friday and threatening the densely populated coast northward from there to New England.

A hurricane watch could be posted by Tuesday night for the mid-Atlantic coast, alerting residents to expect storm conditions within 72 hours, the forecasters said.

At least it’s not headed toward NOLA

Posted in Travel | Tagged Hurricane Earl, Southern Decadence | Leave a comment

Cobalt Looks to Patrons to Rename their Bear Happy Hour, May Drop the Word “Bear”

Posted on August 31, 2010 by Bearnaked Joe

Cobalt FRIDAY BEAR HAPPY HOUR with DJ JIM GADE 4pm-9pm

Cobalt owner Mark Rutstein told me Monday afternoon that he has been approached by “Some of the bears” to rename Cobalt’s Bear Happy Hour to something else, perhaps without using the word “Bear.”

“This kinda shocked me,” Rutstein said, “since some of the community were upset by the previous name.” Many Bears attended what Cobalt previously called “Real Men’s Happy Hour,” which caused accusations from some in the Bear community that Cobalt was ashamed of using the term “Bear.” Cobalt’s Friday evening happy hour was popular with Bears from the closing of Titan’s Ramrod in December, 2007, through Spring of 2009, when Motley Bar opened and a majority of Bears migrated there.

“People have been messaging me,” Rutstein said. “But I would love to have as many requests as possible so we can run a new name next week. Funny thing is that so many people commented about Cobalt not naming it bear happy hour last year… I’m surprised to see how many requests I have from the bears that excludes the word bear.”

Rutstein explained further when he suggested that a more unique name would be better for his Friday night event. “It will allow the bears to tell their friends what venue they are going to when they say they are going to bear happy hour,” he said. Rutstein did not respond to an email question asking how Bears should suggest to him a new name, but I assume you can message him or talk to him in person at Cobalt on Friday night.

A Facebook message from Cobalt titled “The week + MORE” received Monday night promotes Monday through Friday events and the announcement of the arrival of the “NOH8 Campaign” on Monday, September 20th, but does not promote Bear Happy Hour. The message goes on near the end to say ‘FRIDAY Happy Hours renamed! You’ll have to wait and see!”

Posted in Bear Happy Hour | Tagged Cobalt, Mark Rutstein, Titan's Ramrod | 1 Comment

Former BeBar Owner Working with EFN to Rebuild, Was “Reaching Out” to Bears

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Bearnaked Joe

Last night DCBearScene.com chased rumors that a representative from Motley Bar reached out to Bradley “Thumper Bear” from Beltway Bears about inviting Bears back to Motley if they wanted to come back for Friday Happy Hour.

Michael Watson, former co-owner of BeBar, which became EFN/Motley, called Thumper to discuss whether or not the Bears needed the space. Thumper was suggested to Watson as a contact by EFN manager Matt Bamford, who knows Thumper through Fuk!t safe sex condom packing parties and Beltway Bears.

Upon confirming the rumor with Thumper, DCBearScene.com called Watson to find out the scoop. Watson said he is acting on behalf of EFN/Motley management because he wanted to reach out to past patrons of the bar. “I felt terrible about how this was handled,” he said about Motley’s closing. “We were triaging a wound.” He said he wanted past patrons to know that “we respect their community.”

Watson said EFN/Motley would continue to meet obligations to private parties and promoters who have rented the bar, which is why re-opening for the Bears would be possible. He said, however, that he understands if Bears have already moved on to another location.

Calls and messages to EFN/Motley owners Tom McGuire and Adrian Messiah requesting comment and confirmation about Watson’s current role at the bar have not been returned.

DCBearScene contacted Nick “Pup Charger” Baatz, previous bartender and promoter of “Motley Bear Crue” at Motley, who has founded and is promoting “DC Bear Crue” at Town nightclub, and provided him with Watson’s contact information. Charger told DCBearScene that he contacted Watson and declined his offer on behalf of DC Bear Crue. “I told him thanks for the offer,” Charger said, “but we have found a good home with Town that seems to be working.”

Watson said that while the bar has staffing and new management in place, his intentions were only to ask the bears back “if they wanted to return.” He said the bar is not, however, generally reopening to the public.

Posted in Bear Happy Hour | Tagged Bear Happy Hour, EFN/Motley, Motley Bar, TOWN | Leave a comment

Developing: Motley Rumors

Posted on August 24, 2010 by Bearnaked Joe

BREAKING

Tonight at Bears Do Yoga, held at the Green Lantern Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m., word travelled quickly that a representative from Motley Bar reached out to a leader of a local Bear club about inviting Bears back to Motley on Fridays if they wanted to come back. The bar would open only for Bear Happy Hour and for scheduled private parties and events.

Bradley “Thumper Bear” from Beltway Bears told DCBearScene.com that a representative of the bar called him to say that he “did not intend for things to end the way they ended” and was interested in inviting Bears back on Friday nights if they so desired. Thumper said he replied to the man that he had no say where the Bears go. “I have no dog in this fight,” he told DCBearScene.

DCBearScene spoke to the person to whom Thumper spoke and is working to verify that he actually represents Motley Bar. DCBearScene.com spent the evening talking to contacts, and will publish a post when more facts can be corroborated.

If you have tips, please email tips@dcbearscene.com.

Posted in Bear Happy Hour | Tagged Bears Do Yoga, Motley Bar, Thumper Bear | Leave a comment

Q&A with DC’s Bear Happy Hours: The First Friday After the Fall of Motley Bar

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Bearnaked Joe

You had me at woof. Who had you on Friday?

On Friday, Washington, D.C.’s Bear Scene experienced a new Friday night. After the fall of Motley Bar, three venues stood up to take its place.

DCBearScene.com held a Q&A with the hosts of each Bear Happy Hour to find out how they thought their evening went and what they plan to offer this Friday.

Where did you go on Friday? Your reviews and photos are wanted. Comment below on this open thread and let us know what you thought of DC’s new Bear Happy Hours.

Green Lantern – BEAR HAPPY HOUR – Every Friday – The Facebook invite ended up with “30 Attending.”

Answers by owner Greg Zehn

How many people attended your Bear Happy Hour?

Appx 60 people attended-mean number appx 35 at any given time, appx 10 that commented they went to both TOWN and GL. 10 pizzas gone in 5-10 minutes .

Did you gain new people over regular Friday patronage during that time? How many?

Probably gained some new/curious non-bear guys, difficult to discern the reason they were here as some were not obviously bears but may have been onlookers.

Was there anything that your patrons especially loved about your Bear Happy Hour?

Of course the pizza, able to get fast efficient bartender service, plenty of AC, a few found this more accessible to come to from work (K street/Downtown workers), we also had DC Cowboys immediately after and some liked looking at the boys walking around in their Levi style underwear selling jello shooters.

What are your plans for this coming Friday?
‘FUR AND FOOD’

Both floors open, an hour of SHIRTLESS BEARS DRINK FREE from 7-8 pm followed by FREE PIZZA at 8 pm, in addition to $8 (60 ounce) pitchers of domestic draft we will also offer $12 Pitchers of Sam Adams (currently Summer Ale but may be changing to Octoberfest this week depending on availability from supplier), Shock Top and Yuengling. ($3 per mug if bought individually), Heineken Draft at same price but only available from the 1st floor bar

Cobalt – FBHH!!! Friday Bear Happy Hour! – The Facebook invite ended up with “37 Attending.”

Answers by Cobalt owner Mark Rutstein

How many people attended your Bear Happy Hour? Did you gain new people over regular Friday patronage during that time? How many?

In all we had about 200 people more than usual.

Was there anything that your patrons especially loved about your Bear Happy Hour?

The guys especially loved seeing Sam Silva trying to keep up behind the bar. That was a site to see. Everyone had fun poking fun at him. They also thought it was awesome that he donated his tips to food and friends. I think he made about $500 that he donated. (or is going to donate this week)

They also liked the outside patio area and our new 10 ton air conditioning unit kept the place very cool.

What are your plans for this coming Friday?

Many of the bears have been talking with Cobalt over the last 6-8 months about wanting to come back… as long as they come we will continue welcoming them as we do with the entire GLBT community. So yes, we will be going another round this Friday and we have more plans for the weeks ahead that many of the bears approached me about doing.

One thing we have the option of doing is opening the dance floor bar for the bears own use.

DC Bëar Crüe – DC BEAR CRUE GOES TO TOWN! – The Facebook invite ended up with ”141 Attending.”

Answers by promoter Nick “Pup Charger” Baatz

How many people attended your Bear Happy Hour? Did you gain new people over regular Friday patronage during that time? How many?

290 Attended

There were a lot of people who couldn’t make it , but said they were planning on making it out every week that they can.

Was there anything that your patrons especially loved about your Bear Happy Hour?

They liked the fact that there was room to move around, the staff was friendly and engaging, the drink specials were great and the a/c actually kept the place cool. (I think they secretly liked that they could actually dance towards the end of the happy hour)

What are your plans for this coming Friday?

Next friday we do it all over again!

(Facebook invite stats as of Monday morning.)

Photo by Joe Tresh for DCBearScene.com.

Posted in Bear Happy Hour, Thoughts on the DC Bear Scene | Tagged Bear Happy Hour, DC BEAR CRUE GOES TO TOWN!, FBHH!!! Friday Bear Happy Hour!, Green Lantern - BEAR HAPPY HOUR, Motley Bar, Q&A | 3 Comments

Music Roundup: Bear Happy Hour DJs Tonight

Posted on August 20, 2010 by Bearnaked Joe

DJs Jason Horswell, Jim Gade, and A-Ron, will be providing the music for Bear Happy Hours at Green Lantern, Cobalt, and Town, respectively. Click on their photos to be taken to their Facebook Fan pages.

DJ Jason Horswell will be spinning at Green Lantern's Bear Happy Hour, 1335 Green Court, NW, Washington, DC. Happy hour is from 4:00pm - 10:00pm. (Photo from Jason Horswell)