New York, One Gay Date At A Time

The Ritz

I popped into the day-before-opening-prep (i.e. pre opening party) at The Ritz. New gay bars happen in Hells Kitchen. More often now then ever before.  It's interesting, seeing the change in the hood. I feel good that this bar has opened away from the "Triangle of Three" at the 51st  Street intersection, recently, the gayest corner in all of New York.

I was initially apprehensious about the address, then realized I welcomed the change. Tommy’s just taking the - I’m here, come and drink approach to launching his new place.

I promised pictures and my camera decided not to give them to you. Mostly because it was lounging on my desk and afraid to snap without my direction. Also this bar is getting a very low key opening. Last week, I walked by and they were still polishing the floor. It's gorgeously done by the way. The bar itself is well put together and looks much better on it's opening then Vlada did on it's first day. Some of the bartenders are from XL and other once gay hot spots. I'm trying to place the faces of some of the staff but I've seen them all before.

The Ritz, is plush and comfortable. The down stairs has an inviting bar with woven chairs and the intimate lounge has plush canvas chases, a couple was kissing fondly on the king size bed in the back. It's very Hampton chic. Upstairs, there are big plush chairs you can sink into. Pottery Barn accents dot the place. My only worry is that it must move beyond a townhouse feel, into something fresh and new.

Tommy succeeded in making his last bar, a comfortable place were many types of men felt good hanging out and meeting each other. I see The Ritz being no different. For the after work crowd and the subsequent shifts after that. Turning into a bouncing club way into the night.

In any case, I'm looking forward to many cocktails, sitting at the bar, maybe even writing, it’s a place I want to take my laptop to and write. There's also an outdoor patio in back and the place flows nicely from one room to the next.

Once again a place opens and the gayboorhood changes. I just sit and wonder, if the bars feel is the outcome of an owner’s determination to open or the changing and unifying taste of his patrons? That question, I won’t be able to answer for a very long time.

The Ritz Opens

Save the date peeps. I'm happy to announce the opening of Tommy's bar The Ritz. It'll open Friday the 22nd.

The Ritz
46th Street
btw 8th and 9th.

I'll have a moment to take pictures this weekend, I'm quite excited. Let's see what it looks like. Keep up with One Gay Date at a Time to find out about the opening.

Send the info to your friends.

Production

In the mean time I need an intern. I've been going nuts. Three Tables is in production. It's been going great ... my job, is of course omnipresent. I've also picked up a new blog client. So that said, this blog has been left by the way side just a bit.

I'm looking forward to inviting everyone to the show. It's been coming along swimmingly, yet ever so stressfully.

We're also working on the site for the show, it's still being built but you can check it out. Three Tables

Ex-Boyfriend musing

Recently, as cycles continue, an ex-boyfriend has moved to my area, we've been bumping into each other on the train or when we're out drinking. He also broke up with his most recent fling.

I have to admit to still having a crush on him, he has given me some very fond memories. He broke up with me, because he was new to the city and wanted to experience the wide world of New York men, then I fell into an odd little relationship. He came after me with much force and hotness. Yet because of my unfounded loyalty for a new relationship, I said I couldn't hook up with him.

It's true that men go after the unavailable. Now I sort of want him, I'm clueless how to go about it. I've text messaged him, he responded of sorts, I haven't called. A bit too shy actually. It's as if the gay gods are putting us in each others orbit - but just being shy about putting us together. I've been thinking a lot about his smile during these odd dates. I love the way his face lights up. Yes I'm being mushy, yet I'm sort of shy about picking up the phone and calling.

The one to two phone call rule applies to all dating scenarios. When we bump into each other we're always talking about hanging out. So yes I'm reluctant to call and I'm no good about being forceful. Hence the paradox of shyness.