Kourtney Van Wales, the well-known drag impersonator from Jacksonville, Florida will bring her act to the Heat on Thursday, February 10. This video is of Van Wales performing as Dolly Parton at a club in Jacksonville.
Sparky’s — English style pub opens on The Strip
QSanAntonio.com, January 8, 2010
Visitors to the The Strip on North Main Avenue this weekend will find that a new establishment has opened in the space formerly occupied by the Silver Dollar Saloon. The new club, Sparky’s Pub, has been designed with the look and feel of an English-style pub.
Sparky’s is the latest effort by Randy Cuniff and his partner Peter Becker who also own Luther’s Cafe and the Heat. The new bar has been beautifully redesigned from the ground up. Dark wood paneling, tiled countertops and dark wood flooring create a space that is warm and inviting.
During a press tour conducted on December 26, Cuniff explained that the club features pool tables, dart boards, video monitors and 12 brands of beer on tap. The redesign also features a second storefront that Cuniff says will be leased out separately as a retail space.
Cuniff’s company, Texas Heat Investments, is spearheading development efforts to make The Strip more attractive to visitors and locals by making the area a destination not only in the evenings and but during the day as well. He says he envisions a time when more gay businesses move into the area making it a vibrant and exciting GLBT neighborhood.
Cuniff and Becker were featured in an article in the Business section of the San Antonio Express-News last June that highlighted the couple’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the The Strip.
For more information about Sparky’s Pub and to get on their email list, go to sparkyspub.com.
New gay bar in town: The Pointe Martini Lounge
San Antonio Current, December 22, 2009
Several weeks ago, I got a text that read: “It’s official, the Pointe Martini Lounge has reopened as a homo hut.” The concept of a gay establishment living and breathing North of downtown is always fascinating.
On the Town reviews by Jerry Avalos
A place for burgers in San Antonio’s gayborhood
Good food, good friends and good times are what people can expect to find at Luther’s Cafe, located along the “gay strip” on North Main Avenue across the street from the Saint. Randy Cuniff, who owns the Heat nightclub, recently purchased the restaurant that first opened its doors in 1949. The new management team says it intends to maintain Luther’s reputation of having the juiciest burgers in this corner of Texas.
“Four months ago, Randy asked me if I wanted to run this place, and I agreed to do it,” said manager Billy Miles. The one-story restaurant is undergoing construction to expand the property. “Six weeks ago, we started with the beautification process, and we’re trying to make the neighborhood look better,” said Miles.
The remodeling will continue until January, when the newly revamped restaurant will include a full bar, flat screen TV’s, and Wi-Fi connection. “We want to double in size, and hope to accommodate 200 people by the time we’re done,” Miles added. With all the changes, Miles also plans to increase the number of people on staff. “After Christmas, I hope to have bartenders, busboys, cashiers, and a larger wait-staff,” he said.
GLBT San Antonians have already started heading to Luther’s for the good food and the atmosphere. “If you’re looking for great burgers that’ll fill you up, this is the place to get them. It’s cheaper than the rest, and satisfies the palate,” said customer Marie Rendon.
Luther’s has two menus — pre-midnight and an after midnight version. The list of daily menu items consists of American and Tex-Mex classics like cheeseburgers and homemade chalupas. After the grand re-opening the menu will include new selections like fish, steak, pastas and salads. Luther’s can help when your wallet’s running on empty and your stomach is too. Head over for the daily special of a burger and fries for under $5.
The restaurant is also available for private parties. “If anyone would like to reserve a time and date, they can contact me to arrange something,” Miles said.
Miles says he’s proud to oversee a restaurant that’s “gay-owned and operated” but points out that it’s an environment that welcomes everyone. “I want to see the restaurant full of happy people having a good time meeting before and after the club scene,” he says.
Luther’s Cafe, 1425 N. Main Avenue, (210) 223-7727. Open Monday: 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Tuesday through Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Closed on Sundays. www.myspace.com/luthers1949
On the Town: Pegasus
Leather and twinks and bears, oh my! Pegasus has all sorts of men who fill up all four bars inside the location. Whether you’re inside “The Flying Horse” dancing a two-step to some country music or you’re inside “The Hawk” bar dressed in leather, you’re sure to have a good time.
Pegasus has even got you covered if you’re up to a game of pool. Challenge the pool table and get a chance to compete in the tournament against other guys. Play a round of darts while you’re there, and make you’re night even more fun.
Can you belt out a tune? Even if you can’t, head over to the patio bar. Sing a jam on the karaoke machine by your favorite artist. You’re sure to hear anything from classic Gloria Gaynor to Britney, when she was at her “Toxic” peak. Also, see other cute guys and girls show off their own musical talent.
Better yet, simply relax in the main bar, and catch some music videos on the large plasma monitor. The resident video jockey takes requests or select your own song choices on the TouchTune JukeBox. That’ll make you want to start dancing while you’re sipping on the “best” Bloody Mary in town. All the while if you work up an appetite, head over to the taco stand or eat steak on Thursdays in the patio from 6-9 p.m.
When you want to try something new, go on the first Sunday of every month and check out the San Antonio Bears Beer Bust, an event like no other. Every Sunday, though, you can always drink a non-premium beer at a low price of $1.50 all-night long. Located north of Downtown San Antonio along “the strip” on North Main, fly on over to Pegasus when you’re in the area.
The Pegasus, 1402 N. Main, (210) 299-4222, http://www.pegasussanantonio.com
Adults 21 and over only.
On the Town: Heat
San Antonio nightlife just got hotter and cooler! Hit up the Heat Nightclub on North Main and you’re sure to be delivered a night of dancing, good times, and a whole lot of fun.
Located along “the strip,” the Heat recently received an upgrade by adding a hip, new room, called the Chill Video Lounge, which is full of lively colors that enhance its ambiance altogether. What does that mean for you? It’s like going to two different places, all in one location.
Step inside and you’ll find young guys dressed in the latest trend, giving it a metropolitan, New York-like feel in the Alamo City. What makes the Heat stand out from other bars is the crowd. The Heat recently teamed up with Jackeeboy Productions, and will host the new, Mr. Hot Body San Antonio annual pageant.
This place usually has special guests ranging from Colt Studios superstars to world-renowned deejays to music artists like Gloria Trevi and Kristine W.
Want to catch an amateur drag show? Then, check out the Calendar Girl Contest on Mondays, hosted by Shady Lady. Eye-candy is muy caliente on Tuesdays, with the male strip-off, and Layla Larue and Taryn Taylor as M.C’s. If you want a night with the guys, then take a “Boys Night Out” on Thursdays, when VJ CeCe serves up some hot jams sure to get you fired up.
If you’re looking to catch an ‘80s show with old-school music, then Friday nights are your best bet when you’re feeling in a retro mood. The best night to go, however, is on Saturdays, since it’s the night that gets most packed.
Whatever you choose, each time is sure to be a memorable experience—and there’s never a cover charge before 11 P.M. Why not add a little sizzle to your nights? Head over to the Heat Nightclub.
The Heat, 1500 N. Main, (210) 227-2600, www.myspace.com/heatsa or www.heatsa.com. Open 7 days a week, adults 18 and up.
On the Town: The Saint
Directly across from San Antonio College near Downtown S.A., this dance club comes alive with show-stopping performances by some of Texas’ best entertainers, including Tersa Mathews and Erica Andrews. The self-proclaimed “Showbar of the Southwest” has three bars that cater to the thirsty bar-hopper. There’s always a show going on, every day, each with its own theme, and an exciting male-female strip-off on Saturdays with cash prizes.
The crowd differs on the night you choose to frequent, but it consists of mostly younger guys and gals. One thing’s for sure: the dance floor gets full immediately following the drag shows. Want some grub during the week? Head over on Thursdays for Steak Night.
Recently, the Saint became the new home for Craig Henderson’s “Texas US of A” pageants adding more of a sizzle to gay S.A. nightlife. Plus, this club usually hosts special guest appearances by entertainers from all over the country ranging from Josephine Andrews to the male Apollo Dancers from the Rio Grande Valley.
The best night is on Tuesdays when Mr. Jenny McCall takes the stage and serves as the emcee. McCall serves up laughs and fun as host to the weekly contest where drag-hopefuls compete to become the next Newcomer of the Year.
The drink specials are good until 11 p.m. with $3-Any-Calls-In-the-House. The only setback is that you have to wait until after 12:30 to dance sometimes, and the line can get a bit long during special events. All-in-all, it’s worth it if you’re looking to have a good time out with friends. Dance the night away, S.A.!
The Saint, 1430 N. Main. (210) 225-7330. Sunday-Thursday 8PM-2:30AM, Friday-Saturday 8PM-4AM. Adults $3-$10 cover. For more information: www.thesaint-satx.com.
On the town: The Bonham Exchange
For 26 years, this club has had an eclectic ambiance and attractive architecture that has attracted all kinds of people. Over the decades, the Bonham Exchange has hosted the likes of gay icons such as Tina Turner, Debbie Harry and RuPaul. This place has truly become embedded in San Antonio’s gay history.
Five bars, three dance floors, two beer stands, and one patio where you and your friends can relax and have a good time. What more could you ask for? The crowd ranges from the hottest locals to the cutest tourists from all corners of Texas. This hangout gets packed immediately. And, if you get hungry at the end of the night, there’s a Mexican stand in the patio that serves up the best beef and chicken fajita tacos in town, all for $3!
Full of culture and full of fun, the neon lights sparkle as you enter making you want to start dancing right away. Recently, one of the hottest events has been MySpace Wednesdays, where club-goers get the chance to win free prizes, including laptops. The best night, however, is Fridays, the select choice for locals and visitors alike. That might be because this is one of the few places that has $1 wells, all night long.
The only setback is the line gets pretty long pretty quick, so if you want to have a good night out on the town, your best bet is to get there early. The next time you want to have some fun in San Antonio, just remember two words: Bonham Exchange.