Opening a new bar is a challenge for most people, but for Paul Piciocchi, owner of Tryst Lounge, the first year has been a breeze. The lounge celebrated its first anniversary this weekend with special events tonight and Saturday; Piciocchi plans to celebrate all weekend long.
“I thought it would be a fun business when I opened it, but it’s been so much more so that I had ever expected,” he said. As a retired entrepreneur, Piciocchi credits some of the smooth sailing to the fact that he treats the lounge as a hobby as much as a serious business. “I needed a place to hang out and party with my friends without bothering my neighbors,” he said.
So far it’s working. Tryst is regularly packed with an attractive crowd of downtown scenesters, many of whom know each other through mutual friends. It makes for a comfortable house-party atmosphere. Tryst tends to be a last stop for cocktailers, making it easy to snag a seat for the early crowd and a happening late-night destination to wrap up an evening on the town.
Piciocchi plans to mainly keep the status quo for next year, although a few small changes are in the works. Inspired by the glowing lounge tables inside the Bellagio Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, he has ordered new cocktail tables with custom built-in lighting, and the drink menu will soon be expanding. The Tryst signature cocktail – vodka infused with fresh strawberries – has been so popular that the wine list will be reduced to make way for other creative vodka infusions, like cantaloupe and bubble gum.
There’s no cover for the parties tonight and Saturday; early arrivals this evening will score a copy of the commemorative CD “Rendezvous,” and Saturday’s event features a drawing for a trip to Aruba.
Tryst Lounge, 1512 Larimer St., R-29, 303-629-0544.
Fetish feast at Rock Island turns 10
Hitting your one-year anniversary is a big deal for any new night-life endeavor, so hitting your 10th anniversary is something of a rarity, unless you’re talking about Rock Island. The long-lived club has served up cocktails and alternative musical selections since the ’80s, and tonight brings the 10th installment of Whip It, an annual fetish fest for leather-and-vinyl enthusiasts. “We get to do everything in double digits now,” said Rock Island’s owner, David Clamage.
“Bedtime Stories” is this year’s party theme; Little Miss Easy will MC the event, leading the way through 10 performance pieces from a stage decked out with an oversized bed and little white sheep. But these aren’t the tales you’ll remember from childhood. They may evoke familiar images, but the interpretations are decidedly adult. “Think of a twisted, oversexed Goldilocks,” Clamage said.
Unlike past years, this year’s event is more performance based, with less emphasis on audience participation. “This is more about a lyrical, theatrical theme,” Clamage said. Look for skits by the Oh La La burlesque troupe and the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls, along with fashions by Slave 1 and Bound by Design. They’ll also offer a free buffet by Illegal Pete’s, the Wazee Supper Club and others, plus a grand prize drawing for a trip to Mexico.
Whip It at Rock Island, tonight at 9, $10 couples, $7 singles, 1614 15th St. 303-572-ROCK.
Clubs rev up for the Grand Prix
The Denver Grand Prix officially will take over LoDo on Aug. 12-14, but the clubs already are gearing up to accommodate the early crowds. Wednesday will bring the Grand Prix celebrity bowling and poker tournament to Lucky Strike Lanes (500 16th St.), and Thursday night Monarck Lounge (1416 Market St.) hosts a pumped-up bash to celebrate the speed demons. The biggest after-parties will follow the main events, so check back Aug. 12 for an updated party calendar.
Kat Valentine writes about nightlife Fridays in 7Days. Reach her at kat@kingproduction.com or call 303-820-1568.
