ARTSETC.
New gay bar makes tails wag
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Also by Ciera McKissick:
- The battle for hip-hop (September 12, 2007)
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- The electronic music scene is Madison ... what? (November 13, 2003)
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- Madison's indie showcase (September 9, 2003)
by Ciera McKissick
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
As stereotypes often play out, gay bars are often considered venues where music plays on full blast and gay men dance and frolic shirtless while lesbians engage in witty banter on the side. But Woof’s, previously The King Club, is hoping to bring an athletic twist to Madison’s gay bar scene.
The King Club was a regular staple of downtown Madison nightlife, as it often hosted concerts on its small stage and provided events like “Indie Queer Night.” The venue was small enough that when people came out for a show or event, it appeared filled from wall to wall with people looking for a good time. The King Club wasn’t a stranger to the college crowd, but it also had no mission statement for what clientele it was seeking.
Woof’s, on the other hand, describes itself as a sports bar for the professional gay men and women of Madison, and new ownership is looking to break away from the college scene. Yes, it may seem odd to couple “gay” and “sports bar” together, but Woof’s is attempting to add a different niche to Madison’s gay community, and its model resembles similar efforts in Los Angeles, New York and Amsterdam.
Unfortunately, many other gay clubs in Madison fall into stereotypical categories, or aren’t appealing enough. Club 5, the every night of the week excuse to party, is almost out in Fitchburg and is quite a bus ride. It’s not close enough to the heart of nightlife in Madison. The de facto downtown gay bar, the Shamrock, was described by a guy at Woof’s as a “dive bar for toads.”
Regardless of what that says about either bar’s clientele, Woof’s is far from a hole-in-the-wall establishment. The lighting is bright — odd for a bar — and everything appears to be polished and pristine. However, the bar also is smaller than you’d expect, despite the massive space in the middle of the establishment. This void is a source of confusion, as it isolates patrons in different sections of the bar.
Although there is a considerable amount of space in Woof’s, it is oddly challenging to find a place to sit. The only seating options are at the bar itself or the “chill area” on a platform, previously a stage. The area is stocked with a leather loveseat and two black chairs with stools sporadically placed about, forcing patrons to stand or make new friends on the loveseat.
It’s doubtful anyone is going here for the drinks, but specials include half-price Happy Hour from 4 to 7 p.m., a Make-Your-Own Margarita Bar on Sundays and Friday “Tail Waggin’ Shot Specials.”
The bar is aimed more toward men than women — after all, it is a sports bar. There are pictures of shirtless athletic men plastered on the walls — as tastefully as that sort of thing goes — with one token picture of women athletes. All five plasma televisions were, of course, on sports channels. However, there is a special plasma television set dedicated to odd film clips of a buff, scary-looking man doing very odd things.
Accordingly, the scene last Monday seemed dominated by men. I saw men of all kinds — older men, younger men, men playing darts, men playing pool and men at the bar. This wasn’t a full house by any means, but it was only a Monday night. A woman sitting next to me (one of three in the entire establishment) turned to me quizzically, wondering what I was writing and said, “Where are all the lesbians?” But aside from her lack of female company, the woman’s only complaints were that the lettering of the Woof’s sign appeared too much like a college font, as “it may give the wrong impression.” Her friend, a guy, thought the pool table sucked because of the white felt against the cue ball.
But Woof’s just needs a little time to get on its feet. It’s inevitable that this type of bar would spring up. Woof’s can be for anyone who likes sports, or it can be the new promiscuous meat market for the professional gay man.
Upcoming events at Woof’s include “Beg for It” on April 5, which is an April Fools’ celebration/S&M gala geared for men, and “Coyote Ugly” nights for women which are yet to be announced.
Anonymous (April 2, 2008 @ 11:31am):
A "gay sports bar." Something about the phrase makes this bar seem... oh, I don't know... just really gay.
Anonymous (April 2, 2008 @ 11:45am):
A sports bar for gay men?
Did someone forget to do their market research?
Anonymous (April 2, 2008 @ 2:08pm):
Stereotype? I'm close-minded. Stereotype, stereotype.
Anonymous (April 2, 2008 @ 4:20pm):
...new meat market for the promiscuous gay man...why would this bar become that? this is something you didn't address in the review..what makes this place a meat market. also, it would be worthwhile to discuss what the owners have in store for the bar as well since the bar does feel incomplete at this point. from this patron's perspective, much more seating needs to be put in place and the darts and pool table taken out to accommodate these seats. no one will want to stay and socialize in a bar where you have to lean against the wall for hours on end while holding your drink. a place to sit and a place to set your drink would make the place more inviting. as well, take a few of those flat screens and put on something other than sports. there are enough screens to show a diverse range of interesting bar tv not limited to basketball, hockey and football.
Anonymous (April 3, 2008 @ 2:59pm):
Love reading all of your comments about a bar that actually opened when it said it would, serves customers in a friendly, welcoming and exciting environment and is consistently the most happening "gay" place in town! Not sure where your reporter was or on what Monday (not typically a hot night for bars anyway) was hiding but by my take on the last 3 (and only) Monday's it's been open there have been anywhere from 15 to 40 folks in and about throughput the night-St Patrick's Day-with FREE hot dogs was an exception! I've been to the out Of HI-BEAR-Nation party last week Saturday and watched as droves of wanna be patrons were held at bay to allow the MAX capacity of 120 to enjoy their spots on what you thought was an oddly out of place empty spot on the bar floor-dart boards and pool table have hosted tournaments on Mondays and Tuesdays (guess you left before the cash $$ prizes were given out) and by my count there are 36 stools all around the bar-a 4 seater leather couch (not a love seat) and two chairs on the upper lounge as well as 3 leather club chairs and stools in the back lounge (What?? You didn't meander about the 900 Square feet to see all of the venues offerings) And what about those women? Notoriously nondrinkers, non-tippers and not very integrated into the gay community (enough with your separatist BS) I've seen both owners and staff-including their WOMEN bartenders personally greet and interact with many a butch or femme whenever they make it off of their cat hair laden couches to experience someplace warm, welcoming and inviting! This week I saw a woman win the pool tournament, watched jeopardy, Top Chef and American Idol on the biggest of the 5 flat screen TV's and inquired of one of the owners about the odd semi nude wrestling men on the video later that evening and found they were previewing an art piece that was specifically designed as a graphic backdrop for this Saturday's SPIT party event-speaking of which...where did the S&M reference come from anyway? If anything the flyer for the event-announcing guest NY DJ and Party host was a playful and provocative invite to the Madison community; gay, straight, or otherwise to cut loose, have some fun, wag their tails and beg for it...Last I checked the Shamrock was still boarded up because of delinquent taxes, local AID'S charity's left holding the tab for their unpaid advertising and Club 5- when not leaking water like a sinking ship or corralling gay youth and wannabes behind chain link fence like lambs to the slaughter (or was it CHICKEN'S) are tired excuses for positive, friendly, invigorating night life in Madison! Cut your teeth in the real world kids, go back to WOOF's and see what's in store-as an old patron of The Hotel Washington Complex and a world traveler-these guys have it going on with a hot, friendly, diverse staff, owners who care and are present most nights and a vibe that can only get better! WAGG!
Anonymous (April 3, 2008 @ 3:05pm):
Finally a pool table that is level and works! Love the white felt especially when trying to win in the pool toiurnament! Guess the dumb A** who set their cranberry and vodka on the white felt thought it was a big coaster!
Anonymous (April 3, 2008 @ 3:20pm):
hey gurl....Watched the NCAA tourney and the badger game last week at WOOF's-what part of SPORTS bar don't you get-stay home and watch Tyra and Opra if that's ter thing!
Sean McKenzie (April 3, 2008 @ 3:23pm):
WOOFS Atlanta has been around for about a decade, I think. Not only is it the perfect happy hour bar, they have good food (wings, sandwiches, salads, and specials). And it's totally NOT a meat market. Just a casual place to grab a pint and play some darts or pool.
Anonymous (April 3, 2008 @ 3:34pm):
Love being able to sit in the back lounge and chill or at the bar with my crew and then mingle around to the other side of the bar and play darts-kudos the designer for establishing a traffic flow that makes sense and allows everyone to find a place to sit, stand, lean, cruise or interact-and what about that hottie bartender with the tats! GRRRRRRRRR!
Anonymous (April 3, 2008 @ 9:56pm):
"A sports bar for gay men?
Did someone forget to do their market research?"
I think someone did do their resaerch. Look at the success of the Madison hockey league, the gay bowling league, the gay softball league and Madison's gay rugby team, the only gay rugby team in the state. They're all hanging out at WOOF'S.
Anonymous (April 7, 2008 @ 3:25am):
I really think that this part fits in downtown Madison, and was very much needed! Look at who we are, and look at Woof's! They are are allowing their bar and staff to cater to the needs and wants of downtown Madison. I don't want to go to the club, or the rock, but I've been to Woofs a lot in the past few weeks, and FINALLY, I found something that isn't pretensions, and lame, and really I feel comfortable being there. (Unlike the other "gay" bars I've tried to pallet) I think Ciera needs to reevaluate Woof's and I think the Cardinal (the student run paper it it is) should too. Honestly, this is the best community environment to come to Madison's gay population since I've lived here. Thank you Woofs! And a lot of the guys that work there are hot, gogo dancer!
Anonymous (April 7, 2008 @ 2:57pm):
You should only go drinking here in a large group or be prepared to get groped by dirty old men. They're in full force here the later the night gets. They prey on cute gay guys, and they don't take no for an answer the first few times.
I don't know anyone under the age of 40 who has had a good time at this bar.
Anonymous (April 8, 2008 @ 2:34pm):
I dunno I was there last night with a few friends and the crowd was very mixed with young and older.....but i guess sweeping generalizations are what people are about....I have been to WOOF's quite a few times and im not and the partons are respectful and really friendly...U always have one or two annoying ones, but hey its a bar with people drinking...Also I really think the reviewer was really off on a lot of comments. Sounded a little gender biased from her perspective. Thats too bad since I go with to gay women there a lot and they enjoy it as much as I do. No reason to draw lines in the sand and separate men and women.
Anonymous (April 11, 2008 @ 3:21pm):
WOW-Groped by dirty old men-that's a new one-I'm 24 and actually am friends with a number of staff there-all under 40-we always have fun and have never had any problems-perhaps these young-uns are imagining that they are the center of everyone's universe-grow up boys-no one gropes anyone that doesn't ask for it! AND-If the bar is as well lit as the reviewer claims this would be quite a feat...girls, girls, girls-stop yer bitchin!
Anonymous (April 29, 2008 @ 6:34pm):
I've never heard of Woof's before today but will be visiting Madison tomorrow night and will be there to check it out. Last time I was in Madison I went to the Shamrock and it was very uncomfortable. I'm really looking forward to visiting Woof's!!!
derek grady (May 16, 2008 @ 3:45pm):
had a great time at woof's...check it out
Anonymous (May 16, 2008 @ 3:49pm):
sorry...but the hot bartender with the tats is straight! his girlfriend was there with him the other night--sorry, guys!
Anonymous (June 22, 2008 @ 12:09am):
I've been there 2 times and it was really nice. Folks are friendly and the place is clean!
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