Show time for night clubs

With the launch of three new nightclubs in Saskatoon this summer, city residents will soon have more places to get their groove on.

Mature club-goers, country-rock bar stars and the region’s gay and lesbian community are being specifically catered to by industry players in the city.

The StarPhoenix caught up with the people behind Saskatoon’s newest clubs to find out what they’re bringing to the party scene.

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302 Lounge & Discotheque

302 Pacific Ave.

Opening tonight

Skipp Anderson doesn’t hold back when you ask him about the 302 Lounge & Discotheque.

"We’re a little different from the other bars that are opening up," he said in an interview earlier this week. "Actually, we’re considerably different than the other ones that are opening up — we’re a gay bar."

Dubbed a straight-friendly gay bar by Anderson, a first-time club owner, the property may cater to Saskatoon’s gay and lesbian community, but everyone is welcome at the new lounge, which is located in a former banquet hall on Pacific Avenue.

"Everyone’s different," Anderson said. "(When you’re) out with a group of your friends, you all have different tastes, so we’re just trying to be accommodating to everyone."

With the help of an interior designer, the bar was transformed from an "ugly" open hall to a modern, sophisticated lounge. The interior features white leather sofas, imported wallpaper from Europe, chandeliers throughout the building and, the owner says, Saskatchewan’s largest bar at a length of 15 metres.

As part of the business’ philosophy to cater to all types of personalities, 302 Lounge offers high-end drinks and food, such as martinis and vegan chickpea and spinach dip, as well as typical bar fare, such as pints and nachos.

The space will also hold special events and entertainment. Anderson said the club plans to bring in comedians, DJs and musicians and provide a stage for dinner theatre performances and drag shows.

"You can’t go to a gay bar and not see a drag queen — it’s like going to Disneyland and not seeing Mickey Mouse," he joked.

Anderson plans to employ up to 30 people at the bar, which holds its grand opening this weekend.

He hopes the new venture finds success in a community as diverse as Saskatoon.

"We may do things that are geared toward a certain gender, but we’re always all-inclusive," he said.

Outlaws Country Rock Bar

710 Idylwyld Dr. North

Opening Aug. 13

It’s a little bit country and a little bit rock ‘n’ roll at Outlaws Country Rock Bar.

After eight years of operating the Overdrive nightclub, Blair Anton and the club’s other co-owners are moving forward with a new concept. While Overdrive, which closed June 26, remained a popular nightspot, the ownership group, Anton explained, felt the city’s bar scene needed something new.

"The city has dance clubs, hip-hop clubs and country bars. We’re kind of a new format in the city," he said about Outlaws. "It’s upbeat, fast-paced country with a lot of rock ‘n’ roll — so your AC/DC’s, Nickelbacks, that sort of a thing — and then a lot of party anthems and Top 40. We just won’t be doing the hip-hop scene."

It’s important for players in the nightclub industry to change their properties every now and then to keep customers interested, Anton explained.

"I think that patrons, they become used to a place," he said. "It’s important to change things up and keep it interesting and exciting."

The property underwent a full renovation and re-design in advance of the launch of Outlaws, which takes place on the dubious date of Friday, Aug. 13.

"I think we’ve done a really good job of bringing kind of the sexy side of rock ‘n’ roll and the fun side of country into the bar," Anton added.

As part of the property upgrade, management chose to install more lighting in the parking lot for added safety. The bar also employs security staff and uses an identification scanning machine to verify a patron’s age and ensure they haven’t caused trouble at other clubs in the city.

The Sutherland Hotel and beily’s are also linked to the scanning system, he said. Bars can flag the IDs of troublemakers to make their industry counterparts aware of potential bad seeds.

About 40 people are employed at the bar. Half were previously employed at Overdrive while half of the staff are new.

Anton hopes the new club strikes a chord with patrons.

"The people that we’ve talked to are excited about it," he said. "We believe that it’s going to be received very, very well."

Tequila Nightclubs

1201 Alberta Ave.

Opened July 23

The management behind a new nightclub on Alberta Avenue is hoping the bar’s high-end, Las Vegas-style atmosphere will draw a crowd that can party with class.

"What we’re going for is a safe, sexy, stylish environment — more of a mature atmosphere," said Chris Cole, general manager of Tequila Nightclubs. "We’re going for mature college students, mature nightlife seekers and professionals."

With VIP tables, champagne bottle service, a red carpet and a hardwood dance floor, Cole said the bar is offering something Saskatoon has never seen before. Tequila’s, which has a dress code, brings in top DJs from Toronto and Los Angeles and has hosts in suits instead of aggressive bouncers, he explained.

Even though the club has a clear vision of its style, Cole said there’s still room for suggestions from customers.

"I think the customers at the end of the day will decide what direction they want to see the club go in and what they want in Saskatoon in a nightclub," he said.

Although it’s located in the building that used to house Ryly’s Niteclub, Cole explained Tequila’s is a completely different scene than the former bar.

"We think a lot of people are skeptical about it, but I think if they just give it a try that they’ll really see how much it’s changed as far as the clientele goes and the product that we carry and the calibre of service," he said. "It’s classy."

Since its opening weekend last month, reviews of the nightspot have been positive, said the GM. Last weekend alone, Cole estimates 3,000 people passed through Tequila’s doors.

"They love it," he said. "I think what they think is it’s going to be different, and then they walk in and think, ‘I didn’t think it was going to be this different.’ "

The business employs about 45 people — a figure Cole wants to see rise to 80 by the end of September. Good customer service, he explained, is key.

It’s a place, he added, where the owners hope Saskatonians will always be able to have a good time.

"It’s more of an experience rather than just a visit," Cole said. "We’re just trying to create an environment where you can create memories."