The former home of a beloved local LGBTQ+ institution takes on new life with the opening of Bloom OTR. The inclusive nightclub takes over the space previously occupied by Under Zero Lounge – the nationally acclaimed bar that closed in April after 15 years.
Bloom is scheduled to open June 24, in concert with Cincinnati Pride weekend festivities.
Emma Nurre, co-owner and COO of Bloom, says the bar’s goal is to play on the building’s history, creating a safe space that also features drinking, dancing and drag shows.
“We really just bought the space for our community,” Nurre said. CityBeat. “We found the right group of people who were willing to invest and keep the bar a queer space. Ultimately, it’s to honor the legacy of Under Zero and the impact it has had on our community. .”
But it won’t be exactly the same as bar patrons remember.
Photo: provided by Emma Nurre
The team behind Bloom OTR is renovating the space to make it “mature and sexy”, says COO Emma Nurre.
Bloom’s team flipped the space. Where Below Zero offered weekend drag shows in the upstairs cabaret, Bloom renovated the first floor to open it up to host a slew of weekly performances, as well as the rest of the revelry that comes with a nightclub.
And, playing on Bloom’s name, Nurre says the interior decor now leans to “elegant” and is dotted with floral prints by international artist Frank Moth.
“I hate to use the word ‘woman’ or ‘feminine’ too much because the bar is all about everyone, and that’s what I hope to see represented, but on the design side, we’ve redone the floor – it’s all wood – (and) the back bar has this beautiful wooden backsplash. We have a marble bar; there’s a green wall in front. It gives — to me — sexy, elegant. Cultivated and sexy, that’s the vibe.
Famous Cincinnati drag queen Jessica Dimon has been cast as show director for Bloom.
“We really want to be Cincinnati’s first show bar (and) dance club,” she said. CityBeat.
Dimon says customers will recognize many of the in-house cast members she put together.
“We’re going to bring in some familiar faces so when you walk in, you feel like you’re in the same place, with a different name — like an upgraded model,” she says. “So it always feels like home.”
Currently, Dimon has plans for Wednesday-Saturday shows, with a concept yet to be determined for Sunday.
“Wednesdays will be a burlesque type show, Thursdays will be like a RuPaul’s Drag Race competition-type show, and then Friday and Saturday we’ll have a huge (drag) show with different celebrity guests,” she says. types of drag right now.”
These concepts of diversity and inclusion are buzzwords for Dimon and Nurre as they work to develop Bloom.
“My priority (is) to make sure our community feels safe,” says Nurre. “I feel like there are spaces that are considered gay bars in our community, but they’re less accepting of our queer family of color, our women, our lesbians. I’ve been saying this from the jump: lesbians I really want everyone to come out. We don’t adapt to a certain audience, we just adapt to the needs of the community, I think, and it’s a larger space. It’s brand new – we are about to completely shape from the bottom up what is the culture that we cultivate in our space.”
Bloom is hosting a series of opening events starting with DJs on June 24, followed by an appearance on the Pride Parade on June 25 and a paying show by RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12 winner Jaida Essence Hall that night (find tickets here). On June 26, the bar will host a trunk show from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. with queer artists and designers. A portion of the proceeds will go to Transform Cincy, a non-profit organization that provides a free closet to transgender and gender non-conforming youth.
For now, only the lower part of Bloom is expected to open this month, but Nurre says the bar plans to open the upper floor in two to three months. While the concept hasn’t been revealed yet, she says, “All I can say is get ready to dance.”
With the grand opening in sight, Bloom hopes to grow and thrive in the space that was left when Under Zero closed – something the show’s director, Dimon, badly needs.
“I really went through hell with COVID, and we all survived and made it, and then we lost Under Zero,” she says. With that, it’s like a brand new start. A new era has begun, and I think that’s what we really, really need.”
Nure agrees.
“I hope the community embraces Bloom for all she is and can be. The karma of this space is so beautiful,” Nurre says. from the community come and feel welcome.”
Bloom OTR is located at 1120 Walnut St., Over-the-Rhine. For more information, visit bloomotr.com and instagram.com/bloomotr.
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]]>Madonna put on a busty display in a sheer black top and enjoyed a wild night of partying with friends at Sound Nightclub in Hollywood last Friday.
The 63-year-old star went wild in the VIP section where she demonstrated her flexibility on a bench doing the splits before launching into a series of other sexy moves.
Michigan-born Madge wore a black leather corset under the sheer t-shirt tucked into retro ’60s floral shorts that showed off her youthful legs.
Wow! Madonna put on a busty screen in a sheer black top and enjoyed a wild night of partying with friends at Sound Nightclub in Hollywood last Friday
The self-taught superstar was drinking a bottle of former power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s Miraval rosé at the $60million, 1,200-acre wine estate in the south of France.
Emmy winner Tiffany Haddish has joined Madonna. latest headlines for defending Will Smith slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars for being “a black man standing up for his wife”.
The Material Girl seemed particularly close to Alton Mason during the sold-out party.
The 24-year-old IMG model makes her acting debut as the late trailblazer Little Richard in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic Elvis, which hits US and UK theaters on June 24.
Wow! The 63-year-old star went wild in the VIP section where she demonstrated her flexibility on a bench doing the splits before launching into a series of other sexy moves
Star: Michigan-born Madge wore a black corset under the sheer t-shirt tucked into retro 60s floral shorts that showed off her toned legs
Fancy liquor: The self-taught superstar drank a bottle of Miraval rosé from former power couple Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie at the 1,200-acre, $60 million wine estate in the south of France
Gal pal: Joining Madonna was Emmy winner Tiffany Haddish, who last made headlines for defending Will Smith by slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars because he was “a black man standing up for his woman”
Madonna also spent quality time with her dancer Derrell Bullock – who has also worked for Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, Chris Brown and Jennifer Lopez.
But the woman of the hour was the headliner of Sound Nightclub Honey Dijon, who got a big hug from the I Don’t Search I Find singer.
Madonna – who has 44.8 million social media followers – subtitle his “Coachella on a Tuesday” post, referencing the Chicago house DJ’s Sunday set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
But it wasn’t chella for the I Rise belt, who spent Sunday with the Easter Bunny and her youngest children at her seven-bedroom, $19.3 million Hidden Hills mansion.
By his side: The Material Girl seemed particularly close to Alton Mason during the sold-out party
Discover her breasts and her underwear! The 24-year-old IMG model makes her acting debut as the late trailblazer Little Richard in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic Elvis, which hits US and UK theaters on June 24.
Friend on the payroll: Madonna has also spent quality time with her dancer Derrell Bullock – who has also worked for Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez
“We had a blast !” But the woman of the hour was the headliner of Sound Nightclub Honey Dijon, who received a big hug from the singer I Don’t Search I Find
‘Coachella on a Tuesday’: Madonna – who has 44.8 million social media followers – referenced the Chicago house DJ’s Sunday set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in her caption
Madonna enjoyed the traditional trappings of the holidays with her nine-year-old twins Estere and Stella Ciccone, 16-year-old son David Banda Mwale Ritchie and 16-year-old daughter Chifundo Mercy James Ciccone.
On Tuesday, the eldest child of the twice-divorced mother of six – her daughter Lourdes ‘Lola’ Leon – wore knee-high socks and was on a mission to find a manicure.
‘Can someone in Los Angeles do my nails tomorrow please?’ the 25-year-old dancer-model asked via Instastory.
Nice Keith Haring bathrobe! But it wasn’t chella for the I Rise belt, who spent Sunday with the Easter Bunny and her youngest children at her seven-bedroom, $19.3 million Hidden Hills mansion.
‘Love first!’ Madonna enjoyed traditional holiday trappings with (from LR) her nine-year-old twins Estere and Stella Ciccone, 16-year-old son David Banda Mwale Ritchie and 16-year-old daughter Chifundo Mercy James Ciccone.
“Please, please. I need my nails done tomorrow in Los Angeles. If you know someone, if you are that someone, please contact me.
Career-wise, Madonna released two new music videos on March 31 for Fireboy DML and Sickick’s remixes of her 1998 hit Frozen, and the first has outmoded 3M streams on Spotify.
The Raising Malawi co-founder is still in pre-production on her self-directed Universal Pictures biopic titled Little Sparrow.
Third directing effort: The Raising Malawi co-founder is still in pre-production on her self-directed Universal Pictures biopic titled Little Sparrow (pictured February 1)
Julia Garner, Florence Pugh and Anne Winters are in the running to play Madonna and Julia Fox could play her longtime pal Debi Mazar.
Madge co-wrote the screenplay with Oscar-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody, who was later replaced by Independent Spirit Award-winning screenwriter Erin Wilson (The Girl on the Train, Secretary).
Susan’s former desperately looking for Susan has already led two dismal box office bombs – Dirt and wisdom in 2008, and WE in 2011.
Busy: Career-wise, Madonna released two new music videos on March 31 for Fireboy DML and Sickick’s remixes of her 1998 hit Frozen, and the first topped 3 million streams on Spotify
LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Walk into Nom Nom Tacos and Tequila in downtown Lafayette, and you might think you’ve been transported to San Francisco.
One of downtown Lafayette’s newest restaurants, Nom Nom Tacos and Tequila, at 102 N 3rd St., offers an atmosphere with an almost club vibe, featuring hits from Latin artists like Bad Bunny and Rauw Alejandro playing in the background.
The music often has customers dancing in their seats.
Another unique feature of the restaurant is the margaritas, made with tequila that has been infused with a variety of flavors such as serrano peppers or strawberries.
Distilling the hard truth: From Humble Beginnings to One of Indiana’s Greatest Distilleries
The Spicy Pineapple margarita uses serrano-infused tequila. Although very mild, the spiciness of the peppers lingers on the lips, leaving a subtle burning sensation.
That was the experience that Hector Ordaz, the owner of Nom Nom Tacos and Tequila, wanted to bring to Lafayette.
Although raised in Indianapolis, Ordaz developed a strong fondness for Lafayette over the years.
Besides owning a restaurant, Ordaz is also a DJ, and he frequently traveled to Lafayette to host Latin nights at the Rat Pak Venue.
“I came here for a Latin night three or four years ago, and I’ve been coming for two years. And I see there’s a big Latin community,” Ordaz said.
“So I had this project in my head three or four years ago. I was looking for the right space and I needed to do the right concept, with the right drinks, the right food and the right building. So , when I found this one, I was like definitely yes!
Prior to opening Nom Nom, Ordaz owned two businesses in Indianapolis, a nightclub and a successful mariscos (Mexican seafood) restaurant.
Whenever Ordaz visited Lafayette for a show, people asked him if he would open a Latin nightclub in Lafayette. And although Ordaz toyed with the idea once or twice, ultimately he knew he’d rather open a restaurant than a nightclub.
“My first business was a nightclub, so I learned a lot about nightclubs, and I was like, I like it, but I don’t want to be the owner of the nightclub. C It’s hard to deal with alcohol all the time, drunk people, the safety of my customers was really important to me, and I don’t feel like the nightclub is what I want. restaurant is more what I wanted. It’s more relaxed, which is why I really want to focus on this concept and the restaurant business,” Ordaz said.
To stand out from other restaurants in downtown Lafayette and other Mexican restaurants in town, Ordaz decided to open a modern Mexican cuisine restaurant.
Similar to authentic Mexican cuisine, which tries to showcase the fresh ingredients of Mexico, modern Mexican cuisine takes those traditions and adds a twist. Normally it will incorporate elements from other cuisines and cultures to help enhance the flavors of Mexican dishes.
Although offering many Mexican staples such as tacos, burritos, sopes, Mexican street corn and more, the modern Mexican influence can be seen in the ingredient list of many of these items.
Examples: a burrito served with sweet potato fries, sopes served with beetroot sour cream, or a breakfast croissant sandwich served at weekend brunch.
Prices at Nom Nom Tacos and Tequila can be higher than the average food truck, to which Ordaz says “price reflects quality.” Ordaz tries to source fresh ingredients and makes many items on site, like their tequila and tacos.
Although originally open in late February, Nom Nom Tacos and Tequila are constantly packed most nights and especially Friday nights.
For those wishing to visit Nom Nom Tacos and Tequila, they are open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Fridays from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, Nom Nom Tacos and Tequila offers brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Noe Padilla is a journalist at Journal & Courier. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter at 1NoePadilla.
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