We interviewed Metro owner Sharon Wolbaum, and Rekroom owner Ellie Brewer about what their businesses offer the community and what changes they’ve seen in the community over the past 2 years.

“For probably the last at least 10 years we have opened the shooter bar to all organizations Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, for fundraising. Most of them have done well - mostly the Court, the Swim Team, Volleyball teams, Rodeo teams, things like that. We’re always a major sponsor in whatever is happening, whether it be Apollo, Pride, or ARGRA. We’re a major sponsor of IGBO, we’re actually sponsoring the dance for them.”

“I’d rather be called an Alternative Bar than a Gay Bar at this point, only because ‘Alternative’ to me means you are accepting of everybody. If you label yourself that you’re a Gay Bar, you’re excluding everybody except gays. Even gay people aren’t that friendly to bisexuals, they’re not that friendly to drag queens and they’re not that friendly to transvestites or any of these people. But yet, we’re all supposed to be in the community, supposed to be a gay community, but when you think about it, we’re really alternative nowadays. I’m a gay woman and I don’t want to feel that I can’t go to places that aren’t labeled gay, because that’s ludicrous. I can marry someone, I can get same-sex benefits, but I can’t go there? And we’re telling people they can’t come here because of that? …Nowadays, there are many gay people that have never stepped foot into the Mint, or the Hi-Fi Club, or the Whiskey, or Tantra, or Melrose even, or Lucky, Bungalow – any of these bars, as a gay person, you have the opportunity to do so because a lot of these bars are just as welcoming to gay people as we are of straight people. …and that’s the change.”

Metro the Club and the Rekroom have not yet decided on when to celebrate their anniversary and hold their customer appreciation party this year, however they speculate it will be held in January.

Metro the Club
213 10th Avenue SW
(403) 265-2028

The Rekroom
213A 10th Avenue SW
(403) 265-4749

Metro The Club
Classification: Alternative Dance Club
Typical Crowd: Mostly gay/lesbian/trans, some nights straight.
Average Age: 18-50
Established: 1989
Sq. Footage: 6000
Size: 220
Floors: 1 (main)
Consumables: Alcoholic beverages, Food Available
Entertainment: DJs, Drag Shows, Strippers, Contests
Activities: Dancing, Pool Tables (1), Touch-screen Games
Features: Coat Check, Staircase to The Rekroom.

The Rekroom
Classification: Lounge
Typical Crowd: Usually gay, sometimes lesbian/trans.
Age Range: 18-50
Established: 1990
Size: 3500
Approx. Capacity: 120
Floors: 1 (basement)
Consumables: Alcoholic beverages, Slushies, Cigarettes, Food Vending Machine, Free Popcorn
Entertainment: Drag Shows, Strippers, Live Mic, Contests, Karaoke, Television, Pornos
Activities: Pool Tables (2), Air Hockey Table (1), Conversation
Features: Staircase to Metro The Club.