Temptations Nightclub had a long history in the Chicago LGBT community, but for the past three years the club has gone through multiple transitions, first becoming a fantasy-sports bar and then as a rental location for private parties. One such party helped bring the nightclub back to the community, and on Saturday, May 22, the Franklin Park club will re-open as an LGBT hotspot. The Windy City Times interviewed George Grivas, owner of Temptations, to find out more about the clubs resurgence into the LGBT community.
Windy City Times: Temptations was a lesbian club and then it became a sports bar of sorts. Tell me more about the decision to return the club to being an LGBT venue, and how the Pulsation concert contributed to that decision.
George Grivas: Temptations was a gay club for 20-plus years, but for the last couple of years, yes, it was under different management. But I decided to take the club over again and return it to the community. It was time.
The night we had Pulsation Band performing at the club, I had tried to pick the best thing that came to mind for everyone to enjoy that evening at Temps. To see the community come out, and to hear the women telling me how they missed the place and how they wanted to help, it was touching.
WCT: Tell me about the re-opening. What can people expect, and what will the experience be like?
George Grivas: Temptations has been open for a few months now, but we are planning a huge grand opening party scheduled for Saturday, May 22. We want customers that used to patronize the club to get a look at our remodeled facility and also introduce the club to the younger people who have not been here before. What people can expect is a big "thank you" from us. This party is for them, for the people who have supported us, for their patronage throughout the years back then, and now.
WCT: What special things do you have planned for the evening?
George Grivas: We have a few things up our sleeve for the grand opening like live entertainment and a complimentary buffet. We are still finalizing a few details for this night but trust that it will be a fun and exciting night for everyone in attendance. There will not be a cover for this night because it's about us saying thank you to our clientele and giving them a night to enjoy the space, the entertainment, the music, food and atmosphere.
WCT: How is the club going to be different from what people who attended previously might have experienced? What is the atmosphere like now?
George Grivas: What's different about Temps from what people have experienced before is that the space is a lot more aesthetically pleasing. One of the things we hear all the time is how much nicer it is. We have also moved the DJ booth down from the upper level to floor level to give our patrons a better sense of interaction. We've upgraded our sound system and lighting.
Temptations has gone through a few changes since it was last open. We have new carpeting, seven large flat-screens and a new VIP section. The place looks a lot more upscale so we describe it as a suburban club with a downtown feel. The difference is we have unlimited free parking right outside the club and our drink specials are unbeatable.
WCT: What can visitors expect on different nights of the week at the club?
George Grivas: We already have our weekdays in place. POPular has replaced what was our Stud Puppy Tuesdays. It's a night for the boys with DJ Daniel Borrero and host Cyon Flare. Wednesdays and Thursdays are our Dollar Drink Days. ... We have Fired UP Fridays, which is the night we incorporate Latin music for those who enjoy listening and dancing to Latin music. We have also had themes for these nights because we want our patrons to understand that we didn't just open the club and expect people to come just because we were open again. We want them to understand that we make the effort to give them something special like our Black Light Party, our Naughty/Nice Night, or Patron Pajama Party as a thank you for their efforts in supporting us. Saturdays we have brought in Julie Mosier, a very prominent event coordinator/promoter in Chicago, to promote events on Saturday night. May 1 she held her first, very successful, event called So You Think You're a Rock Star with a packed house.
WCT: How will Temptations stand out and compete with other venues and parties being thrown at other LGBT clubs?
George Grivas: Temps doesn't fit in with what's already going on in the LGBT club scene. We do not dedicate one or two nights to the lesbians like most places are doing now with the glaring absence of other full time lesbian bars that have shut down over the years. We provide a safe, welcoming environment for anyone who patronizes the club and have fun doing it.
WCT: George, how do you see yourself as part of the overall community?
George Grivas: I had been serving the gay community for many years before, and I'm doing it again … with bells on!
WCT: Will you be doing anything special to celebrate Pride Weekend?
George Grivas: Pride weekend we plan on having a float in the parade and are looking into getting buses to [ take ] people from the club to the parade and then back here for the after-party—no cover, free buffet and really great drink specials. Still ironing out the details.
WCT: Is there anything that you would like to add?
George Grivas: I would like to personally say … many hugs, many kisses and many thank yous to all the wonderful people who have made it possible to reopen. I hope you meant it when you said you wanted to see this place open again because I brought it back for all of you.
