South Cape venues make some changes
With the recent closing of Tubby’s City Hangout, some of the staff have found a new home.
The former LGBT-friendly bar, at 4810 Vincennes St., closed down on Dec. 20. Stephen Christou, one of the bartenders, explained that the building had been for sale for years and the owner finally sold it.
“There was a lot of emotion from all of us,” he said. “There’s a lot of history there.”
Knowing that the bar was under contract for a possible sale but not knowing how long it would be before the doors closed, Christou approached the owners of the Dixie Roadhouse and Rockade.
“I knew it (Rockade) was only open for overflow for events and stuff like that,” he said.
“And I felt like this was a really good place and not far from the old place,” Christou added.
So he came up with an idea to keep the essence and life of the bar alive. Christou laid out a plan that involved setting up Tubbys former employees at the Rockade on the days it was not already open.
“They liked what my vision was,” he said. “It was pretty much the same as theirs.”
David Townsend, co-owner of the Dixie and Rockade, echoed that.
“What they were doing kind of fit right in with what we are doing,” he said.
Townsend noted that they also have a venue and the timing fit well.
On Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, Rockade will open from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. with three of the former Tubby’s bartenders serving up drinks and fun – Christou, Steven Ellis and Ron Jakubisyn.
“It’s just the three for now,” Christou said.
Townsend pointed out that the Rockade was previously not open those days.
On Fridays and Saturdays, the bar was open from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. Now, the former Tubby’s crew will open the venue at 3 p.m., but will wrap up at about 9 p.m. for the typical Rockade activities.
“We’re going to be doing some of their promotions and events,” Townsend said. “They were doing some kind of bingo. I think we’re going to start that – we’re doing karaoke a couple of nights a week.”
“They seem to fit right in with our staff,” he added.
Christou echoed that.
“The staff has been really welcoming to us and really willing to work with us,” he said.
Christou noted that the merged effort will not be just “a gay-focused bar.”
“It’s going to be all walks of life here, and everybody’s going to be treated equally,” he said.
“The bar is going to be everyone’s bar,” Christou added.
On Thursday, the owners of Nevermind Awesome Bar & Eatery confirmed that they purchased the Tubby’s building. Shannon Yates, co-owner with his business partner Brittany Bowman, explained that the new venture will be called Mix. Featuring “rocktails” and tapas, it could be open by year’s end.
“We’re very excited to bring another concept to the South Cape,” he said.
“It’s going to be a much more modern cocktail bar,” Yates added.
They are working with LGI Homes on the design and decor.
“It’s going to be cool, very cool,” he said.
Mix will offer small plates, with an international range.
“We are going to add a chef to the situation and really give it a culinary presence,” Yates said.
“It’s going to be a concept for every walk of life,” he added.
For more information on Rockade, visit online at: caperockade.com/.
Rockade is at 1015 S.E. 47th Terrace.