HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! HÔTEL GAYTHERING TURNS TWO
When Hôtel Gaythering opened two years ago, it was unlike anything that Miami Beach had seen before. Half bar, half-hotel, gay-owned and local-owned, its founders envisioned it as a gathering place for the local LGBT community and visitors from around the world.
However, co-owners Stephan Ginez and Alex Guerra had an even broader vision than that. They imagined a destination that merged the aesthetic with atmosphere; they envisioned an arts component; and they wanted to foster a fun and playful environment where the free-spirited could find like-minded people in a relaxed, home-like environment.
It was a beautiful dream.
Flash-forward two years and the dream has been actualized. Once a curiosity, Hôtel Gaythering has now become a fixture, a gathering place for locals and a favorite destination for travelers from around the globe. Its dreamed-of environment is a reality, its arts component launched to great success and its growing slate of activities continues to drive its reputation as a place where all people can gather and feel at home.
With Hôtel Gaythering’s two-year anniversary celebration just around the corner, I sat down with Alex and Stephan to ask them about the past two years, what’s on the agenda for the anniversary party and the future of this unique destination.
Rafa Carvajal: What was the impetus behind opening Hôtel Gaythering?
Alex Guerra & Stephan Ginez: Gaythering was born out of the need for community. We wanted to create a safe place where locals and visitors can come “toGayther.”
RC: How has Hôtel Gaythering and your bar grown and changed?
AG&SG: In the past two years, the embrace from locals and visitors has significantly grown. We opened the Hôtel and bar with the hopes that we would become the spot for locals and visitors to collide. Two years later, we have achieved that goal with over 400 local members and lots of returning guests.
RC: What has been the key to your continued success?
AG&SG: Our continued success is a result of the nurture we received from our members/locals and the encouragement we receive from our Hôtel guests. Miami Beach is ever growing and changing and as a result, we feel we have filled a void in the community.
RC: What would you say to any members of the LGBT community who have yet to discover Hôtel Gaythering and your bar?
AG&SG: We don’t bite… hard. Gaythering is a place where everyone is welcome, alone or with friends. Our environment is unfussy and welcoming. If you’ve never been, let us buy you a drink. Seriously, email us at alex@gaythering.com.
RC: It feels like just yesterday we were wishing you a happy one-year anniversary; how has your second year been?
AG&SG: The truth is that it feels like 20 years and not two – that’s not a bad thing at all. We actually get first-timers who walk in and say “I feel like I’ve been here before… like I’m at a friend’s house.” We feel the same way. The second year in particular has had an easier flow than year one. We were able to hone in on making aspects of the Hôtel better by taking the feedback and advice given to us by our guests and regulars, and making those changes.
RC: What are your plans for your second anniversary?
AG&SG: The celebration will actually kick off Wednesday with Trivia Night. We like to think of Trivia Night as the heart of what we envisioned when we conceptualized “Gaythering.” The Night is responsible for creating many friendships and that’s what we hoped to establish. To celebrate, we will add a 3rd and 4th place for the evening, along with a raffle of Gaythering gift cards and a bottle of Absolut.
Thursday is our first Craft Night of the year and it’s Valentine’s Day themed. Participants will get to choose from Valentine’s Day crafts incorporating hearts and, of course, glitter. Craft Night is always free of charge with materials provided by the Hôtel. Continuing our celebration, Craft Night participants will get their first cocktail or beer on us.
Friday, Bears and Hares celebrate with free Absolut vodka from 9-10 p.m. with more Gaythering gift card raffles throughout the night, along with some complimentary 1-year spa passes.
Saturday, free Absolut vodka again from 9-10 p.m. and free access to the spa all day/night.
Sunday, Gaythering sponsors our local 305 Kickball Gay League and is host to a weekly BBQ, which starts at 3 p.m. Complimentary burgers and hot dogs, $3 beers and $7 Absolut. Join the boys inside for shots of beer as they compete in flip cup.
RC: What do you consider to be the most unique qualities of the Hôtel Gaythering? Are they the same today as they were when you first opened?
AG&SG: If you asked us this question on day one, we would probably say the aesthetics of the Hôtel and its location made it unique. Today, we can say that it’s the character and people that inhabit the walls on a daily basis. Our locals and regulars are really the key ingredient. It’s like cooking. We had all the ingredients, but we were missing the spices. Our members, regulars and locals are our spices.
RC: What are Hôtel Gaythering’s weekly events that patrons enjoy the most?
AG&SG: Hand’s down, Trivia Night is the most fun night, but we are known for our Friday night “Bears and Hares.” Trivia Night because it brings people together to socialize in a way they would socialize at home, except with strangers. The best part is that they don’t stay strangers for long. The night is just a good time overall. It’s about learning something, but mostly it’s about laughing together.
RC: You guys had many themed events during the year. Which three were the most memorable? Why?
AG&SG: The top of the list was the night gay marriage became legal. It was such a special night and one for the history books. The bar was bombarded with love that night. It’s one of those nights that we can all look back on and say “I was at Gaythering.” That makes us feel good.
Number two is Art Gaysel. Art and Gaythering go hand in hand. We have always dreamed of infusing the arts into the Hôtel and the manifestation of it, as Art Gaysel, is something that we couldn’t have imagined.
Finally, number three would have to be Halloween and our American Horror Story Hotel themed party. What other night do the gays live for more than Halloween? We really enjoyed the transformation and the theatrics with Halloween. The Hôtel bar and library are both rooms that can change vibe and purpose on a dime and that night it was a stage.
RC: Tell us about your signature craft cocktails program. Which is your favorite?
AG&SG: Craft cocktails are at the center of the bar. We like to pride ourselves on having affordable fun drinks that take our patrons out of their comfort zones. I don’t know about our favorite as each holds a special place, but our regulars absolutely love the Milton Coupe along with the Alexander Beaverhausen. Milton’s main spirit is Milagros Silver Tequila. Some people instantly say, “I can’t do tequila,” but they find themselves in bed with Milton time and time again. It’s a cocktail made with grapefruit, Grand Marnier, pomegranate and nutmeg.
RC: What have been some of the most unusual experiences of this past year?
AG&SG: Unusual yet funny was the bond people had with our dildo vending machine, which we moved out of the lobby to make space for another front desk agent. It was a tough decision to move it upstairs and make it a boring old vending machine for guests, but we’ve been talking about putting in some special items this year.
RC: Look into your crystal ball. What do you predict for this year?
AG&SG: This year we will grow further. We will create more events, add more amenities to the Hôtel and keep trying to perfect the established ones.
RC: What projects taking place at the Hôtel Gaythering can guests look forward to in the coming year?
AG&SG: Definitely food. It’s something we’ve been asked about since day one and it’s something we really want to strive to offer, but we also want to make sure that it’s done right and we hope that we can make it happen this year.
RC: Is there anything else you’d like to share with Wire Magazine readers?
AG&SG: We just really want to thank everyone that has embraced us. We may have a million things going on but seeing one of our regulars helps us stop and appreciate why we do it.
This article was originally published in Wire Magazine Issue 06.2016