Out & About

By Mike

February 12, 2010 2:38 PM | Link to this

Joshua, I was also charged 25$ for two beers!!!! This bar has an eerie attraction, but don't be fooled. They charge for H2O after 2pm...is that even legal? The mixed drinks are weak, and I miss Vicci.

By Alex S

January 15, 2010 9:20 AM | Link to this

A friend and I stopped by on a Sunday evening just to check things out (we didn't want to deal with the crowds just to look around). Myself, I haven't set foot in the building since Halls. Decor was a bit much, like a brothel, but no problem, it's their style, every bar has their own. Cool. I just stood in the middle of the (empty) dancefloor and thought about the good 'ol days at Halls. So much fun...
I had made a few comments based on negitive hear-say, but about all I hear from ppl going there is they love the place. And yes Bobby, drinks at other bars 'can' be a bit strong. I mean, I know you like me, Bartender, but geez! I might go again just to see how things are on a Sat. night. I hope my earlier impressions are put to rest and K&F makes it. 3 anchor gay clubs/bars downtown would be great.

By joseph

December 31, 2009 7:52 PM | Link to this

I have been to many clubs living in n.y.c. Studio, Limelight,,. saint, roseland, criscos, ice Palace, Sound Factory,Monster, etc. I LOVE this club, it has it, i wish more light shows,I thought that Rain was not all that , as i do not think Austin needs to have a v.i.p. line then a regular line. customers that love the club will take care of it and those that do not should just leave. the hottest clubs in n.y.c. just changes them all the time........ Dont Be Tarty For The Party.......... see ya there.....

By Mary

December 29, 2009 12:39 AM | Link to this

Can you build another Halls? I have many fond memories of dancing at Halls till 4am. Totally awesome! I miss dancing to good music on a real dance floor with space. I do not care whether the club is called a gay club. Hell, we are in Austin, do we really need to segregate anymore? I am a straight married lady and both hubby and I still love to dance. I also enjoyed the Boathouse. I might be older, but I still get my groove on...

By New Guy in Town

June 22, 2009 7:58 PM | Link to this

Despite most of the comments i just read, I think Kiss and Fly is an awesome club. I like the fact that i don't have to wait in line. The music is great and I haven't had any bad customer service. And if the club wants to put the other bars out of business so be it...thats the way the world works. On the other hand, it will be selfish of them to think that, let alone to actually proceed with this action. We should be united as a community. Instead of seeing it as only a "Cash Cow" in the gay market, the owners of the gay clubs/bars should do "the greatest good for the greatest number of people" -John Stewart Mill
I agree that every gay club/bar should be inventive and unique to differentiate themselves from one another.
I love to bar hop and having these gay bars close to each other makes my night awesome.
I'm from a town where the gay community isn't strong like the one is Austin. We don't even celebrate Gay Pride. Stop treating it like a threat and make opportunities out of them.

By Bobby Cervantes

June 2, 2009 7:01 PM | Link to this

"John Lane" aka L.D. Grow up! Your pathetic posts are so apparent, obvious and sad.

-Bobby Cervantes

By John Lane

May 31, 2009 9:16 PM | Link to this

Kiss N Fly is fading fast! I gave the club 6 months, being generous, but had no ideal Bobby Cervantes could screw it up this fast. Rain and OCH have been around for quite some time, and I see them staying put. When I go to a gay bar, I like a real gay bar. The flag on the roof isn't cutting it guys. Bobby needs to go back to Charlies, where he is pretty.

By Joshua

May 2, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this

I hate to be extremist but I will NEVER set foot in Kiss and Fly again. I have had some bad service over the years, but being cussed out by a bartender who can't find your credit card, having said bartender then throw your card at you and tell you to leave (because they couldn't find your card), then making a complaint to the manager about the bartender who says, "what the (expletive) do you want me to do about it, can't you see I'm really (expletive) busy." Then being kicked out of the bar when you reply, "I just wanted you to know that your bartender was being an (expletive)" after you have finally lost all patience with the situation. Plus, being charged $25 dollars on your credit card for two beers, which you didn't sign for because the bartender refused to close your tab because they were to busy throwing a tantrum. Rediculous. Never go there again. To end on a positive note, after my debacle at Kiss and Fly I went to OCH and talked to the manager there about what happened and he bought me a beer. Thats customer service.

By They Will Survive

March 30, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this

I went to Kiss and Fly last week for the Grand Opening and it was the most fun I have had at any gay club ever!!!! I heard from someone that someone from OCH was trying to sabotage the RuPaul show by taking the mic. How low can you get and why would you try and do something like that and disrespect someone that we all should respect. All I can say about that is I will not giving my money anymore to either Rain nor OCH after the silly and childish pranks and comments their mangers, staff and owners have been saying. Mr. Yasmin has created an empire of clubs in Austin and knows how to run and operate them.

The RuPaul show was phenomenally fabulous! I remember seeing her back when she was performed at Area 15 years ago and it was amazing but what she did last night was crazy!!! I did not reserve bottle service for that night but I will be doing so this weekend because I saw it and it looked like a blast. Bottles with sparklers and my own place to sit and rest my tired puppies after I have been dancing all night which leads me to my next comment. The music was something like we have been wanting. I am tired of the same old music and sorry Video screens at OCH. The DJ they had on Thursday killed it. Every time I wanted to get off the dance floor he kept pulling me back with another hot track.

WOW and Thank you is all I can say. Kiss and Fly is definitely the new club in town and the only place to been seen at! Welcome to Austin K&F.

By Willy R

March 27, 2009 9:04 PM | Link to this

All I have to say about Kiss and Fly is FINALLY a club we where can dance and not get bumped around and pushed. I’ am a personally acquainted of the Owner Mr. Mike Yassine. He does not hate or disrespect gays in anyway. Being a Gay Male in Austin and knowing him for almost 10 years he has never said anything negative about gay people. He even flew my partner and I out to meet him in Hawaii and another time to Vegas. Thank you Mike for doing this for the community it is much needed and very welcomed. And to all the haters out there all I can say is you only have haters when you are one TOP!!! Lmfao

By Thank you K&F

March 27, 2009 8:14 PM | Link to this

OMG!!! Kiss & Fly was and is the club to be at this week. I was there to see Ms. Diva D perform and it was insane. My partner and I partook in bottle Service and it was not only the best service but the only gay nightclub in town for it. The community has been waiting for a CLUB not a bar like this we got it.

The bar staff was the best and friendly. My Bartender Tom was the awesome and out of control funny. the BEST bar staff ever thanks guys for making it one CRAZY night!

Thank you Kiss & Fly for opening in Austin and we wish you the best!

By Not A Fan Yet

March 26, 2009 6:16 PM | Link to this

I went to the opening last night of Kiss and Fly. In my opinion their is not a lot of fly and yes a lot of kissing. The Rupaul thing was a little over the top so yes, you get fly points for that but really. Lines were crazy. Bartenders could not handle the amount of people in the bar. Even though their was 3 to 4 bartenders in the bar. They didn't do much but changed the name should have just left it as "Gayvici".
Dancers really they mostly drank at the bar and had no routines that they danced with other guest and made out with them. Ok.
Yes I do think that Austin needs a better venue for the gay folks but as stated earlier their was not any organization at all from the door to the back. When Rupaul came out it was more like she lipped sang. If I was running it here are something's that I might do..

*Your Front door staff needs to be like any other door staff. Find someone that is not afraid to tell people no or that doesn't just let anyone in when they start complaining about the line or they know so and so. Wear head sets to communicate to managers or other security.

* Bar staff: I know that last night was crazy but either get bar staff that knows what they are doing (i.e. making drinks, knows what is in a cosmo) hopefully there is a better bar selection once it has open up fully.. Cocktail servers same thing. Most of them didn't know how to ring in drinks or know what they were doing. I say a guess the manager helping two of them all night.

*Music: Austin has to Remix club mix gay bars but doesn't need another. I know that KF has a bigger dance floor but after Dvia D got off it was the same stuff you hear at OC or Rain. Many people on the dance floor were wanting like hip hop, Like what you all play at Pure. Gays like to dance but can go to OC or Rain for the Same stuff be different and inventive...

Hope KF makes it....

By Patrick

March 26, 2009 9:43 AM | Link to this

RE: By A Gay Guy

March 18, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this

..when will there be somewhere for the young-professional gay crowd to grab a few drinks with out seeing shot boys in underwear and cliques of drag queens prancing around? Just because I am gay do i HAVE to be forced into the cliche' gay scene?
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Hmph. I agree! I hate all the bars. Why do we have to act like this? We are never going to get respect in that manner. And since when are Rain and Oil Cans lounges? There is no lounging to be done. Everyone just stands in a big herd around the bar and looks at each other. I think all the establishments are lame. Id rather just go to a straight bar. And seriously Oil can's...stop with the video playlist. Lame.

By Steve Basile

March 26, 2009 3:30 AM | Link to this

Great, what we apparently need is a gay bar that is even less welcoming to average folk thanks to the scourge from Dallas/NYC/hell that is bottle service. I'll visit and happily drink bottled sand in the worst gay bar Austin has to offer a before spending a dime in a place that preys on those who wish to either pretend they are stupidly rich, or brag they are stupid and rich. Be gone you bottle service idjits. Be gone I say.

By Chris

March 25, 2009 11:50 PM | Link to this

At the risk of just sounding bitter because I didn't get in, my experience with the bar was pretty negative tonight.

The website provides very little information, friends of mine received information from calling the bar that conflicted with what actually went on at the door.

The guy at the door seemed pretentious and seemed to act as if he were handling cattle rather than people.

I'm pretty patient but my night would've been better served doing homework and getting some sleep.

My biggest complaint is the night and the bar could've been a lot more organized. And if the bar is not equiped to handle the number of people showing up they should've hired more help at least temporarily.

By Michael Mitchell

March 25, 2009 1:28 AM | Link to this

I've held off from commenting, but Ray McDermott goes on, trying to make Charlies out as the saint. Hmmm. I remember when Charlies wouldn't allow condoms distributed inside in the 80s because it might bring their customers down. And maybe the owners were involved in the original splash day, but Charlies didn't come around until years later. Please. Let's all relax and see what happens: The Kiss and Fly is where Tex's Colorado was, which was put out of business by The Boathouse, which was almost put out of business by Charlies, but revived when Halls opened in the Kiss and Fly spot. The Boathouse was put out of business by Oil Cans, which suffered a lot when Rain opened, but rebounded nicely. And so on and so on. What bothers me more is if there really is a homophobic attitude of the owners of the K&F and/or they're scheming to get the other gay bars out of business and then change K&F to straight and "clean up" the area. Only time and the dollar and patronage and the vibe will tell. Until then, chill, have fun and let's see what happens.

By Ray McDermett

March 24, 2009 11:14 AM | Link to this

Interesting reading about the gay scene in Austin, how Rain and OCH are appalled at how the promoter of Kiss & Fly wants to put them out of business and yet both operators of Rain and OCH have wanted to put Charlie's Austin out of business ever since they began operating. Every special or promotion Charlie's does, OCH owners try to do the same thing by imitating and trying to outdo Charlie's. Charlie's is the oldest gay bar in Austin (25 years) and is still under the original ownership of one partner. Charlie's ownership has never gotten involved with other bar owners wanting to get rid of any bar. Austin is a very unique city and very liberal and has room for more bars and all of them make money without back stabbing. Larry Davis referred to the promoter of Kiss & Fly being a backstabber but there's more than one in the bar owners of Austin. Prior to the current ownership of OCH and Rain, all the bars in Austin used to co-operate with each, promoting Splash Day weekends, Memorial Day Celebrations, July 4th and other promtions, to raise money for charitable organizations and fun for the entire gay community but now its just Rain and OCH who advertise by themselves, however all the bars in Austin will be participating in that First Splash on May 1st and incidentally, Charlie's owners were part of the founders of the original Splash Day.

By Marc

March 22, 2009 7:02 PM | Link to this

I welcome this new venture into Austin. Regardless, of whether or not the true owners are gay or not, I hope they work out. Austin needs a real gay club not just lounges like OCH and Rain. Those places are both good and I wish them much luck. However, Austin used to be the place to be. Even 10 years ago, Austin was hot! Now, for the gays, it is just your typical college town. Hell, even the gay bar in College Station is nicer and offers more than OCH and Rain. Did you hear me? College Station, Texas! So, with that said, I think this addition should be welcomed and given a chance. Let people experience Kiss & Fly for themself and make their own decisions. I have not been but have been told by several people that it was a very nice change from the normal 4th Sreet experience. With any new business, give them time to work out the kinks. If they are truly anti-gay, it will soon be seen. As one other poster stated, Rain is also straight owned and at one time was bitter rivals with OCH. It appears that they have worked out their differences, now give K&F a chance. This has been long over due and I'm sure the owners of OCH and Rain are a little scared. Austin is a party town and so desperately needed a real club. I wish all of them well and hope that they can all succeed.

By A Gay Guy

March 18, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this

..when will there be somewhere for the young-professional gay crowd to grab a few drinks with out seeing shot boys in underwear and cliques of drag queens prancing around? Just because I am gay do i HAVE to be forced into the cliche' gay scene?

By Larry Davis

March 17, 2009 11:06 PM | Link to this

I am a co /owner of Oilcan Harry’s. I have been reading the post over the last several days, and while I do not agree with all the post, I do agree with many. I remember the fun times back in the 80’s when there were many more gay bars in operation. Another gay bar in Austin would be welcomed; however the conduct of the gay bars in our city should be a positive reflection on the gay community. Oilcan Harry’s and Rain work together on many events and even on a daily basis for the betterment of our community. I do not agree with how the management and staff of this new bar are conducting themselves.

The new bar promoter has worked at our club, and was always welcome into our club until he attempted to hire our staff away. This last week we had to endure the promoter and his new staff handing out flyers for their new bar, directly in front of OCH and Rain. If that wasn’t enough, they had people come in and put flyers all over our bar tops, restrooms, tossed them on our dance floor, and also threw hundreds of these flyers over the fence of our patio.

I have been told that his goal is to put Rain and OCH out of business within 3 months, that doesn’t sound like he has any plans to build on the gay community. I personally welcome competition, but let’s play fair guys.

By Timm Groovy

March 16, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this

How nostalgic indeed. I was one of the doormen @ the Boathouse and also worked @ HALLS. The gay scene in the 80's-90's was an amazing time to be in Austin, the fashion the music. On any given night you would run into Martin Fry (ABC) @ HALLS and across the street @ the Boathouse, Andy Bell (Erasure) was picking up his trade for the night...... good times, good times.

By Nae Nae

March 16, 2009 11:26 AM | Link to this

It's sad to hear that this new bar/club is being run by owners with such a negative history toward the gay community. I don't think I'll be donating any of my hard-earned gay dollars there, even though a new venue would be great in that area.

By DJ

March 14, 2009 10:33 PM | Link to this

Gay "Techno" club? Clearly someone is CLUELESS about the music being played at Rain & OCH because neither play "techno". What a douche bag.

Hopefully this club isn't owned by anti-gay people. If that is so, their true colors will come shinning through like a rainbow and the club will fail. But don't forget Rain isn't gay owned either.

I personally would love to see a gay NIGHTCLUB in Austin versus the gay bars that already exist. Lets all pray they have the sense to maintain a 21 and up status. I tire so easily of the children I am surrounded by at the bars on 4th. It would be wonderful to go out, not hear a **** ton of hip hop/top 40 pop and to gaze upon a sea of shirtless men on the dance floor.

Ah the good ole days.

By William

March 14, 2009 1:47 PM | Link to this

If you google Kiss and Fly Austin you will find a lot of club website chatter about a lawsuit coming. Guess this Kiss and Fly is just a rip off of the real one in New York???

By DAN

March 14, 2009 1:35 PM | Link to this

Dear Michael,

Silly me…I Goggled (yes, I use Google as a verb) Kiss and Fly and clicked on the first listing. This wonderful Web Page appeared with fantastic music. I’m thinking WOW! This great new Gay bar is in Austin. The more tabs I clicked the more excited I got. It wasn’t until I clicked on the Contact tab I discovered this bar is in New York City. Oh well…but, I’m excited Austin is embroiled in a “Gay Bar” fight. Maybe, just maybe, cocktail prices will drop. Of course I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop…Rain, OCH, or Kiss and Fly is destroyed (mysteriously) by some type of accident (wink, wink).

By Alex

March 14, 2009 12:21 PM | Link to this

Well I worked for these guys down on 6th street during my college days and I know personally that they don't even like gay people. I had to stay in the closet while i worked there or I would have been fired. It sucked!!! i really find it hard to believe that in just 2 years there whole attitude on homosexuality has changed that drastically. I think they just see a cash cow and want to cash in on it but don't really support gays or give a damn.

By dexter

March 14, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this

as a middle aged gay man, I personally will NEVER step foot in this club because of the owners and their policies and beliefs about gay people in general. I am a white collar professional and always present well in public. After exiting Rain and attempting to enter their sister club to join business colleagues, I was denied entrance as "they were full" for the evening!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is an attempt at extorting money from the gay community without giving anything back to it. I'd be surprised to see them donate one penny to community causes such as Project Transitions, Aids Services of Austin, or any other non profit. You'll see the other clubs donating thousands of dollars annually back into the community. I challenge these money hungry discriminatory thugs to do the same.

Let everyone in both of your clubs and life might treat you a little more favorably. In the meantime, boycott this place!!!!!!!!!!!

By JSS

March 13, 2009 9:18 PM | Link to this

"going into existing gay clubs and throwing flyers all over their bars, a tactic I find childless."

I find it "childless" too and poor writing.

By John Carroll

March 13, 2009 6:53 PM | Link to this

Certainly I remember being onstage at Tex's Colorado Street Bar, and the various other incarnations. Having heard mixed messages from the bars owners, as it seems they do not allow Gay folk into their other club in the same area, I wonder where people want to spend their Gay Bucks? Just a thought..

By John Lane

March 13, 2009 5:35 PM | Link to this

This club is trouble! Bobby Cervantes who claims he is a 50% owner of the bar, is going into existing gay clubs and throwing flyers all over their bars, a tactic I find childless. The club is also posting bad comments about Rain and Oilcan harry's on Facebook and myspace, again childless. The real owners of this club (not Bobby)(who is a habitual liar) despise gay people, that’s publicly know, so why are they opening a bar and talking trash about how they are going to put Oilcan Harry's and Rain out of business in three months? There is something not right with this new club, and I personally hope people do not frequent based on the main fact, they hate gay people!

By hedg8

March 13, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this

Awesome! A "real" gay dance club here in Austin! Woo-hoo! I lived in Atlanta for the last 10 years & had several boy bars/clubs there to choose from (favorite was WetBar). Returning here I really, really missed that fun.

And Lord do I remember Halls and the BoatHouse (aka the "Butthut")with the $5 cover & 10 cent drink Fridays. Many times did I stubble out of there...

Now hopefully they will bring in some of the DJ's to go along. I saw Victor Calderone in Houston recently and he was really good.

Yay!

By svfrenchy

March 12, 2009 10:11 PM | Link to this

If only it could be another TWIST like in Miami....

By Steve

March 12, 2009 6:03 PM | Link to this

We're almost getting like Dupont Circle in DC!
I had my early years there, and it was great. There's nothing wrong with a little friendly competition. There are so many "straight" bars that this shouldn't be a problem. Frankly, it's Austin, no one will care.

See you there!

By Jody

March 12, 2009 8:43 AM | Link to this

Great. Just what Austin needs. Another gay techno-dance club...as if Oilcan's and Rain weren't enough.

By Bill

March 12, 2009 8:17 AM | Link to this

Showing my age here, but I remember this was Texas Colorado Street Bar even before Halls. This was the first gay bar I ever went to.

By Greg

March 11, 2009 6:03 PM | Link to this

Woo Hoo! I miss 404/Halls. I'll definitely stop by Kiss your Fly, um, and check it out (as soon as I can find a place to park). Now if only someone would open a video bar like good ole "Splash!". Can anyone ever get that chemistry "right" again? Dan, thank YOU for the memories that you made possible for all of us... if only I could remember them any more.

By Steve

March 11, 2009 5:18 PM | Link to this

The gay scene in Austin has basically dried up unless you 20-something. When I moved here in 1980, there were a lot more clubs with a lot more variety. Now it's just a bunch of college kids out to get drunk and laid. Whoppee! And to add insult to injury, Rain & Oilcan Harry's are always listed in the top 10 of the most DWI's in town. Now that's lookin' out for your customers.

No thanks. I'll just stay at home and sip my *****. ;)

By Morgen

March 11, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this

Austin doesn't have a strong "gay community" because we don't need one. We can pretty much go anywhere and be ourselves because Austin vibrates at a higher level. Dallas has a VERY strong gay community because they need one to feel safe. We don't need the segegation that "gay bars" offer.

By egoiste

March 11, 2009 8:51 AM | Link to this

But Austin doesn't really have a gay CLUB. It has gay bars with dancefloors that want to be a club. It will be great to have an actual club again.
I mean seriously. One "big" girl on the dancefloor at Rain and you're out.
And this club will be 21+ . woohoo!

By Sam

March 11, 2009 7:53 AM | Link to this

Can't forget when it was the 404 and Area 52 in the nineties!

By Dan Cain

March 10, 2009 9:15 PM | Link to this

Wow, how nostalgic. I built and owned both HALLS and the Boathouse. TexasMonthly once called HALLS, "the hightech temple of disco".
HALLS was a joy to design and build, very profitable, but with nightmare partners.
"Boathouse" had the great cache of having Jerry Smith, an all pro NFLer and old friend, as owner.
Thanks for the walk down mamery lane.