Having a night off in the middle of the week is something that we daytimers revel in so knowing that I wouldn’t have to be at work this Wednesday made me especially amp’d to be out on a Tuesday night.
With the entire hullabaloo going on at Foundation Lounge, Underbar, Mantra and Caprice, I decided to go for the central location of Caprice first and then possibly head out to the other venues.
My first mistake, of many this evening, was heading out a bit later than I had anticipated. I forgot that with me having the day off so did the rest of the world. I know…kinda self centered of me. I left a bit later than I would have liked and arrived to the line outside of Caprice around 11:20 p.m. I knew I would have a bit of a wait, but what transpired before me was beyond anything I’ve experienced in Boston thus far.
I don’t do the “call your favorite promoter” thing to get into events unless it is absolutely necessary for a couple of reasons. My primary one is that I love observing what people are doing outside and see how that translates to the crowd inside. Secondly, I just don’t want to be “that gal” – you know what I mean? Ah well maybe I should change my practice. So, I waited. I noticed that my favorite guy in night life, the older gentleman that watches the back door of Caprice, was not there that night…interesting (foreshadowing).
The line crossed a parking lot where people impatiently went to park, including a gentleman in a Range who had to have his buddy come out of the club to help him park. With the line of almost all women they snickered and taunted him, having something to say about every move he made shouting “Hit me and I’ll sue you”. I thought at one point that they were going to start throwing their stilettos at his vehicle – humming to myself “I bust the windows out ya car…”
After about a half an hour…way more time, than I would normally stay in a line, but I had nothing better to do – believe it or not – so in the line I stayed. The daisy dukes and Uggs wearing chick with her midriff and rhinestone heart belly ring made friends with a mod girl in the line as they shared a bummed cigarette. By this point no one was sure which line they were waiting for Caprice or Underbar as you have to go through Caprice to get to Underbar. Each club was being promoted by separate teams; Rhoaming Entertainment for Underbar and Night Life Execs in collaboration with Matthews Entertainment and NOIR Marketing for Caprice.
My first question was with logistics as to why they would even have both clubs open under different marketing teams? And why there isn’t a better way to get people into either establishment? It never ceases to amaze me at how much Boston really doesn’t want to make money in night life and by they I mean the owners. Numerous times the bouncers complained that there were too many people on the street and that it was causing a fire hazard. Simple solution? Let people in the friggin’ club! We all know the game of holding the line which gives some cajones to the bouncers working the door so they can get their extra 20’s and 50’s and 100’s slipped into their pockets or slapped into a high five. We all know the game, but to play that card now? On a Tuesday? To an underfilled club? Getouttahere. If you see that people are getting aggrevated and the line is starting to be a problem you just let people in. There’s simply no excuse.
Yet still we waited. The hook ups swarmed me from girls trying to meet other girls to go in on tables, to people furiously texting and calling on their hand helds. We were told that the line needed to be neater before they were letting anyone in. Neater? Ahhh okay so now we’re in kindergarten. Would you like me to hold the hand of the person in front of me, too? Fantastic.
I guess they didn’t realize that when you back “us” into a corner we don’t back down…we just get innovative. As they say ”There is more than one way to skin a cat” and apparently the back door that wasn’t covered by my trusty friend proved to be that “other way”. I don’t know whether it was was jimmied or opened by someone on the inside. But however it happened the door was opened and had the impatient crowd inside in a flash leaving the promoters out hundreds.
The line was immediately shut down – again? What was the purpose? Half the people got in proving the point that capacity wasn’t the issue – the bouncers and the manager were. The promoters looked on helplessly as they watched some of their best patrons, friends, and etc leave in angry huffs or stand around hoping for a break in the closed line sanction. I, not really caring either way stayed around to see if anything else would go down.
Promoters continued with empty promises of getting people in eventually – what else could they say? And not only were they not letting people in, they wouldn’t let anyone out. Total lock down.
After a round of air kisses with those on the outs I bid my farewells. I hear from the ones that were inside the promised “upscale evening” was anything but and the second floor was a complete “sausage fest”. Eventually those who were waiting outside were let in at 1 a.m., but with clubs shutting down at 2 a.m. and a $25 price tag, it wasn’t much of a consolation.
Heading back to my car I caught up with promoter Jay of J Production who was having his night at Mantra. Determined to bring a smile to my face he kindly walked with me and treated me to a drink and entry to Mantra. The crowd was sparse, but had a little bit of everyone. So my evening wasn’t a total waste…you are a class-act Jay, you know I “heart you”.
Other nights didn’t fair so well either. Word on the street is that Rosci of BET’s 106 in Park who was scheduled to host the DSTination Lifestyle & Entertainment Group event at Foundation Lounge never showed and Rumor turned away Celtics players and regular patrons in droves.
My advice. If it’s so serious to you…show up early. And if you’re not being treated the way you think you should be, move on to the next. As long as we feed into the hype it will continue. The power is in your patronage. You don’t show up…they don’t make money. Point blank.
Last night was a hot friggin’ mess. Glad I never revealed my outfit as it will be repeated 
Get Fab! Or we stay home.
Submitted by “Anonymous” via e-mail:
I read your views of downtown parties last Tuesday night, and that is why I wish the black promoters of Boston come back to local venues.
Back in the day that is all we had cause downtown was afraid of the black crowds. But the party was cheap 5 dollar covers. And after the parties at Russell and William reed there was usually and after hour’s party damage for the night at best maybe 40 max unless you just are buying drinks for a bunch of people.
Here are some places you can go for cheap and have a good time slades on Wednesday night comedy, Friday and Saturday to party, or if you like to dress up go to biff’s lounge on Saturday nights. or Saturday nights at jovans in Rhode island free parking …and another quite gem tamboos in Brockton and for women who complain about jovans being too many women there go to tamboos on Saturday nights…I like it because it is close but many times it like 3;1 ratio of men to women.
To me going out in Boston is overkill these days and for what……the same thing you get for 50 you get for 10 a dj and dance floor…just proving why Negros are poor they pay for ambiance to make up for the lack of wealth they wish they had…this is getting stupid especially in this economy.
by Boston Fab