Welcome to THEJNSREPORT’S: GYMSPORTSBAR: A DECADE RETROSPECTIVE Pt. 1 Press Play 😀
Recently, while having a conversation with a friend about NYC night life and in particular bars and sports bars, the topic of NYC’s first gay sports bar GYM Sports bar came up.
Located at 167 8th Ave between 18th and 19th Streets in Chelsea. GYM Sports Bar was founded by owner Rick Schmutzler,
Nick Leonard, and several other investors. (Rick pictured above)
Matt: (Pictured above, Investor, Mentor, Business Partner)
The idea behind the bar was to offer NYC something that it didn’t have and open up a brand new untapped, and under appreciated market…the gay sports fan.
Growing up in the city I remember hearing people say gays/ queers, etc don’t do sports. However, what many people fail to realize is that a large segment of the LGBT community are very much interested in sports for many reasons and NOT just the obvious “checking out the hot athletic bodies” performing at the professional level of a particular sport.
GYM Sports Bar aimed to change the game in a lot of ways as a pioneer in the night life business in several critical ways. Firstly, GYM’s owners wanted to hire a diverse staff to reflect the diversity of the greatest city in the world in which it operates.
Secondly, offer a sports bar experience where the LGBT community could come together watch sports, decompress, and enjoy the sports bar experience without fear of being attacked for being openly who they are.
Thirdly, everyone is welcome at GYM regardless of gender,background and/or sexual orientation.
The following are my interviews with several staff members at GYM Sports bar on commemorating its 10th anniversary starting with GYM’s resident DJ, DJ Smokey.
DJ Smokey:
Q: So Smokey how long have you been a DJ?
A: I’m self taught. While learning guitar as a kid, I would buy records and sheet music to learn. Seeing my collection was growing I started honing my DJ skills in my room as a teen in St. Louis.
Back then, it was vinyl exclusively. With real drummers keeping their own time (as in disco or rock for example) beat mixing could be challenging. With today’s software that actually syncs and locks the beat for you, it’s pretty easy for a lot of “DJ’s”.
My 1st DJ gig was filling In for my friend, RIP, Steven Russo at a Lesbian Disco named GENESIS II. It was a great time and a great place to be.
Q: How did you come up with the name DJ Smokey?
A: The nick name “Smokey” was given to me by my dad. As a kid I loved Smokey the bear.
Q: How did you come to spin at GYM Sports Bar and how long have you been spinning at GYM?
A: I knew Rick from a previous establishment we’d worked at together.
He approached me about his opening a Gay sports bar and asked me if I’d like to be on board.
Q: What’s a favorite moment or two you’ve had while working there?
A: There have been several but grand opening night stands out.
It was a Friday. I had DJ’d the happy hour at a then popular bar in the neighborhood and was heading over to GYM for the opening. Quite a sight it was to see a line of people winding around the block waiting for entry. Inside, the atmosphere and energy was on another level! It was a very exciting night for us all!
Q: What do you like about spinning at GYM Sports Bar?
A: I have a true love for a very wide range of music. I enjoy doing a sets of certain genres. Often I’ll have someone come up and say “I haven’t heard this in years! You are Taking me back!”
Sometimes, someone will ask what a song is or who a group are and then check it/them out. To sum it up, I guess it’s my love of providing a musical ride.
Q: What do you like least about spinning at GYM Sports Bar?
Most of the people that come up to me say ‘Hi’ and or give a smile and compliment. That’s greatly appreciated! There are some who don’t get it and feel I’m obligated to play the same 3 songs you hear on radio. Songs that are played MANY times a day to brainwash you into believing they ARE good.… til the next 3 songs come along.…
Q: If you didn’t work there would you patronize GYM Sports Bar?
A:Absolutely! GYM is a great environment to chill and have a drink or few, either with a couple of friends or alone.
Q: What difference if any do you see in GYM vs other locations you’ve worked at?
A: GYM has a great management and staff! We all interact with and engage our customers. Some of us have struck up nice longstanding friendships. For me, personally, we’re kind of like a family. When I come in, I’m happy to see them all! Whether it’s going to concerts, Six Flags, The Poconos or just out to eat, we’ve often spend time together outside of the bar.
Q: Where do you see GYM Sports Bar in the next 10 years?
A: Having great staff from ownership down is key to longevity. Given that fact, I believe GYM will be around for many years to come!
Collin:Q: What’s a favorite moment or two you’ve had while working there?
A: The night President Obama was elected and the day NYC achieved Marriage Equality were two of the most exciting, fun and electric moments I can ever remember at the bar. Madonna’s halftime show at the SuperBowl was also like 10 Gay Christmases rolled into one.
Q: Do you have a favorite drink or shot you like to make for your regulars?
A: I pride myself on making an amazing Manhattan.
Q: What’s it like on the busiest day of the week at GYM?
A: The kind of day where you need a massage and a chiropractic adjustment the following day.
Q: What’s it like to work for owner Rick Schmutzler?
A: Rick is generous, fair and trusts the judgement of his employees which makes it feel more like family and less like “The JOB”.
Q: What’s the difference if any that you see between GYM and its competitors?
A: We’re different, everyone’s welcome, there is no “type”.
Q: Where do you see GYM in the next 10 years?
A: Still thriving and adjusting to the times with even more new faces and fans.
Jerry:
Q: How long have you worked at GYM Sportsbar?
A: 10 years
Q: What drew you to work at GYM Sportsbar and why have you stayed an employee?
A: I’ve always enjoyed bartending – it’s a fun job. At the time GYM was in building phase, my rugby teammates were looking for a “home bar” – a place to have drink ups after matches. My teammates knew I was looking for a bartending job, so they asked about hiring. I went in for an interview, and I’ve been here ever since. I’ve stayed this long for a number of reasons: Great bosses, great coworkers, great customers.
Q: How does year 1 compare to year 10 in your mind?
A: It’s still the same fun. GYM Sports Bar was a knockout right from the first bell. It’s round 10 and we are still going strong.
Q: What’s a favorite moment or two you’ve had while working there?
A: There are too many. When home teams win the championship – like the Yankees winning the World Series, or the Giants winning the Superbowl. Watching the Olympics. Holiday parties, Staff outings. Staff outings may be the best because they are the the rare times we all get to be together and let loose.
Q: Do you have a favorite drink or shot you like to make for your regulars?
A: It’s hard to pick a favorite. I love “mixology” and surprising people with great drinks.
Q: What’s it like on the busiest day of the week at GYM?
A: Hectic, energized, a little crazy, and fun.
Q: What’s it like to work for owner Rick Schmutzler?
A: Maybe the best boss I’ve ever worked for. He knows what he’s doing and he cares about his employees.
Q: What difference if any do you see between GYM and it’s competitors?
A: The staff, for sure. Some of the nicest guys in the business. And everyone gets along.
Q: If you didn’t work at GYM would you patronize it?
A: Absolutely.
Q: Where do you see GYM in the next 10 years?
Still going strong.
Eric H:
Q: You were one of the first employees hired at GYM Sports Bar. What was it like to also one of the first black bartenders in the night life scene at GYM?
A: Before I started working at gym bar, I applied at many other bars in Chelsea and unfortunately no one ever hired me. I also noticed while applying for work that no one in any of these bars looked like me. I am happy to say that once Gym bar opened here in Chelsea they made the wise decision to hire not just the cookie cutter version of a bartender, but rather hired people that look different and represent the diversity of the city and the scene.
Q: What was it like the first year the bar opened and how does it compare to it’s 10th year?
A: Well, when we opened we were a new bar, and we were just getting to know the customers, and get familiar with the neighborhood. Now we have cemented ourselves here, and have a heavy flow of regulars that come to see us everyday. I enjoy meeting new customers and trying to turn them into future regulars.
Q: Do you have a favorite drink/shot that you like to make for your regulars?
A: My favorite drink that I like to make is a Jolly Rancher. I’m not giving you the recipe as I add my own variation to it but trust…it’s good.
Q: What’s your favorite Holiday to work?
A: My favorite holiday at GYM Bar to work is Pride, because there is nothing in the world like Gay Pride in NYC. I meet so many different people from all walks of life, and I can recall every single Pride I ever worked.
Q: How did you come to work at GYM and what drew you there?
A: I actually was walking down the street maybe a week after the bar opened up. I noticed the outside smoking area of the bar and thought it really stood out especially on 8th Ave. I decided to go in and see if they were hiring. Eric Courage took my resume, and a couple of months later I received a call from Rick and Nick. The rest is history I guess.
Q: Where do you see GYM Sports Bar in the next 10 years?
A: I see GYM Bar flourishing and still serving great drinks and a good time to anyone that walks through these doors in ten years.
Will:
Q: How long have you worked at GYM Sports bar?
A: I’ve worked at GYM for 3 years.
Q: How did you come to work there?
A: I quit my day job to pursue my music career full time. I was working at GYM part time and just covering shifts. Next thing I know I’m full time and part of the family.
Q: What’s a favorite moment or two you’ve had there?
A: I really enjoy holiday season at GYM. Last year, I realized I wasn’t going home for the holidays and I was a little sad. I came into work Christmas Eve for my shift, it was busy. We had a good time and I reall got to bond with my bar mates Collin, Serge, and Jeremy.
Q: What’s it like to work for Rick Schmutzler?
A: Rick is a Motha!!!
Q: If you didn’t work there would you patronize GYM?
A: Yes! I was a regular before I was an employee.
Q: What difference do you see if any that separates GYM from other sports bars?
A: GYM combines the idea of a “butch” sports bar with the drinking faggotry of a “typical” gay bar. GYM is like a frat house, we and a few regulars are the fraternity and we throw the best parties on campus!
Q: Where do you see GYM in the next 10 years?
A: Expansion expansion expansion!
Rizzo:
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Steve D:
Q: How long have you been an employee at GYM and why have you stayed an employee?
A: It’s been 8 years. I stay because it’s a fun environment with great coworkers and bosses who get people and treat their employees with respect while giving us the freedom to use common sense and good judgement. Also because long before Obamacare became a law GYM offered health benefits to us staff. I’d never heard of that in a bar before. To me it really shows how much the owners care about us their employees.
Q: How did you come to work at GYM?
A: I had relocated back to NYC after living (briefly) down south in Virginia. I decided my time was up there and returned home to my home city. I started to come to GYM shortly after moving back as I was told it would be opening at least a year before it actually did. I met Rick through Nick and was offered a shift covering the door one day. From that shift, I ended up covering part time more and more and before I knew it I was working there pretty much full time.
Q: What’s different about GYM 8 years later and what’s stayed the same?
A: Well when I first started GYM still had tube TV’s no flat screens lol. Also, the crowd was predominantly a younger crowd that didn’t watch the sports on so much as they watched the guys watching the sports on TV.
Since then the crowd has shifted to a more mature crowd with a mix of younger guys and gals and everything else in between. Our patrons are avid sports fans who love the environment at GYM which isn’t pretentious, but rather friendly, accommodating, and a cool spot to drink and unwind while getting an excellent value for your money. We do have our moments when customers come in wearing outfits that really give everyone a show.
Also, there was no Locker Room lower level bar years ago either. And while I heard many jokes from only a handful of visitors about how it smelled like a “locker room” I thought it prudent to point out it was usually some of those same visitors making the smell they commented about not the bar itself lol. Two words guys “air freshner” LMAO.
Q: What’s a favorite moment or two you’ve had while working at GYM?
A: There are quite a few actually but as far as non sports related moments go, the shooting of a Law & Order SVU episode at the bar was epic and awesome! But the 2nd SuperBowl win for the NY Giants over the Patriots has to be near the top of the list!
That was an electric Sunday that gave me chills and extreme satisfaction to let Patriots fans have it over and over again. I’d often say after that epic win…”How do you spell Elite? Oh that’s right you can’t spell it without E. L. I. Lmao!”
Another was in 2009 when my Yankees won the World Series yet again. Oh and I have to mention meeting several well known actors and athletes there during weekend afternoons and nights as unexpected guests to the bar.
Lastly, a moment that really stood out to me as a favorite moment, was when a new regular came up to me and told me why he enjoyed coming to GYM Sports Bar instead of a competitor bar due to the fact that he gets treated with respect and served in a timely fashion at GYM by friendly bartenders. He went on to state that at the other place the bartenders were disinterested guys with chiseled bodies mostly “straight” that thought they should be tipped because they had their shirts off while pouring expensive and weak drinks.
Q: Where do you see GYM in the next decade?
A: Probably as the nations largest chain of Gay Sports Bars.
Stay tuned for Pt. 2…
THEJNSREPORT
THEJNSREPORT 