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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (June 15, 2001)
june 15, 200 L’ina í;wi*imews A udacious and V inaceous Portland's new wine bar stomps grapes with stilettos by Timothy Krause n the window of Crush hangs a poster revealing a masculine ankle in a tall spike heel piercing an errant grape. Gay owners and life partners Woody Clarke and Mitch Calhoun want guests to know upfront that this new nightspot might crush a few expectations about wine bars. “Crush takes the pretentiousness out so that you can really get down to what’s important, which is tasting and experimenting with all the different flavors,” Clarke explains. “And the fun part of wine, which is comparing wines with people at the table.” But that’s not all. On the weekends, the waiters at Crush will be in drag. Full, big, tall and very theatrical drag, Clarke says. He and his partner have sought an elegant Mitch Calhoun (left) and Woody Clarke have a atmosphere, but they hope the concept of drag queen waiters will provide disarming counter but most items come in portions large enough for point to a wine bar’s typical hauteur. a whole table. That includes vegetarians, because Although connoisseurs are sure to find a nearly every choice has a vegan option. favorite among the more than 30 selections on “The space is really about taste,” Clarke sug Crush’s list, the real focus is on getting more peo gests. “When you order food here, it comes on a ple interested in wine in a comfortable and un big platter with enough to share so that you can daunting setting. Soon, for example, the bar will talk about how things taste. The wine comes by offer “flights" of wine: Instead of choosing just one the bottle, or you can order a flight, so you can bottle, customers order a series of three glasses of really experiment.” different wines. One flight might be of red wines The owners also were moved to develop a from a district in Spain, while another might in gathering spot that is an alternative to dark bars with video screens. clude a variety of chardonnays from California. A nibbier’s menu complements both the palate “A wine bar should be more sensual than a tavern or a cocktail lounge,” Clarke notes. “You and the vintners’ vision of a generous environ should be coming in here with a sensory focus. ment of sharing. The bill is made up of lighter fare, I Crush on wine You should be drinking it all in.” To keep the senses focused on taste, Calhoun and Clarke have designated Crush a nonsmok ing bar. Patrons who want to light up, however, will find a comfortable outdoor space with tables, seating and a heater for cooler weather. The owners don’t expect Crush to be exclu sively a gay bar, but they envision a progressive crowd, at least on weekends. They have speci fied Thursday as boys night; once they have suf ficient female staff, Sunday will be girls night. “This is a friendly place to sit on the couch with your boyfriend and hold hands and give him a lit tle kiss," Clarke says. “It’s a good place to come and be intimate with your friends or with your partner. [Borders I moment no. 617 CRUSH is located at 1412 S.E. Morrison St. and can be reached at 503'235'8150. The bar opens at 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Corner of Sandy Blvd. & NE 64th 3106 NE 64th Portland, OR 97213 Gifts for Romance in an Elegant Setting <*■' .. •A" ' - .gj It'4- My A Place of Romantic Invention Borders honors diversity Celebrate Gay Pride New Shipment Just Arrived yesteryear Antiques Largest selection of premium antique furniture in the Northwest ■ BORDERS ■ Gresham 687 NW 12th Avenue 503-674-3917 503-280 8080 www.teleport.com/-pkasurc Fine European Antiques Warehouse Prices b ■ ■ ■ Portland 708 SW Third Avenue 503-220-5911 I want to make sure that no matter what night of the week it is, people can come in here on a date or come in here alone hop ing to meet someone, and they’re going to be in a safe place.” Clarke and Calhoun’s backgrounds are as unusual as their business venture, and neither has any professional experi ence managing a bar or restaurant. For five years, Clarke served as direc tor of Art from the Heart, a Portland co-op for developmentally disabled artists. On the side, he worked as a massage therapist. Calhoun has kept his day job as a call center manager for Kaiser Permanente but puts in his share of hours behind the bar or in the kitchen. The inspiration for the business—and the drag queen waiters—came during breast cancer fund raisers the couple held each year at their Northeast Portland home. Their yard and garden would be transformed into a venue for more than 200 guests. With each event, more people suggested they open up a permanent space. About a year ago, Calhoun and Clarke agreed, setting plans for Crush in motion. “This place really comes out of the same nurturing impulse,” Clarke says. “I’m trying to keep in mind that this is all just another party.” But Clarke is quick to credit his circle of friends for both inspiration and help in trans forming a former bakery space into an urban wine cellar. Crush’s grand opening will be held June 22, a night he says will feature “cute hunky boys and drag queens stomping grapes...or whatever fruit we find in season.” jrn Beaverton 2605 SW Cedar Hills Blvd. 503-644-6164 www.txycters.coin Onhnt Pnce$ may vary Tigard 16920 SW 72nd Avenue 503-968-7576 Open Saturdays & Sundays 11AM-4PM 10101 SW Arctic Drive, . Beaverton phone 503-628-8118 or visit our website www.yesteryear.net 17
