mixology
Curtis
Hutchinson
SeRVIN’ IT UP AT HeRe LOUNGe
Just in time for L.A. Pride we decided to stop by Here Lounge in West Hollywood
to have a chat with our favorite bartender, Curtis Hutchinson—known to many as
the Gay VN award-winning “Hall of Famer,” Dean Phoenix.
Rage: Hi Curtis! When did you start bartending?
Curtis Hutchinson: When I was 21 at Rich’s in San Diego. Wow! time flies, I’m 35
now, but I still feel like I’m 25. My parents live in San Diego, so I go back down there
frequently. As for L.A., my first bar was Fiesta Cantina, then I moved over to “O-bar”
for a while. I’ve been working at Here for close to four years now.
Rage: So, what are some of the nights there like?
CH: Chi Chi LaRue deejays at “Garage“ on Wednesday nights with $5.00 drinks
and also on Saturday’s “Red” event. Monday evening is our drag queen show and
we also have two lesbian nights.
Rage: When’s the best time for happy hour?
CH: Sunday afternoons for beer bust.
Rage: What’s your favorite night?
CH: It’s probably Sunday too. That’s when all the really cute boys
come out. It’s really packed into the night. I also like Mondays because it’s more
relaxed and I can watch all the drag queens in “The Sassy Show.”
Rage: Do you have any signature drinks?
Curtis: I do! I have “Curt’s Black Lemonade.” It’s made with two parts
Citron Grey Goose Vodka, one part Chambord, one part Blue Curacao, splash of
cranberry juice, and two splashes of sweet and sour. Shaken, then served on the
rocks with a lemon wedge. I toss it all up using my ‘flair’ style of bartending.
Rage: Do you often get fans who come in and recognize you as Dean Phoenix?
CH: Yes—it’s really flattering. I usually buy them a shot and make them feel
welcome. The ones that get excited the most are often tourists from out of town.
People who live in Hollywood don’t get so ‘star struck.‘
Rage: Have you ever been ‘star struck’ by any famous people who have come in?
CH: Not really, but I guess if Mariah Carey came in I would totally be! Oh my god!
She’s like my Diva!
Rage: What drink would you make her?
CH: Anything she wanted! I would be her cocktail server, her dancer and her
personal assistant! Anything! I love her!
Rage: We understand that you started a special ’alcohol-free’ event at
‘Here’ called “SoBAR?”
CH: Yes, a friend of mine and I started it, and its been going strong since January.
It’s held the first Sunday of every month from 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m. Our next is on
June 7th. We serve special non-alcoholic “mock-tails” and free appetizers. Leslie
Jordan will be there along with other acts and hot go-go boys.
Rage: Given your commitment to sobriety, do you have any trouble
working as a bartender? ally my “bottom,” afterward I decided no more drinking! I’ve hurt myself.
CH: No, they actually love me now that I don’t drink. (laughs) Rage: What’s your favorite spot for a date?
I’ve been sober for 17 months now, after a rough wake up call. CH: There’s a nice romantic restaurant called A Little Door and a fun, casual place
I was at San Diego Pride in 2007 on a float in the parade, wearing called Saddle Ranch on Sunset. I like to ride the mechanical bull they have.
boots, underwear and cowboy hat—and drinking. By noon I was totally Rage: Spoken like a true Buckeroo! Thanks for talking with us and
wasted and fell off! have a terrific Pride weekend!
Rage: Ouch! Talk about “falling off the wagon!”
CH: More like “falling on to it!” I hit the asphalt and broke my butt! That was liter- For more info about “Here” Lounge, go to
herelounge.com.
78 RAGE monthly | June 2009
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