Purgatorio is a mesh of haunted house and night club (their slogans include "Where nightmare meets nightlife" and "Why should kids have all the fun on Halloween?"), and I was invited to preview the experience!
After checking our coats (did you really need to charge me for both my jackets?), Med School Mess and I walked into a sort of waiting room/salon area where we were greeted by a violinist, an elderly pole dancer, and a few ushers, all in zombie makeup.
We received a brief welcome from what looked like a deceased bordello madame, and we were invited to take a “blood shot” (I didn't get the word play til later in the night... it was actually wine) before continuing to the next room a few people at a time. More zombies welcomed us with a, “Step right this way,” herding us into different doors that didn’t seem to lead anywhere. Right before I stepped in, I realized that the door led into a huge coffin. The zombie usher pushed me into the coffin and door closed and clicked behind me.
The coffin spun at least 3 full rotations with me inside before it opened into a different room. I stumbled out to see a crowd of people in a dimly lit lounge area with a bar.
Me to a straight guy who had obviously bought his girl a drink: “Hey, how much are the drinks.”
Him: “$9.”
Me to Med School Mess: “I think I can wait til we get to the village.” Especially after my rather enthusiastic pregame.
A zombie host stepped onto the stage with a tacky suit and (purposefully) corny jokes. He announced that we’d be playing a game of Kill the Virgin, asking for virgins from the audience. It ended up being a rather funny bit with a surprise ending (turns out virgins do get killed). The most entertaining part of that segment was the hilarious musical references from the guy on the electronic keyboard in the corner.
We were then moved into a small auditorium with a few high platforms and a stage. Once everyone was seated on the very plush couches (or standing in the back), female go-goes took to the platforms for an entertaining set that included a bit of girl-on-girl S&M. It was very well done, but very long.
Finally, a tall slim woman took the stage, playing the role of host and soul singer. She was probably the best part of the show, and her lingerie-clad dancers certainly helped. The showcase that followed included the brass and snare ensemble that I had seen at DR!P and, to give the gays something to gawk at, a tall slim guy in a speedo who did very cool tricks with lighted hula hoops (again, both entertaining but long).
After another number from our hostess, we were given the option to stick around for the next show or to “go to heaven,” which was a medium sized dance floor with a roof deck. We were treated to a live song by a geisha-themed drag queen as well as pop tunes from the DJ. It was pretty cool, and I’m glad to see performers being employed. But I’m not sure I would have paid $39.99 for it, myself. Meanwhile, down in the Village, Rock Bar was having their grand opening. It's located where Dugout/Ramrod used to be (both of which closed this year). Maybe not the best location to open a niche bar (it’s targeted towards gays who love rock music), but it may have a fighting chance because it was packed to the brim with a mostly older, bearish crowd. A few hotties attended, but the drink I got tasted like straight up juice! We left after the first drink.
After a few drinks at Pieces, we wandered down to Chi Chi’s, where Med School Mess waited until after I had gotten a drink to decide that she was leaving (bitch). As I was putting on my jacket, I made eye contact with a legend of Section 8 (no, there’s literally a sign in that corner of the bar that says Section 8). It was his 55th birthday, and I ended up talking to him for at least an hour before taking my leave.
Did I mention I was dressing in DRAG the next night?! Yeah!
Click here to check out BRITney's awesome surprise birthday party (military theme!).
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