Akron Bar Reviews

When Gay Bars Go Straight

R/E Nightclub, 117 E. Market St., 330.375.9693

I hadn’t been to R/E in over a year so I decided to pay them a little visit. I walked in and I was a little shocked. The giant feathery thing in the middle of the room was missing and the dance floor and billiards room was closed off. I didn’t know what was going on. I expected to see the usual cast of characters at the bar, but alas, I knew no one. I walked up and ordered a vodka and tonic. When it arrived I was shocked to see it served to me in a plastic cup. Something had changed…

R/E Nightclub is located on E. Market just one block east of the Art Museum. It’s a huge space, about 12,000 square feet. When I was there each person had roughly 1,000 square feet of personal space. Vatic Asylum was preparing for their set, so I settled down at the bar and began talking to the bartender, Dreamy Kevin, and the co-owner, Ronda. Both of them were very nice people giving me plenty of information and alcohol. Then it hit me: R/E had switched teams.

As I looked at the bar’s not-so-gay liquor selection, a heard a loud scream. I thought someone had been shot so I turned around; it was no shot, it was Vatic Asylum. They sounded, hmmm, painful. I can’t imagine what the “singer’s” throat feels like. Maybe I’ll send him some lozenges.

I can definitely see potential for this incarnation of the space. There is little in Akron for the alternative scene, so this is a welcomed change. They have what looks like a great Friday Happy Hour (with 32 oz. Long Islands) that I look forward to trying. Dreamy Kevin the Bartender makes great drinks and is 5 Blimps of fun to look at. Ronda told me about some of the upcoming events and I think there is at least 3 and a half Blimps of potential for this place.

Entertainment Potential:
Dreamy Kevin:

Update:

R/E Nightclub Happy Hour

I went to check out R/E's happy hour and, wow, great $4 Long Islands. They're not from a mix as I expected, but rather a 32 oz. dream of liquor served in a giant martini glass. The only thing missing from happy hour was Dreamy Kevin, but that's all right, Ronda makes a killer drink, too.

Happy Hour Fun: