Club 200 the
warms up Birthday
Candles By Peter Carlyle-Gordge
Winnipeg Pride may be raising the champagne glasses to celebrate its 25th anniversary this year, but Club 200 is rapidly closing in on the celebratory atmosphere. The GLBT club, privately owned, is building up to its own 25th birthday next year and is thriving according to co-owner and manager Allen Morrisson, who says the business has shown good growth in the past two years. The current premises were the site of a former restaurant and piano bar that had tables in the shape of baby grand pianos. Joel Sarbit, who was formerly a board member of Happenings, decided to become a partner with two others and in April 1988 Club 200 opened as a gay bar and cabaret. When partner Harold Dewar retired in 2001 Allen Morrison, who has worked at the club for 20 years, also became a partner. He and Sarbit make a good team and Morrisson says he has been a cleaner, bus boy and general factotum over the 20 years he has been involved. The one job he has not done is DJ.
They plan 24th birthday celebrations April 27 and 28. Though there have been some lean years they have soldiered on as other bars fell by the wayside. Morrisson says they have survived because they run a true community bar that attracts all ages. “We also listen to clients and are constantly changing and reinvent-
ing ourselves to meet their needs,” he says. “We don’t just cater to one demographic but to all so you can meet people from every walk of life and every income level. We keep coming up with new ideas as time goes on.” To stay abreast of the times they embarked on a major renovation project last November and have now updated toilet fixtures, furniture, the bar and even the carpeting and TVs. A rainbow palette of colour schemes has gone and the accent now is on reds and charcoal grey. “Since we are privately owned and not run by a community group or committee we are more hands-on and committed,” he says. “Some days I might be here for 16 hours, but at other times it is quieter. We enjoy working here and it really is a full-time job.” Not having to deal with a community based board also makes decision-making easier and faster, so they can adjust quickly to any new challenges. He says entertainment has been part of their success formula. Music, dancing and regular drag shows are well established. Drag afficianados have always been loyal customers. For several years, Minneapolis-based drag artiste Tinea performed there and the club has also showcased much local drag talent, including Anita Stallion, Stephanie Lane-Barr, Chiqita Banana and
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