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The sort of women who go to drag shows at Jacque's aren't in the mood for food

The attorney for Jacque's Cabaret in Bay Village apologized to the Boston Licensing Board for not seeking to change a provision on its liquor license that it have food available before a March inspection found no kitchen and no food available on the premises, save a vending machine selling snacks and candy .

Sgt. Det. Robert Mulvey told the Boston Licensing Board this morning he issued a citation after his routine inspection at 11:25 p.m. on March 2.

Attorney Carolyn Conway said there hasn't been much call for food at Jacque's since 1963, when the restaurant - which she noted had served as a triage area for victims of the Cocoanut Grove fire - added the cabaret and drag performances that it quickly became known for.

Today, the cabaret's "stock in trade" is bachelorette parties, and "they don't tend to ask for food, they want to see the show," Conway told the licensing board. Jacque's used to have a hot-dog cooker, and has a space where a small stove could go, but there just was no consistent demand for food, she said.

The board holds a separate hearing tomorrow to hear Jacque's request to strike a food-availability requirement from its liquor license, then decides Thursday whether to punish it for the March 2 infraction and grant the revised liquor license. Conway said she filed for the license change as soon as she heard about the citation.

Conway said that the rare Jacque's customer who does ask for something to eat is given a menu for Rome Pizza around the corner - which provides all manner of food and quick delivery, she said.

"Whatever Rome Pizza can give them is better than anything we can provide," she said, adding Jacque's doesn't charge anything for allowing patrons to get delivery of the pizza and chicken wings that she said are the most commonly ordered items at Jacque's when customers are overcome with hunger.

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being the key word there. No, not talking about the performers.. the customers. Jacques used to be a fun place to have a drink and hang out with some drag queens (who are a hoot), but the last 10 or so years its become overrun with bachelorette parties. Its been a big deal about this in the gay community about this phenomenon.

but really a hot dog cooker? LOL Oh the jokes I could make....

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Back home in the midwest our local gay club always got overrun by twenty something bachelorette parties wearing their cheesy sashes and cartoon penis headbands. It was pretty insensitive considering it was the only real social place for gays in town and gay marriage is still banned back there, not to mention frustrating for gay ladies

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The bachelorette party phenomenon on at Jacques is a travesty, but I guess the venue has to make money somehow. For a variety of sociological reasons, gay bars as we once knew them are on the decline and slated for obsolescence like pay phones.

Jacques was a fun place back in the 70s. The legendary Other Side was across the street. It was torn down and condos went up. People still talk about the night in the mid 70s when David Bowie showed up at the Other Side sporting bright red lipstick and a huge bodyguard and danced the night away.

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What's the big deal? Jacques for me but not for thee.

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Do they still have punk shows in the basement? My husband, when he first got to Boston (early to mid 90's) used to see shows and when he took a smoke break between sets went through the Cabaret section to get outside.

I've never been and I'd like to, but not during batchelorette-orama. Is there a night when that is less likely to occur?

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or should I say was fun

I've never been and I'd like to, but not during batchelorette-orama. Is there a night when that is less likely to occur?

As far as I know.. No. However, I'd guess its less so during the week, and more of a weekend thing. But from what I hear it, its primarily booked solid since it's now their primary business (catering to these parties)

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Punk shows still happen in the basement (known as Jacques Underground) most Fridays and Saturdays!

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I wanted to add that this is what I'm talking about with the bachelorette parties.

Here & Here

Courtesy of Wicked Gay Blog (T) & BosGuy (T) (both probably NVSFW)

It's even been discussed here on Uhub! (how did I miss this post?!?)

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Gov Baker just ordered state agencies to review silly and burdensome state regulations. I don't know if it's State or City regs, but rules (or laws) like the one requiring food to be served here seem ripe for review.

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How can you ticket a place that's been tacitly allowed to operate without food since 1963? They should withdraw the citation and assist them in changing the license if it's a decent business otherwise.

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**How can you ticket a place that's been tacitly allowed to operate without food since 1963?*

1.) Breaking the law for a period of time is not an excuse for continuing to break the law.

2.) It's not been so "tacit"...Jacques has been a thorn in the side of the local neighborhood for a long time with prostitution, condoms on the sidewalk, late-night noise. There are neighborhood activists that have been seizing on anything as a reason to complain. (Hence the cutback to a midnight closing years ago.)

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Put them on the shelf, and when Det. Sgt. Mulvey asks where the food is, point them out to him. If those meals are good enough for soldiers in combat, they're good enough for bachelorettes.

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pizza and wings from Rome Pizza.

I do feel bad for Jacque's('s) regular patrons, though. Nobody should have to endure the shrieking obnoxiousness that is the typical bachelorette party.

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Without the bachelorette parties, there probably would not be enough customers to sustain the business. Drag and the people attracted to it is a very niche business and clientele base.

I have always been told that the only reason that Jacques is still open, is because it is Henry Vara's very first bar. Henry is a wealthy man and is probably in his 80s by now. I doubt either man or establishment will be around for very much longer.

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Here I thought that mixing the peanut butter and cocoa mix was a real treat without the "add vodka" possibilities.

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Sylvia Sydney must be rolling over in her grave.

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Unfortunately, in all my time here, have never been to "Jock's" (as I've heard it called.)
The term "Cabaret" makes me think of tables, with food service, in front of a stage.

(Edited to add that the local term Spa means something other than a Hot Bath / Shower, so maybe something is being lost in the translation.)

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wow I haven't heard Jacques called that in years.

But for me... a cabaret means a 'live show with music and dancing', usually in a small venue. However, for me my only two exposures to a real cabaret are Liza Minnelli's "Cabaret" movie, and another famous drag cabaret show in Atlanta at the now defunct "Backstreet" nightclub (Charlie Brown's Cabaret). So for me, it's just a live show.

(and yes, I'm reeeeeeeaaallllly gay using those two references.. but the gays do love a good cabaret!)

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Generally meant tables stage side, with food served. I think that they do that still at Symphony Hall / Scullers / etc.

Then, there's this. (Being my dream to attend.) Cannot imagine 'Jack's' real estate accommodating this sort of fun.

https://youtu.be/qlDo1mgqTRQ

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"Jacque's used to have a hot-dog cooker," Really?
A hot-dog cooker at a drag show? What about a clam bake at a stripper club?

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That would be Dyke Night

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**Today, the cabaret's "stock in trade" is bachelorette parties**

While they are common (Bachelorette parties in gay bars)...I wouldn't say this is the "stock in trade".

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Heh.

No, really, the lawyer said that and Jacque's manager was sitting right next to her and didn't disagree.

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Who's problem is that? Perhaps if they do fine the establishment there should also be retroactive penalties for every officer/inspector/police chief that failed in the past to do their "duty"? Doc a few pensions. Sheesh!

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The gays have a limited tolerance for the bachelorettes. The noise, abuse and rudeness reach a tipping point and the boys just stop showing up. No respect, no gay dollars.

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