New LGBTQ+ Lounge And Bar Set To Open In Moncton
MONCTON – In his early 20s, Joel David Fowler frequented Triangles, Moncton’s only LGBTQ+ bar that closed permanently in September after 23 years of operating. Now he’s the new owner of the space which will reopen as Pink Flamingos Cabaret/Lounge.
Pink Flamingos will focus on providing entertainment for the LGBTQ+ community and allies. Fowler says the establishment on 234 St. George Street will be good for the larger community.
“[Triangles] was something that was going to be just gone and forgotten about. So I wanted to continue the tradition of all the events and the safe space for dancing, and also add jazz nights, lounge nights, variety shows … so that everything and anything that’s interesting can come along to Moncton,” he said.
Fowler said he’s been wanting to open a bar for the past few years, but his search had only met barriers. Locations were either too small or too big. Owners also didn’t want their space to be turned into a bar or they didn’t want to invest in renovating a retail space to be an entertainment space, Fowler said.
But Triangles, with capacity for 340 people, is the perfect space for the types of events he wants to do. Fowler plans to host drag shows, karaoke nights, burlesque and cabaret shows, live bands, DJs and dance nights as well as variety shows. Pink Flamingos will also have the pool tables, pinball and some retro arcade games.
Plus, having worked at the Laundromat Espresso Bar at the corner of Cameron and St. George Streets, Fowler saw the street as Moncton’s new cool spot.
“I find St. George [St.] kind of like the new hip zone, kind of like the north end of Halifax compared to downtown Halifax,” he said. “A lot of the occupants of the surrounding neighbourhoods surrounding are university goers, people that work downtown, professors, people that work for media outlets – from what I’ve observed in the seven years of working at the Laundromat [that is] the clientele that seems to be in that area.”
Fowler is bringing back Indie Pop Night with DJ Bones, a dance night tradition around the province, one Friday a month. And he’s hoping talent shows and jazz nights will bring something new to the Moncton nightlife scene. Fowler is asking people to send in audition tapes via email if they have a “nifty” talent they want to showcase. Most nights will likely still end with the dancefloor open and a DJ playing from 10 PM to 2 AM.
“There’s nothing like that in Moncton and I think it will just bring a good crowd. It can entertain people, it can make them laugh, and impress people. Also, we’re going to throw in some comedy here and there, some of the skits will be a bit more humorous, and occasionally, a comedian could come in too,” he said.
“I have plenty of people that want to help me with events, that want to plan events. They just want to see this place thrive really,” he said.
I used to come here quite a bit in my early 20s for karaoke and, occasionally dance, and I just love the space and I love how you can just be yourself. It’s just a really accepting place.”
Triangles co-owners Stella Fougere and Evie Lane posted on the bar’s Facebook page on September 7 that the scene has changed since they opened their bar.
“The bar business as a whole has changed and certainly being gay in this day and age is the biggest and most welcome change of all. We want to thank everyone who was part of our world for so long. Your support and loyalty has meant the world to us and is appreciated beyond words,” they said.
“We are hopeful that someone else will take the reins, bring some new blood into what could once again be a fun and thriving business. Time will tell. It is time for us to retire and turn the page, but it will be a sad day for us, as well as the staff. Many have met their partners here, and made lifelong friends.”
The soft opening of Pink Flamingos will be Friday at 7 pm, beginning with live jazz and followed by a dance party. The grand opening will be Saturday at 8 pm with a Drag Queen Xmas Ball hosted by Brooke Rivers.
After that, Pink Flamingos will open Tuesday through Sunday. Tuesdays and Wednesdays will have a relaxed lounge vibe with a jazz musician playing in the background.