2008 Woodie Awards
I-Bar has a dark night
Melissa Chadbourne
Issue date: 7/24/08 Section: Variety
Every Thursday night Independence Bar, or I-Bar, hosts Necropolis, their industrial, synth-pop and EBM night, referred to by many as their "goth night".
According to I-Bar owner and DJ John Gardner, as well as patrons, Necropolis is one of the only places in Orlando that caters to the goth and alternative scene. Gardner said that the night draws in crowds of 200 or more people, and has a steady following on their secondary goth event Saturday nights downstairs.
"It's been very consistent," Gardner said, "and it's been so many years that it's not the busiest night we have, but it's definitely worthwhile."
While I-Bar typically plays more mellow tunes like '80s, new wave and soul, Gardner says up to 10 percent of its total customers are there for the goth format nights.
"Even though the goth crowd doesn't fit in with most of our crowds, we think it belongs here," Gardner said. "Anyone who things it might not belong here, might not belong here themselves."
According to Gardner, credit for the event goes to another employee known as DJ L.D., or Dave.
"I was approached by Dave, the guy from Necropolis, about doing a night back there and we had the space and I said sure why not," he said.
"He had something good going on there," Gardner said, "and as we progressed and moved on year after year we've kept that as part of the club."
Gardner said that while I-Bar does not cater exclusively to the goth community, the crowd has given his club a "goth club" reputation. He said he hears "oh, that's the goth club" regularly, but that it's a typical thing for clubs.
"If two guys showed up with a mohawk one night, you're the club with the mohawks!" Gardner said.
I-Bar has relocated before and has been in its present location for 21 years.
"We've stood the test of time, and I think that's because we understand the entertainment," Gardner said.
Patron Becca Williams has been attending Necropolis regularly, and agreed that I-Bar is one of the only places in Orlando to host a night for the alternative scene.
According to I-Bar owner and DJ John Gardner, as well as patrons, Necropolis is one of the only places in Orlando that caters to the goth and alternative scene. Gardner said that the night draws in crowds of 200 or more people, and has a steady following on their secondary goth event Saturday nights downstairs.
"It's been very consistent," Gardner said, "and it's been so many years that it's not the busiest night we have, but it's definitely worthwhile."
While I-Bar typically plays more mellow tunes like '80s, new wave and soul, Gardner says up to 10 percent of its total customers are there for the goth format nights.
"Even though the goth crowd doesn't fit in with most of our crowds, we think it belongs here," Gardner said. "Anyone who things it might not belong here, might not belong here themselves."
According to Gardner, credit for the event goes to another employee known as DJ L.D., or Dave.
"I was approached by Dave, the guy from Necropolis, about doing a night back there and we had the space and I said sure why not," he said.
"He had something good going on there," Gardner said, "and as we progressed and moved on year after year we've kept that as part of the club."
Gardner said that while I-Bar does not cater exclusively to the goth community, the crowd has given his club a "goth club" reputation. He said he hears "oh, that's the goth club" regularly, but that it's a typical thing for clubs.
"If two guys showed up with a mohawk one night, you're the club with the mohawks!" Gardner said.
I-Bar has relocated before and has been in its present location for 21 years.
"We've stood the test of time, and I think that's because we understand the entertainment," Gardner said.
Patron Becca Williams has been attending Necropolis regularly, and agreed that I-Bar is one of the only places in Orlando to host a night for the alternative scene.