I made the mistake of writing that Bogart’s had closed in Ballrooms : Where the Romance Lives last week. My error was in using an old landmark and not following up. I confess that when I thought Bogart’s had gone, I felt very sad and not on my game. Imagine my surprise, my embarrassment and my sheer delight at learning Bogart’s was alive and well. Only shifted a bit on the grid to Franks Place region. It is all too easy to assume that a club is “gone” since many clubs do come and go in SL. Bogart’s is part of something much bigger, an SL Icon, Frank’s. Caught with my pants down on this one, I sincerely apologize for writing that Bogart’s had closed. As you may read here, Frank’s is a place that grows, it doesn’t close.
When I first moved to SL a few years ago, I loved to dress up in gowns. Most of the formal clubs I visited where couples oriented at that time. I wanted to have a place go where I would feel comfortable visiting as a single person. Of course, I wanted to wear a gown! At this point in my SL life, I would wear a gown everywhere and I mean everywhere! Searching through destinations I found the club Bogart’s and the name instantly caught my eye. Changing from one gown to another, I set off to see what Bogart’s club looked like and the crowd that hung out there for the dancing. The landing point is a short stroll from the entrance and there are upscale shops along the walk. I crossed the small park and looked up at the marquee “BOGART’S”. Going inside I was greeted by a hostess very stylishly. She called me by my surname and pointed out the upcoming schedule and the chilled champagne. Walking deeper into the club the room opens, the ceiling several meters above my head. The stage is large and colorful. I would later learn that the appearance periodically changes. The room is inviting in rich reds and golds throughout.
I have had the pleasure of meeting people at Bogart’s. Both men and women appear well dressed and ready to dance providing an opportunity to meet new people. I’ve attended some very enjoyable events over the years. In 2016 the Sl Enquirer featured Bogarts as one of the top five SL date locations sharing…
“This SL long running classic has shopping and a park on your walk to the club. Dress is cocktail to formal. You land down the block from the club and walk up to the dramatic facade of the building. The marquee proudly proclaims, “Romance is in the Air” and it most certainly is in Bogarts. Walking inside the first set of doors, scheduled activities are listed to your left by the elevator. Going further inside to the main room it has the feeling of an elegant theatre with high ceilings and a stage with ornate golden trim at one side.
The color scheme is rich reds and golds throughout. You will be greeted as “Mr.” or “Ms.” by what I feel are the best hosts and hostesses in SL. They make you feel welcome and have that breezy air about that may be best described as elegant fun. The DJs are equally top notch. Requests are played quickly and as a dedication or a request. Imagine requesting a romantic Norah Jones song and dancing with your date.”
Amazingly Bogart’s has not strayed from this level of style and service. I remember fondly when chatting Huckleberry Hax about various dating locations in SL. We spoke of a couple of different stops and then Huck gave me a quote that truly fits; “Good old Bogart’s”
I could not have phrased it better or more succinctly. Maybe you will sit down at one of the cozy tables off the dance floor and get to know someone new. I have met many people at Bogart’s and shared a dance or two with some new-found friends. Bogart’s is not a ‘hookup’ joint, though I suspect there are hookups [it IS SL], it is a place you return to many times. It is the place I fell in love with the melodic sound of Nora Jones as well as older rat pack jazz favorites. Bogart’s is part of the most popular jazz complexes in SL Frank’s.
Frank’s began as a jazz club for with a formal dress code. These days Frank’s has expanded to five regions and become an entire entertainment complex. The formal dance and jazz club has bloomed into more clubs and shopping. Elegant and welcoming Bogart’s is a top place to take a date.
“Fly me to the moon; Let me play among the stars; Let me see what spring is like; On a-Jupiter and Mars…”
-written by Howard Bart; remembered thanks to Frank Sinatra
Additional Information:
Bogart’s
Frank’s Entertainment Complex
L&B at the Galleria [Landmark and Teleport]:
Photos by Karmaghna Ulrik
A side note, Huckleberry Hax is both my unrequited crush & talented author of the SL Book Series AFK, which you may obtain for free at his web site. Check it out; you will not be disappointed.
Posts
