The ‘bear-y’ best: Wrangler bartender wins Bar Wars title as establishment celebrates 15 years
With such highly–visible jobs in the community, bartenders often become the gay scene’s local celebrities – seen by hundreds of people on a busy night and in supreme control over the defining element of bar–going nightlife: your drinks. But Daniel Romero, who has been working at the Denver Wrangler for nine years now, is the farthest they come from elitist.
“The Wrangler has a great group of people,” Romero said. “And at the bar they go the extra mile to provide customer service. It really puts a smile on someone’s face when you remember someone’s name, and memorize their favorite drink.”
The Wrangler’s general manager Phil Newland verified: “He’ll make your drink once, and you’ll never have to remind him what you like again,” he said.
Maybe that’s why Romero got so much love from the community May 19, when he was chosen by bar patrons – from among heavyweight competition of the top bartenders at gay and lesbian watering–holes across Central Denver – as the winner of Bar Wars, a community fundraiser for the Colorado AIDS Project.
During the weeks before May 19, a $1 placard bought by customers at The Black Crown, Blush & Blu, Broadways, X Bar or at any other participating hangout was a vote to send the patron’s chosen bartender to the Bar Wars finals at Charlie’s. At the big Sunday afternoon event, the finalists faced off in an all–out mixology marathon, vying to win points for the best–tasting drinks and most breathtaking glass–juggling flare. The judging was done by the public – anyone who bought a $10 bracelet could participate and drink, and the event raised more than $5,500 for CAP.
Romero said he doesn’t know what ultimately put him ahead for the win. “It was my first time doing anything like that,” he said, “and the flair part was stressful. That kind of thing” – like hurling liquor bottles, juggling shakers or stacking dozens of drink glasses to fill them at once with a single shimmering fountain of booze – “isn’t typical in bars.”
Newland chimed in, “because it gets expensive.” Even the best performers would break an occasional bottle or glass. But Romero was peachy about his performance at Bar Wars; “I didn’t drop anything,” he said with a modest smile.
Speaking of peachy: Romero’s signature shot at Bar Wars was a peach lemon iced tea. His cocktail, a “Wrangler Red” – a citrus vodka sour with a splash of cranberry and a dash of grenadine – is is own invention, and his favorite drink to make.
His least favorite? A lemon drop. Romero said they’re labor–intensive for what you get out of it, and he doesn’t like the taste.
“I hope that everyone doesn’t start ordering them now because I said that,” he said.
While it will be interesting to see how Romero – who came across as a very soft–spoken, humble and laid–back guy – soaks up the glory of his Bar Wars win and resulting bragging rights, the Wrangler is celebrating a moment of its own, marking its fifteenth anniversary in Denver this year.
The Wrangler’s owner, Chris Dawkins, has been with it through the stretch, since opening the current location on the corner of 17th and Logan in 1997 – the same spot where it is now, but at the time a much smaller portion of its building; The Wrangler has been expanded multiple times since then. “The funny story is The Wrangler was supposed to open Portland, but Denver is a better city to do business in,” Newland said. “After a year it moved here. It’s truly a blue jeans and t-shirt kind of place, where it doesn’t matter how tall, short, fat or skinny you are. Just leave the attitude at the door, be yourself, and have a great time.”
And many patrons would agree – the Wrangler is known especially as Denver’s “bear bar.” Although that phrase is fairly widely–recognized in the gay community, both Romero and Newland had to stop and think a moment to explain exactly what being a “bear” means.
“What defines the bear community? There are a lot of sides,” Romero said. “Anybody who’s hairy, anybody who’s – I don’t like to say ‘fat,’ I say ‘fluffy.’ I think part of the community is very concerned about personal image, fitness and body size. I think the bear community can be more forgiving.”
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