On July 11th, pitcher Adams Morgan opened MOR, a “Latin Fusion” pop-up bar. The space features Latin music videos, specialized cocktails and a centre of “MOR” (Slang for Love) from Latin American culture and community.
“Tropical Paradise” is open every Friday and Saturday and was created with the Latin LGBTQ community. Pitcher owner Dave Perzza spoke on the blade about how he and his business partner/DJ Felipe Pinot Ferreira made the idea a reality.
“I’ve been wanting to do it for the past six months,” Perzza told Blade.. “I didn’t want to do Latin nights alone. I wanted to do more of a luxury, cold place for people to hang out, not a dance club. There’s a dance element, but most of it becomes like a special cocktail and it feels comfortable. It’s like a Latin video bar.”
Guests can enjoy Latin American-inspired menu favorites, including multiple tequilas. Alternatively, you can try new ones that aren’t often offered at LGBTQ bars like Pisco Sesa, Malaquiya Sour, and Chilcano.
“We make sure the community has cocktails and liquors that are not available at other bars that they drink,” Perzza said. “We want people to feel as though they are home as much as possible. And we do specialist drinks. We do specialist nights featuring different cultures in the Latino community. In fact, we actually remove a lot of the liquor from that room and replace it with something else you can’t find anywhere else.”
Perzza explained that the idea for the space came after three redesigns of the top floor of the bar over the past year. First, it was “Pop! BAR’ – themed after the local drug legend cake pop – then a pop-up Christmas bar, and finally a world-themed bar that coincides with the city’s massive LGBTQ celebrations in June.
Following multiple themes, Perruzza partnered with Ferreira to confirm that MOR reflects the LGBTQ Latin community.
“[After going through these themes] Perzza said. We do Brazil, Colombia and Puerto Rico. We are trying to make everyone feel comfortable. There is no one type of person in the Latino community. It’s all as a whole, and he has a really good grip on it. He helped me a lot. It’s basically like he told me what to do. ”
Perruzza has felt over the years that, who has run and owned LGBTQ bars in DC for many years, feels that several segments within the community are being excluded from the nightlife space that often caters to white cisgender men. One particular example he remembers from his days at JR was involved with people who spoke about wanting the space to be more inclusive.
“I learned a long time ago. I had problems years ago. People of color came in and said, ‘We don’t feel comfortable.’ I asked, “Why that?” “We’re not watching us on TV.” [they responded]. And I realized as a white man, I don’t think about such things because when you’re white you have to resort to others to tell you what they want to see. ”
He added that opening a MOR makes sense as this majority of his staff is part of the LGBTQ and/or Latin American community.
“Most of my staff are Latin,” Perzza said. “I think about 40% of my staff are Latin. I’m sure there’s always someone in that bar… I’ve been on a Latin pop-up night. You go to this bar, they’re usually like a straight bar that doesn’t give back to the community. I always give back to the community. [Latin] People, my money always comes back. ”
MOR is open on the top floor of pitchers (2317 18th St., NW) on Friday and Saturday. Check the pitcher (@pitchersdc) and MOR’s Instagram (@Barmordc) Details of this week’s theme.
Post-pitcher’s open Latin fusion pop-up bar MOR was the first to appear in Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, and Gay News.
Source: Washington Blade: LGBTQ News, Politics, LGBTQ Rights, Gay News – www.washingtonblade.com
