Review: JACKS OF COLOR (Lots of Opinions!)

Guys, There are a lot of parties I've never checked out because they didn't seem like my scene, and JACK OF COLOR is one of them. Nothing wrong with it--just not for me. The one thing that many people has told me about this party is that the host is a great guy. His weekly email are very friendly, and he clearly really enjoys hosting sex parties. Even other hosts like Scott have said that they were inspired (my word not his) by the JACKS OF COLOR host in creating his own parties (JACKS OF COLOR is known to be very welcoming, have NO attitude, and lots of sex). Oddly, I've never had a review to post of this party until tonight. One of regular reviewers sent this in today. He reports...


"Dear Evan, I've had some negative experiences at Ed and Steve's party and at Omega recently, but I want you to know what I would consider to be a model of a well run party: Lidell's various parties held at Paddles under various names and themes. I think what distinguishes Lidell's parties is that he maintains a standard at the door (some heavy guys, but well within the realm of "beefy," and carrying it well; and definitely no unbathed octogenarians!). In addition, Lidell gets around the party and actually plays. I think this gives him a clear idea of who is and who is not playing well in the sandbox and lets everyone know that they have to be respectful of one another. Although people are eager to have sex at Lidell's parties, I've never experienced repeated, unwanted advances there. At other parties, the hosts are mainly occupied taking money and handing out garbage bags (another plus of Lidell's parties: he lets you treat your clothes like clothes, i.e., on a hanger and not as trash to be thrown around). Lidell is truly a host, chatting, flirting, keeping the vibe sexy (without the "we're in this mainly to make a buck" vibe), and adding personally to the sexual energy by playing. In addition, the staff he hires are first rate, and keep up the flirty, sexy vibe that Lidell brings. That's refreshing and hot. Perhaps Lidell has spoiled me for other parties. I admit that the standard he sets is very high. Thanks for giving us all a forum in which to distinguish the good from the bad from the mediocre."


Sounds like a cool host and one who knows how to keep a party in control. (Although personally I prefer the garbage bags to the hangers). Well, dudes, if you're game, check out the party here...

JACKS OF COLOR (Chelsea) A New York City Club For Men of Color "And Their Friends." Has HUGE parties 70-120 guys attend, all ages. An older mixed crowd/for average guys. Email here JacksOfColor@Gmail.com or check out www.jacksofcolor.com



Well, it seems gay men can agree on nothing. Here's a rebuttal to the review above from a regular contributor...

"Never liked JACKS OF COLOR party at all. The worst - is a certain type, mostly a "very much older leather fetish" crowd and a lot of the guests seem like they are on drugs and have unsafe sex. I also dont like using hangers, I prefer bags, which are used at most parties."

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OKAY, FUCK guys, I often don't know what I'm talking about -- so I appreciate so many readers keeping me in line. Well, dude, another reader, and regular review says that the go-go positive JACKS OF COLOR review that started this whole post is not accurate. So, guys, here's another point of view with rebuttal 2...

"Opinion - Rebutal JACKS OF COLOR party. I think you got it all wrong with JACKS OF COLOR party. Here's me and my partner's opinion... I hosted my own parties back in the day and use to go to many of the curent JACKS OF COLOR host's other parties. Everybody which use to go to his parties a few years back - know of how crazy and wild his parties were. I had my own negative experience at his party at the 9ave location like 3 years ago. Someone had a "very bad trip at his party" and as a result the place had problems. Never been back since !
The way Paddle is run has nothing to do with JACKS OF COLOR. Hangers and everything at Paddles were there before JACKS OF COLOR's host even started hosting parties at that Location. Paddle's Owners have many rules and run the place very tight (no smoking, drugs etc) so most of Lidel's crazy regulars have started going to other places. The place is big which minimizes groping which happens in many small places with large groups .
Don't confuse socializing or personality in the front with "money and dedication." The prize should go to the club owners that spend 18 hours per day at the clubs and 7 days per week making sure everything is running right. Not just going there to host a party , socializing for 5 hours , getting laid + paid and going home. I Know many of these Hardworking owners and they do alot of work , without making any money. The problem is they keep it too themselves and not run and talk about everything they do.
Believe me I use to host parties before - 4 years ago and at the end of the day "money is what makes the world go round". That staff which is very flirtatious and works - not just Lidel's parties " their working for a good tip", Honey". At the end of the night , conedison has to get paid, rent has to get paid , staff has to get paid , owners have to get paid , so don't confuse a nice personality (which is genetic) with what really goes on behind the scenes. Go host a party at gramery or Paddles or 38 st , The first thing out of the owner's mouth is " how many people, do you get ?
A quick buck, ? That's an unfair opinion of the many other hosts. A quick buck would be - doing one party at a hotel and going home and disappearing. All these other host might not be prince charming and are charging money .But they have been doing parties for years - have a following of people and do regular parties per month.That's not a quick buck, that's dedication!"

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DUDES--I'VE SADLY GOTTEN myself into the middle of a fight and I don't even have a dog in the race: I've never been to JACKS OF COLOR, and doubt I ever would. But guys, the original reviewer has more to add, so here we go...

"Dear Evan, Well, who is a reader to believe: a customer reporting a customer's perspective to other customers, or a party host who obviously has an axe to grind against a host he clearly doesn't like, or perhaps even a host who has been pressed into action by one of his other host pals who is a competitor to Jacks of Color? Seems an easy choice to me. Been going to parties for years and can smell the commercialism of some a mile away (a sullen host who wouldn't touch anybody at the party with a ten foot pole, a lax door policy that allows the host to collect as much money as possible even if it means that many of his guests are grossed out, etc.). That's not dedication, that's exploitation. On the other hand are parties that are obviously a labor of love for the host: the newsletters are friendly and informative, the host is a proud and out gay man and is not standoffish, the guests know better than to behave inappropriately towards one another because the host gives a fuck and circulates). Instead of contributing the biases of his party host pals, why doesn't your reader just let the party goers think for themselves?
And can we please discuss the parties as they exist now, instead of bringing in ancient history? How is the history of a party from a decade ago relevant to their status today? Who cares? I want to know what to expect this weekend, not last year."

Guys -- maybe you should check it out for yourselves. Hopefully that's the last word!