Get Out! GAY Magazine – Issue 507

BY EILEEN SHAPIRO
CELEBRITY CORRESPONDENT
BEST BAR OF THE YEAR
INTERVIEW >>>
PHOTO CREDIT: WILSONMODELS
Hi Ted, Rise Bar has had tremendous
success since its opening on Ninth
Ave @ 56th St. You, Tracy and John
Blair have even doubled the venue
in size, which is really unheard of
in the nightlife business—not to
mention in NYC nightlife. It’s an epic
challenge to conquer. What were the
reasons that you expanded your bar
to double its size?
We had wanted to expand Rise or add
another location for a while—especially
after the community board rejected our
first application for the Spot. Although
we did eventually get approval for our
sister bar, we remained vigilant for an
opportunity to add a second bar and
dance floor to Rise.
Co-owner Ted Arenas
has had phenomenal
success of Rise Bar, so
much so that he was
able to expand. Get Out!
Magazine was able to talk
to Ted regarding the bar
and their sister bar for
the near future.
When COVID hit, the business next
door to Rise vacated the space, so we
annexed it. Undertaking this expansion
during the pandemic was a huge risk,
especially given how oversaturated
Hell’s Kitchen has become with
LGBTQ+ nightlife venues. But we
believe in our brand, and we wanted to
grow our business by serving food and
having more room to accommodate
private parties, corporate events and
other celebrations.