It’s been six months since the unconventional opening of No Manors: Bar and Lounge. With little to no press for such a major event and boldly making an unlikely home nestled between two of Wilton Manors’ legendary LGBTQ establishments, No Manors has become a darling of The Drive. Owner and operator Steven Bialos is as busy as they come these days with several projects in the works. We were lucky enough to get Steven to chat with us about this unique strip mall speakeasy and give insight into what No Manors is all about and what we can expect in the next six months. Even as he was ending one meeting, his general manager, Jared Lewis, pulled him aside regarding decisions of the design and transformation of No Manors’ patio space that will celebrate its opening on Cinco De Mayo (Sunday, May 5, 2024).
OutClique: Congratulations on No Manors’ successful 6 months! It’s been a whirlwind, I’m sure. The Cinco de Mayo party to celebrate the new outdoor patio space sounds fabulous.
Steven Bialos: Never a dull moment. Yes, it should be! We are working with vendors for drinks, a mariachi band, and street style food. It’s going to be a fun, festive Cinco de Mayo.
OC: I have to say that I love this room! (We were seated in the more private bar in the back lined with vibrant yellow built-in banquets, a lush flamingo wallpaper print, and light fixtures that would make The Golden Girls jealous) Aesthetically, the space is so unique in its design and unlike anything else on The Drive. What was your inspiration for No Manors?
SB: We wanted you to feel transported out of Wilton Manors the moment you walk in the door to some other place completely. No Manors is a place that people haven’t seen or experienced here before. I wanted a moment of complete surprise when you entered the bar for the very first time. As far as the aesthetic is concerned, I knew it had to feel contemporary and modern and at the same time feel nostalgic. Honestly, I am still transported every time I walk in the door.
OC: I must ask, and I’m sure it gets old, but why did you choose the name “No Manors” for your bar? And why launch it now?
SB: We love a good pun too, and no, No Manors doesn’t mean no manners. No Manors means no rules, a chance to do everything differently. I wanted it to be sexy and fun and welcoming and elevated. It was important to create a space where you check the attitude at the door and just have fun. The timing all just fell into place. I saw the need for a lounge-like space, found the old bank, and it took off from there.
OC: I understand you’re from the New York/New Jersey area and you’re an investor of a highly successful, gay mainstay bar in Hell’s Kitchen but also have a background in the jewelry business. Did you feel up to the challenge of owning your own bar? Do you feel the pressure to deliver?
SB: Yes and no. I hoped that this would work, and look, we are still growing and changing and adapting. We value feedback from our patrons because at the end of the day we want to make sure we give the community something that they want while still remaining true to No Manors’ spirit.
OC: How did your past experiences in NY help shape and influence some of your core values and guide you in this endeavor?
SB: I spent most of my 20s, 30s, and part of my 40s in NYC and I was greatly influenced by my time with friends in various bars, clubs, and lounges there. They showed me things I never dreamed of, and they were always lavish and exciting. You never knew who you were sitting next to, it could have been a CEO of a fortune 500 or a hustler, it didn’t matter. We were all there for the same thing: fun.
OC: What sets No Manors apart from other establishments in Wilton Manors?
SB: For one thing, the space is unlike anything on The Drive. Our lounge is the largest on The Drive where people can come in and sit with their friends, whether it is a cozy duo or group of ten. They can have a conversation and actually hear one another, sip a well crafted cocktail, and be entertained by our extremely gifted performers.
OC: Any signature drinks that patrons shouldn’t miss?
SB: The Hot Whore: Cilantro and jalapeno infused tequila, Ancho Verde, lime, agave, and tajin rum. It’s spicy, salty, sweet . . . it’s No Manors in a glass.
OC: Just using one or two phrases, what would you say to someone who hasn’t been to No Manors before?
SB: When you’re here we see you, we hear you, we value you, and we celebrate you – Just expect the unexpected and have a great time.
OC We’ve heard about the burlesque and various performers . . . shall we say, inspired acts at No Manors. What inspired this unique entertainment choice and how has it been received by guests?
SB: I loved the idea of having entertainment that really harkened back to a time when live performances were in demand but doing it with a twist. The entertainers are beautiful, and their costumes are intricate and lavish. It’s sometimes sexy, sometimes absurd, sometimes both, and the act is between. It leaves some here speechless and coming back for more. There is something for everyone.
OC: We hear great things about the music here on the weekends. What are you doing differently?
SB: We have a solid crew in DJ JB Burgos, Trevor Oldroyd, and Citizen Jane – they read the crowd, and play the anthems and big hits of the moment and disco but package them in a way that makes it feel fresh, light, and fun. You won’t hear their remixes elsewhere.
OC: How does No Manors contribute to, or support, the local LGBTQ+ community?
SB: Just last week our good friend and trans icon, Candis Cayne alongside creative partner, Danna Davis, stopped in to premiere “Diaper Doll”, a hilarious short film bringing awareness to major issues facing the trans community. And coming up next month we are partnering with Equality Florida, the organization on the front lines of the “Don’t Say Gay” laws in an attempt to involve younger members of our community and get them involved with local politics.
OC: One last thing, can you tell us more about the new in-house burlesque company, House of No Manors, and No Manors debut show “Etiquette”?
SB: Our entertainment director, Joshua Kenney, has pushed for us to produce our own show and he has done a wonderful job. Joshua has been working with our resident stars, Damien Lenore and Phoenix Lenore, to create a show that will not only leave you completely wowed but also make sure that we don’t rest on our laurels, ensuring the show will always feel fresh which as an audience member is thrilling. There isn’t a show like this in Fort Lauderdale. It’s going to show you what burlesque was, what it is now, and where it will go. We want to push the envelope of what’s possible in our space and leave people with an experience they will want to come back to again and again, whether it’s with a date or friends visiting from out of town. I don’t want to spoil any details.
The show is called Etiquette: A Proper Education in the Art of the Tease. Right now, we are previewing Sundays at 7:30PM with an opening night planned for Sunday June 9, 2024, at 7:30PM. For now, its first come first serve but it will be reserved seating in the coming weeks.
OC: Steven, thank you so much for carving out some time for us! Where can readers go to find more information about No Manors and all the upcoming events?
SB: No, thank you! Follow us on Instagram @nomanorsbar or you can go to www.NoManorsBar.com for our Facebook link.
