By John Hayden

Like all good leather bars, Eagle Wilton Manors only gets better with age. The venerable bar is celebrating its fifth anniversary with a new look and a new party.

Florida Leather Weekend is November 14-17, 2024, and Eagle is about the party. They’re kicking off the weekend with a Welcome Party and Harness Night on Thursday, November 14, at 9 p.m.

The harness is a ubiquitous part of the leather look, but not all harnesses are created equal. Eagle’s Chuck King says this party is a chance for people to strut their stuff.

“There are literally thousands of styles of harnesses. They are made for all types of bodies, and not all harness types look good on everyone, so individuals should spend time trying different types to see what compliments their body the best.”

The night is also a chance to meet this year’s contestants for Mr. Eagle. There’s a lot on the line, as the winner will go to IML in Chicago in May. Making a good first impression on judges and patrons is crucial.

“Contestants should be open, eager, humble, and able to approach individuals and judges to show their true selves,” King said. “We want them to be comfortable and represent themselves by doing some service for their own travel fund.”

As for what makes a good contestant, King says it’s all about the attitude.

“We are looking for a male-identifying individual who will represent the Eagle brand in a positive light, embrace leather as part of their lifestyle, do community service, and love to travel.”

The Mr. Eagle Contest will be held at the bar at 7 p.m. on Friday, November 15.

The Eagle team is also excited about a new event: a Folsom-style street fair. On Saturday, November 16, from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m., the lot behind the bar will be home to local artists, retailers, leather makers, and fetish vendors.

Anyone familiar with the San Francisco-based party that inspired this event knows it will be a very fun and unique afternoon and night. There will be bars, DJs, performers, and more on the patio.