BEST OF HMS PODCASTS - TUESDAY - December 31, 2024 - BS West Announces It's Closing This Weekend - January 2024

Summary

Holmberg's Morning Sickness - Arizona: Best of HMS Podcasts - Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Host: John Holmberg
Co-Hosts: Brady Bogen, Bret Vesely, Dick Toledo
Release Date: December 31, 2024
Station: 98 KUPD | Hubbard Radio

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Episode Overview

In this special "Best of HMS Podcasts" episode, aired on December 31, 2024, John Holmberg and his co-hosts delve into the surprising announcement that BS West, a cornerstone of Arizona's LGBTQ+ nightlife, is closing its doors after 35 years of operation. The discussion navigates through the potential reasons behind the closure, its impact on the local community, and the future landscape of gay bars in the Valley.

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BS West Announces Its Closure

The episode kicks off with Bret Vesely introducing the unexpected news that BS West, a prominent gay bar located in Old Town Scottsdale, is shutting down this weekend. Brett remarks on the suddenness of the announcement:

Bret Vesely [00:58]: "After 35 years in the Valley abruptly closing its doors."

This revelation sets the stage for an in-depth conversation among the hosts about the implications for the local LGBTQ+ community.

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Reasons Behind the Closure

The hosts speculate on the factors contributing to BS West's closure. While rent increases and financial pressures are suggested, Brett expresses skepticism about financial struggles being the sole reason:

Bret Vesely [04:23]: "Why is it closing and why did no one know?... BS West was packed full. They weren't losing money unless the gays just stopped going."

Larry and Wayne add their perspectives, considering possibilities like the owner's retirement or unforeseen circumstances:

Larry [04:03]: "So something's going on."

Wayne [04:15]: "Maybe it's gotta be if they're announcing it that they're gonna close it right on Sunday."

Despite these theories, the exact cause remains unclear, leaving room for further speculation.

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Impact on the LGBTQ+ Community

The closure of BS West is portrayed as a significant loss for Arizona's gay community. Brett laments the scattering effect it will have, comparing it to the disruption caused when a familiar establishment shuts down:

Bret Vesely [04:04]: "They're gonna have some sort of celebratory close the streets moment."

The hosts discuss the role BS West has played as a safe and vibrant space for LGBTQ+ individuals, emphasizing its importance over the past three and a half decades.

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Personal Anecdotes and Reflections

Brett shares personal memories and experiences from BS West, highlighting its enduring popularity and the camaraderie it fostered:

Bret Vesely [05:17]: "BS west was packed full. We'd get there at, you know, eight at night, packed full. We'd leave at two in the morning."

Wayne recalls his visits in the late '90s and early 2000s, reminiscing about the inclusive atmosphere and the ease with which patrons could connect:

Wayne [17:38]: "Like John was talking about in the 90s. I went a couple of times."

These narratives underscore the deep-rooted significance of BS West within the community.

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Future Outlook and Community Response

The hosts brainstorm potential successors and alternatives to BS West, contemplating the establishment of new gay bars to fill the void left by its closure. Brett suggests the possibility of KDKB launching a gay bar:

Bret Vesely [04:46]: "Guys, you need to start the KDKB bar. There's an opening."

Larry and Diane contribute ideas for new establishments, emphasizing the need for inclusive and welcoming spaces:

Larry [12:10]: "Those drivers would call that area the Rock and things that rhyme with rock bars. Now that it's closing, I'm sure the guys will head to a New Town saloon."

The conversation reflects a sense of resilience and optimism about the community's ability to adapt and thrive despite the loss of BS West.

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Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a collective sense of nostalgia and hope. The hosts honor the legacy of BS West, acknowledging its pivotal role in shaping Arizona's LGBTQ+ nightlife. They express confidence that new venues will emerge to continue fostering the spirit of community and inclusivity that BS West embodied.

Bret Vesely [18:44]: "I'm curious about why it's closing, but again, yeah, I admire the gays for that kind of stuff."

John Holmberg closes the discussion by reaffirming the station's commitment to keeping listeners informed and engaged with the evolving dynamics of Arizona's cultural landscape.

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Notable Quotes

• Bret Vesely [00:58]: "After 35 years in the Valley abruptly closing its doors."
• Bret Vesely [04:04]: "They're gonna have some sort of celebratory close the streets moment."
• Wayne [17:38]: "Like John was talking about in the 90s. I went a couple of times."
• Bret Vesely [18:44]: "I'm curious about why it's closing, but again, yeah, I admire the gays for that kind of stuff."

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This episode of Holmberg's Morning Sickness provides a heartfelt exploration of BS West's closure, offering listeners a comprehensive look into its significance and the broader implications for Arizona's LGBTQ+ community.

Transcript

[John Holmberg]

All right, HMS Podcast, time again to let you know where to go for some great comedy in the Valley this week. Get out to the Tempe Improv on the east side to see Paul Versey on Thursday and Beth Stelling Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The Desert Ridge Improv up north features Sarah Weinschenk this Thursday and Joe DeRosa on Friday and Saturday. And downtown at Stand Up Live, check out the very funny Lil Rel performing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for the complete lineups. And for tickets, go to standuplive.com desertridgeimprov.com and tempeimprov.com it's John Holberg here.

[Brett]

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[Diane]

And.

[Brett]

And all you have to do is trust the experts at the Core Institute head there right now. The Core Institute dot com. There's more of the best of Homburg's morning sickness. 98 KUPD it is for Brett. This is a killer for you. Oh. The next piece of information I have after 35 years in the Valley abruptly closing its doors.

[Diane]

Italian American Center.

[Brett]

Oh, most people have no BS West. Where will they go? It's like breaking up the zone downtown. There's gonna be scattering of gays all over on Saturday.

[Larry]

Now we're having another parade.

[Brett]

God, I know. That's what I was gonna say, Brett, is they're gonna have some sort of celebratory close the streets moment. But why would BS west the look that if you couldn't keep BS west open just on condom bathroom sales alone, that place crawling with money, dual income, 100% earners wander around inside BS west just looking for a few drinks and a cozy hole to sit in. That. You know what I meant. Why is it closing and why did no one know? They announced it yesterday. It's closing Sunday. BS west, if you don't know, is like the most famous, most open gay bar that's ever lived in Old Town Scottsdale and actually a pretty fun place if you've ever been there. It's a, it's. It's flat out just for a straight person wandering in there looking, especially back before every before. And look, I'm gonna say this and then make people how easy it is to be gay now. It used to not be that way and it wasn't that long ago. And you go into the gay bar. I remember going back in like 1999, 2000 and wandering in there and it was like, you know, still a little bit less kosher for like you. They had to be careful of who was coming in. Especially when you could tell when straight guys like me and my. I wasn't in cut off jean shorts and a tank top. I was dressed, I was dressed a little bit like Eddie Vedder a lot. And I wandered. They could tell right off the bat. The gaydar went off. And I'm in there and like, is he here for no good reason? I'm like, no, you weren't in there.

[Wayne]

To get your dance on.

[Brett]

No, I was in there to look around. Like I wasn't, you know, shopping or anything. I just wanted to see what is this about the time of my life with a couple of people. It was a blast. But they're closing on Sunday, so. Yeah, Brett's right. The only thing I lament in this entire deal is the unbelievable parade that's coming because the gays won't stop parading every chance they get. But BS west closing is a real knock on the whole gay community. And it just basically rent went up.

[Wayne]

Maybe it's gotta be if they're announcing it that they're gonna close it right on Sunday.

[Brett]

You think it means that the New Year's rent. But they wouldn't. Wouldn't they have known that they're area.

[Wayne]

That could get pretty high rent and they're crushing. Wow.

[Brett]

They are crushing. If you've definitely not enough. Well, they didn't say they're closing because they're broke. The Guy said after 35 years he's done.

[Wayne]

Oh, maybe he's retired.

[Larry]

Well, you think he could sell that?

[Brett]

Exactly.

[Larry]

So something. Something's going on.

[Brett]

Something ain't right. But if he's broke, it might be like not new land, doing well with the money. Yeah, but okay, but you would have known that a month or so ago. You don't announce it yesterday and close Sunday. Yeah.

[Diane]

Why wouldn't you take advantage of a full month of letting people know, hey, we're closing.

[Brett]

You don't just shutting the doors this quick on something that. You know, kind of legendary.

[Diane]

Furniture stores, they had their New Year's blowout.

[Larry]

Negotiations could have broke down or something.

[Brett]

He quit and just bailed out. Yeah, but he's bailing out on his staff and. But all I know is it's just like, all right, gays, scatter. They're gonna be all over the place. Like, what bars now? What's next? And if you're smart, start yourself a gay bar.

[Larry]

KDKB gonna be doing live remotes there all week or what?

[Brett]

I'm gonna go down there this week. And I know they don't want to hear from me, but I'm like, guys, you need to start the KDKB bar. There's an opening. There is a place for you. BS west closes. You need to be that comfort place that they. You need to be a soft landing spot. That or a hard landing spot is a word. But you have a landing spot for the. You know, the BS West. Weekends when we used to play at Rock Bar, marvel at the fact that people watching. Unbelievable how full that place always was. We'd go, drop our stuff off, do a sound check at noon. BS west was packed full.

[John Holmberg]

We'd leave.

[Brett]

BS west was packed full. We'd get there at, you know, eight at night, packed full. We'd leave at two in the morning. Packed full. It was how they weren't losing money unless the gays just stopped going. But gays don't do that. There's a whole new batch of gays. Like a bunch of young gays that aren't afraid to be gay. Like, that's a great place. If I was gay. I mean, gayer. I'm gay. I'm just not doing anything about it. Like, that's where I would go. Like, it was guaranteed ass. Like, if they had bars for straight guys. Like, BS west was. You're getting laid, everybody. It's men. It's a. You gotta remember. It's a group of dudes with the. We're all in for the same reason. You don't need the giant fat gay guy at two in the morning who everyone was getting at least one assinite. If you struck out at BS west as a gay, you were terrible at.

[Wayne]

Something's wrong with you.

[Diane]

The gays have grenades too.

[Brett]

No, they don't need them. We're dudes. We're dudes. We're out to get laid. So is he. This is easy. That's why being gay is better. As a man, there is less effort involved in, like, I want to get laid. I know you want to get laid. We don't really have to, you know, make this mean anything, right? It becomes primal, like just playing cave drums. There's no, like, courting. I mean, you know, there is in a process, but after, you know, the gay bar. Awesome, promiscuous awesomeness. If there was a place like that where just straight people could go and it was like, this is a. You're knocking one out of here. It's not. You have to go find the one. That's easy. Everybody in there is easy. They're men.

[Wayne]

I don't think that term is in there. Striking out.

[Brett]

Well, you don't strike out at BS West. You literally have to have visible AIDS on your face to strike out at BS West. So it has to be like spiders crawling out of you that have the word AIDS written on. Like, that's the only way you strike out at BS West. And even still, there'll be a bro.

[Wayne]

That'Ll give you a hand no matter what.

[Brett]

And yeah, you're getting an old fashioned no matter what. I just wipe those spiders off your lips. I'm not doing that one. But striking out at BS west, in my opinion, had to be impossible. Even if it was like ugly guy night and they had banners up, ugliest dude in America. He's getting laid at BS West. So I'm sorry, gays, you've lost your. Your awesome place to hang. And it's kind of a shocker because it is a. It's an institution in the city whether you like it or not. It was a 35 years well known tip your cap to BS west for being. And now I don't know what reference I can use. Charlie's, I guess, would be the only other one.

[Larry]

But when you went for tacos with Emo Williams. Is that Emo Phillips?

[Brett]

That was Charlie's, yeah. Emo Phillips. Who? I've just found out Amsterdam's still open.

[Larry]

I don't.

[Brett]

The Hamster Jam.

[Diane]

Yeah, Ain't nobody's business.

[Brett]

I don't think that's still there.

[Wayne]

I don't think maybe that changed.

[Brett]

There's a lot of gay hangouts, but not like exclusive, you know? You know, gay is so okay now that you can go in all of them, but still you want a gay. Like, bikers are. They're allowed everywhere, but they still have biker bars. I'm sure I don't know this for sure because I probably not fit in. But like, I'm sure there's Mexican bars and black bars that are mostly you Know that even though they can go everywhere, everybody can go anywhere they want. The only thing you can't have is like, an exclusively white bar that's just called Scottsdale and Gilbert. It just happens naturally. It's like. It's not an intention. It's not an intentional thing. Gilbert is a gigantic white bar that.

[Diane]

Closes at 8 with tough sounding names. Barrio Queen.

[Brett]

Well, that's everywhere.

[Diane]

I know, but that's what I mean. They put those in the white air zone.

[Wayne]

We got lolos.

[Brett]

The door is. Yeah, we've got chicken and waffles. My son Braden works there. He pours the syrup.

[Diane]

Where does Caden work?

[Brett]

Yeah. Oh, he's there as well.

[Wayne]

He's at Shaq's Big Chicken.

[Brett]

Yeah, we've gone very urban. I mean, we're diverse here in Gilbert.

[Diane]

Did they allow Shaq's Big Chicken in Gilbert?

[Brett]

Oh, yeah.

[Wayne]

It's downtown Gilbert.

[Brett]

We're closing early this week, and we're look of the goons. Don Holmberg's morning sickness.

[Unknown]

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Hey, it's Larry McFeely here with Wayne from Amco. And Wayne, now that it's getting warmer, I turned on the AC in my car and the air's blowing kind of cool, but it really smells like a basement. What can I do about that, Larry?

Your car's AC system should be checked and serviced every year. Plus, replacing the cabin air filter helps the air blow strong and takes away any nasty smell.

[Brett]

Nice.

[Unknown]

Is that a big deal to get done?

[Brett]

Not at all.

[Unknown]

It takes about an hour, and in most cases, we can do it while you wait.

That's awesome.

I'll say. We're Amco.

Google Amco for your nearest location. That's Amco Double A MCO transmissions and a whole lot more home birds.

[Brett]

Morning sickness, but yeah, it's so BS West. Closing is kind of a shocker. Kind of a. Well, I don't mean a shocker like that. You can't do a shocker if you're gay. You can only do half of one. But. So I don't know where they're gonna end up. But this is the same as saying the zone is closed and then there's homeless people all over. The gays are gonna be. They've been displaced. I don't know.

[Wayne]

Maybe it'll take a while. Like Cleo's mentioned like a furniture. You can't scatter them equipment.

[Brett]

They said Sunday that it's closed. So this is the last weekend and then next weekend. Who knows what it's gonna do. Well, yeah, but do you open a gay bar in the old gay bar? If it's that successful, I would just keep it alive.

[Wayne]

Yeah.

[Brett]

Something's going on. We don't know.

[Larry]

Yeah, because you think they would have just sold the business then and somebody else taking it over something.

[Wayne]

Building being demolished.

[Brett]

Maybe. Maybe rebuild. It's just smells too much like the. Yeah, the tree. I. I'm so ruined by that. Sisu is always what I've called it and everybody always eats.

[Larry]

That's what it is.

[Brett]

It doesn't matter. It's a pear tree. They're the invasive rooted trees. And the other one that smells like a man's seed isn't a sisu. But it's what I've always known should.

[Larry]

Open a new bar called Sisu's.

[Brett]

Oh, let's open it. Yeah, absolutely.

[Larry]

That's a money machine right there.

[Brett]

Let's open the Sisu Tree. Let's do it. There's an opening in the. In the. The market has a hole, so to speak. The most popular gay bar in Phoenix is now closed. The Sisu Tree must sprout from its. Its ashes.

[Larry]

Well, we know there's a lease available.

[Brett]

Oh man. Just go get the BS West. I mean the mop up is going to be atrocious. You better get some money from that landlord to get all that blech off the walls. It's a lot.

[Wayne]

We're gonna need some TI on that.

[Brett]

How much? The TI is gonna be hundreds of thousands of dollars just to scrape the. This place wasn't true. You thought it was white paint, but it's not. This place was blue. I didn't know that. The walls have been white for years.

[Wayne]

It's like wiping off the Sistine Chapel.

[Diane]

They didn't realize they used bright colors.

[Brett]

Holy cow. Look underneath all the white paint.

[Diane]

Look at the frescoes underneath here.

[Brett]

That's not paint. How did you guys get it so even? We're good. We decorate. Boy, did you what we do. The floors are all like, everything I was. You know, and it was a. It was a fun bar. So I hate to see it go. I like to see. You know, I like to keep everything kind of in order. And that's. That's busting it out of order. BS west, no more. And I know Brett's DJ weekends are now coming to a club available now into a lot of time. I've witnessed some stuff over there in that BS west parking lot, just hanging out at Rock Bar in their little patio bar. You could peek over at BS west, and there was some stuff that you just. It was just. And I. That's where me and my friend Doug Fairchild sentence and how easy would it be to be gay? Look at them. They come out of. They just storm out of. They don't even make it a few steps out of the bar. And the next thing you know, you got a hand on a crotch and a dude's just tongue deep into another dude. And I'm like, they're just. They're five feet out of the bar. That does not occur in regular US Bars. Us heterosexuals have to. Gotta take her to dinner. And Nuh. Dudes just being dudes, they just want to do what dudes do. And how frustrating would it be to be a. You know, at the gay bar and you got a court. They got. Well, no, I just. I'm not that easy again. Well, guess what? You're gonna be here alone. Everybody in here. I am not wasting another minute buying you another drink. Anyway, BS West, I've heard so many.

[Wayne]

Different versions, but what was the BS Part of West? The guy's name, initials.

[Brett]

I have no idea. No clue.

[Wayne]

And does he have one in the south and East?

[Brett]

Yeah, I don't. I don't know if they have BS east and BS West. If they have BS east, you guys would have burned it down by now with your Maga flag. That's what they should open the maga bar. I still like Sisu's Sisu tree. Has to happen. I can even see the logo. Yeah, Sisu tree. And it just. It looks like a tree, but what it really is is an erupting. Just seed just spraying out all over. Anyway. Well, good luck, gays. I hope you don't have a parade. And let's not celebrate this too heavily, because it's annoying when you do that. Oh, this guy says, oh, that's smart. He says, business closed. Wasn't expected to close 5 days ago. My guess is the guy from BS west on Epstein's list, he's just running for it. Yeah. The Globetrotters have never had a lopsided scoring situation quite like BS west did. That's very true. It's. It was. If you couldn't. If you can't get laid at a gay bar, as a gay, you're switch back. Just becoming heterosexual. Because that's just how it is. It's. It's ridiculous. Yeah. All right. Some people are being disgusting on.

[Larry]

You know, there's one over there too.

[Brett]

Oh, no, not too bad. That one's just gross. Says I used to deliver kegs for Hensley, and I delivered to BS west and Rock Bar. The drivers would call that area the Rock and things that rhyme with rock bars. Now that it's closing, I'm sure the guys will head to a New Town saloon. They have a giant white rooster as you walk in the door. I mean, there's right over here on Van Buren. Oh, is it? I wouldn't know that.

[Larry]

Next to. Yeah, next to the. The barbecue joint there.

[Diane]

Honey bears.

[Larry]

Yeah.

[Brett]

New Town Saloon. But that's not in a fun location.

[Diane]

Yeah, no, no.

[Brett]

That's a pure getting laid bar. And on a white rooster as you wander in is. No, like, look, you're here for one thing. The White rooster. Ah, the drenched white rooster. That's what. That's a Greek gay bare name. The Drenched white Rooster. Drenched Rooster. You don't even have to be white because then it sounds racist, but we all know it's gonna be at the end of the night. As gays say, we're all white on the inside.

[Larry]

Oh.

[Diane]

Myron Marron.

[Larry]

Feel like I've been stabbing my heart.

[Brett]

Anyway, goodbye, BSWeb. I want to know the truth, though. I want to know what really happened. They just don't abruptly close. 35 year success.

[Wayne]

You said Sunday.

[Brett]

Sunday.

[Wayne]

So this weekend's gonna be huge.

[Brett]

Oh, I can't imagine how much money.

[Diane]

Making plans pretty.

[Brett]

Yeah, I'd go down there and take a look at that, but they're gonna. They're gonna have. They're gonna close rough. Gays love closing streets. Man, do they love things.

[Diane]

Did you make it there for an hour? You hang out for an hour at BS west on closing night.

[Larry]

Never get in.

[Wayne]

Like John was talking about in the 90s. I went a couple of times.

[Brett]

You go there by yourself for an hour?

[Wayne]

By myself, sure.

[Brett]

On the night it closes, come back.

[Diane]

And give Kirby the three fingers.

[Wayne]

Don't know about that.

[Brett]

Put a couple fingers. Daddy had fun at the closing.

[Unknown]

Whoo.

[Brett]

Alone for an hour in BS west on closing night. You'd get ragdolled. You wouldn't have like something would happen to you. Such a bear. I don't know what happened. I think I got Spanish flown.

[Diane]

Yeah, you did, Brady.

[Brett]

Goodbye, B.S. west. I'll miss you. I'll miss visually seeing, but New Town.

[Larry]

Saloon literally right over here.

[Brett]

That's not a good one.

[Diane]

That doesn't seem like a good place.

[Larry]

Yeah, just they got the flags out front.

[Brett]

Like there's a lot of that because.

[Larry]

I've driven by them.

[Diane]

Flags, right.

[Brett]

Yeah. Yeah. Well, I mean, you know, maybe the.

[Larry]

Other two, but I, you know, they're.

[Brett]

Out front, they're out back. There's flags everywhere.

[Larry]

They're definitely out back.

[Brett]

Yeah. Yeah. It's an interesting thing. I'm curious about that. I'm bi curious about why it's closing, but again, yeah, I admire the gays for that kind of stuff. They you go in with an agenda and you leave with an item.

[Larry]

I've seen that building right there on. Oh, sure, yeah.

[Brett]

Oh, I thought, I thought they got like a. 50 years too.

[Larry]

They've been open longer in BS West.

[Brett]

No kidding. They've got that big Eiffel Tower on it. Has it always been a gay bar?

[Larry]

As far as I know.

[Unknown]

But where's the rooster?

[Brett]

That's inside.

[Wayne]

Oh, it's inside.

[Brett]

The rooster is inside. How about that Newtown Saloon?

[Wayne]

Eiffel Tower too?

[Brett]

Yeah. Oh, there's a lot of echo. Oh, there it is. Yeah, I know. I. There's the rooster. I've never, never been, never, never needed to go in there. I would have never known that was a gay bar.

[Larry]

It doesn't look like it looks like a biker bar from outside.

[Brett]

BMW with an Eiffel Tower and a gay foot. Huh? Probably fun. Well, that'll be the next one. Arizona's most powerful rock radio station. He said fully erect.

[Unknown]

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