We’ve heard rumors for months about an upcoming remodel of the 31-year-old JR’s Bar & Grill Dallas, billed as “Texas’ most successful gay nightclub.” This morning, those rumors were finally confirmed.
Rick Espaillat, a spokesman for JR’s owner Caven Enterprises, reports that work began today on a month-long project which, among other things, will give the club a ground-level patio along Cedar Springs Road. When we asked how much of the interior of the club will be eliminated for the patio, Espaillat replied, “You’ll just have to wait and see.”
The last time JR’s underwent significant renovations was 1998, when the second floor and balcony were added, Espaillat said. The club will remain open during the project. Here’s his full statement:
Work began this morning on the new series of improvements to JR’s Bar & Grill Dallas.
The project will bring better, more pedestrian-friendly sidewalks with new trees; better views from the existing upstairs patio, and a new downstairs patio that will give JR’s guests a front-row seat to the gay Crossroads. Work is expected to take a month to complete.
“We’re always looking for ways to grow and improve. These changes will add to the variety of JR’s, enhance the character of our neighborhood and add to the beautification of Cedar Springs as well” said Gregg Kilhoffer, President of Caven Enterprises.
JR’s Bar & Grill Dallas was created in 1980. Though still in its original location, the iconic club has grown through three renovations to become Texas’ most successful gay nightclub. It is owned and managed by Caven Enterprises, an employee-owned company with over 100 staff members.
John, That ls very awesome. I love to see continued area improvement in da’hood. Congrats to JR’s and of course to the Cedar Springs Merchants Association.
I hope they do more to this bar than just make a patio. The smelly flooring needs to be ripped up and they need to hire a maid. Next time you are there be sure to look up at the area over the downstairs bar. It is FILTHY. You can see MOUNDS and GLOBS of dust and grim that has collected over the years. They have that model ship up there and it looks like the actual underwater Titanic with layers of dust just growing and hanging off of it. The ceiling tiles are filthy too. Last time I was there on a Friday night I could smell vomit. If the patrons of JR’s are going to continually throw up in the bar then perhaps JR’s should consider getting flooring that is more wipable rather than good flooring. It holds the smell and you can’t get the vomit up completely. Also, the last time I went to JR’s there was this HUGE roach climbing up the wall right behind my friend’s back. It stopped and turned towards us and lifted its wings like it was about to take flight. We had to get up and move to another side of the bar. It’s a shame because I really like this bar, but I always ask myself why I go to a place that is just so grimy and dirty inside. Look at the walls….filth. It doesn’t take much to apply a coat of paint….but they don’t care. Like I said…next time you are there look at the dust above the bar. People of JR’s….clean your bar NOW!
I honestly feel that a downstairs patio will kill the “feel” of JR’s. Not all change is good. Of course this is just my opinion.
I have lived in Dallas since the mid ’80’s, and been there with each and every one of JR’s expansions. I can remember when it was barely larger than the inside of a bus, and would be crammed to capacity on Saturday night. Each expansion has been an improvement, and I predict that adding a downstairs patio will also make some improvements over the current floor plan. Although I am not a smoker, I’m sure this is also being done to accommodate JR’s patrons who smoke, so they won’t have to stand outside the bar. Glad to see ongoing renovations in the gayborhood, especially with the recent demise of the Bronx.
Would be nice to see people filling this patio and the new Macho Nacho patio across the street.
Tony, the roach was just taking a break from Pandas.
Well i am all for improvement and am excited to see how it all turns out after the finished product is completed. I really love how the restrooms were refurbished and updated as they look better than some peoples homes. .I have been going to JR’s Bar & Grill since i first moved out here in ’96 when it was nothing more as Kevin above states (barely larger than the inside of a bus) and have made it as my favorite hangout and place to go. I have met a lot of great folks there and enjoy the staff as well. Keep up the good work.
It’s about time the other side of the street caught up with the other side. It’s too bad that both sides couldn’t come to together and make it consistent with each side. The gayborhood in Chicago has a great street, Halsted as if you didnt know, but they have street lights that line the street that are both nice, bright and have a gay theme to them. Yes, their city/neighborhoods that surround it has a vital interest in keeping the area crime, peddling, and garbage and trash free. Tony is right on. The bars can do a lot to update their look…but with a few coats of paint and a couple new screen doors, the places will be the same if they arent kept up. The establishments have been let go. There is no pride in CASH COWS. Caven has been interested in making a fast buck without really looking at the customers they are trying to attract. People don’t want to go into establishments with ceiling fans about to pull out of the ceiling because of dust, the stink, the rotting boards in the old floors, and the old interiors in the old smoke filled environment still there from three years ago. Look at the flats screens they’ve invested in.. they went out six months after they were installed… look at the CRTs they’ve been replacing with cheap flat screens that will go out and will take forever to get replaced. It’s been all down hill. Its nice they may be trying something different, but a month??? Doesn’t sound like anything major if its only a month.. You want to do a real overhaul.. say 8-10 months or maybe a year to get a real face lift and then I’ll believe you’re for real.
Update. The tiny patio sits empty. Not enough people smoke in Dallas to want to use a patio in the 105 degree weather or they go up stairs to better dresses.
The bathrooms look wonderful. Did they do anthing else? Maybe they should drop the drink prices to bring people in. Since the bar is still empty most nights.Lipstick on Sarah Palin is just Lipstick on Sarah Palin.
Patio sits empty because it’s a 100degees outside and/or cigarette smoke pollutes the stale air in that small space. I recommend some misters, fans and perhaps ask smokers to smoke elsewhere (like at Reverchon Park or say Ft Worth).
CMD – reverchon? Why make the people that go to the R for relief have to deal with smoke.
Send the smokers to sue ellens. they like smoke there.
B, I was being facetious of course but do believe the heat is killing it for now but if smokers take that small space over it just becomes an ashtray with chairs.