The Squire Lounge- Revere, MA

I have visited many clubs, but  had never visited any in New England.  So when a friend announced that he had a weekend trip planned to check on his New England dental practice I decided I would turn it into a research trip for me as well.   I dove right into to searching what the Boston area had to offer! With a list of club names in hand I started my journey as soon as the plane landed.  Taking a short trip just north of Boston Logan to Revere, Massachusetts and you find The Squire Lounge nestled just off the side of Route One.  As I make my way to the door and into the establishment my southern smile quickly fades at the lack of hospitality from the front doorman.   Instead of the expected “welcome to The Squire” and an opened door, I was greeted by a burly man barking on the phone.  He sucked hard on a Marlboro while I struggled with the heavy door.  This made me wonder what this man’s real purpose was.  A customer savvy clubs knows the value in making a customer feel welcomed and important.  He definitely did not seem to be observant enough to be security either which reminded me of a newspaper article I found on the establishment covering a stabbing in the parking lot (click for details).  The guy got away because apparently there are no cameras or security to get tag numbers or intervene soon enough. Once inside I quickly notice the retro 80s neon lights.  An illuminated Marilyn Monroe flickered on one wall while mirrors reflected it on others.  I quickly order a drink and seat myself close to the stage.  A young girl desperately lacking in confidence and pose moved slowly on the stage.  I find myself becoming bored waiting for her to come my way.  It’s very simple, I think to myself.  Pick music that make you feel (and act) powerful!  Smile. Make a quick effort to acknowledge people sitting at the stage with money in hand. Yet, so many of these girls don’t get that.  I tip her while talking, asking everything from how her shift has gone so far, how she likes the management, what other clubs she dances at and, but most importantly, who do I talk to about employment?   After explaining that she has already made $400 (mind you it is still only 4pm so I am impressed) She directs me to “Chris” the DJ.  I spy the man sitting infront of the DJ booth and make my way to his table.  He explains how the club has just been purchased making reference to “we”.  Not sure if he was implying that he was an owner or simply worked for the company. I tried to look him up but only find that a man listed as Mark Fitranti is  D&B Corps. president which also owns The Squire along with The Golden Banana, located in Peabody and Tens in Salibury Mass.  Chris informs me that many renovations are in the plans to revive the club.  After reading in The Revere Journal that the club had actually been purchased in February 2011, I wondered what was taking so long in this process.  As we talk several well dresses older gentleman make their way to the empty bar and I watch to see the girls spring into action…but wait…where were the girls?  The only ones present are the girl I met on stage and beautiful blond with a wonderful figure who strolls right past the bar making no contact with customers whatsoever.  Instead she types away hastily on her cell phone and seats herself in plain view of the customers.  I continue my conversation with Chris asking about employment.  I explain that I would like to work one weekend a month when I fly in to Boston Logan.   To my surprise Chris replies that “it would upset the other girls” and “he would just need more of a commitment from me”.  I’m sitting there thinking to myself- can this guy be this clueless?  I laugh to myself then point out what the girls, and lack thereof, are doing in “his” club at this moment. “ I would work this room so hard right now and your girls would learn so much from watching me do it”, I respond.  I mention the bored men at the bar who by now are finishing off their whiskeys and checking their watches.  I watch his expression change as he asks, “oh, well do you have your stuff in the car?”  I shake his hand in farewell, shoot him my classic sweet southern smile while winking, and say “nice to meet you Chris, good luck, and I will be sure to blog about you.”   ;-)