Pink
19910 Hoover Road, Detroit
(313) 521-8433
The turnout at Pink was so vibrant this past weekend that, although 550 people made it into the new lesbian bar in Detroit, others had to be turned away.
"We probably would have reached close to 700 people," said Alana Faulk, owner of Pink.
Faulk, who also owns Stilettos in Inkster, was sick of Detroit bars giving lesbians one night a week and, even then, not grasping that gay men and women are polar opposites.
"Guys just want to dance and party and women are different," Faulk said. "Women want to be there with friends … . They (other bars) don't understand that that's what women are looking for. Not an empty, open feeling."
The intimate ambience of Pink maintains the club aura of Stilettos, but allows lesbians to experience what gay men have for years at bars like Pronto in Ferndale.
"I wanted a lesbian bar for lesbians run by lesbians," Faulk said. There's one form of entertainment that's popular at Stilettos that won't be finding a home at Pink. That's drag.
"We want different forms of entertainment," Faulk said.
To achieve a unique setting, Faulk decided Pink would boost a full kitchen (including after work specials), live music (Melissa Ferrick is booked for January), special DJs, karaoke, comedians and elaborate productions.
But accommodating such entertainment required a thorough renovation of the building at 19910 Hoover Road.
"It was a mess," Faulk said.
A crew of friends and Stilettos' customers, about 20 women and a few men, transformed the old-fashioned space into a trendy nightclub.
"We got our hammers out and we rebuilt that place from top to bottom on our own," Faulk said.
The appearance of Pink drastically contrasts with Stilettos. Divided into mini sections, with little nooks (some with TVs and dart boards), Pink's more for those who would like the best of both worlds: an intimate atmosphere and the bump and grind dance floor.
"You can be part of the big party or branch off and have some quiet time," Faulk said. "Women like to talk; they like to have conversations."
The party area has an elevated caged dance floor and two smaller dancer stages with chrome poles for the go-go girls. Patrons can reserve Pink's VIP rooms with a fireplace and leather furniture. Various themes, such as Old School on Wednesday and Rumba (Latin vibe) on Thursday (which kicks off the first Saturday in December), highlight each night.
"That's something women like," Faulk said. "It's been a request from the older crowd, which we're trying to attract."
Pink's three parking lots are fenced, well lit and guarded heavily by security.
"It's a pretty big bar," Faulk said. "It's a lot different from Stilettos."
