For years now, Wilton Manors has been growing into one of the most vibrant LGBT communities in the state. Despite the fact that we rely on tourist dollars to keep our economy going, the local crowd continues to grow and support each other. It’s always a pleasure to see people from our own community succeed. And that is certainly the case with the newest bar on Wilton Drive, Rumors. The general manager and part owner
For
years now, Wilton Manors has been growing into one of the most vibrant LGBT communities in the state. Despite the fact that we rely on tourist dollars to keep our economy going, the local crowd continues to grow and support each other. It’s always a pleasure to see people from our own community succeed. And that is certainly the case with the newest bar on Wilton Drive, Rumors. The general manager and part owner, Brendan Corman is a south Florida native who grew up in Palm Beach County. I sat down with Corman to find out what the bar has in store for us, and to see the changes they have made in the Space since Matty’s On the Drive shut down several months ago.
Brendan was working at another restaurant when he was approached by a group of investors who asked if he was interested in being the General Manager of a new place they were thinking of opening. He let them know that he was interested, but asked if he could invest as well, when they accepted his offer, he became the part owner and GM of the bar. “I’ve always tried new businesses and had an entrepreneurial spirit, I worked my way up in the restaurant and bar industry, from bus boy to waiter to bartender at Alibi – I was flattered to have been asked to come on as a manger here, and pleased that I ended up investing in the business.”
“After hearing that Matty’s was closing, we thought it would be a great opportunity to open a new type of bar on the drive, and to carve our own niche as a place on the drive where you can get a good glass of wine, a place where everyone is welcome, from fancy parties to a younger, more diverse, club scene crowd. We want to be an all-around community bar and we want to give back to the community- we want a more modern bar for everyone – someplace where everyone in the community can come and have a great time” said Corman. “We want to immerse ourselves in this community, and really help make change in Wilton Manors.”
Two weeks ago, Rumors celebrated their grand opening, after opening its doors a couple weeks earlier. The grand opening even was widely supported by the community, and was coordinated to take place during Wilton Manor’s Hearts on The Drive event, which saw the closing of Wilton Drive to vehicular traffic. Despite the rainy weather that night, Rumors was packed with people who came out to have a drink, a bite to eat, and see top notch entertainment like Misty Eyez and Latrice Royale from Rupaul’s Drag Race. The party even took over the parking lot, and the rain ended early enough that it didn’t really hamper the festivities.
Rumors is evolving the kitchen, which currently serves some great bar type food, into a place where people can come, sit down, and have a nice meal. The have brought in the kitchen management from the Court Yard Café, located a few blocks away on Wilton Drive, to manage the kitchen, develop lunch specials, and develop a menu that will work for the bar. One focus of Rumors is to really try to draw upon the lunch crowd. So far, it’s a success, and they are really looking forward to expanding the menu. One of the biggest hits so far has been the Alligator bites, which have had rave reviews from customers. The kitchen is open every day until 11 pm and they will remain open late some nights as well, especially Wednesday nights to serve customers who might not have anywhere else to get a late night meal.
Since
Rumors is predominantly a bar, of course they will feature drink specials throughout the week. From regular to late night happy hours, and pregame parties to get the blood pumping before moving on to the club, you can expect a lot from Rumors. They are also featuring their wine selection, which ranges from the high end bottles, all the way down to wines by the glass.
The owners and management team have really put a lot of effort into a remodel and the place looks great. New floors, a new pool table, remodeled bathrooms, a new paint job, and a space that has really been opened up, help to brighten up the place and make it somewhere where everyone can feel at home. They are gearing up for PrideFest, and the rest of the season here in South Florida, and look forward to becoming a part of the vibrant gay community in Fort Lauderdale.
Rumors is located at 2426 Wilton Drive in the heart of Wilton Manors. For more information on specials and events, please visit www.RumorsBarWiltonmanors.com
