With all that the Flamingo has to offer, why not come down and help celebrate their milestone as they ring in four years in business this coming weekend, August 23-25. Everything will be priced in fours (ex. a room for $44.44/night) to not only celebrate the milestone of four years in business but also to give discounts to all who attend. There will be a T-Dance on Saturday and Sunday, as well as a free anniversary CD giveaway to all attendees…
Flamingo Resort Turns Four
Pinellas Fixture Celebrates their Anniversary August 23-25
Four years ago, business partners David Reinhardt and David Baker bought the JMS Hotel on 34th Street South in St. Petersburg, which had become run-down and an eyesore to its neighbors, and transformed it into a gay resort called The Flamingo. In the process the transformation of the JMS into the Flamingo gave the community in Tampa Bay and in Florida a new place to vacation and party. It also satisfied their neighbors and the local civic association, as the area became beautiful again.
From the resort’s beginnings, it has now expanded to include their recently renovated restaurant, Hemingway’s Key West Grille; specialty shops such as a jewelry shop and a travel agency; facilities for gshradio.com; and an HIV testing site run by the AIDS Services Association of Pinellas (the latter has been a part of the Flamingo since its doors opened).
All that is not even mentioning the different entertainment options available at the Flamingo, and they
are plentiful. Show director Iman presides over the resort’s signature Saturday night show, bringing out the hottest talent in Tampa Bay and points beyond, and Kamden T. Cass hosts a show on Wednesday evenings. In addition, there are seven different bars with different themes for you to choose from, such as the poolside Cabana Bar and and the similarly outdoor-themed Hurricane Bar.
With all that the Flamingo has to offer, why not come down and help celebrate their milestone as they ring in four years in business this coming weekend, August 23-25. Everything will be priced in fours (ex. a room for $44.44/night) to not only celebrate the milestone of four years in business but also to give discounts to all who attend. There will be a T-Dance on Saturday and Sunday, as well as a free anniversary CD giveaway to all attendees. Go to www.flamingofla.com to find out the special themes for their anniversary parties and other anniversary news!
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Hotspots was lucky to get the chance to interview Tom G., hospitality and marketing director at the Flamingo Resort, to discuss the successes of the past four years.
How does it feel to celebrate four years in business?
It’s awesome. In four short years we have built a great customer base, and appreciate everyone who comes out to the Flamingo! We have much more fun and exciting promotions and packages to come.
Considering the economy has been less than ideal the last few years, what has Flamingo done right to succeed in these trying times?
We try and provide a really fun experience for everyone who comes here and we offer reasonable prices. We like to be involved in the community and also host charity events, and of course a foam party every so often doesn’t hurt.
What do your guests enjoy the most about the resort?
Our guests like the fact that they can come here, park and stay over, and then party. Along with being able to eat here at our restaurant, and enjoying the big pool too, they never have to leave our property.
Of the seven bars, which is the most popular with customers?
Since we have a number of bars with different themes, the customers like to go from bar to bar and see what’s going on at each one. So much so, we’re going to have a bar crawl soon using all seven bars for guests to have fun cruising within our resort.
Flamingo always puts on special events: which one from the past four years was everyone’s favorite?
We have had wet and wild weekends, leather weekends, and porn star weekends go over well, as well as themed drag shows. A new favorite is the foam and fog party, and of course everyone likes the huge gay pride after-party we host every year; it draws thousands to our courtyard.
To the few people who haven’t gone to Flamingo yet, what do you think they should know that would entice them to visit?
I would say that everyone is welcome here from all walks of life. We provide a secure, fun, playful environment. We’re close to the beaches and the shopping, and once you’re here, you can just be yourself and have fun at all of our bars, the pool, restaurant, hotel and dance club.
