Jane Mellor
WESTSIDE SOCIAL CLUB MIXES MORE THAN MARTINIS
by Jane Mellor
When my friend and dating guru invited me out Saturday night for a drink
at a nifty little singles lounge on First Avenue and Cypress in Kitsilano,
she almost fainted when I didn't decline. You see my interest was piqued.
The word out on the street is that Campoverde is the next best thing to
sliced bread. Being single myself, I had to check this place out and a research
visit for a story was my perfect alibi. Sure enough, the circulating rumours
are right on the mark. This cozy nightspot set in baroque style ambiance
imparts warmth the likes of my great aunt Idašs sitting room. When I read
between the lines of the smooth, Indian silk cushions piled on the chez
lounge and settle into a soft arm chair with my glass of vino, I realize
that this place is different than any other drinking establishment in the
city, and here's why. First of all, upon entering my friend and I are warmly
greeted by Rachel, one of two proprietors who also acts as host extraordinaire.
It's like arriving at an invitation only party and you are the guest of
honour. Next we are escorted to the coat rack to hang our coats but not
before being introduced to other party guests along the way. There's often
a bit of discomfort that goes with first entering a singles joint, no matter
how seasoned you are. Here, with the help of a pleasant atmosphere and a
glass of Shiraz ordered from Kyle at the bar, misgivings quickly dissolve.
I peruse my surroundings looking for a good place to sit. It's an intimate
space. The lights are dim, the background music soft, setting the mood but
not interfering with conversation. I spy a comfy couch in the corner of
the room but before I can get there Tom begins a conversation with me. Glancing
over, I see my guru already perched at the bar animatedly talking with a
man she had met the previous week. She is settling in for the evening and
looks right at home. The surroundings, as Tom and I agree during our 'getting
to know you' phase of conversation, are much like a Bordello. We keep peeking
to see if anyone is sneaking off to some mysterious room at the back. But
in all fairness, this is not a sleazy place. The decor tends toward elegant
chic, reds and purples being dominant, and makes me feel warm and fuzzy.
That could also be the wine but a mental note reminds me Išm only a few
sips into my first glass. A good deal of time is spent getting to know Tom
and chatting with other guests as I mingle my way through the evening. I
am delighted to actually be engaging in more than idle chatter with attractive
and interesting men. There is no loud house music to drown us out, there
are no drunken mobs battling for the bar. It is quite civilized. Another
thing that sets this place apart is the casual way in which people interact,
especially when knowing that most are here specifically to meet other singles.
Unlike many social watering holes where patrons sit at separate tables eyeing
someone across a crowded room through the foam of their slightly pale ale,
here the mood is open and relaxed with spontaneous interaction being the
norm. There's no need for obnoxious attempts at lame pick up lines on the
way to the washroom. Instead, conversation flows as freely as the wine and
often ends up with an exchange of phone numbers or the arrangement of a
date. The goal is to create an atmosphere as comfortable as being in someone's
living room, and it is. And if you get too settled into one spot, Rachel
will graciously suggest that you move along. After all, there are a lot
of people to meet and like any good cocktail party host will insist, circulating
is the name of the game. You can pop in to Campoverde anytime, just like
any bar or lounge, or for a fee of $200 plus $20 per month, you can become
a member and be part of their singles connection. A membership allows you
to meet other members through their internal networking system and peek
at the members only photo gallery. Rachel will even help facilitate meetings
if you give her a 'heads up' on who youšre interested in. They have a generous
tapas menu as well as a good selection of wine and beer and a decent Martini
list. Weekly events like open mike nights and Martini Sundays draw regular
crowds and special occasions like Valentinešs Day are celebrated with a
theme based party. All events are open to the public but may include a fee
for non-members. As our evening winds down my friend exchanges telephone
numbers with her bar stool correspondent while I get my coat. The place
is still a hive of activity. People shake our hands as we prepare to leave
with that "y'all come back now, ya hear?" sentiment ringing in their voice.
I get a gratuitous hug from Rachel. It comes to mind that an alibi was not
needed after all. It's my guess that this is only the beginning of a new
wave of such social meeting places. Here at Campoverde the hot little business
of match making is done with such unpretentious flair that only an entrepreneur
with vision and the right stuff can pull off. If others felt as personally
taken care of as I did, the two women behind this brainchild will not lack
in guests at their evening gatherings. In fact there may come a time where
they have a queue at the door. After all, a match made in heaven may require
a line up at the pearly gates. Campoverde is located at 1660 Cypress Street
in Vancouver and is open Tuesdays through Sundays from 6 PM to Midnight.
For more information call 604-734-1660 or visit their web site www.campoverde.ca