Parker: 'Real World' actor to work behind the bar at JR's

By Penny Parker, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Wednesday, June 14, 2006

I told you in April that a Denver cast member of MTV's Real World would be working as an assistant bartender at JR's, the hot and happenin' gay bar on 17th Avenue.

Well, Jeremy (his show name, not his real one) will soon don an apron to work four nights a week at JR's. After the Denver denizens in the house at 1920 Market St. finish their day jobs, Jeremy will schlep over to JR's to work the night shift.

"I told them they could film any night here except Thursdays," said bar owner Larry McDonald. "It's half-price night, and we're too busy."

When McDonald signed the contract with MTV, he agreed to let the camera, lighting, sound and security crews have full access to his gin joint.

"The security guys are there for the crew; they're not liable for anything that the cast members do," McDonald said.

And after a tab tussle at another local watering hole, where Real World members tried to run out on the check, McDonald says they've been told they must pay their bar bill and tip accordingly.

"When they come into the bar, they don't drink for free," McDonald said. "They also don't call us and tell us when they're coming in."

JR's patrons will have to sign a release if they want to have their mugs shot for the show.

"If you don't sign the release, they can't put your face on TV," McDonald said.

"The last thing some people want is to be outed on TV."

Despite the hassle of having his bar crammed with cameras, McDonald eagerly agreed to expose his place to the national publicity. "First of all, it will show on TV that we're not a bunch of weird gays. And it will give another light to gay society if they choose to film in the bar."

HAMBURGER HELPER: Our gang of gay and straight pals gathered Monday night at Hamburger Mary's, the burger joint that caters to a gay clientele. The 17th Avenue space, La Sala in its last incarnation and Vino Vino and Ruby before that, reopened with little remodeling a month ago.

"It looks like they threw up some lighted legs, that's it," said one of our posse, referring to the mannequin legs suspended from walls and ceilings.

If HM's gets its expansion permit, the existing space will become the bar and the main dining room will extend into the long-gone Dante Bichette's and Cliff Young's space next door some time in August. Manager Jeffrey Jensen also showed me plans for the outdoor patio with two waterfalls behind the restaurant.

Were the hamburgers merry at Mary's?

Not so much, according to a couple of members of our group who claim the food was much better at the San Diego burger branch.

The burgers weren't bad, but they're going to have to go a long way to rival top burger emporiums such as Cherry Cricket and City Grille. When you order your hamburger medium rare, it shouldn't arrive well done. Service, however, was spot on. The food for 11 came out pronto, and water glasses never sat empty.

McDonald, owner of JR's across the street, says adding another gay-oriented business to the area he's dubbed the "pink light district" has been a bonus for his biz.

"Our business has increased 30 percent since Hamburger Mary's opened."

WEDDING BELLS: Salud to Michael Ferrufino, Denver native and general sales manager at KBNO radio, and his new bride, dermatologist Catherine Carretero, who were married June 10 during a sunset ceremony in Cabo San Lucas. The proud parents: KBNO owner Zee Ferrufino and Norma Olson, and doctors Oscar Carretero and Cathy Pietrofesa.

EAVESDROPPING on a woman eyeing a cute guy at JR's: "Since I'm a gay man trapped in a woman's body, I get to take him home."

Penny Parker's column appears Tuesday through Saturday. Listen to her on the Caplis and Silverman radio show between 4 and 5 p.m. Fridays on KHOW-AM (630). Call her at 303-892-5224 or e-mail parkerp@RockyMountainNews.com.