There is no place like home: Kelowna’s first LGBT2Q+ cocktail lounge is coming out! Grand opening late January, serving signature cocktails and delectable nibbles while providing scheduled entertainment!

You may have caught a few whispers about the next great cocktail lounge to grace our fine city with her presence. Let’s make it official! Meet the Friends of Dorothy Lounge! The concept was conceived by Rudy Tomazic, one of the masterminds behind Kelowna’s most influential Drag events, NOIR and DIVA. With Rudy laying the bricks on this yellow brick road, Friends of Dorothy is set to become THE can’t miss destination in Kelowna. Casey Greabeiel, Co-Owner of Salt & Brick and Jack’s Pizza & Liquor, has also played an instrumental role in supporting the team with the selection of cocktails and delicacies.

Friends of Dorothy Lounge is on the corner of Water Street and Lawrence Avenue in downtown Kelowna. Guests will be clicking their heels over the fabulousness that is about to hit the community. Sticks + Stones Design Group Inc. worked tirelessly on transforming the space into something sensational, that can only be described as Louis the XIV meets punk chic! Other local companies that collaborated in making the Friends of Dorothy Lounge something special are: Cyan Bold Design, Marshall’s Home Living, Pine Lighting, and Smalls Tile & Flooring. “It was important to create a space that feels like a VIP experience while not taking ourselves too seriously” says Tomazic.

Adorned in decadent rich wall coverings and imagery with a hint of rebellion, the completely reimagined interior is just one part of the Friends of Dorothy Lounge concept. Historically speaking, the term ‘friend of Dorothy’ carries a lot of meaning. In the past, members of the LGBT2Q+ community would use the term as a euphemism for discussing one’s sexual orientation without letting everyone know for fear of violence and discrimination. There are several different stories as to where the term originated. The best stories relate to Judy Garland, a gay icon, and her role in The Wizard of Oz. “Today it is a term that is rarely used, but remains a part of queer culture and an important nod to the past and how far we’ve come as a community,” says Tomazic.

“We also wanted to create a lounge experience that offers marvelous taste in a modernly royal setting” says Tomazic. That means affordable signature cocktails and delectable nibbles will be on the menu. Cocktails such as the Rusty Tin Man, Ruby Slipper, and Rainbow Twister will be Friends of Dorothy’s takes on the classics. The scrumptious delicacies like No Brainer and Lion’s Share paired with Friend of Dorothy’s house special cocktails are destined to take the culinary experience to the next level.

So why open an LGBT2Q+ lounge now?

“With the popularity of the NOIR and DIVA events, Friends of Dorothy Lounge seemed like a natural progression. Kelowna has been waiting for this. We want to provide an inclusive home for the LGBT2Q+ community and allies to come together for experiences and events on a regular basis,” says Tomazic.

Friends of Dorothy is a 19+ establishment.

For updates, event information and employment opportunities, please visit FODLounge.com

Friends of Dorothy Lounge
315 Lawrence Avenue
Kelowna, BC
V1Y 6L4
Website: FODLounge.com

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