Gay bar in Hoboken parties for McGreevey
By Sarah N. Lynch, The Jersey Journal (nj.com) from the Web, August 17, 2004
HOBOKEN -- Revelers at Hoboken's new gay bar, the Cage, lauded Gov. James E. McGreevey as New Jersey's "gay hero" during the bar's celebration this weekend of McGreevey's recent coming-out announcement.
Managers at the Newark Street bar, which has only been open for about four weeks, said McGreevey's decision to come out publicly after years of hiding his sexual orientation gave customers at the establishment a special reason to party.
The McGreevey celebration ran on both Friday and Saturday night, said bar manager Alan Fox.
"I was quite surprised (by McGreevey's announcement)," Fox said. "I thought it was very brave of him to do, and I'm glad he did it and stopped living a double life."
The manager said the bar offered special drinks to commemorate the event.
"We had Governor McGreevey shots," he said. "It was vodka, Malibu and pineapple juice.
We did $3 drinks and McGreevey shot specials."
But festivities did not end with libations named in the governor's honor; a disc jockey added a special flair to the party, Fox said.
"The DJ somehow got a hold of his speech that said 'I'm a gay American,' and he played the song 'I'm Coming Out' by Diana Ross," he said.
"We had customers with T-shirts that have McGreevey's picture. Everyone started screaming and hollering and clapping."
John Greenfield, who is also known as DJ John Feelgood, said that his McGreevey mix aired on WKTU Saturday evening and he expects it to be aired this week.
"It's just a house track with beats and drums, and it drops out at a certain point and you hear his speech," Greenfield said.
Customers at the Cage enjoyed the mix, he said.
"It was a large crowd. It was definitely a positive reaction," Greenfield said.
Fox said he believed most of the bar's patrons were encouraged by McGreevey's actions.
"They were just inspired by him and happy for him even though he didn't approve of the gay marriage thing.
But that's understandable," Fox said. "I think he's done a great thing."
Fox said the Cage will likely host another McGreevey party this weekend.
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