Hey gurl, hey! Outwrite Bookstore to reopen as a gay bar

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Gilbert’s Mediterranean Cafe & Bar plans expansion into bookstore’s space.

UPDATE (Oct. 2, 2012): [Rendering] “10th and Piedmont” restaurant to replace Outwrite

Midtown’s Outwrite Bookstore & Coffeehouse, which closed its doors on February 15 after 18 years in business, won’t sit dark for long.

Gilbert’s Mediterranean Cafe & Bar located next door, will expand into the bookstore’s space, Keith Osborne, general manager at the restaurant, told What Now Atlanta in an interview Saturday.

“We’re still negotiating the lease,” Osborne said.

The 1,500-square-foot Gilbert’s will more than double in size after it takes over the 2,500-square-foot bookstore space, according to Osborne.

“Gilbert’s will undergo several months of permitting with the city before we begin any renovations,” he said.

Although the owners of Gilbert’s were not immediately available for comment, sources close to the project suggest the additional space will be utilized to expand its bar.

Here’s hoping Gilbert’s comes up with a drink to pay homage to the former bookstore. “Outwrite-tini,” anyone?

Developing…

 

Caleb J. Spivak

Caleb J. Spivak

Caleb J. Spivak

Caleb J. Spivak

36 Responses

  1. If this is true, it’s great news. The Yeremian brothers, Gilbert and Sean, have long supported the community. If the homey, “cheers style” atmosphere of the current bar and the reasonable food prices of Gilberts Mediterranean Cafe can be maintained, this venture will likely be very successful.

  2. “Although the owners of Gilbert’s were not immediately available for comment, sources close to the project suggest the additional space will be utilized to expand its bar.”

    I think that’s what he meant by “if it’s true”. That doesn’t sound like a solid confirmation but many of us hope it is!

  3. “Hey gurl, hey!” What? Stereotype much, Caleb?

    What phrase would you use to announce a new straight bar? “Let’s Make a Baby! New Straight Bar to Open in Smyrna!”

    What phrase would you use to announce a new black bar? “Wassuppp Bitches!!! New Black Bar in South Atlanta!”

    Give me a break.

  4. Awesome…… Gilbert and Sean are awesome guys…… love the success of their Restaurant. I always try to stop in when I visit Atlanta for a drink. I was a regular when I lived in Atlanta.. and they seem to get more and more crowded as time goes by… Although.. I wouldnt consider it to be a “GAY” bar per se…. it did have quite a large gay clientele…

  5. I love Gilbert’s but I have always thought the place to be a little cramped. Knock the wall down and expand! As JonC said, love the idea of a rooftop terrace at that corner. To Try Again: No offense but lighten up. I’m gay and I wasn’t offended. Cheers!

  6. “A roof terrace would be killer.”
    Agreed…BUT I bet the neighbors behind the bar on Myrtle wouldn’t ever let that happen.
    Why can’t HOBNOB be as yummy as Gilbert’s, I mean they have the same parents?

  7. Fingers crossed that this won’t turn into another drag show bar! I never understood why every bar in Atlanta has to be consumed with a drag show. Never been to another city like this.
    Atlanta needs another lounge/video type bar like it had with Red Chair.

  8. @doesn’tmatter: “Never been to another city like this.” Atlanta has a national reputation as a drag-centric scene, and it doesn’t look like it’s going away. I don’t have a problem with them, but it does get to be a pain at Blake’s where there’s barely enough room for patrons let alone performances. Maybe this new joint will allow some overflow from Blakes, and we can all breathe easier lol.

  9. Excellent! Gilbert and Sean are awesome guys who deserve success! And as long as Steven (above) doesn’t frequent the place, that awful bitter smell will stay far away. Congrats to Gilbert & Sean!

  10. We could breathe a lot easier if Atlanta would get with the rest of civilization and make indoor smoking illegal in bars.

  11. “Hey gurl, hey!” What? Stereotype much, Caleb?
    Apparently somebody doesn’t attend many Mary Edith Pitts drag shows.

  12. Jonathan – It’s not an Atlanta thing. It’s a Georgia thing. I completely agree with you, but state law allows establishments that don’t employ or admit anyone under 18 to permit smoking. It’s banned in all other public places.

    PS: Is Gilbert’s a “gay bar?” I consider it a restaurant.

  13. PS: Is Gilbert’s a “gay bar?” I consider it a restaurant.
    I think of it as a restaurant run by straight men that has a gay clientele.

  14. wow….what an offensive title to your post! i hope for your sake that you’re gay..then i might be able to give you a small pass. otherwise it’s just rude. i seriously hope you plan on apologizing for this. i think you might want to think about just reporting the information and not trying to be funny or cute, it just isn’t working.

  15. AtlArch: You have no right to not be offended and people can be rude to you. This is a blog. I’m gay and hate the word gurl but, have you ever been to Blake’s or Gilberts? That word is followed by “hey”. People needed to get over themselves and stop demanding an apology. Sit there and be offended an get over your PC self.

  16. to quote Try Again:

    “Hey gurl, hey!” What? Stereotype much, Caleb?

    What phrase would you use to announce a new straight bar? “Let’s Make a Baby! New Straight Bar to Open in Smyrna!”

    What phrase would you use to announce a new black bar? “Wassuppp Bitches!!! New Black Bar in South Atlanta!”

    Give me a break.

    This pretty much sums it up.

  17. Geez.. stop being such stereotypical Atlanta fags and get over the article title. It’s playful. Clearly a desirable personality trait that you don’t possess (and it sounds like others have already let you know that.) If you want straight, boring articles, go read a straight, boring publication.

  18. What phrase would you use to announce a new straight bar? “Come on down for our St. Patty’s Day celebration, get your teeth kicked in and loose (sp) your wallet”

  19. I really like these headlines. Pretty funny, especially Tammy’s. Glad to see AtlAtch seems to have stopped demanding an apology and being (gasp) offended long enough to throw in a few zingers.

    “new Latin bar to open, check your ID and green card at the door”

  20. Chill people. It’s not offensive. It’s humorous. I’m gay. I’m not a “girl” “gurl” or a “GRRRRRRLLLL”. Should we have the ACLU come in and take care of this mess? Stop being so sensitive and grow a set. Unless you really are a bunch of girls…

  21. RE: if it is true. I spoke to Gilbert Yeremian Friday night, showed him your story, and he stated it was inaccurate….that they have made no decision or plans to go into the Outwrite space.

  22. Was at Gilbert’s last night. Mr. Gilbert said to my friend that any expansion is not confirmed and that the original person who wrote the article is not credible. That said, it could still be true!
    Who knows!

  23. BTW, Im not saying Caleb isn’t credible…But that somebody broke the news without confirmation…Caleb is an upstanding citizen and a good sleuth. I may be completely wrong

  24. Just so the space isn’t another hair/nail salon/spa,Starbucks; Mexican, burger, tapas, or Asian restaurant…A bar would work nicely there, and Gilbert’s seems like the easiest transition…the bar scene there is always too packed and uncomfortable. It definitely needs more space…but NO MORE DRAG!

  25. @TryAgain: I couldn’t agree more. The moment I saw the headline, I thought “wow, that’s a bit much”. Caleb, obviously, I don’t think you meant any harm with the “hey gurl”, but it was utterly unnecessary.

  26. I look here for interesting news of business openings and closings. I too find the title very offensive and childish. It was totally unnecessary and harmful.

  27. Harmful?!? How were you harmed by the word gurl? People are too damned sensitive. If this offends you and harms you, you should never go outside, turn on the TV, or look at the internet again.

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