Over the past years flavored vodka has become popular in America.  We like to think this is a new thing. In the 1990’s we were in China.  In one very high-class restaurant there were jars and jars filled with things like reindeer penises, dead snakes, rats and many more very unusual things. All were then covered and soaking in vodka. In China there has been flavored vodka for 1,000s of years. Of course, we tried many of them. The walk on the Great Wall of China was interesting after these shots. LOL

I have spent much of my life working in Gay bars & many times in the drag dressing rooms. One day a favorite Diva said to me…” You know Tea Cup, I’m sure you have seen more naked trannies than anyone else in Tampa!” She was probably right LOL I have also seen many things in those dressing rooms.  Recently after a show, there was a VIP friend of the owners that want to come back stage and meet the girls. She was very nice and very cocktailed. The Diva commented on how beautiful her hand bag was. Right away she said “You can have it! Give me that plastic bag.” Then started to move everything out of the designer bag into a Walmart plastic bag. The Diva stopped her saying thank you but that’s a very expensive bag. She then said that her husband was rich and it was OK.  There was no talking her out of it. The lady left with the plastic bag in her hand and went back to the bar.  The Diva is a very kind and thoughtful person. She took the bag and went up to the husband standing at the bar. She explained that his wife had just given her this bag and maybe he should take it home. He just laughed and said that she doses that all the time. Please keep the bag. Then with a big smile he said “The only thing wrong with this bag is there is no money in it.” Then opens the bag and put a $100 bill in it. The next day the Diva googled the bag. It was worth $3,500. You Just Can Not Make This Up

http://www.mcfilm.co/category/you-just-cant-make-this-sht-up/

There are many funny stories about Miss Judy B Goode!!!  Judy is a very Famous Cabaret Singer/ Musician who has performed everywhere! We like to tease her, that her dresses are too short! One time after performing in Ybor City Judy and us were crossing 7^th Ave. A car of guys rolled down their windows and whistled at her.  Then one of the guys yelled “Looking Sexy Grandma!” Let’s just say that didn’t go over well!!! LMAO In this photo is Judy and Tiffany McLauchlin out celebrating Judy’s 60ISH Birthday.

https://www.facebook.com/judy.b.goode

Our good friend Miss Joey Brooks is quite the hoot!!!  One time she was at the Big Flea Market dressed as a boy.  Walking past one booth there was a beautiful painting of Dolly Parton. Joey stopped and asked how much? The guy told Joey. Hum … Joey says “A lot of people say I look just like her” The guy starts to laugh RIGHT! Joey says “If I prove it to you will you give me a big discount?” The guy says yes and Joey shows him a photo of her as Dolly Parton. The painting is in Joeys home today. LMAO We could tell a lot more stories about Joey but read them yourself in her book Joey Brooks “The Show Must Go On” https://www.amazon.com/Joey-Brooks-Show-Must-Go/dp/1312684844

The Video “Joey’s Show Will Go On” with a cameo appearance by Tea Cup   https://youtu.be/PiWhP7FOkE4

NOTE: See Miss Joey Brooks

 This Saturday Night, 3-6-21 at The 10 Year Anniversary Show @ Bradley’s on 7^th then for SUNday FUNday @ The Showbar Ybor City

In 1980 one of the first people, we meet in Tampa was our friend Steve. Over the years we have been close friends with him and his parents. Shortly after I started to bartend at The Show Bar Ybor City, Steve & Mom stopped by one Sunday. Mom’s hair and jewelry were perfect, wearing a new cocktail dress and designer sunglasses. After 2 scotch and waters Mom told me that she liked the new bar and the DJ. Then wishing me the best they left. Mom had just turned 101 years old. WOW…  What a beautiful person and life. CHEERS

In the summer of 1977, I worked 1 month at a high-class downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota Steak House. To become a night server, you 1^st had to work the lunches. EVERYTHING inside this 1940’s restaurant was white. The walls were cover with white lattice work and white flowers. White stage with a huge white grand piano and white chandelier. The tables were white table cloths, dishes and white candelabras with white candles. Even white ashtrays on the tables. You get it everything was white. During the summer months even, the guests would come dressed all in white. The staff called the lunch special the “Blue Haired Ladies Special.” In the special there was a sandwich with the crust cut off, a scoop of fruit on a lettuce leave, a cup of soup & your choice of a Martini or Manhattan.  All this for $4.75 tax included.  I can still hear the ladies say “Here is a $5.00 bill and you can keep the change.” A table of 4 we would make $1.00 LMAO That is why no one worked the lunches. 45+ years later we were at an estate sale in Florida. There were candelabras that looked just like the ones from this restaurant! The estate sale was a former pianist. Maybe he played here years ago??? I’m still laughing about keeping the quarter.

We went to Cuba on a cruise ship. We had a tour of Havana with a stop for a classic Cuban meal.  There was a choice of beef or fish with canned black beans and rice. Tossed salad. The bread was Italian? Hands down one of the worst Cuban meals ever.  Later we learned that the meal was from the cruise ship. They explained that it was in the best interest of the cruise ship guests. LMAO  

Late one night in 1981 there was a Tampa Stonewall at the Denny’s. There were several gay bars on Kennedy at this time. After the clubs everyone went to Denny’s for our late-night breakfast. Many of the Drag Queens would also join us here. We were there one night when a new manager was on duty. He walked up to the table and told the Drag Queens to leave and never come back. The next thing you know there as this huge food fight started and the police were called. When the police arrived, everyone took off and we never went back. A few years later the building was torn down.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/310153813673

In 2009 Tampa Hosted the Super Bowl. The NFL Experience was on 8^th ave between 15^th &17^th Street, in Ybor City.  At this time Carrie was on the Barrio Latino Commission.  We were invited to a VIP NFL Party at Rock’n Sports in Centro Ybor.  Which located on the 2^nd floor, next to the old Hamburger Mary’s. We also took our good friend and football nut, Judy B. Goode with us. At the party suddenly July yells OMG that’s Michael Strahan 7 takes off running. We had no idea who he was. The next thing you know Judy is pulling on the leg of this HUGE SEXY GUY asking for a photo. He was very nice to us.  I took the photo, which later was in the Watermark Newspaper. Several years later we were watching Good Morning America and said to each other. WOW that guy looks familiar. Just then the phone rang and it was Judy all excited…. Are you watching Good Morning America? That is the football player I had my photo with in Ybor! We all love Michael Strahan today on TV.

The year was 1977. We were very young and in a downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota un-named Gay bar. There was a big motorcycle convention in town. Late one night some bikers got very drunk and decided to teach the fags a lesson. About 8 of them stumbled into the Gay bar with chains just a swinging and yelling.  Their big mistake was that this was a hardcore Gay Leather bar!!! Of course, the gays fought back. With in minutes the bikers were on the floor. Then they took the bikers, boots, jeans and underwear off. Then tossed them back onto Hennepin Ave. naked.  They never came back. I wonder what story they told the other bikers???