Bill Jenkins

Does anyone remember any of the original staff - (the real crew) - wait staff - kitchen staff and Dj members from the Bats?

Starting with Cliff- who could snatch table cloths off tables as a performance w/ dishes and patrons still on/at table converting club from dinner theme to discotheque.

Cookie- waitress, all I can say is damn! hot, speedy, and good. Led all female wait staff in tips regularly.

Charles-Dj, enough said. At time on of Chi's best.

Patrice -waitress -drop the tips fellas. '70s, white fleetwood, white poodle, both with matching nail polish, and, o yeah, thick and fine.

Colette, I believe her name is. Piano bar singer and player. Beautiful person, lovely voice, wonderful soul.

That young slim waiter, etc., who after Cliff's departure - (married white female bartender)- would be the only male waiter working there for quite awhile. The guy could carry two trays of drinks speedily and gracefully while simultaneously assisting bar staff, Dj, Bouncers, and entertaining the females patrons in a marathon party -(most other male staff gay) The rest were waitresses.

Fellas, let me repeat that, "young, slim, and only male waiter". Forget the tips, which were incredible, but, think of the phone numbers and experiences. Smile.

Hands down the best open club bouncer set in the country at the time. Not just the Chi. Mr. T, Calvin, and John, aka -TCB- They were the best dressed / presented an air of class at the door / and quickly made all those different walks of life feel ok at letting go and being themselves.

And yes, they kicked a** quietly, quickly, and quite often. What made them really good was the fact that they could do it before anyone not near could notice, thus allowing the party to go on practically uninterrupted, while not even breaking a sweat or ruining their tuxedos or suits. Yep, a** kicked, hauled up the steps, thrown onto the streets where depending on how big of an idiot you were, would determine whether you got a cab or a cop.
And, all or any of this staff would happily take to the very special mirrored dance floor including Mr. T, to kick off all the parties the Bats' would have from 76 to 80.

Yeah, from Tom Joyner to Parliament - Gay to Straight - Gangsters and Pimps - Secretaries, Lawyers, Doctors - Rich and Fake a** Poor - all came together and got it in at the Bats.
And, (hint hint) to todays clubs, everyone! dressed to kill on fri-sat nights. Especially the Ladies.

From the owner to Charles who cleaned up after everyone was gone, it was simply a non stop high end party. Chi's own, Studio 54.

True, Faces, Happy Medium, Mothers, Coconuts, The Hideout, River Edge, Copper Box I-II, 69 Club, Nimbus, Sheba's', Illusion, Cinderella Rock, Den 1, yada yada yada, all had their own crews and good times and could possibly claim certain things on the Bats.

However, none had all the stars, all the top radio Djs', all the political figures, all the musical giants, all the who's who of Chi Town's social and street leaders, and of course, the dancers, and people of the city, all come together for adult play on such a level, every weekend.

People think and believe the Bats was a primarily black club. Not true. At all. Whites, Latino, and others all partied here club, in truth could touch the Bats during this period.

More than likely you were headed to a hotel or home after leaving the Bats and you probably weren't alone. (Hell, the neon symbols that hung over the stairs were that of a phallic and labia art theme.) I guess secretly that was the go ahead light to enter and let (you) be seen.

The best dressed, the best dancers, and dance troops came through the Bats and the staffs that worked the club during theses times all have great stories to tell and memories to share on - "How to Party In style". That era did not have the worries and trust issues of today thus allowing life to be lived free and to the fullest.

While ludes, rush, and poppers were commonly used, secretly, in the Chi, coke was king among those who (thought) they were party animals and that they were partying correctly or fashionably.

Toot here, toot there, colada here, rum and coke there, and often you would hear of the (what was thought to be the good stuff) at the time, Mums here, Piper there, Dom please.

Pumpkin room antics, hell, coat-kitchen-dance floor-coolers-stairs leading to post-office exit in back- bathroom-office antics, (Smile to all who know) - talk about the quickies generated in that place. O yeah, like I said, you were either headed to a hotel or home and you weren't alone - and - if not -you probably got it in at the Bats in one of those spots.

Ahhh, the Bats. The Music, The Clothes, The People, The Times. For those who lived it and had a chance to experience some of it, it will get no better than then. They just don't "Party" like that anymore. I know. I was there. And, I am here now.

No comparison.

And yes, the Bats will be mentioned in my book I'm writing. Don't worry, I'm going to be nice about everyone y'all.

Peace to all, and yes I smile to, at remembering all those wonderful fun times the Bats gave us.