Interestingly, this news was first delivered yesterday via Twitter @ArmenianNews:
“Armenia's first Gay Bar, "Cocoon" - opens in central Yerevan with large crowd.”
I am so not regretting for joining Twitter. Thanks to Onnik for inspiring me to do so :)
Strictly said, this was rather a re-launch than a launch, as it replaced a former techno bar with the same name Cocoon.
Also, Cocoon is not the first gay bar in Armenia. The very first gay bar in Yerevan (and Armenia) was Meline’s.
As far as I understand, it would be more correct to call it a gay friendly bar, rather than a gay bar. In any case, good news for sure. I’ve been told that ambience at Cocoon is cool, and people have good time there. (Cocoon is on Tumanyan street)
Time to update my Armenia Gay Guide. I know, I promised to do it quite some time ago, but could not find time, sorry for that. Now I have even more reasons to do so. Will do it asap.
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5 years ago
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31 comments:
Glad to hook -- um, discover -- another addict. :-)
Friends told me the owner of Cocoon is the same guy who owned Meline.
That's right, the same guy :)
I've been reading this blog for a long now and for sure it became one of everyday aspects of my life. But the thing i though today was that everytime i go on to this site i am in incognito mode (where the history is not saved)and its a pity that i am not free and still i have to hide my orientation because of many reasons....just wanted to share my feelings :)
Garik, many thanks for reading my blog and for sharing your feelings. I am touched to learn that reading my blog became a routine part of your life.
I understand you perfectly. There was time that I was doing exactly the same when accessing gay related web sites… Different people choose different paths re coming out depending on personal circumstances. Some find it easier to do after becoming financially independent, others - after having boyfriend, or both, or some other reasons. Going out to gay friendly places, and meeting other gay guys and girls, and their straight friends, may help too.
Hope my blog helps you feel that you are not alone, and time will come that more and more gay Armenians will not be afraid of living their lives openly. Keep in touch.
Apparently, "Cocoon – the new gay friendly bar in Yerevan" is not so friendly to women... a few friends of mine went to the bar on Friday, April 17, and were thrown out after an altercation between the women and some of the guys. Apparently one of the guys (I wast told he was probably straight) touched/pinched one of the girl's ass and the women — quite rightly so — got upset and addressed the guy. Well, things got out of hand, but instead of the owner supporting the women, he kicked them out. This is quite unfortunate because those women are gay too — where can we go in Yerevan where we can be women and gay AND safe?
Garik jan dont worry straight are also going to that place you can also come and nobody will understand who you are.
Adrine jan you are right unfortunately this is mainly gay-man friendly place. i was there that day. i was mad when owner and his friends were so bad with girls. it was not nice. instead of helping our girls we hurt them.
but let me be honest some lesbians are really aggressive and fighting.
where is respect and tolerance
the previous one was me, I forgot to sign my name, sorry
I remember about 9-10 years ago Cascade disco was really famous and mainly lesbians were going there, gays couldn't go because several times they were bitten by girls:)
sure it doesn't mean that guys have to do the same now
but I want to ask the lesbians, please girls, don't be that much aggressive, people are not your enemies. I know homophobia is everywhere, especially in our country but such behavior will never help us to change others attitude.
AND texas bar . . this is where the girls are at! but it might be closed . . bars open and close, change owners, get replaced, change locations -- but there is ALWAYS a crowd -- we are always around!
Texas bar? Really? Good to know ;)
but i am apalled that the girls are not welcome in this gay bar . . cocoon, is it?
here is what npr commentator/gay author marc acito writes in the jan/feb issue of curve mag:
It happens every time I'm at a queer event -- no matter how sociable the occasion, the men and the women end up standing apart, as if we were at a 7th grade dance. Or a Baptist church picnic. I suppose it makes sense. Gays and lesbians are each a sexual minority interested in our own gender. Our only common interest is that we're oppressed, which hardly makes for cheerful cocktail conversation. However, contrary to the notion that it's the lesbians who are the separatists, I've noticed that it's the gay men who keep their distance. If we don't already think gay men are misogynistic for designing four-inch stilettos, you should hear what some of us say when you leave the room. If a queer event is a 7th grade dance, the gay guys are the mean girls ;-)
I really hope this will remain an isolated incident. Even if 'x' bar is oriented more towards gay men or women, everyone should be welcome there (including friendly straight crowd). The least we need now (and in general) is intolerance among us...
Hi guys! Sorry for a totally lame question:-)
We are new to Yerevan. Could you tell us where Cocoon is?:-)))
And what nights is it on?
Alex
It's on Tumanyan street (intersection of Tumanyan and Koghbatsi streets).
Thanks Artmika
...and open every day, as I've been told :) let me know your impressions.
Hey guys sorry that i reply so late. actually Mika knows everything:)
the address is tumanyan 25, Tumanyan and Koghbatsi crossroad, which is so near to Mashtots and Tumanyan crossroad
Hi guys! Went there last night (Tuesday). The bar looks very cozy. The barman Artur was nice, his mojitos too:-). It was empty though, but we were told Friday / Saturday nights are very busy.
We had an impression it's more of a "gay-friendly" venue rather than a "gay" one. Am I right?
Unless it's just the way things work here - "discrete". Or was it a wrong bar and we made fools of ourselves in some straight "Cocoon":-)))?
We are definitely coming back on Thursday night (or Friday)!
P.S. BTW, we had a dinner in a Hinkali restaurant nearby - they serve delicious stuff there!
To shushan a. 's post:
I'd second on Marc Acito's comment that gays and lesbians seem to keep a distance at venues... It seems to be the case in many countries I've been too... hmm - interesting topic.
I went there a few weeks back, and had a hell of a great time. For sure it's more of a "gay friendly" bar than strictly a "gay bar," but what I really liked about it was the sort of alternative atmosphere it had. Like, no matter who you are, you're welcome there. Totally dig Cocoon, and I'll be going back whenever I stay the night in Yerevan.
By the way, I think that your mention of my blog is the first cross-post I've ever had. I feel totally famous now! :-D
Barev bolorin.Es verjers em imacel vor gay bar ka Yerevanum u shat em uzum gnam ayd bary bayc chgitem es entex gayeri khandipem um het kareli klini kaper hastatel?
Narek
Narek jan, khorhurd ktayi gnal u porcel. Du ayntegh hnaravorutyunner kunenas canotanalu gay-eri het. Iharke, inchpes cankacats bar, linum en orer, vor hetaqrqir en ancnum, linum en ev dzandzrali orer. LInum en hacheli canotutyunner, ev patahum en naev thach michadeper. Amen depqum, mek amis arach ayntegh ei, ev shat lav zhamanak anckacreci. Khorhurd ktayi gnal urbat kam shabat orere, ush erekoyan. Husov em lav zhamanak kanckacnes. Kisvi mez het qo tpavorutyunnerov
HI GUYS! I am just back from LA... which really a nice gay bars. I would like to know what age of people are going there? I mean I am over 30.. so could I possibly meet people of my age or it is more young generation place? Will be thankful for comments, and advices. Can not wait for information-help!
Last time I was there in September/October. Unless things changed over the past six months, there was a pretty mixed crowd there, including age-wise, more towards younger generation, but there were over 30s too. Friday/Saturday nights were the busiest ones. I had quite a good time there. Again, this is based on my experience of six months ago.
OK thank you man! I appreciate that!!!! will try to go some evening!
Guys many things are different now, last time I've been there about 5 months ago. I stopped going there as the manager didn't respect the costumers. Also that bar is not so safe for me
Hey! Apparently, the guy that used to own (or manage) Cocoon has opened a new club. All ex- Cocoon waitresses moved there also.
Been there once, but didn't like it at all: generally dark, with very bright flashing lights and music set incredibly loud.
You don't get friendly cozy atmosphere of Cocoon any more. The new place (sorry, don't remember the name) is on Amiryan near the DHL offices.
Don't be surprised by the unusually high first drinks bill. The barmen includes entrance fee into your first payment:-)))
Don't think I'll be back there though...
Я очень рад чтонаконец наткнулся в интернете на блог с гей тематикой в Армении. насчет бара Кокон я слышал, но ни разу там не был. Мне очень помогла эта информацияя, спасибо автору блога.
Рад что мой блог и информация оказались полезным :)
After several changes in design and ownership, this bar is now called "Face Control". Still positions itself as gay-friendly, but crowd is very mixed and it's lacking an 'atmosphere' (as of August/September 2011). There is frequently a door charge there, and more or less 'face control' policy.
My current absolute favourite bar in Yerevan is DIY. You may find more info on DIY bar here:
http://gayarmenia.blogspot.com/search?q=DIY
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