Bar and grill’s mission: Everyone is welcome

A new bar in Spokane Valley is open, both literally and figuratively. Hollyrock Bar and Grill opened Nov. 1 across from U-City in the building formerly occupied by Hotteez. Its mission is to become a dining and drinking destination that epitomizes inclusion and tolerance for lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgenders and straight customers alike.

“The bar is all about the community, where intolerance is not tolerated. That’s my theme for forever,” said Robin Tuttle, a transgender woman who is financing the bar through another of her businesses, Bake Tech Pros LLC. While she expects the bar to eventually break even, Tuttle said she doesn’t care if Hollyrock ever turns a profit.

“It’s not about making money. It’s about taking care of people,” said Tuttle, noting that Hollyrock employs 22 people, including security staff. “The goal of the bar is to hire people, give them jobs and be there for the community.”

Along with drinks, Hollyrock offers a full dinner menu. “We don’t have the classic deep-fried junk you get everywhere else,” said Tuttle. “Our goal is that everything we do has to be one step above.”

To celebrate Hollyrock’s launch, Tuttle is planning a grand opening gala for New Year’s Eve, with female impersonation act Nova Caine and Le Gurlz performing as well as music by DJ Prodigy, who also provides the bar’s music on Friday and Saturday nights. The cover for the party is $15. “We have a huge gala planned. We’ll have quite a dinner with prime rib or chicken cordon bleu and champagne,” said Tuttle, adding that the evening will be a tribute to the stars.

This reflects the theme behind the bar’s name, which is meant to evoke the glamour of Hollywood with the whimsy of children’s cartoon “The Flintstones.” Tuttle said she’s working with Warner Brothers to secure licensing so she can turn the bar into a theme destination with entertainment and décor to match.

With 4,500 square feet, Tuttle also has plans in the works to offer a space for teens to go until 9 p.m., which she expects to be available in about three months, with music, a pool table, arcade games and video games, as well as soft drinks and coffee.

“We’ll try to offer it as a safe place for the underage to go, where anybody can come in and get away from situation, talk to somebody and relax,” said Tuttle. “Our goal is to become a safe place for youth at risk. Then, after 9 p.m. a place for the alternative or straight community to have a nice, fun place to go and have a good time.”

Though Hollyrock is filling some of the void left when Dempsey’s Brass Rail closed downtown, Tuttle said its atmosphere is intended to be even more inclusive and open.

“The biggest misconception is that it’s the gay bar in the Valley. Most of our staff is straight and over half of our customers are straight. It is the alternative bar in the Valley. We support the LGBT community. Everyone gets along. Everyone is welcome. Everyone has a place.”