Nightclubs Just For The Plus-Sized?
Posted by: Jessica Goldberg
Filed in:
news
2:10PM, Tuesday October 27th 2009
Plus-size nightclub Club Bounce is kind of like “More To Love” come to life. Lisa Marie Garbo, a big, beautiful blonde, opened the club five years ago, hoping it would be a place where she wouldn’t be “the only fat girl at the local nightclub.” Since then, her creation has become one in a string of nightclubs catering to plus-size partiers in cities along the California coastline. Plus-size patrons make up about three quarters of the women who dance at Club Bounce. Interestingly, only about one quarter of the men who frequent the club are of the overweight variety. Instead, most of them just appreciate the full-figured women on the dance floor.
For the many people in this country who don’t look like Gap models, it’s a welcome relief to go somewhere where they can party without sucking in their guts and where they don’t have to be worried about being turned away at the velvet rope because of their appearance. Many people hope clubs like Bounce will open in more and more cities. But others are skeptical. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, about a third of the adult population is obese. Professionals at the center worry that nightclubs like Bounce send a message that being overweight is acceptable. Lisa fires back that her message isn’t to gain weight—it’s just to live life at any size.
I kinda feel like I’m heading straight over to Club Bounce, to bounce my own big ol’ self around. Anyway, isn’t it healthier for plus-size people to be dancing and socializing than staying at home? [AOL]
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Secret Story Time
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 01:14 pm: [report]
The sign inside probably says “Filled to Capacity” when occapancy reaches 50 people.
Secret Story Time
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 01:15 pm: [report]
Sorry for the typo! should be “occupancy”
Secretia
cattgirl813
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 01:20 pm: [report]
@Secret Story Time: Comments like that are one of the reasons why Club Bounce is needed. If you don’t like a healthy plus sized girl, that’s fine. But what does the snarkiness achieve?
bethlynn00
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 01:22 pm: [report]
I think it’s great if only to help give all size women more confidence to get up and shake their booty, no matter what club they are in.
*sam*
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 01:29 pm: [report]
to those worried about this sending the message that being obese is OK, just think of this as a way to give individuals with weight issues a positive environment to get some exorcise… I’m not trying to be rude, I’m just saying that dancing can be a fun way to help get into shape, and if these night clubs are offering a positive environment for larger ladies to get out and have fun, and possibly lose a little weight (and get a little healthier), then that’s great.
Leese
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 01:33 pm: [report]
I would love to go to a club like this. No matter how high my self confidence I always feel like I’m being judged when I go dancing with my normal-weight friends.
MissMissy
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 01:46 pm: [report]
Living in LA, I’ve been to this place MANY times, both as a plus-sized and now a normal-sized patron. I can testify that it’s really a size acceptance club. There are so mayb different kinds and sizes of people any given night. I also would be remiss to add that it wasn’t the first of it’s kind here in LA. Club Curves, which changed it’s name to Moxie, was the first permanent Plus Size/Size Acceptance club to operate on a regular basis out of Culver City. I always felt safe here, as both sizes of woman ... felt it was a place I could be me, and surrounded by people who accepted me in all my glory. I still feel the same way when I go, though the music and DJs are miserably horrendous!!
Lexington
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 01:47 pm: [report]
I’m actually a little torn about whether or not I think this is ok- not because of any bull like whether or not it’s ‘acceptable’ to be overweight, but it sounds faintly segregationish to me. We won’t let fatter people into the regular clubs, so lets give them one of their own. Part of me, though, sees it the opposite way- maybe we can finally start accepting all shapes, which would be awesome. So I have no answer? Haha. But really, the CDC’s position pisses me off- people will start thinking it’s acceptable to be fat? If they keep saying things like that people will start doing something much worse- they’ll think it’s acceptable to be stupid.
happypants
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 01:56 pm: [report]
@MissMissy - Totally agree about the music and DJs, which is why I don’t bother going. Also, sometimes those clubs are a little to very sketchy, depending on where they are in California.
This isn’t about health or giving overweight women their own private gym. It’s about giving people of every size an environment where they feel comfortable, where they can dance and have a good time with friends without being judged or feeling they have to compete in a looks-driven society.
Also, making fat jokes on a post praising a size-acceptance club is a really classless thing to do. We’d let you into our club; why don’t you want us in yours?
equnsuocha
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 02:00 pm: [report]
I think this is a good idea, there are clubs for everything else out there, why not this? My sister is probably 150lbs overweight but she has perfect blood pressure, blood sugar, heart rate and cholesterol. While being overweight itself isnt healthy, many overweight people are healthier when its all said and done than “fit” people. You go ladies, jiggle what ya got if ti makes ya happy
Joey Daytona
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 02:08 pm: [report]
I am SO there!
Open one in NY?
Those skinny chicks with the dead shark eyes from not eating have enuf clubbing opportunities…
Seperate but equal? Not sure…
amandabear
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 02:17 pm: [report]
I’d go. On the few occasions I’ve gone to regular clubs, I’ve always felt like a freak show, and I’m on the smaller end of the fat scale. Would it be lovely if we could all just get along and accept each other and dance while cartoon birds hold our purses? Of course. But until then, I say go on with your bad self, Club Bounce!
bronzebuttercup
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 02:32 pm: [report]
There are clubs for all sorts of people - and unless there is someone at the door turning away the skinny chicks I don’t see why anyone should have a problem with this. Not if there are lesbian clubs and gay bars and everything else.
No harm, no foul. Right?
@ amandabear - I feel ya, girl. I’m on the smaller end of the fat scale too, at least I think so. And sometimes I feel like thick girls just don’t exist because I’m the only ‘plus size’ girl breaking it down on the dance floor! Haha.
C.Munro
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 02:45 pm: [report]
I think it would be hilarious if such places turned away skinny women. Not that I think they should, but such a display of reverse-discrimination would make for some entertaining velvet-rope scenes.
Ultimately, I don’t see the harm in places like this.
bronzebuttercup
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 02:48 pm: [report]
@ C.Munro - that would be pretty hilarious and offer up the opportunity for some sweet revenge.
C.Munro
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 02:49 pm: [report]
I can see the bouncers now.
“Nope, too skinny. Try not puking up your dinner for a week and come back.”
Lexington
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 02:49 pm: [report]
@Amandabear- you put into words what I was trying to say! Thank you!
bronzebuttercup
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 02:54 pm: [report]
Except that I want to bring my skinny friends with me!
amandabear
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 03:08 pm: [report]
@Lexington: As a life-long member of Club Chub, it’s my pleasure.
I would laugh and laugh if they turned away skinny girls. I don’t think they SHOULD, but it would still be hilarious.
bronzebuttercup
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 03:11 pm: [report]
@ Amandabear:
Love that.
bumbler
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 03:24 pm: [report]
Perhaps if the CDC focused more on health at every weight instead of just the “fat is bad” message they’d see more of a positive impact.
Personally I have never liked clubs, I’m married so the meat-market atmosphere of clubs around here isn’t appropriate for me and when I was single I mostly wanted to go dance with my girlfriends but instead spent the night with guys trying to force themselves into the mix and following us throughout the club. It was pretty intimidating. Even now when I go out with my husband it’s annoying. At a friend’s birthday party I was holding my husband’s hand while he said goodbye to someone and a man came up and started trying to pull me away. Just grabbed my free arm and started yanking. Where is that ever appropriate? I definitely wish there was a place where I could go dancing without feeling harassed.
Ariandre
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 04:02 pm: [report]
I think this is a great idea. I would definitely go and I know many people skinny and heavy who would also go; just because they could actually dance and have fun with out having to worry if they were cute enough or skinny enough.
As to the comment about this being a great way to get some exercise- so right on! People complain that “fat” people are lazy and don’t want to exercise, but really, who wants to go where you are going to be criticized for not already being skinny and able to run five miles in half and hour? I am all for places where someone no matter what their size can get out, get their heart pumping and not care what any one thinks.
Shewolf68
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 04:36 pm: [report]
How AWESOME would it be to go there w/my size 0 sister and have her get told she couldn’t come in because “she doesn’t quite fit the scene.”
I’m dieing just thinking about how funny that would be!
Fiend
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 05:36 pm: [report]
If people are embarrassed about being in “normal” clubs, they need to think about why.
*sam*
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 09:45 pm: [report]
@bumbler:
there is. it’s called a gay bar. (at least, that’s been *my* experience—b/c according to my very gay best friend, I’m apparently too “obviously” straight” to get hit on or harassed by girls)
thesinglest
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 10:00 pm: [report]
Being a big girl I’ve always had the fear of getting up to the front of the line at a club and then being turned away. But it’s never happened. Is this a common occurrence? I also don’t feel awkward in clubs if I just don’t think about it. I’m generally dancing and having fun with my friends so I don’t notice stares… Maybe I need to open my eyes a bit! I seem to be missing things!
I like the idea of this kind of club because I think it would be comforting for a lot of women to go to such a place no matter their size. I know when I’m going out I just want to dance - I’m not there to impress anyone and I think this kind of club would promote that kind of environment. However I’m the only fat girl in my group and I’d feel reeeeally weird bringing my girlfriends, all under a size 8, to a plus size club. So I doubt I’d ever actually go to one myself. I don’t see the harm in having them though!
bethlynn00
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 10:00 pm: [report]
@bumbler: well there are studies that show that skinny-fat is just as bad, if not worse than fat-fat. So thin people who don’t take care of themselves, exercise & eat right have the same risks for many of the diseases that overweight people have, but since people tend to associated thinness with healthy, many of these folks have their conditions ignored or ignore them, which can have really bad long-term effects, just like obesity. There are people who don’t gain weight, no matter how they live, but that doesn’t make them healthy, maybe just genetically lucky to some.
bumbler
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 10:21 pm: [report]
@bethlynn00 I know and agree completely. People look at a person’s size (and I feel like the BMI index reinforces this) and thinks they can automatically assume how healthy a person is. The CDC can’t determine that someone labeled overweight by their standard is not healthy.
An example of the opposite but just to show how ridiculous the BMI index can play out with real people: according to the index I need to gain 40lbs to be my healthiest. I am fairly tall but it doesn’t take into account that I have a very narrow frame which could not carry that much extra weight. Add to it the fact that I gain weight in my belly instead of evenly throughout my body and you have an unhealthy belt of fat to meet their definition of healthy. There are plenty of women who are the reverse, larger framed who cannot force their body to lose more weight and still be healthy.
So basically my point (which I made too glibly without further explanation) is that a simple height versus weight ratio is overly simplistic and can be counterproductive to health. They need to stress appropriate diet and exercise (like dancing?) instead of focusing solely on weight.
bumbler
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 10:40 pm: [report]
I just wanted to add that I think the comment about clubs like this sending the message that being overweight is acceptable is ridiculous. God forbid people who are overweight want to spend a night out enjoying themselves without being scrutinized by bouncers for their size. Apparently the CDC thinks they should be spending every evening at home exercising. Why not bring back the stocks so we can make it really clear that being overweight is not “acceptable” to us. Ridiculous.
lewomack
wrote on October 27 2009 @ 10:46 pm: [report]
@bumbler - Agreed 100%. I’m a bit overweight (by a couple of pounds) for being 5’1”, but I’m actually quite healthy for my weight. My blood pressure is normal, my cholesterol is normal, and my systems are working properly. I just have a bit of a curvy frame with a bit of extra meat.
I think this club is an awesome idea. It’s pretty awesome that you can go dancing and not be the odd one out and feel completely comfortable with it because the patrons are of a similar physique. They just need one in my surrounding area now
MissMissy
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 10:59 am: [report]
I love how some of you think! The idea that these clubs turn people away - sweet revenge indeed. But it doesn’t happen. While they market as Plus Size, like I said, they’re really “Size Acceptance”. I’ve gone to Bounce many a time, and there are short, tall, fat, skinny, white, black, Hispanic, Asian, straight, bi, gay ... All people go. So, yeah.. Bring your size 0-8 friends. I brought my sister and she was “surprisingly comfortable,” her words. She said it was nice for a night at a club NOT to be harrassed by men, but to just go out with me and friends to dance.
And no harassment at a gay club? You must not have boobs. I sport some large knockers and the lovely gays more often than not think that the fact that they’re gay men and that I am blessed w/ginormous tits they have carte blance to motorboat, grab, jiggle and otherwise accost my mamms. Wait, that sounds like I mind ... hee hee.
BlueVibe
wrote on October 28 2009 @ 11:59 am: [report]
I’m not plus-sized, but I sure am tired of people fearing that things like this will “make obesity acceptable.” As if plus-sized people don’t get enough harassment everywhere else in their lives.
I totally agree that it HAS to be healthier for them to have a comfortable place to go out and dance and hang out, especially since there’s so much focus on emotional eating as a cause of overweight. Um—shouldn’t being able to meet people, make friends, and have fun in an accepting environment have a positive psychological effect (which might reduce emotional eating)?
fallonthecity
wrote on October 30 2009 @ 01:57 am: [report]
@bumbler: I have loved reading your comments here lately about beauty and size.
Clubs like this are awesome—screw the CDC’s condescending attitude and the stupid BMI scale.