Lurking in the Shadows Hides the Misunderstood

Just behind the bustling, commercialized Centro Ybor complex, a hauntingly dark and mysterious looking building stands.  Its medieval exterior resembles an ancient building, complete with Gothic windows and dungeon style doors.  Nearing the magical hour of midnight, a line of black adorned patrons forms outside the Castle’s walls.  The historic building is a Tampa institution; a landmark, if you will.  A group of pale faced, black lipped Goths sit in a group, laughing heartily and playing cards.  Straight faced doormen stamp hands and collect money as the theatrically dressed morose slink inside.

The Castle, an Ybor night club for those who share a love for all things dark and dreary, opened in October of 1992.  However, on the Castle’s grand opening, it looked nothing like the large, two story Gothic haven it is today.  Instead, it was merely just a small saloon created to house a place where friends could come and visit.  A modest jukebox furnished the music and most first time Castle patrons simply came dressed in black jeans and t-shirts; a far cry from today’s scene at the well known club.  In 2009, the Castle is going strong, perhaps, more so than ever.  Black Levi jeans have been replaced with Victorian style gowns, laced corsets and vampiric cloaks.  There is no longer a jukebox, but instead, two levels of Industrial and Gothic music pumped out by world famous Castle DJs.

There are five sections inside the Castle in which to wander.  First, there is the Saloon, which is where it all started.  This is still a favorite hot spot for many long time Castle dwellers.  The music is old school Goth, with plenty of nostalgic Depeche Mode and Joy Division classics playing.  The Saloon is also a great place to sample signature Castle drinks and socialize with friends. Beautiful stone and brick lined walls, candles galore and rich, blood red velvet fabrics adorn this room.  Hung tapestries and ornate furniture in the Saloon replicate something you would see in Dracula’s castle.  The best part of this room is the famous bar.  A running moat flows directly through the center of the bar top, giving the scene downstairs even more character.  Just be careful though if you decide to rest your arms or you might get a tad wet.  If fresh air is want you crave, there is an outdoor patio right outside the Saloon.  Wooden benches line the perimeter of the patio while overhead, there is a movie screen.   Hanging down from a large, shady tree is a candle lit chandelier.  A DJ spins tunes here, providing the ultimate outdoor dance floor. In days past, there was also a fire pit out on the Castle’s patio.  On cool crisp nights, Goths could gather around a crackling fire and smoke their clove cigarettes.  A dance around the fire underneath the stars was a magical escape from everyday reality.  The Castle’s main attraction, however, is upstairs in the Main Hall or dance floor.  Wolfsheim’s “The Sparrows and the Nightingales,” a Gothic favorite, blasts out from the speakers, while state of the art lighting flashes over the original oak dance floor, exposing a sea of black.  At the Castle, dance is an art form.  Everyone’s style is unique and expressive.  The club patrons aren’t the only ones you will see dancing.  On three elevated podiums strategically placed around the dance floor, professional Castle dancers entertain the crowds.  Scantily clad female dancers in fish nets and latex, wiggle and gyrate to the heavy beats of hard hitting Industrial and Techno.  If you are more of the wallflower type, no worries, as there are plenty of soft, velvet couches and chairs to cozy up on. Scenes from B-rated horror movies play out on large, overhead screens.  Stained glass, Gothic arched windows don’t allow in much light from the outside world, but there is plenty of glow from flickering candle votives.  There is a boastful 120 feet of bar, the top made up of over 1,000 hand cut Dahl DeVare glass tiles.  The adjacent Red Room is an intimate escape from the loud, pulsating music and crowds of the Main Hall.  The Red Room is exactly that, red.  An intimate setting that allows one to snuggle up to their Gothic sweetheart.  There is always a heady smell of Dragon’s Blood incense and yes, there are more candles.  Finally, there is the Castle’s newest addition, the Dungeon.  Fairly mysterious, the Dungeon is only open for events and private parties.  It is an enticing room full of forbidden desires and temptations.  Luxuriously sinful is a good way to describe the Dungeon. Basically, it’s nirvana for the glamorous dominatrix.

The Castle’s walls are shrouded in mystery.  Some believe the club has a magical presence.  Once you step inside, you can feel it envelope your soul.  The scent within the Castle is intoxicating.  Patchouli oil, clove cigarettes, smoke from the outside patio fire… ah, heavenly.  It’s a familiar perfume to a Goth.  You know, those dark and shadowy people who wear lots of black yet always seem to have a rainbow of color in their hair.  Goth guys have taught the world that eyeliner and nail polish isn’t just for girls and through their lifestyle, have shown that cemeteries can be like a second home.  After all, these people are suicidal, worship the devil and sleep in coffins.  It’s no wonder the “normal” folks who walk down 7th Avenue in Ybor (“Seventh People,” as Castle patrons call them), gravitate to the opposite side of the street when a Marilyn Manson clone comes walking by.  A simple trip over to the Castle could prove to be total humiliation or harsh ridicule to a Goth.  I mean, why shouldn’t it be?  These morbid weirdos drink blood and are full of hate and dread.  They are death obsessed, depressed club kids who are constantly quoting Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry.  And not all goths are teenagers or young adults with Koolaid pink hair.  Some are married, have families or are middle aged.  ”The Senator,” who is a Castle favorite, is in his 50s and frequents the night club nearly every weekend.  He dresses in women’s lingerie that doesn’t leave much to the imagination.  An outsider to this eccentric lifestyle may question these people’s ethics and perhaps even their sanity.

Ironically, it may be the “Seventh People” who are the abnormal ones.  Castle patrons are misunderstood.  Most outsiders see Goths and others who stray from the norm, in a negative way.  It is a culture with many attached stereotypes.  ”We are all different.  We are Christians, Atheists, Jewish… but we are not Satanists,” stated an anonymous Goth.  Misconceptions on the Gothic lifestyle involve hurting others and being violent, specifically with Vampirism.  To the contrary, Goths are passive and peaceful and identify most with the Victorian romantic period.  The Gothic culture originated from England and started in the late 1970s.  Most Goths are creative, especially as writers and artists.  Some are skilled in fashion and expressing themselves artistically with their fashion choices.  ”The Senator,” although not someone you would call Gothic, is such an example.  Always dressed to impress in his finest boudoir attire, this well known Castle patron makes his rounds on Friday and Saturday nights. He is recognized by many, adored by most and has intimidated a few.  Upon first glance, “The Senator,” who is known to his friends and Castle staff as Mike, is a bit shocking.  He wears not much more than just a sheer, lacy teddy with a thong. However, there is a lot more to “The Senator” than just a Victoria Secret’s get-up.  Hailing from Long Island, NY, “The Senator” claims that he was actually once shy.  Years ago, he had a girlfriend from New Orleans who liked taking pictures of him.  Inhibited at first, “The Senator” began to change and started liking exhibitionism.  Being naked and having others see him this way didn’t feel wrong or shameful.  It was during Mardi Gras one year that “The Senator” was born.  ”My girlfriend body painted me and dressed me up in frilly lingerie.  I loved cruising into parties and being the center of attention.”

In 1996, the Castle opened its dance floor upstairs and this caught “The Senator’s” attention.  For the very first time, “The Senator” walked through the Castle’s large, wooden doors.  It was then, that he had found his new home.  ”It’s a place where you’re not judged and people are cool,” stated “The Senator.”  Castle VJ Rob Pittman and Tracey, a Castle bartender and now Rob’s wife, really got “The Senator” into going to the club.  In fact, he would go as often as three to four times a week.

So, where did the nickname, “The Senator,” originate from?  ”There were some incidents in the news at one time regarding some of our elected representatives being involved in sex scandals and such.  Since I am a bit older than most of the crowd, someone hung a tag on me calling me  ’The Senator’ and it stuck.”  Well, maybe this guy isn’t a true senator, but he has been called, “The King of Ybor;” a legend of sorts.  Some people even come to the Castle just to see Ybor’s royalty.  After all, a man’s home is his castle, and home to “The Senator,” is indeed that.  So, how does “The Senator,” or better yet, “The King of Ybor” feel about his fame?  ”There have been lots of wild times, lots of rumors and stories floating around that I can neither confirm or deny.  Suffice to say, that I enjoy being the character that has evolved over the past 12 years and while it’s hard to make it out that much anymore, I still enjoy meeting new people and adding to the ‘legend.’”

Perhaps Castle dwellers shouldn’t be feared or judged.  After all, “The Senator” is one of the friendliest people I have met.  I also believe that the Goth culture is greatly misunderstood.  They live in a culture based in stereotypes which are formed around ignorance and fear.  Despite their icy exteriors, Goths are warm hearted.  They are a diverse and open minded group who simply resist labels and mainstream ideals.  And, maybe, just maybe these heavily powdered, black lipped individuals that are regularly mocked and taunted by the close minded “Seventh People,” are just as “normal” looking as they are at times.  Soccer moms and suit clad husbands by day transform into the elusive and sometimes feared Goth at night.

The Castle and its eccentric guests continue to be a place to stop in and see while in Ybor.  Some visitors to the club travel from New York City, Los Angeles and even European countries.  Going to the Castle is like getting lost in another dimension.  Once inside, reality dissolves and the mundane and stressful lives we lead, somehow vanish.  It’s a place where you can let your alter ego come out and play.  You can dance the night away with the famous Senator.  The Castle is a place where you can always be a kid at heart, just like celebrity patron Peter Pan, otherwise known as Randy Constan.  And yes, he has the whole Neverland get-up, green tights and all.  You can re-enact the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre every February, participate in the annual Zombie party (don’t forget to drench yourself in fake blood before heading in) or join in with the Castle’s beloved Fractured Fairytale Ball. Snow White never looked so grotesque!  There’s sometimes a guy dressed as a Ghostbuster who stands by the front door, selling black roses.  A young woman wearing a fairy costume throws a handful of “magical” glitter on an unsuspecting friend.  At the Castle, it’s Halloween all year long.

The place is indeed magical, uninhibited and highly spirited.  Everyone is always happy, smiling and non-judgmental.  There is love and peace around each corner.  In fact, my friend Michelle even met her future husband here.  The staff becomes like a second family to most of the patrons, making it no surprise the Castle has earned such titles as “Best Dance Club” and “Best Bartenders” in Tampa Bay.

So, next time you find yourself in Ybor’s darkest shadows, do not fear.  In fact, this is the safest, happiest place to be. Instead, it may be the guy in the light blue polo shirt walking down 7th Avenue, in hopes of finding a date, that turns out to be the one to run from.  Who knew preppy could be so terrifying?

*The Castle is open Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays/10:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m.

Each night is a different theme, so keep that in mind before heading off to the club.

Monday is “80s and Beyond” night

Thursday is “Pop ‘N’ Wave” night

Friday is “Communion After Dark” night featuring Coffin Classics which is old school Goth and Industrial music

Saturday is “No Boundaries” night, a good time for people watching and lots of Industrial/Goth music

Sunday is “Burn” night for the gay community

Feel free to check out the Castle’s website at www.castleybor.com or on their MySpace page at www.myspace.com/theyborcastle