Lipstick Lounge STAFF Tornado/Covid19 Recovery
Donation protected
I work in a bar that feels like home.
It feels that way because of every person who has ever warmed a seat or re-filled a water pitcher or shown up alone just for a beer at a place that doesn't do bullshit. These people are so refreshing and enlightening and this place is the closest to heaven I might ever know on earth. I know that this is what most people find when they visit our little corner of the East Nashville neighborhood just down the street from Five Points; a community that shows up for one another like it is second nature. In Nashville we get a tough job done together whether the sky is clear or the weeds are high and always with great music and big love.
Being behind the bar at The Lipstick Lounge for the last 6 years has given me a beautiful vantage point into the sweet goodness of people. I have learned more about being gentle with myself and others with every shattered glass and slightly-complicated order. I learned that people will extend kindness far more often than not when we mess up and that a gentle wize-crack from the kitchen staff isn't all that bad, especially when they are warranted. Think about it; where else do you get to witness people sending love back and forth to each other? (Ok, maybe I'm talking about whiskey shots and Piggy Fries but I am also talking about beautiful palpable love).
I am talking about the purple bar with the big Red Lips and the Patio where we play Motown and have Vegan/GF options. The place where you can get the best breakfast burritos by calling it in and shuffling over in your pj’s because here at Lipstick, we are a little offended if you assume we even care whether or not you put your face on during Brunch Hours. Honey, we want you fed and entertained and a little tipsy if ya need it and to just do our damn best for you. We want you to just breathe because the drinks are cold and they'll get in your sweet hands faster if you let yourself relax, enjoy the scenery, and send us lots of love.
I think it might be the best part about the job, watching shoulders relax and eyes shine brighter from feeling known. I truly believe in this place because whatever darkness comes I know we have a place to go. A place to be. I am always happy to see you, looking so good with all that Light. This is the place where you are seen, you are safe, and you are sacred.
Our beloved staff has been struggling Financially since the Lipstick Lounge was forced to close first due to the tornado and then again a few days later due to COVID-19. We are heartbrokenly awaiting the return to all of our new-normals; serving this community, healing, and re-connecting with you. We know how hard it is to ask for help, and we aren't doing so lightly.
We have bartenders supporting their families out of work, newlyweds trying to make ends meet and an entire community of people already dealing with difficult barriers from the tornado.
We need assistance to our crew immediately, which will be split evenly.
If you are a person already relying on outside financial support, please only share this page & your favorite experience of Lipstick to expand our reach! This is an ask of Friends far & wide. If Nashville has been a place you fell in love with on your weekend away with your best of friends or bachelorette party, or long time locals we see on the regular please share and/or donate and show up for us so we can show up our families and neighbors. This fundraiser is to support 20+ staff members and help provide for whatever their unique needs are at this time.
**None of the proceeds of this fundraiser will benefit the owners of the Lipstick Lounge. This is for front and back of house staff only**
From our family to yours, may we hold each other up and see you all on the other side.
Thank you for you shine,
Eli + the whole Lipstick fam.
It feels that way because of every person who has ever warmed a seat or re-filled a water pitcher or shown up alone just for a beer at a place that doesn't do bullshit. These people are so refreshing and enlightening and this place is the closest to heaven I might ever know on earth. I know that this is what most people find when they visit our little corner of the East Nashville neighborhood just down the street from Five Points; a community that shows up for one another like it is second nature. In Nashville we get a tough job done together whether the sky is clear or the weeds are high and always with great music and big love.
Being behind the bar at The Lipstick Lounge for the last 6 years has given me a beautiful vantage point into the sweet goodness of people. I have learned more about being gentle with myself and others with every shattered glass and slightly-complicated order. I learned that people will extend kindness far more often than not when we mess up and that a gentle wize-crack from the kitchen staff isn't all that bad, especially when they are warranted. Think about it; where else do you get to witness people sending love back and forth to each other? (Ok, maybe I'm talking about whiskey shots and Piggy Fries but I am also talking about beautiful palpable love).
I am talking about the purple bar with the big Red Lips and the Patio where we play Motown and have Vegan/GF options. The place where you can get the best breakfast burritos by calling it in and shuffling over in your pj’s because here at Lipstick, we are a little offended if you assume we even care whether or not you put your face on during Brunch Hours. Honey, we want you fed and entertained and a little tipsy if ya need it and to just do our damn best for you. We want you to just breathe because the drinks are cold and they'll get in your sweet hands faster if you let yourself relax, enjoy the scenery, and send us lots of love.
I think it might be the best part about the job, watching shoulders relax and eyes shine brighter from feeling known. I truly believe in this place because whatever darkness comes I know we have a place to go. A place to be. I am always happy to see you, looking so good with all that Light. This is the place where you are seen, you are safe, and you are sacred.
Our beloved staff has been struggling Financially since the Lipstick Lounge was forced to close first due to the tornado and then again a few days later due to COVID-19. We are heartbrokenly awaiting the return to all of our new-normals; serving this community, healing, and re-connecting with you. We know how hard it is to ask for help, and we aren't doing so lightly.
We have bartenders supporting their families out of work, newlyweds trying to make ends meet and an entire community of people already dealing with difficult barriers from the tornado.
We need assistance to our crew immediately, which will be split evenly.
If you are a person already relying on outside financial support, please only share this page & your favorite experience of Lipstick to expand our reach! This is an ask of Friends far & wide. If Nashville has been a place you fell in love with on your weekend away with your best of friends or bachelorette party, or long time locals we see on the regular please share and/or donate and show up for us so we can show up our families and neighbors. This fundraiser is to support 20+ staff members and help provide for whatever their unique needs are at this time.
**None of the proceeds of this fundraiser will benefit the owners of the Lipstick Lounge. This is for front and back of house staff only**
From our family to yours, may we hold each other up and see you all on the other side.
Thank you for you shine,
Eli + the whole Lipstick fam.
Organizer
Eli LaFlamme
Organizer
Nashville, TN
