City officials join El Destino owner for cerimony

By Xochitl Pena
THE DESERT SUN
June 27th, 2007

More than a year after it planned to be open, El Destino Nightclub Cabaret & Bistro, the Coachella Valley's first gay bar targeting Latinos, broke ground.
City officials, valley artists and those helping owner J. Anthony Perez build his dream, gathered Tuesday at what used to be the former Tres Caballeros brewery and restaurant at Indio Boulevard and Civic Center Drive. Construction should be complete by late July with an opening soon

thereafter.
"Hopefully, we'll be adding a lot of energy to downtown," Perez said.
Before the ceremony began, attendees mingled inside the gutted building standing on what will become the club's dance floor.
"From the time you enter this club to the time you leave, it's an experience," said project manager John Dennem, who came on board in December.
The club will target the gay Latino market, but certainly is open to everyone.
Dennem said the 14-month delay was due to problems with the previous contractor, inadequate plans submitted to the city and unrealistic timelines that had been set.
A new architect and contractor

had to be hired to redo the plans.
When completed, Perez said it will become Indio's newest hangout.
Not only will it offer funky beats by night, but during the day it will provide area residents with a place to eat and relax.
He also anticipates a comedy showcase one night a week.
There will be two bars, an outdoor patio, 16 plasma TVs throughout and a DJ booth that looks like an airport control tower.
The goal, said Dennem: "Bring back the club experience of the '80s, but update it."