This hotel and entertainment complex has been at the center of queer life for decades in Provincetown. It wasn’t obviously intended as that when it was first built in the mid-19th century, by Timothy P. Johnson. Then it was a public hall for shows and entertainment, a bowling alley, and a saloon. In 1896 the Central (as it was called then) was transformed into the largest Hotel in town boasting some 75 rooms
It was known as the Sea Horse Inn in the ’50s and then the legendary mobster Staniford Sorrentino reopened it as the Crown & Anchor Motor Inn in 1962. We’re not sure when it started to be a gay haven but the fact the (queer) pianist Bobby Short played there every night probably is a big clue.
Then tragedy struck in 1998 when most of the building was lost in one of the worst fires in town’s history, and it was completely rebuilt the next year. It was then under the stewardship of life partners of Bill Dougal and Rick Murray and now had 18 guest rooms; the Central House restaurant; the Crown Cabaret; the Paramount Nightclub; the Vault, a leather bar; and Wave, “P’town’s first video bar.”
Sadly like so many other major queer venues, it struggled to keep up with the ever-changing demands of a very discriminating queer community, and the whole place looked a ‘little ragged around the edges.’ The passion and excitement had totally faded, but luckily as it turns out there were two knights in shining armor in the wings more than willing to take up the challenge.
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Fast forward to August 10th, and the new owners (and newly married couple) Jonathan Hawkins and Paolo Martini have several months of management under their belts, and the transformation is totally remarkable. Not just visually but as we enter the delayed Opening Party for ‘balena’ their new restaurant, the atmosphere in the whole place is sheer electric.
Executive Chef Raina Stefani (who told Queerguru her inspiration is relaxed and refined brasseries of France) and Chef de Cuisine Jake Hetnarski presented an incredible delectable smorgasbord of classic Cape Cod dishes and innovative French fare. Hawkins and Martini were not only remarkably generous with their hospitality but what really earned them a gold star (in our book) was their insistence on bringing out the entire kitchen staff and very publicly acknowledging every single one of them
Being generous with lashings of pink champagne is one thing, but a gesture like this resonates so much more
We mingled with Mackenzie the star and host of Mack’nifique: a queer, body-positive burlesque fantasy and unquestionably the sexiest show in town. Plus Elle Emenopé who is getting raves for his new show The Boy From Helltown, and finally having the fabulous Qya Crystal, who is one of the new acts appearing at the Crown and Anchor gave us a burst of her powerful voice that is getting her soldout notices every night.
Putting a soul back into an enormous business like this cannot be easy, especially with seemingly one pandemic after another. But PTown has a remarkable history of doing more than surviving and prides itself on an LGBTQ+communitty always willing it to succeed. Having a pair of passionate entrepreneurs now at the Town’s heart bodes well for us all. We wish them all the success.
Crown & Anchor 247 Commercial St Provincetown, MA 02657 508-487-1430
Labels: 2022, balina, Crown and Anchor, Jonathan Hawkins, Opening Party, Paolo Martini, Provincetown
