Today we’d like to introduce you to Luke Nero.
Hi Luke, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started off in the nightlife industry in coat check at Mr. Black in New York and moved my way up the ladder to manager. Then I moved to Los Angeles and dominated the gay club scene for almost 10 years with Mr. Black LA, Rasputin, Evita, Summertramp and Plastic Fantastic. After I had Cher at Rasputin, I felt I had reached my peak at throwing parties and it was time I had my own club. I paused for a few years until the right opportunity presented itself before opening STRUT in Orange County.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
For me throwing parties in LA was probably the most challenging just because it was so competitive. Not only did you have to deal with driving traffic through the doors but you had to deal with very competitive promoters and other club owners. I seemed to be always too stressed to enjoy the party with club owners hovering down my neck every two seconds.
Owning my own club means I get to operate at my own pace with 100 percent creative control.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My sole responsibility is to take people on a journey so they can turn off from reality for just a few short hours. Whether that is through music, ambiance, vibe, or entertainment. Being the creator of experiential experiences means no two days are the same. I have created so many crazy themes in my time but I think one of the most magical was the Wizard of Oz theme at Mr. Black in LA. We had a real 20ft Emerald City backdrop and full-on yellow brick road set in the beautiful rooftop bar ‘Bardot’ in Hollywood.
What were you like growing up?
I was a very creative kid. I wanted to be everything from a cartoonist ( I used to draw a lot) to an interior designer. My biggest love was building Lego. I had an entire city that was permanently built on my bedroom floor and I didn’t lose a single block. Yes, I was one of those kids. My teenage years, I was Madonna obsessed. I was very self-independent and happy to be on my own. At the same time would socialize in all the different cliques in high school. Nothing much has changed really.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.strutoc.com
- Instagram: strutorangecounty
- Facebook: strutbarclub
- Twitter: strutoc
Image Credits
Maxwell Poth
