Club Ice owner does it all

Eddie Hunt is a former UMaine student-athlete and doctor in training

Posted on Nov. 09, 2009, at 2:40 a.m.

Edward Bernard Hunt of Tampa, Fla., is the owner of Bangor’s newest nightspot, Club Ice: located at 190 Harlow St. in downtown Bangor, where Club Gemini used to be. But there’s more to him than his new club. Hunt is a former University of Maine student-athlete and is currently enrolled in medical school.

Hunt is completing his doctor of medicine degree through a now-defunct dual program between St. Joseph’s College in Windham, Maine, and St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine, located on the Cayman Islands. Only one Orlando, Fla., address is listed for St. Matthew’s University.

Hunt is in the process of achieving his doctor of medicine degree. He said he will begin his residency training in March, but is currently completing the clinical clerkship component of his degree at Penobscot Pediatrics in Bangor. This is part of St. Joseph’s College and St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine program, which he was grand-fathered into.

The length of his work day fluctuates as he works with pediatric outpatients on a daily basis. He said he sometimes has a traditional 9 to 5 workday, while other days he has time to go home and study before going to the club.

Club Ice has been a long-time dream for Hunt, whose late father owned a Florida restaurant and pub-style bar.

“Growing up in that environment, it made me want the same thing,” Hunt said. “It has always been a dream of mine, and of my father’s, and I’m bringing it to reality, both for him and myself.”

According to Hunt, he was a free safety on the UMaine football team under Coach Jack Cosgrove during the ’00 and ’01 seasons — his junior and senior year. Hunt transferred to UMaine from Alabama’s Troy University in 1999 and graduated from UMaine in 2002 with a Bachelor of Science in psychology.

Hunt pursued his post-undergraduate medical career at the for-profit St. Matthew’s University School of Medicine. With the knowledge of area student night life and entertainment, Hunt decided to start a night club while still in medical school.

Club Ice opened its doors seven weeks ago and has experienced difficulties, but Hunt hopes to establish the club in downtown Bangor as an essential alternative to traditional pub-style nightlife. Hunt leases the club from Patrick and Matt Brann, owners of former Club Gemini, which once occupied the space.

Facing the Kenduskeag River, the industrial-looking building is shared by the newly-relocated Diva’s Gentlemans Club and Diversified Ink, a tattoo parlor. Hunt agreed the businesses share a mutually beneficial relationship and customer base.

“[The club is] the biggest venue in Bangor,” Hunt said. “It’s been a rocky, slow beginning, but it’s starting to pick up.”

Downtown Bangor’s revival is something Hunt wants to take part in and use to Club Ice’s advantage.

“Downtown Bangor has blossomed, new restaurants and better stuff have opened up,” Hunt said. He acknowledged that the Pickering Square area has the most to offer, but hopes Club Ice becomes a competitive option for food, drinks and entertainment.

Boasting a jazz martini lounge, a VIP area and one of the largest dance floor spaces in the Bangor area, Club Ice is attracting attention. The club is modeled after nightclubs in Las Vegas and Miami. The lounge is separated from the main club by a soundproof door and offers “a more elegant feel,” according to Hunt, where patrons can enjoy appetizers, martinis and live jazz. The lounge opens at 6 p.m. while the main club opens at 9 p.m. every night but Monday.

Hunt manages the club and is in charge of most of its marketing and advertising — along with friend Darron Jeffries, a regular disc jockey at Club Ice, also known as DeeVeeJay. Hunt maintains a base staff, including him, two bartenders, two security guards, guest disc jockeys and shot girls, but is looking to increase the number of his employees. Employees and patrons must dress in a manner that reflects the elegance of the establishment, according to Hunt. Barstaff, security and disc jockeys must wear black or white shirts and black dress pants, while shot girls are required to wear Club Ice shirts and heels.

“I want Club Ice to be entertainment for the Bangor area, not just what college students would like to have, but work professionals, too,” Hunt said. “I want to offer something for everyone.”

Hunt acknowledged that typical college-age bar-goers frequent Club Ice’s main club, while the martini lounge and its live jazz acts bring an older crowd. Hunt is trying to change this social structure.

Club Ice’s location is adventurous. The venue is spacious and the dance floor well-lit and exciting. The rear entrance can be located by thumping bass from the music. The drink specials are cheaper than comparable clubs and bars but paired with the drive to Bangor and the advanced planning needed to enjoy a real Club Ice night on the town, some students are likely to stick to the Orono nightlife.

For those interested in downtown Bangor entertainment, Club Ice’s newest upcoming weekly event is “Alternative Wednesdays,” a night geared toward the GLBT community.

Club Ice also hosts “Twisted Tuesdays” (a reggae themed evening), “Thirsty Thursdays,” “Fall Back Fridays” and “Dance Party Saturdays” on a weekly basis. Every night features drink specials like $2 “Sex on The Beach” drinks and $2 drafts, as well as guest disc jockeys.

Club Ice’s Grand Opening concert is Friday Nov. 27, featuring Lil’ Scrappy with Boy Hunt.

This entry was posted on Monday, November 9th, 2009, 2:40 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.