D.C.'s Hottest Bartenders -- Shymagazine.com -- April 2009

How would it feel to have the hottest bartender in D.C. make you a drink? You could surely find out by heading over to the third level of The Park at Fourteenth to seek out Matty and Yones behind the bar.


The two, with much talent and now many admirers, were just announced the winners of On Tap Magazine’s Hottest Bartender Competition, each garnering over 2,000 votes. Not ones to take things at just face value, we found out a little more about these hotties.

For someone who considers herself a tomboy, winning the title of hottest bartender really hasn’t even hit Matty yet. “It’s kind of ironic that I won this contest because I don’t even see myself like that,” she said. The Dominican/Peruvian beauty is a D.C. native and is currently a full-time student. Working on a double major in Psychology and Criminal Justice at Marymount University and an Associates in Marketing at NOVA keeps Matty busy, but you won’t find her alseep behind the bar.

Born and raised in Izmir, Turkey, Yones came to America in 2001 on a Fulbright Scholarship to the University of Illinois, acquiring a degree in International Politics. After that, the almighty internship brought Yones to the metro area. After realizing politics really wasn’t his thing, he got his second degree in Personal Training. He now services the D.C. metro area as a personal trainer. He got his start spending summers behind the bar at his uncle’s beach clubs back in Turkey.

What do you like about bartending?

Matty: The loud music, the people…just seeing people have fun. It’s an intense yet fun atmosphere. It’s such an exciting job. Everyday is going to be different.

Do you have any crazy bartending stories?

Yones: I have lots! Which one should I say? [Laughs]. Tip-wise, I had these two ladies. Basically, they had a $25 tab and but completed it as $600. I turned to them and said, “Miss, you put an extra zero by mistake.” They weren’t intoxicated, but they came to the bar a little buzzed, so after a couple of drinks, I thought they were mistaken. But she was like, “No, no, no. That’s your tip.”

What’s the best drink you make?

Yones: I make pretty good French Martinis. I make good Berry Blossoms, which is actually a signature drink at The Park.

Matty: I’ve been told my Patron Margaritas are really good.

Since you’re in the clubs, you probably hear the same songs all the time. Are there any songs that still get you hyped?

Yones: There are a bunch of them. The latest one that has been banging right now is “Turn My Swag On” by Soulja Boy. I like it. It has a good beat. Before that, we had “Put On” with Young Jeezy and the remix with Jay-Z.

Where do you like to go for fun?

Matty: Everywhere SHY is, I pretty much am.

Dyad Royale --- SHYmagazine.com

They’re living the life of luxury and you’re invited...

Champagne. Shrimp. Lobster tails. House party?

In the world of Dave and Ray, that would be a “yes.”

“People couldn’t believe we went to that level of extreme to make sure we built an atmosphere,” said David “Dave” Chandler, 26, of their very first event a house party thrown for friends and family back in 2003. “[Ray and I have] always had a taste for upscale entertainment.”

After Dave met Ray Hamilton, Jr., 28, through a mutual friend at Ray’s graduation party, they’ve been best friends and business partners ever since. Specializing in entertainment, marketing and event planning and promotions, these “lifestyle coordinators” (don’t call them just party promoters) strive for the beautiful, opulent and luxurious in life and bring those concepts to nightlife with Dave and Ray Ent.

Some people who know Dave, a native of the D.C. area, and Ray, who hails from Pittsburgh, might think them an odd pair, but their differences are what work for them. “Different personalities, but we live by the same principals,” said Dave. “The commonality is the pursuit of genuine luxury entertainment and beautiful attitudes,” he added. Their slogan: It’s a lifestyle.

“When you come to a Dave and Ray event, you feel like you are a star,” said Dave. “One of the key components to our start is that any party can be music, alcohol and people. But I think there are little details that you add to a party to make it a successful event. And that’s what we pride ourselves on,” Ray said.

Others are able to partake in this lifestyle at Pandora Thursday’s at Park, one of their many events, but only select others. This is a member’s only party, so if you ain’t on the list, you ain’t getting in.

Another branch of Dave & Ray Ent. is 1693 Luxury Entertainment Group, named for the year Dom Perignon invented the world’s first and most luxurious champagne. Every four to six weeks, 1693, who along with Dave & Ray is comprised of TEAMBBC, IDC, and Talk of DC, put together a one-of-a-kind events that bring out people, from congressmen to NBA draft picks, dressed to the T to the swanky Todd English’s Olives on K Street.

“A lot of people take time for granted and we want the time that you spend at one of our events to feel as if you experienced something. After leaving, you wish it hadn’t been over and that you could get stuck in that moment. It’s something akin to an art aficionado walking through an art gallery and losing track of time. That’s what we want it to be for nightlife entertainment. Where you’re here and you are engrossed and time stands still. [Pause.] That’s going to be our next party,” said Dave. History in the making.

Read the rest here.