Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate & Ashley Siamro & Galaviz
Hi Kate & Ashley, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Kate Siamro (Owner) – Ladylove started between David Grover (Owner of Spinster Records), and myself wanting to make a space built around the DJ booth and the passion for records, While also embracing delicious cocktails and bites. We brought Jimmy Contreras (Also Owner of Taco Y Vino) in to create a killer menu that captures the essence of the 70s bar bites. David and I are more community builders than we are Bartenders, so everything that does make Ladylove special is within the bar staff. We have majority of the bartenders we started with, and everyone is really special and unique. They make this space feel like a disco dance party every night. My main position is the space is marketing/social media, and I do all the booking and events. I book every DJ and sound…. so I like to joke that I’m here to create ambiance. It’s been surreal to see a line around the block to come inside here… We aren’t built from some big money restaurant group… we are literally a small business record lounge of Oak Cliff.
Ashley Galaviz (Bar Lead and DJ) – When I first moved to Dallas I worked for a record lounge called Shoal’s Sound and Service, where I was mentored by Omar Yee Foon, on how to run a cocktail bar program as a small business owner, and where I was first introduced to record collecting. I would look forward to pay day so I could splurge on new records to share with my bar guests. There’s something so special about seeing someone trying to shazam a record you’re spinning, then grabbing it from the backbar and saying “here touch it,” it’s the 2nd song on side C. (REDUCE YOUR SCREEN TIME) 🙂 After we closed Shoal’s, my records would sit and collect dust, and I yearned for the moment I could break em out and share them with the world again. One day I saw that the Spinster Records homies were talking about opening a new bar in Oak Cliff I immediately sent in my resume month after month until finally they sat down with me. I was the first hire. People often say Ladylove was made for me and I always say we were made for each other.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Ashley Galaviz (Bar Lead and DJ) – After being in this industry for over 10 years, I’ve grown to understand that every place has it’s struggles, but like home we spend a lot of time at work, luckily we hired well, and everyone here is very passionate and dedicated to making this space feel safe. I love how we are all really cognizant of that, work well together to get through those struggles both external and internal.
Kate Siamro (Owner) – It’s been a rollercoaster of constant learning. Luckily we’ve had a really strong team and the concept of the space really hits home with most people who come through. We are really fortunate to be in a neighborhood that is home to us. Ladylove really does sit in the center of Bishop Arts, and it’s a tight community with a lot of love.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Ashley Galaviz (Bar Lead and DJ) – We create a setting for people to enjoy music and each other. We create culinary experiences for our bar guests with our cocktail and elixir creations. All of our potions *ahem* I mean cocktails are made with ingredients we take the time to prepare in house. We’re very mindful in our approach and we select ingredients that are beneficial to your health and transition them as the seasons change. We’re already planning for winter and spring, sometimes after a long busy Saturday we’re up all night spinning records and brainstorming ideas off each other, for future events and menu ideas. I love working with creative and passionate people they’re what makes us unique, our brains just work differently together, we inspire each other and it keeps the morale of the space up, keeping the team involved.
Kate Siamro (Owner) – I am proud to be a part of the sound and curated mood of the space. I work really hard and strategically to book within the space… I really do plan themes around holidays, sports schedules (going against the current of sports since we don’t have TVs), I love a good theme with a whole costume and attitude behind it. We’ve done a BRAT weekend, Disco Studio 54 parties, 2000s Y2k party, and Pink Pony Club. My ambition in the space has always been to create a party and experience people will fondly look back on. I run our marketing and social media, so I always love opening the app the day after to see all the tagged videos from the events… it really makes me feel special and involved in the Dallas community of music and bars.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Ashley Galaviz (Bar Lead and DJ) – Taking a leap of faith on the elixir menu, I wasn’t too sure how people would feel about being healthy in a space where people typically go to drink and dance. I knew as a 30+ bartender I had a need for antioxidants, and due to the way we’ve banging them out, I think we did our big one with the elixirs, people really love them, and they keep the crowd moving.
Kate Siamro (Owner) – We did take a leap with the elixir menu… and also taking a strong stride in mocktail positivity. A lot of bars often look down on the movement of N/A drinks because they don’t have the same price margin or profit you would get with alcoholic drinks. We really do care about people coming into our bar and we really want EVERYONE to feel welcome. Especially people who aren’t drinking alcohol. We are a third space for music, meeting people, and tastebuds, more than to just get drunk. You know? That’s a risk. To make that stride is a risk towards the profit of all bars and what they’re selling.
Pricing:
- We are usually free admission
- $12 Martini Mondays
- $10 Elixirs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ladylovesound.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladylovedallas/?hl=en
Image Credits
All photos except for Kate Siamro (The instgram ones from the girl in cowboy hat and with ladylove menu) are from Oscar Lozada. He’s our photographer. The picture of Ash is the one of her bartending behind the bar, and also DJing in the booth (ideal for main picture)
