THE BIG REVEAL: OUR NEW NAME AND LOGO!
/UPDATE NUMBER 2
We welcome your ADDITIONAL thoughts and comments and feedback.
Apparently our second option was not a big hit either! So we return to our original logo and go back to the drawing board.
We'd like to share with you the three additional options provided by the Draper-Olsen Agency. Perhaps the blog readers and customers may find something they like in these.
Here's how the agency described each of these unique marks:
BAKAS: The word itself indicates silly and fun! In Japanese, it means "idiot." What idiot wouldn't love the new BAKA'S Lanai Bar. It's an obvious name "evolution" instead of a "revolution." Draper-Olsen suggested a total bar remodel to align with the new name: customers would enter through the side door (the one next to the parking spaces below the lanai) and find their way to the bar. The colorful logo is a nod to the tribal tattoo designs that were big in Honolulu in the 1990s and early 2000s. REJECTED
RHETT: "This rebrand would hit Honolulu like a tsunami," said Ralph, a copywriter, "it's something that's never been tried before in Waikiki." He queried, "Now when you say "RHETT", it's really a play on the way some people say the color 'RED,' right, like all dope and stuff? Or is it like 'I'm RHETT-to-GO?'" He didn't understand. We explained. He's never seen Gone With The Wind, but he was really fond of the crown as part of the logo. REJECTED
HAKAS: According to Draper, naming a bar after Maori tribal war dances would be a fresh new entree in the Honolulu gay scene. The logo: a menacing warrior with exposed tongue - standing, legs akimbo - before the ocean and palm trees was complex and eye-catching. But in the logo, it seems like #there's #alot #going #on #and #gay #guys #are #really #attracted #to #bare #midriffs. #REJECTED
But maybe, you, the Bacchus customer, finds some joy or pleasure in the rejected designs from Draper-Olsen. Is there something we missed? We want to hear from you and, again, thanks for your patience today as we re-branded and re-branded then de-branded. :-)
Mahalo. We welcome your ADDITIONAL thoughts and comments and feedback.
Below is the second attempt at rebranding Bacchus Waikiki. HAOLE HARRY'S was wholly rejected by the public. In the interest of full-disclosure (and the fact that Draper-Olsen Agency was threatening a lawsuit), we are keeping the imagery and strikeout copy here so you may understand our rationale.
The rosy-cheeked, balding, bearded hipster is under-represented in the Honolulu gay scene, so this new rebrand for the former Bacchus Waikiki aims to capture, and basically corner, that market. With the Second Sunday Aloha Bears Catamaran Cruises already being hosted by the new Haole Harry's, the impact on the bottom line will be immediate and noticeable.
Plans to replace signage and logo-wear are underway. Willie Sabel will be cladding the beams and floor in a different plaid pattern every month. For April, we are going with a slight variation on the MacGregor tartan plaid.
John Blatt was quoted as saying, "The option to swap out the plaid background allows the new HAOLE HARRY'S logo to be a LIVING logo. It will create more visual interest and maybe more people will actually read our blog."
Well, only time will tell. In the meantime, come on over to the new HAOLE HARRY'S at 408 Lewers Street, above the ABC Store and next door to that Thai food place. Order a cocktail and drink it. Then order a sandwich and eat it. Then order another cocktail. You'll be glad you did!
Our first attempt at a re-brand was not a success. In the spirit of full disclosure, we are keeping the content on our site. Thank you for understanding.
According to feedback, the single-color graphic B mark felt "too professional and serious" and some visitor was overheard calling the geometric B and typography "Swiss". One owner buckled at that seemingly derogatory barb, stating, "Waikiki is nothing like Geneva!" and he went on and on about a visit to the Swiss alps as a child where he learned the tale of Heidi and her friend, Peter the Goatherd.
The owners decided that, like the saga of Heidi and the goats, the new logo should be playful and feel like it was communicating more. The myth of Poseidon and the Two Friendly Dolphins was randomly chosen from a hat. The Draper-Olsen Agency, based in New York, was hired to create the visual mark.
When it came to deciding upon a name, the group turned back to Heidi and the Alps. The fresh open air inspired our new name - also a nod to our second floor location.
So, without further ado, our new name and logo:
It'll be a week of transition from the old look to the new look. We hope to have the website and social media sites updated and all signage in place by April 7th.
Come on by today to see our new signage and t-shirts and logo mugs. Enjoy the same delicious cocktails and friendliest staff in Honolulu - we're now ABOVE IT ALL!
