The Roman god Bacchus is the avatar of inebriation and lust, the icon of carnal pleasure and indulgence. The name befits popular gay club Bacchus House, which will feature numerous protégés of the Roman god walking around in all their shirtless glory in celebration of the hotspot’s fifth anniversary.

This coming Saturday, Nov. 18, the trailblazing club that dared venture into then-unknown gay territory in North Park five years ago is celebrating its success. Co-owner Robi Cox assures patrons to expect nothing less than top-notch entertainment the night of the event – and every night, for that matter.

Seems he’s put his money where his mouth is, enlisting the likes of Flava, best known for his collaboration with legendary producer/DJ Manny Lehman, as well as DJ Jon Williams of Sacramento, both of whom are scheduled to perform together at 11:00 p.m. And to make it all official, a champagne toast will christen the evening at the stroke of midnight.

Reflecting on the initial purchase of the straight club formerly known as Chances Are, Cox jokes about the dilapidated condition of the bar and recalls that when he first walked into the establishment he thought, “chances were… you would never go back in.”

But the facility has since undergone a few renovations, the latest of which is set to be completed on the eve of the club’s fifth anniversary.

“Everyone warned me, saying, ‘You’re ahead of your time going into North Park,’” Cox says.

The past five revenue-producing years beg to differ, making Cox and partner/co-owner Greg Scott look like absolute visionaries.

Citing the revitalization of North Park as an integral element in the success of the bar/club, Cox has no qualms or regrets about founding his business in the peripheral region of San Diego’s gay epicenter, Hillcrest. Speaking to the future, Cox sees Bacchus House “becoming a vital part of the community, especially in North Park, working closely with nearby Eagle and Redwing.”

However, Cox’s suggestion that Bacchus House has yet to establish a vital presence in the community may not be entirely true. For its sheer entertainment, diversionary and social value, Bacchus House is already a noteworthy entity among gay scenesters. It offers a plethora of events six days a week, including Thursday night’s popular It’s Raining Men wet underwear contest, which features a $250 cash reward for the sexy victor. Libations flow at a discounted price every evening except Monday and Tuesday. The crowds of boys are always attractive, especially if you like hot Latino men. For all of the aforementioned reasons, Bacchus House has secured an important role within San Diego’s GLBT enclave.

But the club’s impact on the community in the past five years is far more than cosmetic. Cox has effectively used his cash cow as a philanthropic conduit for charitable giving. Championing causes important to the GLBT community, Cox touts that Bacchus House has generated $250,000 for such organizations as Bienestar, The Center, the Human Dignity Foundation and the Imperial Court de San Diego, of which he is the reigning emperor two times over.

The entrepreneur/marketing guru and his staff are especially fond of their annual “Turnabout” fund-raiser because the entire operation is organized and executed exclusively by the staff, of their own accord, in the spirit of benevolence.

The Turnabout usually takes place during the month of October, as it did this year, and has raised more than $100,000 for charity.

Even though Bacchus House has found its niche among competitors Rich’s, Numbers and The Flame, it continues to adjust and cater to its patrons by renovating every few years, as well as operating afterhours.

“Afterhours give them [club goers] some time to sober up before getting in their car,” Cox says.

The remodel is impeccable, the entertainment renowned, the owners congenial, the boys hot, the libations a-flowing and the cover only $4 before 2:00 a.m. and $6 after that. You’d be hard pressed to find a better deal. Come join the festivities this Saturday, Nov. 18. And, who knows, you may even walk away with a Bacchus of your very own!