GUTTER GAZZETTE

The bar at the corner of Gotti and Capone has a new name on the door and a new face behind it. The Continental, now under the ownership of Rhoniit, or Rho as he prefers, is officially open and positioning itself as something rare in this part of town, neutral ground.

I sat down with Rho over a couple of drinks to talk about what sets The Continental apart from the long list of owners who came before him. Rho was open about one thing immediately. He does not claim to know the full history of the bar. Like many fixtures in Gutter Trash Alley, its past is fragmented and half remembered. He acknowledged learning that an Asian owner once ran the place and listened closely when reminded of Madam Wu, a former owner who disappeared at the height of the bar’s popularity.

Rather than rewriting the past, Rho says he is focused on the future.

Inspired by the John Wick films, The Continental is intended to function as neutral territory. According to Rho, it is meant to be a safe haven where gang leaders, cops, sex workers, and everyday bystanders can occupy the same space without fear of violence. In a neighborhood defined by tension, that promise alone carries weight.

When asked how he plans to handle the chaos that surrounds the bar daily, Rho was direct.

“The chaos cannot be handled,” he said. “All I can do is add a little hole of light where people can wind down and relax.”

He hopes the bar can act as a mediator, a place where business is discussed, truces are explored, and conflicts are paused if only temporarily. It is, in his words, something the city desperately lacks.

However, not all early feedback has been glowing. A concerned citizen, who asked not to be named, claimed he had previously confided in Rho about a sensitive personal matter. According to this individual, that confidence was later shared with others without his consent. While the alleged infraction appears mild and no formal complaint has been filed, the accusation has quietly circulated and raised early questions about trust in a space that markets itself as neutral and safe. Rho declined to comment directly on the claim.

On the lighter side, Rho admitted he has not yet settled on a signature drink. For now, sake is the standout offering, with plans to create something more distinctive as the bar finds its footing.

As for reputation, Rho wants The Continental known simply as a place to relax and let go. He did clarify one firm boundary. The top floor is off limits to patrons and reserved strictly for staff operations and his personal office.

When asked about rules, Rho offered a simple answer. The one rule he will not bend, regardless of who is present, is to have fun.

Before leaving, slightly unsteady from one drink too many, I asked if he had anything to say to the people of Gutter Trash Alley.

His response was blunt and on brand. Come by, grab a drink, have a good time, and maybe get laid. The Continental is also currently hiring bartenders and dancers for those looking for work.

In a city where neutrality is rare and trust even rarer, The Continental is making an ambitious promise. Whether it becomes a true safe haven or another chapter in the alley’s complicated history remains to be seen.