Gayety

Tag: Tristan Schukraft

  • The Tryst Fire Island to Redefine The Pines With Bold New Vision

    The Tryst Fire Island to Redefine The Pines With Bold New Vision

    Tryst Hospitality is bringing new life and fresh energy to Fire Island Pines with the debut of The Tryst Fire Island, a reimagined version of the beloved Botel and a complete revitalization of The Waterfront at The Pines.

    The first look at the highly anticipated property was unveiled this week, revealing 30 upgraded guest rooms, a modernized pool deck, and a fully integrated hospitality experience that transforms the heart of Fire Island Pines.

    “Fire Island Pines has long been a haven for queer people,” said Tryst Hospitality Founder & CEO Tristan Schukraft.

    “Honoring that legacy means preserving our past while evolving to serve the next generation.”

    A Bold Hotel Makeover: Goodbye Botel, Hello Tryst

    While maintaining the charm of the original structure, The Tryst Fire Island will feature a full interior refresh. The award-winning team behind The Tryst Puerto Vallarta has redesigned every room with a sleek, modern aesthetic, including ensuite bathrooms—a major upgrade from the Botel’s once-shared facilities.

    Schukraft emphasized that the redesign isn’t just cosmetic. “We’re creating a destination that feels sophisticated and effortless—elevated, yet still full of fun.”

    The Waterfront at The Pines: A Social Hub Reimagined

    More than just a hotel, the project redefines the entire Waterfront at The Pines with a “campus-style” layout connecting:

    • The Blue Whale, The Canteen, The Pavilion nightclub, and The Tryst Hotel
    • Retail shops, a refreshed gym, and the expanded pool deck

    Highlights include:

    • A revitalized pool deck with more frequent public access and new events
    • A redesigned menu at The Canteen, moving beyond grab-and-go to offer fresh, high-quality meals
    • Expanded hours across venues to create a true all-day, all-season experience
    • Sustainable landscaping using native plants to beautify and conceal back-of-house operations
    • Eco-conscious policies, such as eliminating plastic bottles and partnering with local minority-owned businesses

    Investing in People, Not Just Property

    In addition to guest amenities, Tryst is investing over $3 million in upgraded staff housing. Seasonal employees will now have air conditioning, WiFi, TVs, and communal lounges—transforming once-basic accommodations into comfortable, modern living spaces.

    Behind the scenes, Tryst has also invested in critical infrastructure like plumbing and septic systems to benefit the entire Pines community for years to come.

    The Future of Fire Island Nightlife

    The fun doesn’t stop at check-in. The Blue Whale will operate as usual in 2025 with an expanded menu and is slated for a major restoration in 2026. The iconic mosaic dance floor, home to the first-ever Tea Dance in 1966, will be preserved and enhanced with new covered areas and a second story.

    Meanwhile, The Pavilion nightclub will relaunch High Tea this summer and will undergo a full reimagination in 2026—cementing its place as Fire Island’s nightlife centerpiece.

    Making Fire Island More Accessible

    Traditionally known for its exclusive rentals and tight-knit community, Fire Island Pines hasn’t always been easy to access. The Tryst Fire Island changes that by offering direct bookings, modern amenities, and affordable luxury for all travelers—no insider hookups required.

    With this transformation, Tryst is opening up The Pines to a wider LGBTQ+ audience, ensuring the island’s legacy is both honored and expanded.

    More to Come from Tryst Hospitality

    The Tryst Puerto Vallarta is now open for previews and officially launches April 25. In 2026, The Tryst San Juan will debut, alongside the highly anticipated reopening of Circo, the iconic gay nightclub just in time for Bad Bunny’s Summer residency.

    The Canteen, The Blue Whale, Pavilion, and other venues will begin limited operations in early May, expanding to full summer hours by Memorial Day Weekend.

    For updates, follow @thepinesfireisland and @trysthotels, and visit trysthotels.com to book your stay.

    Let me know if you’d like a press release version, headline variations, or a social media caption next!

  • MISTR Celebrates One Year of Free DoxyPEP With STI Positivity Rates Cut in Half

    MISTR Celebrates One Year of Free DoxyPEP With STI Positivity Rates Cut in Half

    Just in time for STI Awareness Week (April 13–19), MISTR—the largest LGBTQ+ sexual health platform in the United States—is marking a game-changing milestone: one year of providing free DoxyPEP to patients nationwide.

    And the results? A dramatic 50% drop in STI positivity rates among its users.

    Since launching access to free DoxyPEP (doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis) in 2024, MISTR has seen massive adoption. Over 74% of its patients now request DoxyPEP bundled with their PrEP prescriptions, signaling growing awareness and demand for this powerful STI prevention tool.

    “The science is clear—DoxyPEP works. PrEP works. The problem isn’t awareness, it’s access,” said MISTR founder and CEO Tristan Schukraft. “We’ve built a platform that patients actually want to use. We’ve removed the stigma, the waiting rooms, the paperwork—and we’re seeing real results.”

    MISTR - Free Online PrEP DoxyPEP & STI Testing. Photo: MISTR
    MISTR – Free Online PrEP DoxyPEP & STI Testing. Photo: MISTR

    Breaking Barriers to Care

    MISTR currently serves more than 500,000 patients across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, offering free online access to PrEP, DoxyPEP, long-term HIV care, and at-home STI testing in both English and Spanish.

    Through a telehealth model, MISTR has significantly expanded access in underserved communities, particularly in the South and among Black and Latino populations—groups that continue to face disproportionate rates of HIV and other STIs.

    According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

    • Over 68 million people in the U.S. have an STI at any given time.
    • Only 2.4 million cases were officially reported in 2023.
    • Just 1 in 4 people at risk for HIV are currently prescribed PrEP.
    • Among Black Americans—the most impacted by new HIV diagnoses—only 13% of eligible individuals are on PrEP.

    By comparison, Black patients represent 18% of MISTR’s user base.

    “When care is accessible, affirming, and stigma-free, it reaches the communities that need it most,” Schukraft said.

    A New Era of Prevention

    Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute, called MISTR’s progress “a blueprint for what’s possible.”

    “MISTR’s results show what happens when we remove barriers and bring prevention to where people actually are,” he said. “This is the kind of innovation we need—community-driven, tech-enabled, and stigma-free.”

    Beyond digital care, MISTR collaborates with more than 65 nonprofit organizations to help fund treatment for the uninsured and provide culturally competent, sex-positive services at scale. Its reach closely aligns with CDC Priority Jurisdictions and the federal Ending the HIV Epidemic goals.

    Looking Ahead

    With the next generation of prevention—like long-acting injectable PrEP—on the horizon, MISTR is already gearing up to integrate those options into its platform.

    “We’re scaling to reach every person who wants protection but can’t—or won’t—navigate a broken healthcare system,” Schukraft said. “We’re showing what’s possible when prevention is stigma-free, community-rooted, and actually convenient.”

    As STI Awareness Week shines a spotlight on rising infection rates and prevention gaps, MISTR’s success story offers a timely reminder: when care is easy to access, people show up—and stay healthy.

  • Tristan Schukraft Invests $17 Million in Fire Island’s Iconic Pines District

    Tristan Schukraft Invests $17 Million in Fire Island’s Iconic Pines District

    Tech entrepreneur Tristan Schukraft, known for his string of successful ventures, has made a bold move into the world of hospitality by acquiring a significant portion of Fire Island’s Pines district. The $17 million deal, announced in May 2024, includes the purchase of key venues such as a hotel, nightclub, restaurant, and the iconic Blue Whale bar, a central hub of the island’s gay community.

    Schukraft, who has lived in Los Angeles and Puerto Rico, was initially hesitant to visit Fire Island 12 years ago, despite the island’s reputation as a sought-after gay vacation destination. He was invited by friends to stay in the Pines, a secluded area of the island known for its lack of cars and welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals.

    In an article with The Wall Street Journal, Schukraft said “My friend hit me up and said, ‘You should come to Fire Island—you can sleep on the sofa,’” Schukraft recalled. “I was like, ‘That’s not really my thing.’” But after borrowing money for the ferry ride and experiencing the island for himself, Schukraft was hooked. “I ended up loving it,” he said, describing the rustic charm and unique atmosphere of the destination.

    Despite his early fondness for Fire Island, Schukraft visited only once more in the following decade. It wasn’t until 2024 that he decided to invest in the island’s storied history, purchasing the majority of the Pines’ commercial district. His acquisition is part of a broader effort to preserve gay cultural landmarks, which includes the $45 million purchase of the Abbey Food & Bar in West Hollywood, an iconic gay bar that had recently been plagued by allegations of drug-related incidents.

    Schukraft’s push to revitalize historic LGBTQ+ spaces extends beyond West Hollywood. He is also reopening the legendary nightclub Circo in Puerto Rico and purchasing the D.S. Tequila Co. nightclub in Chicago’s Boystown neighborhood.

    While Schukraft has earned praise for his vision, his plans for Fire Island’s Pines district have sparked skepticism from some community members. Fire Island, particularly the Pines and nearby Cherry Grove, holds deep cultural significance for the LGBTQ+ community, having long provided a refuge for gay individuals. It is home to the famous “tea dance” party, which was founded in the 1960s, and other cherished traditions like the annual Fourth of July drag queen “Invasion.”

    A tea dance at the Blue Whale, 1981.Credit: Fire Island Pines Historical Society
    A tea dance at the Blue Whale, 1981. Credit: Fire Island Pines Historical Society

    “We have a very opinionated, critical community who all have something to say,” said Bobby Bonanno, founder of the Fire Island Pines Historical Society. Bonanno emphasized that Fire Island’s significance has only grown in the current political climate, where LGBTQ+ rights are under constant threat.

    Despite the pushback, Schukraft remains confident in his ability to breathe new life into the Pines. “I think we’re going to bring a breath of fresh air into Fire Island—I think people are really going to like it,” he said. Schukraft’s confidence stems from his track record of overcoming challenges in business, a skill he attributes to his sales background.

    However, Schukraft’s lack of experience in the hospitality industry has raised questions about his ability to successfully manage such a high-profile project. As the founder of tech companies like the HIV telemedicine platform Mistr and the e-ticketing company ID90.com, Schukraft is taking a bold step into hotel and nightlife ownership with plans for an outpost of Tryst Hotels in the Pines. The hotel is set to be the first luxury gay hotel brand, with other locations opening in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

    In Puerto Vallarta, Schukraft has already made waves with the opening of the Tryst hotel, which has quickly become a hotspot for the local LGBTQ+ community. “On Sunday, I’m even more exhausted from partying all weekend,” Schukraft admitted, reflecting on his work-hard, play-hard lifestyle.

    While his luxurious lifestyle may seem at odds with the laid-back vibe that Fire Island is known for, Schukraft is determined to leave his mark on the island and the larger LGBTQ+ community. “There are gays that want the five-star experience where they can be true and authentic to themselves,” he said. “Why do we have to settle for a four-star?”

    Schukraft’s dedication to the project extends beyond business interests. He acknowledges the challenges of Fire Island’s remote location, noting that building on the island can be difficult and expensive. “It’s a very punishing environment,” said Andrew Kirtzman, a former owner of the Pines commercial district.

    Even with his financial commitment, Schukraft is realistic about the potential for profitability. He openly admits that his investments in LGBTQ+ spaces, including the Pines, are more about preserving a legacy than maximizing profit. “Serving the gay community is a passion project,” he said. “At the end of the day, my name is on it.”

    As Fire Island’s Pines district undergoes renovations, Schukraft is working to preserve its history while modernizing the area. One of his first changes is rebranding the district, which he says currently sounds too “boring” and impersonal. “We’re going to rename it ‘the Waterfront,’” he revealed.

    For Schukraft, the journey to preserve Fire Island’s cultural legacy is just beginning. Whether or not his investment pays off financially, he is focused on securing the future of iconic gay institutions, ensuring they remain vibrant and relevant for generations to come.