 Who We Are Black Tie New Mexico is a private social club for gay gentlemen — a place to meet people who share a common outlook, build real friendships, and enjoy one another's company. We're proud to be a chapter of Black Tie International, a network with chapters in more than 15 cities across the country. Whether you're joining us for a formal dinner, a weekend getaway, or a casual mixer, membership means an instant circle of friends — in New Mexico and everywhere Black Tie has a chapter. |
Tom Hall, Bruce Hinrichs, and George Xillas
Our Story
New Mexico's chapter was founded in 2003 by Co-Presidents Bob O'Neal and Paul Bonness, with the guidance of a 17-member advisory board. Our Tri-Cultural Inaugural Dinner at the historic Los Poblanos Inn set the tone from the start: International President Bob Gregson joined 54 New Mexico members and guests, alongside 36 visiting members from eight other chapters, for an evening that marked the beginning of two decades of friendship and celebration.
Bob O'Neal and Paul Bonness
The chapter reached a high point in August 2015, when Albuquerque hosted the 25th International Black Tie Convergence — a record-breaking gathering of over 260 members. The weekend was a showcase of everything New Mexico does best: a lavish brunch at the Albuquerque Country Club, a Mexican buffet dinner at Hotel Albuquerque, a bus excursion to the Santa Fe Opera, a wine and cheese evening at Romero Street Gallery, a formal dinner with entertainment, a White Party with dancing late into the night, and a farewell buffet at Church Street Café in Old Town.
In the years that followed, the chapter built a reputation for memorable gatherings:
- A dinner atop the Sandia Peak Tram in 2007
- Bus tours to the International Balloon Fiesta, drawing 165 members and guests from chapters around the country
- A three-day weekend in Santa Fe in May 2013, with guests representing half of the international chapters
Dennis Alexander and Bill Cox stepped into the co-president role in 2015, following twelve years of leadership from Bob and Paul. They carried the chapter forward with a renewed focus on membership: personal follow-up visits with prospective members, informal event invitations, copies of Black Tie Magazine, and hands-on venue scouting to keep the chapter's signature formal weekends running smoothly.
Join Us
Today, Black Tie New Mexico carries forward more than two decades of tradition — dinners, weekend excursions, formal galas, and everyday friendship among gentlemen who've found a real community here. If you're a past member, we'd love to welcome you back. If you're new to the club, come see what a Black Tie evening feels like — we think you'll want to stay.
