Scarrs Last Forever
CHUCKYFOTO.COM
BY JACI SOUKHATHIVONG
What makes a city so great? Some may say the scenery, the architecture, the food… but a city’s character is nothing without the people who inhabit it. The people are the beating heart of what gives a city life.
Today, Atlanta has a scar on its heart from losing one of its very best. Daniel Scarr was the epitome of a true ATLien and will forever have his mark on some of the best establishments and people this city has to offer.
Daniel Scarr was much more than a bartender or manager, he gave his life to the city and all those in it. Bringing the good times to countless people from Buckhead to Downtown and everywhere in between. The party was where Scarr was.
Scarr’s contributions to his hometown could be measured in 3 things. Time, happiness, and integrity. Scarr gave 15+ years serving hospitality in Atlanta at some of its most iconic venues. Most recently working at District Atlanta, but previously at Memphis Smokehouse, Red Martini, and Opera Nightclub among a myriad of others.
For him it wasn’t just work, he truly thrived in it and brought an overwhelming sense of happiness to everyone he met. Scarr was full of love, gave the best hugs, and had the most infectious smile around town.
Scarr has worked with some of the world’s top DJs and bands, helping grow Atlanta’s scene into what it is today. Though he never really did it for the money. He did it for the good times. Scarr had a genuine love for people and would try to make any event the most positive experience it could be. Instead of measuring in dollar signs, he was measuring in smiles.
When Scarr wasn’t working he was cuddling with this rescue dogs Luna and Oliver probably while watching WWE. If he wasn’t doing that, he was travelling any chance he got. Bahamas, Mexico, Fiji, Europe, Bora Bora. Scarr would often times travel solo, and was never worried about being lonely. He’d just say, “I’ll make a friend there,” and he truly did wherever he went.
Scarr was a family man. He spoke to his parents, Jim and Libby, every day. He absolutely adored his sister Jamie and nephew Camden. A people’s person, but was always there first and foremost for his family.
When asking his best friend, Aron Faubel, what Scarr’s spirit animal would be, he simply replied “A unicorn in a Hawaiian shirt on top of a surfboard.” Daniel Scarr was truly one-of-a-kind soul. Someone who you wanted to be your best friend, and felt lucky to be in his presence. There was never a heart that he met that he didn’t touch.
His favorite quote was, “When in Rome we do what the Romans do, when in hell we do shots at the bar.” Well Scarr, we hope you are taking a shot for us in heaven. You made a family out of so many strangers and your legacy will continue to forever live on through the lives you touched. We miss you, we love you. Cheers.
Remembering Daniel Scarr
If you are missing Scarr a little extra, you can always drop by his old stomping grounds, Opera Nightclub (now known as Domaine) and see his canvas mural hung on the side. There will also be another mural placed in Scarr’s honor behind the bar at one of ATL’s favorites, Little Spirit. If interested, local clothing company Six Feathers will be designing Daniel Scarr tribute tees to come in the near future. Below are some sentiments shared from Scarr’s loved ones. Rest In Peace Scarr.
Many of us met Daniel during his time at Opera. At its prime, Opera brought so many of the Atlanta EDM community and renowned DJ’s through the doors due to Daniel’s dedication to the music and the business.
My fondest memory now (which I have shared), is the Holy Ship VIP party Daniel threw for every “shipper” in Atlanta to attend as guests. Daniel and the rest of us had just finished a sailing on Holy Ship (2018) and we were all in need of friends who shared the love we have for that festival. By orchestrating this event, I met my best friend. Daniel brought us together one fateful night TWO years ago and she has been by my side ever since. Countless shows, countless afterparties, festivals, and sleepless nights laughing with our tribe. A true ride or die. All because of Daniel. That’s what he did, he brought people together. He brought joy into our lives. He was magnetic. The last time I saw him was the last time I was out at District with my bestie. We both laughed and took shots with him. Everything came full circle. And I cannot begin to imagine how many stories like this exist bc there are plenty. He was a genuinely beautiful soul who the entire community will never forget. He left a Scarr on our hearts. -Alli Zay
Scarr was my second son and I loved him like a son! The world is a little dimmer without his bright light shining and we are all devastated by the loss. -Charlotte Duggan
I called him "Scarrsdale." He called me "dad." My family loved this kid so much we took him on a vacation with us to Las Vegas. Thanks to Scarr, I laughed on that trip until I was sick.
He never failed to chat with me on my birthday and we did the same on his. Because this kid NEVER forgot a friend. He was a constant - always available when needed or wanted. And he was everywhere - all the time. Because Scarr didn't want to miss a thing.
Look up "genuine" in the dictionary and you'll see his ear-to-ear grin and the sparkle in his eye. You can't fake what this man had in terms of charisma and commitment to his friends.
The pain of this loss is directionally proportionate to Daniel Scarr's impact and reach. His heart is what made him Scarr. And the way he got into all of our hearts - and stayed there - is why he will never be forgotten by anyone fortunate to have crossed paths with this kid. I will miss him forever. -Al Duggan
Scarr was so much more than anything I could ever describe on paper but I will try:
Daniel Scarr didn’t have friends. He didn’t have acquaintances. He had one bigass, loving family. His life was lived in service of others and the weird part about him is that he genuinely loved it. He loved life, he loved music and he loved people and he did all three with a writhing passion and infectious energy.
The hearts of so many of us have been busted wide open by the reality of his passing and every day that we wake up and realize it wasn’t a bad dream stings worse than the one before. I would give the world to hear his guttural laugh and see his goofy bearded smile just one more time.
The truth is that none of us will ever fully be over the passing of our dear and precious friend. We must simply learn to live around the gaping hole of his absence, trying to heal our wounds a little each day. What we will do is try to continue living our lives as best we can, cherishing every single moment as he did. We will strive to treat every single person we come in contact with as family, just as he did. We will find strength in togetherness and we will try to live our lives to the very fullest because that’s what we know he would want for every single one of us. We will one day smile and laugh again because that’s the only outcome he would allow.
Scarr will remain a part of each and every one of us until the day we meet again, his infectious, bright, shining smile radiating through the clouds. His light will not be diminished and he will not be forgotten but will continue to shine brightly through all that were privileged enough to call him their friend.
Rest in glorious peace, Scarr. Until we meet again. -Kayleigh Duggan
Daniel, your smile, laugh, & hugs always brightened my day! Thank you for all of your dedication to our Liquified events; you are loved and missed. -Aileen Luciano
Working in the spirits industry as a brand rep is what brought Scarr into my life. A friend of mine from Sydney was playing a show at Opera and I’d have yet to visit the venue so I reached out to a coworker that managed the account and asked who I should talk to about coming in and meeting up w/ my friend. I remember my coworker at the time said “oh it’s Scarr, I got you. I’ll link y’all in a text” and I’m thinking what is a dude named Scarr about to look like? As I walked up the venue and saw the massive line I messaged the group chat and Scarr replied immediately and said to meet at the VIP entrance. Out comes this dude suited up & full beard, smiling ear to ear. He gave me a huge “dap” and brought me straight to the green room where I said hey to my friend playing that night and then Scarr says “so I feel like you probably like 1942” I say yes and we’re on our way to do some shots. That same energy remained every time I saw him and grew to build a friendship outside of the regular business connection. I’ll miss that smile and joy and fulfilment of the word hospitality all in one. That’s truly Scarr -Wil Lawson
Daniel Scarr to us, was more than just a leader in hospitality. He was the personality that brought everyone together. He was a common thread in the cloth that is the Atlanta Industry family. His personality shined brighter than any light shined in any club. Scarr was pivotal to our industry by setting a profound example of honesty, integrity, and loyalty that encompassed the reasoning for his longevity and success.
Daniel Scarr worked with us at our two venues. Within a short time we noticed Scarr had a unique ability to not only provide hospitality to all patrons but also provide unique multi generational wisdom to all those he touched. You could feel his presence in our venues from the day he started, something we still feel everyday today. While people say one's memory will last through memories and friends, we know Scarrs memory will be with us through every shift, everyday. (We refuse to clock him out of our POS system.) Legends live forever. - Rhett Diller & Brett Holtzclaw
“Scarr was a pleasure to be around. He was someone you know you could enjoy yourself with when you got to the venue, who wouldn’t be just be all about the business but also about being personable and making sure everyone was having a great time. Everyone loved Scarr. I’ve never seen Atlanta be so impacted by the loss of someone in my many years here and in the industry. When Liquified moved from Opera to District and we got word Scarr would be coming with us, the whole team was absolutely stoked. I remember being so grateful and excited to be able to work with someone who I truly enjoyed interacting with and could trust to have my back. Outside of work he was so fun and kind, I never saw him judging people or doing anything but improving the atmosphere. I still can’t believe he’s gone, it feels like a bad dream. It’s clear that his memory will never leave us and he will be the golden standard of how we all need to be in this community.” -Nikki Breslauer