Okay, here's the deal. I rated this 3 stars. Don't get me wrong, I'm absolutely fond of this place. Tons of memories with friends It's a good place, in a sense.
However, I have some major gripes with this business that have been bothering me for ages now.
It never used to be a concern maybe 5 years ago, but now it's just annoying. They don't take credit cards. The bar is cash only. You can NOT start a tab. It doesn't matter if you're a long time regular or just stepped through the door. The policy is cash only, no tabs.
This is a great rule after a certain time, but in the middle of the day or when it's slow? It's annoying. You also find out how fast your money goes when you pay for drinks as you go, as the place can be rather pricey.
They recently remodeled the place, after someone attempted to start fire to it, so they shut down for awhile and used the opportunity to upgrade. i have mixed feelings about this as well.
While it's pretty much the same format... I honestly don't like the new bar area. It's a really terrible spot for it. I preferred the old wooden bar that circled around the area. It was perfect for being social and being able to look around the area.
Now if you want to sit at the bar... you'll be staring at an awkwardly positioned wall. There are also less seats at the bar now.
The upside to this is that they've provided more "lounge" and comfortable seating arrangements in the middle of the floor. They used to have these (where the current bar is) as well as a few couches you could sit on. However, they weren't as extensive and classy before. More like a cozy, shady spot.
The chairs with the tables are fun to sit in, but you feel really awkward and lonely if you attempt to go to this place by yourself.
I'm not fond of the new bartenders at the moment. Maybe it's because I just hate the location of the new bar, period. Or perhaps it's because they just seem so disgruntled. One of the old bartenders is still working there, and it's nice to see him. The new girls that are there just look miserable. I'm not saying they're mean, they're not. It's just I don't get that "welcoming" feeling that I received from the older bartenders at the wooden bar. Again, maybe this is because the bar area just is so awkwardly positioned and weird now.
Where the old bar used to be is a larger stage, for Karaoke or performances.
In the back of the bar, there's the main dance floor... and it received a major upgrade. The DJ's now have a main booth in the center of the area. (Replacing the old half-a-car that used to be the DJ area, which was located in the corner.)
There used to be pool tables in the back, and I do believe they're still there.
There's an outside area for smoking, or just relaxing outside in the summer. They improved and moved the location of the outside bar area as well. (Which obviously isn't in use in the winter as far as I know.)
The people who go here are usually nice. Everyone is usually extremely friendly. You'll at least have 1 or 2 people to talk to even if you don't know anyone.
The main thing is... this place is listed as, and has always been known as a "Gay Bar" but these days, especially at nights, this seems to be an incorrect term to use in this day and age.
You'll see folks from all walks of life here, but since the bar opens late you'll find that it's the "OH NO! WHERE DO WE GO TO GET BEER LATE AT NIGHT" bar. You'll then get people who are absolutely straight, with their girlfriends, or are college kids looking for that last drop of a drink before you go home. Some of them are absolutely disrespectful and threatening.
Luckily, the owner, Bobby, is the coolest shit to ever walk the Earth.
If you cause trouble and Bobby's on the case, he won't put up with any crap. You screw up just once, start any crap inside the business, or seem too drunk to function? You're outta there in no time.
Sometimes you'll randomly see Bobby escorting random people out. At first you'll think, "What's wrong with that guy? What he'd do?" -- But if you know Bobby and his "I don't take any shit" policy, chances are that person did something to deserve being tossed out.
I like the new place, it looks snazzy.. But my personal preference to the new bar are and staff are... meh.
The ATM policy won't be changing anytime soon, but it still annoys me.
One final thing I'd like to mention is that during late nights there's usually always an on duty police officer monitoring the area. It's a good thing too, as there are some drunks and douchebags who tend to want to start things once and awhile. Usually Bobby kicks them out before anything escalates, but it's nice to know an officer is there.
I'd definitely say if you have the money on hand it's worth going to. Especially with friends. read more