I am a local. and I had never been here, until this past weekend. However, I know it from…read moretelevision. Not because it was featured on a news segment, or something similar, but because I saw it on an episode of Monk. It was used as a background prop. Funny what writing helps you remember, and hopefully what you remember is good stuff.
Before I stepped into this bar, I expected it to be a Diver bar, in the grittiest sense, but I was wrong, it is a Dive bar in the most exciting of ways: It is a collection of tchotchkes (a fancy word for trinkets) that when admired as a whole and then independently give this place a whimsical personality. Imagine having a friend that when invited to a pool party wears a bikini with a fun print--- like cherries or flamingos, and is always down for a shot and playful mayhem. Being around this type of personality amps up the party soul of a moment because their vibe is that of a buzz-nurturer. Meaning that when I was in the bar, and all it has to offer, made me want to have a good time, regardless of what I carried in from the outside.
The place gives immediate Tiki Bar vibes but does not carry the moment to full fruition. For example, in my pictures I show curtains with Tiki Idols, and a light fixture adorn with its own hula skirt but the Tiki motif does not transport one to a Luau where dancers sway as they wait for a pig to finish roasting. Instead, the Tiki vibes are sharply contrasted with posters and other keepsakes that are both aspiration and life lessons. For instance, one reminds us to leave your drama outside. Another hanging placard lists advisories that (straight) men should adhere when hitting on women. One of these is the fact that some women's sexual preference is NO. Another poster explains what happens when girls drink too much. One of the 10 outcomes is that women confuse the kitchen floor for their mattress when laying down. Like I said, all of these small and bigger touches combine to give this place a personality that draws one to have a good time.
For me, there were two standout items in the place- 1) a jukebox and a 2) pool table. I was with three people that played pool better than me. One of them explained the purpose of a chalk mound. One is suppose to rub the place between their thumb and index finger to get chalk right in there. Then rub the chalk on the stick. This will create less friction which will help you shoot better. I did all that. This moment also allowed me and another member of my group to have a lot of hard wood jokes-- what are you going to do, we were having a good time at this place, and these jokes felt right.
The jukebox was also free. I played Ariana Grande's version of Popular from Wicked and I felt the song. I was warbling loudly, and off key, and dancing because I was feeling the tune and the drinks. At the end, some of the people in the bar clapped and hollered. I went to put in another song I was stopped, the regulars were watching football on a Sunday, go figure. That is the thing about this bar, it is a regular's bar. People knew each other, people knew I was the first timer. Like when I spoke, two or three people answered my question. When I was looking for the key a customer directed me to it. So this place is definitely a place where regulars are at. And if you know anything about dive bar culture, regulars who know each other make a community. So you will need to navigate these dynamics if you attend.
For instance, one of my friends was in the bathroom, doing the business of two. A regular opened the door and my friend was like, I am here, closed the door. The regular did not close the door, instead he made a joke about leaving the door just a bit open, while being a bro about it. I was horrified just being a witness. But between bar flies these type of jokes might be understood as joyful. But it would take me an alternate life to find humor in potty politics.
I was introduced to the White Tea shot and it has become my new shot so this place left a mark on my taste buds. The shot at the end had this strong green tea taste. The prices were right too! I can't wait to go here again, when the party vibe calls me forth!
Oh and it is cash only, unless you spend 40 and above then it is card appropriate.
