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Alright, as this marks the very first of the Metro Jacksonville nightlife reviews, and we are debuting several new features there are a few things that need explaining.
We will be rating and reviewing nightclubs based on professional and subjective categories that will be figured using a mathematical formula.
The Club Rating Formula:
There are six categories that our obstreperous reviewers rate:
Quote
S = Service
This is pretty self explanatory: Is it sufficiently staffed with trained well disposed people? Is service prompt and professional? Are the employees competent and attentive?
D = Drinks
This is a pretty subjective category. In liquor bars, it's a measure of the quality of liquors available, as well as whether the bartenders actually know what they are doing. We give extra points for showmanship during mixing, as well as how well constructed the drink is. Beer and Wine Bars get an automatic rating of 3, but we give extra points for great selections.
CZ = Crowd Size
This has everything to do with people per square feet, not total number of people. If a small club is crowded with 50 people in it, they will get a 5. If a huge club looks deserted with 300 people in it, they will get a 1. Clubbing is about socializing. If people are so spread out that you cant mix, then its sort of self defeating isnt it?
CF = Crowd Friendliness
Is the crowd itself friendly? Can a person meet and/or get introduced to others reasonably easily? Is it cliquish and not open to outsiders? Is it clear that a barfight is possible from the minute one walks into the room? Should one mind one's Ps and Qs?
FMS= Friendliness To Metro Jacksonville Staff
Lets face it, if their staff isnt going to be friendly to an honest to god reviewer, who are they going to be friendly to?
B = Bonus Points
Totally random. Anything that sticks out of the ordinary, whether positive or negative.
In the first five categories, we give a rating between Zero and Five. Zero being god awful. A rating of Five is excellent.
The sixth category is for Bonus Points, however and can earn a rating of -5 through +5, depending on the reason and importance of the bonus cause.
The entire amount is then divided by 5, which gives you our rating.
Now. it is important to notice that we do not rate based on the kind of music or the clientele that the clubs cater to. Nor do we give a fig's leaf about the size or age of the club, and are not impressed by cheap marketing ploys. We don't rate a club on the basis of the age of the clientele or whether it serves full liquor or beer and wine. The ratings reflect what any person walking into the club for the first time would notice.
And yes. We include the bathrooms. People should not have to consult with the EPA before using them.
Meet Jennifer Browning, who is making her debut as our first Club Reviewer:
Which brings us to the second part of the review: The Club Crawl Narrative. This is the story behind what happened with the reviews. We will be organizing the club reviews according to area of town and night of the week in the format of a Club Crawl. Lots of photos, observations and anecdotes about the people, things, music and workers in clubland.
Easy enough?
Saturday, September 2009.
Nightlife editor Stephen Dare readied notes and served as the home base of operations for the Downtown Club Crawl. This means he will serve as phone contact for cub reporter Jennifer Browning and assistants as they party the night recklessly away. Well, it will not be the first time that hes been dialed all night long by people tippling across the downtown.
He was a little amused at the fact that the crawl wasnt technically downtown, as it included Shantytown in springfield and Jackrabbit's in San Marco, but at least the entire thing was to be in the City Core.
And of course there was the detail that not all the downtown clubs were represented. Notable ommisions included Ivey Club, Poppy Loves Smoke, The Sinclair, and any number of establishments that he feels certain are at the Landing.
But still, its enough of a list to make an interesting beginning, one which can be expanded upon later.
Browning and Company seem to have some ideas about the night, and so they set off into the evening to produce the following collection of impressions and reviews.
Downtown, Saturday Night.
First Stop: Shanty Town Pub, 6th St W. Off Main St. in Springfield. 8:10pm-9:25pm
When I walked into Shantytown, I knew I had found a genuine local favorite. The actual bar is tiny, at least the inside part is, and there is a very intimate atmosphere. Unsurprisingly, everyone seemed to know each other, and we got introduced around with no effort at all. I really liked the funky urban decor in Shantytown: beer bottles lining the walls, local original art and giant grafitti work both inside and on the back patio as well.
They don't sell any liquor at Shantytown but they carry 120 different beers and about 15 different wines. The bartenders are quick to serve your favorite beer or wine and have great attitudes.
I tried a new beer: Young's Luxury Double Chocolate Stout. Amazing. It was quite rich with a chocolate flavor, yum! You can smoke inside or out back on the patio. Luckily, it doesn't get too smoky because the front and back doors are open, and the back patio is actually outside.
Unfortunately, there isn’t any air conditioning inside Shantytown and it got quite hot while the Metro Jacksonville review team was there. (sadly that cost bonus points. It's hard for a girl to be glamorous when she is a. sweating profusely while b. fully clothed.) They do have the fans turned on and a huge back patio area where people can sit and talk, drink or just have a good time. Which we did. On the patio. Out of the heat.
On the patio, gathered around picnic tables, deploying occasional volunteers inside for new rounds of drinks, We ran into veteran club lizard Roland David. The adorable member of the band Eugene not only proved very entertaining, but also confided to this cub reporter that he likes Shantytown because of "the community, the bar, and the bartenders' good attitudes." which you have to admit, are legitimate reasons to like a place even if they are a bit vague and mysterious.
We ran into another Shanty Town newbie named Brian Cordova who came for the first time that night and said he would be back. After ruminating over these two profound insights, your chocolate beer refreshed club review team went forth into the early night towards the opposite side of the river.
Shanty Town Rating
S(4) + CZ(3) + CF(5) + FMS(4) + D(3) + Bonus(-2 for no air conditioning)
5
Rating: 3.4
London Bridge 9:30pm-10:11pm
Realizing that arriving at 9:30 is hardly a fair time to expect a busy bar, the establishment had been open for hours when we arrived. When you walk into the London Bridge, you feel like you’ve found a little slice of Europe--the slice with large screen tvs and old bar chairs featuring flip flopped locals with sunglasses and frequent jowls. There are various signs, beer logos, pictures, and dollar bills on the walls.
Shortly after making an entrance, we were told that if you haven’t been to the bathroom in the London Bridge, you should--- because there's a safe in there! This begs the question as to why a bar would be inordinately proud of its bathrooms that a random club reviewing stranger would be immediately steered towards it, and I had a moment of nervousness that maybe there was some tell tale sign that I personally needed to go to one. I wondered if 'safe' was a codeword for something more embarrassing. I went. Posthaste.
There was a safe. The mirror betrayed no other reason that I should be there. I considered the surprisingly well advertised bathroom lock box.
I've been told that it’s been there for a long time and no one wants to find out what’s inside. WTH?
Is there some mystery behind it? Why wouldnt anyone want to know, I wondered. Normally I'm not in the business of caring what is in random safes belonging to other people, and especially not in a bathroom, but the sheer fact that there are so many apparently who lack curiousity make me immediately want to know. Then I came back to reality. What the hell is wrong with people? To hell with them and their random safes. I'd rather watch Chris Farley eat a rare steak in 3D than spend another minute even thinking about it.
There is a nice sized stage area and a pool table in the back as well as many places to sit and talk with friends. You can’t smoke inside the London Bridge, but there are tables with adequate seating outside. The London Bridge serves 60 different beers priced from @2.25 to $4.75 and 6 different wines that are moderately priced as well.
Thomas said, " I've been a regular since 2005 and I come out here for the neighborhood feel."
Cameron said, "I've been coming here for 4 years because all my friends are here, the staff and people are friendly.
I said. "You boys are sweet!" and left for Jackrabbit's, with no further thoughts of that ridiculous safe in the bathroom.
S(4) + CZ(1) + CF(3) + FMS(5) + D(3) + Bonus(3. bartender gave us a needed clipboard)
5
Rating: 3.8
Jack Rabbits 10:25pm- 12:30am
When I got to the venue, Hello Danger was about to perform and their show was really fantastic. I decided to like Hello Danger just a little bit more than I already do because they manage to sound very much the same live like they do on their album, “Shark Attack Party”.
The crowd was singing and dancing along with the lyrics and got as close to the stage as physically possible without flirting with criminal trespass charges. There were a couple of guys so close on me, that I could have sued them for Breach of Promise at the very least afterwards.
I suppose by now the reader has gathered that the venue was packed. In order to move around, I had to wade through the masses, which is easier said than done.
Most of the time you can smoke inside the venue and it does get really smoky inside when that happens. This was one of those times. It was like one of those science fiction moments where you wonder if the Earthling girl really can grow smoke gills and survive on the alien planet.
I must say that it’s terribly disappointing that there’s only one bathroom each for the ladies and gentlemen. There can be a line for the bathroom at times. There was on this night. Nothing like girls pretending to be nice to each other while their makeup streams off of their faces and their bladders begin to demand voting rights. It is situations like this one that you suddenly become aware of the many uncrossable rules involved with waiting in a line. Minor infractions can result in bleeding. With public approval.
At least the bartender was a) cute. b) extremely fast and c) able to guess by looking at me which was my favorite beer.
That goes a long long way.
S(4) + CZ(4) + CF(5) + FMS(3) + D(3) + Bonus(3 great band)
5
Rating: 4.6
Cafe 331 12:45am-1:00am
Cafe 331 is likeable because it manages to be spacious and yet maintain an intimate atmosphere.
After chatting pleasantly with the bar staff and the DJ, I tried a Cherry Bomb. Sadly they used Red Bull instead of Monster for the drink. While this is the correct recipe: http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink11361.html I prefer the local version. I guess they could tell that I hated it from the subtle clues I was giving: I choked and loudly complained in as irrational a way as I could manage.
The bartender managed to pass the unreasonable college girl test. Instead, he poured me an Oatmeal Cookie shot. Smart boy. It was actually the best one I've ever tasted, and it's a specialty at Cafe 331.
Their beers are reasonably priced: $7 pitchers of Yuengling, $2 domestic drafts and well drinks for Happy Hour 2pm-7pm. $5 anything you want on Friday and Saturday nights. $5 dollar Long Island Iced Teas.
Angelina says, "I come here often to support DJ Beau Damion because it's a good place and a good crowd." Ashley says, " I live at the Metropolitan Lofts which is close by and for the staff and the people who come here are like family as well as the lighting and atmosphere."
I suspect from the haphazard grouping of things she likes, that Angelina had also had a couple of the Oatmeal Shots.
Another two of them, and I would have had family and lighting on the same basis myself.
While I was here there was a Birthday Bash going on. They ended up having a food fight with the cake and I narrowly missed getting smacked with cake while I was onstage taking photos.
The DJ was spinning awesome music to go along with the awesome neon green lighting and people spinning glowsticks.
But the night had other charms, and it was time for me to be on my way. After spending two crucial hours in the teenage heaven of Jackrabbits, it was already 1 in the morning. Less than an hour to fit in the remaining three clubs on the agenda.
Luckily they are all next door to each other.
S(4) + CZ(4) + CF(3) + FMS(4) + D(3) + Bonus(none given)
5
Rating: 3.6
Marks 1:15am - 2:00 am
Marks is tastefully well decorated and lit with nice chandeliers. At one fifteen in the morning, the decent sized venue on Bay Street was also a packed house. In front of the club, there is always a big crowd of well dressed people sitting on the patio section.
At Mark's this is where all the most interesting action happens for singles. After staring meaningfully at each other at the bars and on the dance floor, people will slip their dates or groups and head outside to either make plans for later on, or decide whether or not to make them.
Lots of beautiful people in the 20-40 year old age range and a pretty strange crowd dynamic. There are some extremely hot guys in their 20s there that I call the Cougar Hunters. And there are some well heeled older men looking for arm candy. There are also a good number of very hot older women who are looking to accommodate a young cougar hunter as well as the usual upscale assortment of people and groups out on dates, and sorority girls out for a night on the town. There are as many people dressed in business dress as there are in upscale club ensembles, and all in all it is a vibrant fun place to be.
Because it is right down from both TSI and The Ivey Club, there are also bands of college students who invade the place for cheap shots at the bar. Indie kids from TSI, and well muscled meatheads from Ivey.
I settled in with the smoking hot bartender named Steven and ordered an Oatmeal Cookie shot from him. It was decent, but not the skirt lifting experience that I got at 331.
I also ordered a Cherry Bomb, but they also used Red Bull and I don't like them made that way at all.
I had four people approach me to talk: Very friendly place. Any newcomer would love it, because people are really out there to meet others and have a good time.
Tish said, "This is my first time coming here and it serves any type. I have an issue with how they run it because the music is categorized with mainstream music and no diversity, and the drinks are expensive."
Andrea said, "I've been coming to Marks for 3 years now. Mark is a nice guy and I patronize his bars, Marks and Dive Bar, because of that. The bartenders know what they're doing and give professional service with a smile."
I listened and wrote, and tried not to stare too obviously at the bartender.
S(5) + CZ(4) + CF(4) + FMS(5) + D(4) + Bonus(2 for bathroom condition)
5
Rating: 4.8
Dive Bar
When one walks into Dive Bar, the first thing one will notice is the eccentric décor.
Oversized chairs and couches sit on in various conversational arrangements.
My favorite area is the so called Cone of Privacy. It is a circle-shaped area near the bar with black-lighting and neon paint and pictures of bands and musicians inside. There is a table in the middle of it, and a curtain that, when drawn, gives enough privacy that one could easily end up in a wedding where one's father is brandishing 'just in case' fire arms if a girl isn't careful.
There’s a good sized dance floor and a large bar with an array of bartenders. The Dive Bar is always packed, and this friday night was no exception. The music is great and danceable, and while there are definitely hook up prospects, it's not anywhere near as serious a consideration as Marks. One supposes that when people have gone through pre club grooming and dressed expensively that a certain grim minded intensity is sure to be involved. Not so much Dive bar. It's a dancey kind of place, and a whole lot more diverse and integrated than the other bars on Bay. Very good vibology.
Although it is also owned by Mark Hemphill, it is way more laid back than Mark's. People come to the Dive Bar wearing whatever, some people are dressed up, some people are in jeans and nice t-shirts. The crowd was mostly people in their twenties to early thirties.
The door guys are really nice and easy to talk to, and many people think that they are one of the big draws of the club. You can smoke inside the Dive Bar, which is a contrast to Marks.
The bathrooms are very clean.
Our experience at the bar was meh. The bartender doesn't really like doing layered shots, and we watched politely as he ruined a couple of pretty expensive candy shots.
But on the other hand, they poured Long Island Teas strong enough to strip paint off the floor, and grow chest hair on the statue of Venus De Milo.
There was some vague crazy bi-otch drama going on while we were there, and we went on to TSI, promising to come back to the fun little club.
S(4) + CZ(5) + CF(4) + FMS(5) + D(2) + Bonus(2 cute doormen)
5
Rating: 4.4
club TSI Discotheque 2:00am-3:00am
TSI is like being a rockstar. The kind of rockstar that stays in your own hometown, and doesnt get treated all that special, and might still get their ass put in line if they are too much of a dickweed.
In fact there are rockstars at TSI all the time. Local rockstars. Black Kids, SunBears, and all the visiting royalty.
Like an ironic rockstar, you can order bottles of champagne for $12, or you can order a small beer or large boot as well.
You can hang out with the beautiful people, including the Ford Model behind the bar (Veronica Dame) and the artists (very long list) in the tunnel underneath Tommy Armageddon originals, or you can cold up ignore everyone in the ironically placed privacy seating right by the front door.
One thing TSI does well is music. Nick Fresh and breaking talent deejays.
We ended up with the raspberry lambic and a bottle of bubbly hanging out at the end of the bar.
Then we vaguely remember the place closing, and people telling us we needed to get off the dance floor.
Lovely, lovely way to end the evening.
It seems as though there were tacos somehow.
This was DJ L'NDN's first night as resident DJ for Saturday nights.
DJ LN'DN said, "I'm psyched to be the Resident DJ for TSI on Saturday nights!"
DJ B-Midnight was also keeping the dance floor pumping with dance favorites. I really enjoyed the music that the DJ's were playing!
Errett said, "TSI has the most progressive music scene in Jacksonville, I love the bar staff because they're beautiful and funny. The crowd here is wanting to learn more about the music scene and beautiful people come here [to dance and have fun]."
Im pretty sure I said extra jalapenos on the soft taco.
S(5) + CZ(4) + CF(4) + FMS(5) + D(3) + Bonus(3 for tacos)
5
Rating: 4.8
By Jennifer Browning and Stephen Dare.
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BridgeTroll
September 25, 2009, 07:03:37 AMGreat article! Been to all those clubs and enjoy every one of them! I personally think Shanty was rated a bit too low. Perhaps because it was the first place visited... as criteria probably loosen up as the night wears on...
Hurricane
September 25, 2009, 09:26:44 AMGood stuff! I would love to see this as a weekly or monthly article. I want to get out of the normal groove and go to new places, so this serves me well... Thanks!
Captain Zissou
September 25, 2009, 10:02:08 AMLiked the article, but I would have liked to see Mark's rated a little lower. I think our reporter was a little too distracted by the hunky bartender to give a completely objective rating.
TREE4309
September 25, 2009, 10:09:19 AMI liked how Jennifer gets progressively drunker as the night goes by. Must.hit.every.bar.in.one.single.night! Agree that Shanty's rating got the shaft, too.
heights unknown
September 25, 2009, 10:30:13 AMIs that "hoary" night club scene or "whoring" night club scene? LOL, just kidding. Never heard of the word "horary."
Heights Unknown
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 10:47:12 AMthis was hella fun to do. And its going to be a regular feature.
Welcome Jennifer!
The ratings are pretty smack on, I think. A 5 is excellent in all categories. It is technically possible to get a 6, but it would be damn near impossible.
For example, which category would you change the rating on for shanty? The bonus point subtraction for the heat was what brought their score down.
Thats why the narrative part is good, it lets you know the reasoning!
What a good time it was though!
GideonGlib
September 25, 2009, 10:52:12 AMShantytown was rated far, far too low.
TPC
September 25, 2009, 11:00:58 AMI've been to all those places and some off the scores seem a bit off to me. Shanty should be rated higher due to the fact that you went early and it was pretty crowded and the people are very friendly. Jack Rabbits should be rated lower since they are only open for shows. Cafe 331 should be rated a little lowers since they usually have a small crowd in comparison to their size. Marks should be rated a little lower because the crowd isn't nearly as friendly as most of the other places.
Overall I like the fact that this post highlights some of the local bars and venues near downtown. I really see Bay Street becoming the strip for downtown nightlife. We just need a few more places between Marks and Ivy.
Omarvelous09
September 25, 2009, 11:04:24 AMnice coverage...glad to see some of my favorite places featured. :-)
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 11:14:05 AMI laughed out loud over the Cougar Hunters of Mark's!
BridgeTroll
September 25, 2009, 11:18:53 AMLike I said... it was the first place visited... early in the evening. If it had been reviewed or visited later in the evening the heat would not have been an issue resulting in a higher score.
I suppose something similar could be said of any of the places reviewed... IE... some nights are better than others... regular bartender was sick... etc. I would request more pics if possible to get a sense of the scene both inside and out.
Just a critique... not criticism...
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 11:25:20 AMlol thanks for both critique and criticism!
I was surprised at the shantytown score as well! Luckily they get another crack shortly.
We are going to organize the reviews by which day of the week it is, and what part of town.
That way, if you are trying to figure out whats happening on a wednesday night, and you want to hang out in riverside, you can just check out the reviews for that night.
I was looking at the equation for shanty's rating, and I think one thing that could have been different on Jennifer's part was the D (drinks) category.
The policy is that beer and wine gets a 3, because there isnt much skill in opening a bottle, but that the bar gets extra points for having a really great selection. It seems like 120 beers is a great selection, so they should have scored higher in that category.
It would have evened out the negative bonus points.
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 11:33:01 AMkevinleenewberry
September 25, 2009, 12:05:40 PMSHANTYTOWN gets a 3.4 ...no air conditioning keeps all the pussy bands from playing there..a real bar for real people owned by a real solid dude that has done more for this scene locally then crack habbits..you scored jack rabbits higher then shanty..girl you are cwazzeeee!!!!!!
Jennifer Browning
September 25, 2009, 12:08:19 PMHey everybody, I'm Jennifer and I'm excited and honored to be able to review for Metrojacksonville.com. There will be more reviews coming, feel free to comment and let me know what you think. I intend on having a lot of fun and I hope you'll have fun with me.
Jennifer Browning
September 25, 2009, 12:15:07 PMHmmmm.... Well, I'll keep that in mind, Kevin. Happy Birthday!
Jennifer Browning
September 25, 2009, 12:30:32 PMI agree that Bay Street can become the "strip" for downtown nightlife. Hopefully, we'll be able to draw a crowd and have more places to party on Bay Street.
Jennifer Browning
September 25, 2009, 12:34:47 PMI've heard that Shantytown was really busy later on that evening, but, the criteria stays the same no matter what part of the night I'm reviewing.
Jennifer Browning
September 25, 2009, 12:36:21 PMThank you for your critiques, and I'll make sure to take more photos for the next review
kevinleenewberry
September 25, 2009, 12:47:08 PMWait untill you experience shantytown in the winter..hanging out back with the fire kicking getting drunk and jumping on a table and screaming "I am the best songwriter in all the land!"...its a real nice time.
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 12:50:41 PMNext clubcrawl is Sanmarco/riverside.
Were going to do a downtown/springfield one as well.
The riverside one is going to include steamworks, starlight, 616, incahoots, west inn, the casbah, Park Place, Metro and maybe a couple of others.
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 12:53:39 PMsounds nice and primal.
fsu813
September 25, 2009, 12:55:37 PMi'd recommend not going to but a few at a time, you are going to run out of "crawlable" areas relatively soon if you keep up this pace.
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 12:57:58 PMdifferent nights of the week....youd be surprised.
Friday night in riverside is a completely different animal from wednesday night.
TREE4309
September 25, 2009, 01:15:33 PMKICKBACKS!!! Oh, and Wall Street too.
Bewler
September 25, 2009, 01:33:06 PMBeat me to it Tree.
Don't forget O'brothers.
kramer2k
September 25, 2009, 01:46:50 PMYes...KICKBACKS fo sho!
David
September 25, 2009, 01:48:59 PMWell it's hard to even compare places like Shanty & Marks. They attract two completely different demographics.
Her statement about the lack of a/c reflects a lot of people's views on shanty. I've dragged numerous friends there only to have them complain the whole time, so I kick them out and tell them to go chase cougars/popped collars on Bay st and dance to crappy top 40 music. The drink rating definitely should've been higher though.
It's just about what you want in your night life experience, maybe MJ or someone else should do a separate review for the grittier side of night life, you know, the actual dive bars in town that so many of us like to frequent. For us guys/ladies who aren't on the prowl and just want good drinks, entertainment and company.
Jack rabbits is very dependent on the bands that are playing, that place can be a blast or a total waste of time. Nothing tops the time my friends and I saw Monotonix play there, setting up his drum-set in the middle of Hendricks Ave, running after passing by cars and then moving to play in the still under construction High Tide Burrito Co, but I digress...
Mr Tree and I were there at 331 briefly when this review was taking place and...well. I think everyone was just drunk by then. It sounded like a failed rave at that point...so we ended up going to shanty.
Overall Jennifer, I'd say your system is pretty fair if you're judging in terms of what most girls/young single guys like in a club going experience. You rated Marks & Dive high which is more of a club atmosphere (both of which i can't stand) and gave the darker, more cozy actual dives (which I love) a lower rating so I think it's important to separate club going experience from a bar/hanging with friends setting. It is Jacksonville and there are only so many places you can do in a review, but they're two completely different nightlife animals.
I definitely agree with TSI being a great way to end your night, I love how it's one of the only places open after 2 am. Be careful with those 12 dollar bottles of champagne though
TREE4309
September 25, 2009, 01:49:05 PMO'brothers...you mean O'shit this beer is how much?!
kramer2k
September 25, 2009, 01:55:06 PMGood points David.
I, too, differentiate between a club and a bar. I much prefer the bar scene.
stephElf
September 25, 2009, 02:01:30 PMI would do San Marco separate from Riverside. Endo Exo, Locals, I think there is a Wine Bar still on the South Bank that used to be called Tastings, Layla's, Square One, The Grotto, Sherwoods and maybe even European Street. I may even be missing a spot or two.
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 02:03:56 PMDavid, maybe you'd like to do a club crawl with us?
great additions to the list. Steph, what else is out in san marco?
Bewler
September 25, 2009, 02:06:33 PMHaha, yes. Inspite of that, they still draw a big enough crowd to warrant a spot in this article. Maybe it'll even convince them to lower their prices and we'll all actually want to go there.
stephElf
September 25, 2009, 02:06:58 PMDitto on both counts.
TREE4309
September 25, 2009, 02:09:26 PMI bought a pint of Bold City Killer Whale Cream Ale at O'Brothers last week. It cost me $6. They can f*ck right off with that noise.
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 02:11:12 PMlol. Gotcha one of them thar 18dollar beer buzzes.
stephElf
September 25, 2009, 02:16:49 PMThe only other place that comes to mind is Jack Rabbits, but you guys did cover that already. Taverna isn't a club (but it seems like the approach of this isn't going to be 100% club) .. but would be a nice start off point for a glass of wine - like the Grotto.
There is also River City Brewing ::: shudder :::
Don't forget Bold City Brewery for the Riverside tour.
stephElf
September 25, 2009, 02:17:51 PMWhat?
BridgeTroll
September 25, 2009, 02:25:51 PMMe Too!
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 02:29:23 PMhttp://dictionary.reference.com/browse/hoary
braeburn
September 25, 2009, 02:33:30 PMHow about Sherwoods, Endo Exo, Locals, and the former Tastings/Wine Bar (assuming it's not still closed!!) in San Marco?
In Riverside, Walkers and Kickbacks are right across the street(s) from Park Place, so it might be easy enough to just pop in and do a review.
02roadking
September 25, 2009, 02:42:36 PMDon't forget Riverside Liquors bar.
Beau Damion
September 25, 2009, 02:49:23 PMGreat article Jennifer! Very good read. You did mean Beau Damion @ 331 though right?
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 02:51:30 PMThanks Beau! fixed it.
Welcome to MetroJacksonville man!
stephElf
September 25, 2009, 02:53:19 PMFor Avondale-ish area... Eclipse and The Brick as well.
BridgeTroll
September 25, 2009, 02:56:12 PMA comparison of "Happy Hours" would make a good investigation and article as well...
$.02
stephElf
September 25, 2009, 03:04:34 PMI was sort of thinking the same thing. While it's nice to see a tour of places to go on a specific night of the week... I may also know that I want to go to one of three places (regardless of the night) and would prefer to know ahead of time which of those three places has the best pricing. Some places post their regular specials on their website or Facebook - but not everyone does.
For example, Casbah has Wino Wednesday - which is buy a $20 bottle of wine (limited selection) and get a free single flavor hookah. On a regular night, that same purchase would cost $36 - $38. Sunday afternoons from 3 - 7 they have 1/2 price hookahs.
Sometimes these reviews can bring about "inside info" that isn't largely publicized, so it's nice to find that sort of stuff out.
TREE4309
September 25, 2009, 03:40:19 PMRight now Jennifer is scoffing at this thread and wondering how long she'll have before sclerosis of the liver sets in.
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 03:42:27 PMlol. indeed. Luckily for her liver, Jennifer will not be doing all of these. It takes a team to cover the city very well.
Bewler
September 25, 2009, 04:22:58 PMHere would be my coverage:
“Holy God, my brain….
Uh, went out to a couple places. Drank. You know what? I don’t remember. It was probably fun. Going back to sleep now. Hope you enjoyed this review”
TREE4309
September 25, 2009, 04:36:34 PMI don't own enough ill-fitting button down shirts (untucked of course) and loafers to go to Mark's.
David
September 25, 2009, 04:39:29 PMhah, mine would probably look the same way.
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 04:40:26 PMwell ideally, the reviewers should include people that wouldnt normally go to that kind of establishment
its a sure fire way to tell how friendly the crowd actually is.
TREE4309
September 25, 2009, 04:41:50 PMNo, I won't go to Mark's for a follow up review, Stephen.
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 04:42:33 PMdammit~!
David
September 25, 2009, 04:45:04 PMSure, I already cross paths with you guys when I do go out, but usually i'm just getting there as you guys are leaving or vice versa.
What's next, Plush? Bourbon St Station?
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 04:47:01 PMRiverside is next on the list!
TPC
September 25, 2009, 04:51:36 PMSince a lot of people were talking about getting a Bold City Creme Ale, I think their anniversary is Saturday, Oct 3rd with $2 pints.
TREE4309
September 25, 2009, 04:52:13 PMI want to go to some "ghetto" drinking spots...does metrojax have life insurance policies for their forum posters/amateur reviewers?
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 04:59:27 PMWell it would be hard to find a ghetto bar that I don't know the owners or promoters. After all, despite the SPARiness of the posters, the neighborhood sure didnt start out with that LOLAS Swag going on...... I guess it depends which ghetto you are talking about.
We used to do a straight up dive circuit: Bottle of beer and a game of princess pool, across the scariest bars in the city every couple of months or so.
It always started at Studs Pub.
Jennifer Browning
September 25, 2009, 05:16:02 PMI did mean Beau Damion
Jennifer Browning
September 25, 2009, 05:25:14 PMWhere do you want to go? This sounds like fun!
TREE4309
September 25, 2009, 05:27:00 PMAre you asking me out on a date?
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 05:29:32 PMisnt everyone? Its kind of a prerequisite for a club god isnt it?
lol.
Jennifer Browning
September 25, 2009, 05:44:35 PMTREE4309
September 25, 2009, 05:45:35 PMThat's true, except I'm definitely more of a bar fly than pub god. Or were you referring to her? ha!
TREE4309
September 25, 2009, 05:46:48 PMOh, I see how it is!
Bewler
September 25, 2009, 05:56:40 PMI like this, what places came next?
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 06:04:25 PMWe started at Studs Pub, the Bull Dog, then over to In Touch Tavern, then back over to the garage speakeasy on union street, the big apple over on northside, back over to an old dive bar on 8th.
We would always end the night at Club Five or one of Monroes many bars.
Sometimes we would head in the opposite direction and do Mangoes (when it was truly a death trap) and finish up at The Ritz, with all of the bikers, biker dwarfs and the Love Rhinos that followed them. This was the place you had to look out for. Between the Dwarfs and the Love Rhinos, you could seriously mis step.
TREE4309
September 25, 2009, 06:11:27 PMWhat's the fun in going places that give me a negligible likelihood of getting shanked for eyeballing a drunken maniac? I love dive bars!
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 06:15:08 PMyeah? try it with Princess Pool sometime.
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 06:23:45 PMthis was the cake that Jennifer almost got gobsmacked with.
Jennifer Browning
September 25, 2009, 06:32:58 PMAhh... yes, "gobsmacked" is a good word for it! It was a blast, though!
Ocklawaha
September 25, 2009, 06:39:06 PMVery nice Stephen, which place was it that I met Father... "What's his name..." and had the doubles of "Boiler Water?" Or is this the same place where y'all tried to get me standing 90% to the ground? By any system, nice, nice folks.
BTW? What happened to the skateboard thing? Good clubs.
OCKLAWAHA
stephendare
September 25, 2009, 06:40:57 PMI believe that was Mark's. old friend
triclops i
September 25, 2009, 07:18:25 PMGreat article. Great read. Great Comments. Awesome!
Ian@ Shantytown
Ocklawaha
September 25, 2009, 07:32:10 PMWell, hell, they get a "5" from me. Maybe they just looked better at a 45% angle?
OCKLAWAHA
DavidWilliams
September 25, 2009, 10:05:12 PMJeez, Ock. Sounds like you are the life of the party at the meet and greets.
Still waiting on more info on the Baldwin rail history (or point me where to find it). Thanks in advance
winthropf
September 25, 2009, 11:51:23 PMAre the Shantytown pictures recycled?
I think I see someone in one of them that hasn't lived in town for a couple of months....
chris
September 26, 2009, 02:14:39 PMGood start. Reviewing bars/clubs/venues is extremely hard to do, mainly because the crowd, drink specials, etc. can change daily. For instance, TSI on a Tuesday night for Karaoke is generally not going to have the same vibe as Penny PBR Fridays or Intermission Saturdays. I consider myself a nightlife aficionado, especially in the Jacksonville area. As much as people won't realize it, the Jacksonville scene is as dynamic as any I've encountered, it just takes a gentle understanding of social movement in the city. I think this will be a good project, but in all honesty, I really agree with some of the commentary about the rating system. A lot of it is going to be exceedingly subjective. I am also a firm believer in needing to get to know a bar by experiencing an entire night there before passing judgment. Spending an hour here or there really does not give an accurate perspective of the ebb and flow of a place; happy hour at Park Place is going to attract the a different crowd or create a different atmosphere than Park Place just after happy hour is over.
I met Jennifer a few weeks ago at TSI and believe she will do a good job fettering out the nuances of the city's watering holes. I just hope she takes her time and paces herself, both with the project and the oatmeal cookie shots.
Jennifer Browning
September 26, 2009, 05:07:04 PMChris, I totally agree with you about the differences in nights at TSI which is why we're going to review the scene on different nights in order to give an accurate picture of what's going on with the nightlife in Jacksonville. Thank you for your support.
Ocklawaha
September 26, 2009, 06:11:10 PMNot really, though I do like to down a straight bottle of good Southern Bourbon now and then. Guess I'm too old for arm candy and not rich enough to be the sugar daddy, but the imagination downs more then drinks.
As for BALDWIN RAIL HISTORY, we could do an article on it. Otherwise go to the downtown library, Florida collection, 4Th floor. Ask for my book, "Rails 'Neath the Palms". Inside the chapters are laid out as the systems build, so start with the Florida Railroad and move up through the others to the Seaboard Air Line and beyond. There are family trees of the companies laid out so you can see how the pieces came together.
Photos, we can always dig up more photos. Oh and the double take for Baldwin is it also the name of one of the nations largest steam locomotive builders. Based in Eddystone PA. Baldwin came to the Diesel party too late, partly due to war production board only allowing them to build a proved product + their new diesel switcher. Alco, EMD (GM) and others got to build road and passenger diesels. Where the intersects Baldwin, FL is interesting. Seaboard Air Line, which owned all 4 Baldwin FL routes, was a loyal Baldwin customer. They were one of only (4) 3 railroads to order the strange super engine called the Centipede. This rare as heck and WAY AHEAD OF ITS TIME engine has just come out in model form $450 bucks +/- . I did a thread on this a couple of weeks ago. These Baldwins, were regulars in BALDWIN! Just looking up Baldwin and Seaboard and you'll find a host of cool photos.
Lastly, no Baldwin fan town or train, should be allowed to live without knowing the tune from the War of Yankee Aggression. This is a folk song and a real belly laugh. Just pull up "Bobby Horton, Old Abner's Shoes."
(4) Union Pacific, ordered a sample then for unknown reasons refused delivery. The others were Seaboard, National of Mexico and Pennsylvania Railroad.
OCKLAWAHA
lastcall
September 28, 2009, 11:20:44 AMWhat a great idea and article to read. I agree that the rating system is highly subjective as I have been to most of these bars and they are all very different every night and also tend to change throughout the night as well. I have a few questions to pose since I usually just read the forum and do not post often. Question #1 - I do not see any review on Twisted Martini, Maverick's, or The Ivy. What gives? You visited most of the bars / clubs in the downtown area so why not those establishments? I think for the article to have merit then you should visit all of them and give a review, not just providing positive reviews for bars that are advertising on this website. Question #2 - You spelled Ivy incorrectly. Why? It is Ivy not Ivey. There is a big sign on the side of the building if you need to verify its spelling. Again, I think the idea behind this article is much needed and will allow for all kinds of opinions to be posted. However, in your review of Mark's you made the personal comment about some meatheads from Ivy find their way down to Mark's. This leads me to believe that you have a personal issue with some of the bars in the downtown district since they were not reviewed and poor comments are being written. Kind of hard to take your article seriously when you do not review all of the bars in the said area and I look at the top of the page and the bar with the highest ratings just happens to be an advertiser on the site. Maverick's was packed all weekend with the Country Concert Series and Country Concert (only at Maverick's on Saturday) and there is not a mention of that. Twisted was also fairly busy with overflow from the crowd at The Landing. I went bar hopping as well and found most of the downtown bars to be average to slow. I love the area and hope is grows into a very vibrant part of downtown but articles like this should include everyone. I think one of the best attributes of the bars on Bay St. and surrounding areas is the vast diversity of the types of bars. It is not like the beach where you simply open up a bar and people show up in the masses. Mark’s is great with the awesome décor and being a pioneer of Bay St., Dive is a great get-a-way and people that smoke and enjoy being inside as opposed to Mark’s and Ivy making people go outside. Ivy is doing a great job in being consistent and opening during a recession. I didn’t figure they would last this long and I am glad to be wrong. TSI provides a completely different style of music and crowd which is nice when I need a change of scene. The Landing is what it is but I always have a good time at Twisted and Maverick is not for everyone but at least the option is there for those who like country music.
stephendare
September 28, 2009, 11:40:33 AMlastcall
good morning man! Thanks for the post.
We are going to be covering all the clubs, and if you read my intro to the article, you will notice that I mentioned that the clubs you mentioned were not on the itinerary for the first night. We just couldnt fit all the clubs in with the two person team. As it happens, Jennifer was also killing two birds with one stone by checking out the band at Jackrabbits for a write up. No sleight intended for the bars at the landing or at Ivy.
The list isnt an indication of the bars or nightclubs that advertise with metrojacksonville, although certainly marks and Dive bar do. Its the clubs that we could verify with the management that we would be coming by. And the reviews given our advertiser were just as critical as the ones we gave to everyone else. In fact more so, if you consider Jennifer's remarks about the shots she got compared to 331's. Finally, TSI also got the highest rating and does not advertise with us. The highest possible rating is a 6.0. and both TSI and Mark's recieved 4.8 ratings.
You are 100% right about the misspelling of Ivy Club, and you can blame that on me. In the original, it was spelled correctly, but for some reason I insisted that the correct spelling included the extra 'e'. I see the sign and building enough that you would think I know better, but just didn't.
We have no idea why the meatheads decided to come down to Marks from Ivy. Maybe there wasnt anything terribly appealing to meatheads going on at the club and they were seeking fresh possibility, maybe there was a secret meat head roundup that none of us were privy to, maybe it was just the coincidence of three unconnected groups of meatheads that fate decreed would descend on Marks to join the Cougar Hunters and arm candy doing shots, we don't know.
But we do know that this is exactly what they did.
We shall have to see the clientele of Ivy and Mavericks this coming weekend.
Thanks for your comments though! I keenly felt some of your own criticisms before we even got started, and agree that it will take a whole lot more to make it as comprehensive as it needs to be. However, I do think its a brilliant start, and as we are adding more people to the club review teams, it will get even better and more representative.
I hope you become a regular poster on the board! Its a pleasure to hear from you.
Stephen.
lastcall
September 28, 2009, 12:00:18 PMStephen. Thank you for the insight. I stand corrected and look forward to the upcoming articles. I do read the forum a lot and post here and there. Love the site and hope no one takes the comments to seriously. Maybe I will see you all out this weekend! It is a good time for this article as well since the summer is ending and people tend to start going out downtown a lot more. Love all of the bars you all are doing a great job.
stephElf
September 28, 2009, 12:48:00 PMhehehe
New To Jax
September 28, 2009, 02:44:37 PMI think your idea for this article is great and am glad someone finally put something out there for people who don't know Jax to well to check out places to go. I am disappointed with some of the things you said about the bars. I have been in Jax for about a year now and have never found Dive Bar to be packed on a Friday or Saturday and smoking inside drives me crazy. And you were right about their bar tenders....they never make a decent drink. Marks is good, not sure about the whole meat crowd thing but the last two times I have been in there a big fight broke out between two groups of guys and the second time I was with a group of 12+ and Mark himself would not make a deal with us for cover. I mean 12 people going inside to buy drinks I think deserve a few free....but we had a good time anyways. I think you should check out some of these places sober, I mean you ended your night at Marks after taking numerous shots and drinking most the night. Of course your going to give a great rating I am sure you were having a great time. I agree with what Last Call said but did see your response that you are going to the rest of the places. Me and My friends love Twisted, Ivy and Mavericks and spend more time at those places then the rest you went to. You can always count on Ivy for a free drink with the owner walking around talking to everyone making you feel at home. E.L. is great on Saturdays! And you can't say Mavericks isn't a good time who doesn't like a mechanical bull and two story club!! Twisted has gotten slower these last few weeks but we still support it!!! I just think maybe you should take it a little more seriously then just going out and getting drunk rating things. Try talking to the people and asking what they like instead of comparing cookie shots. I good care less about the drinks half the time and just want to dance and meet people. But thank you for giving me some insight on Jack Rabbits and Shanty Town, I have never been to those places and will probably go check them out this weekend!!!
New2Jax
Jennifer Browning
September 28, 2009, 03:04:38 PMThank you for posting.
stephendare
September 28, 2009, 03:06:49 PMThanks! New 2 Jax!
Appreciate the insights! We definitely are going to be getting to the landing clubs very soon! We also plan on checking out Sinclair, Poppy Loves Smoke (one of the really great spaces downtown, btw) and The Pearl.
There will be more included in the future reviews, more photos, more narrative, more interaction. We would like to do a liveblogging event or two as well, Im still figuring out the logistics on that!
Thanks for the comments, as well as your own observations about the clubs! To be honest, I think thats as important as what we write in our narratives!
Hope we catch you and your crowd out and about sometime soon!
Stephen.
TREE4309
September 28, 2009, 03:33:06 PMShould I start singing Kumbaya now or what?
Captain Zissou
September 28, 2009, 04:52:20 PMI think the ratings were as objective as bar ratings will ever get. It will obviously take time, but I think this will end up being a great resource for people who want to have fun. I am moving to the south bank at the end of the week and am looking forward to trying some of the places DT that I have not yet seen. This is a great way to get a preview of what to expect.
marksjax
September 28, 2009, 06:08:37 PMTo Stephen, Ennis, Jennifer and the entire staff at MetroJacksonville.com. Great job on your website in general and I want to thank you for doing what really (to my knowledge) has never been done locally: A detailed review of bars instead of restaurants!
It is refreshing to hear unsolicited opinions and comments (good or bad). I am always looking to improve and we will learn from our mistakes. Nobody is perfect, but we are really trying to offer a quality experience and make Downtown a fun place to party.
To those readers who have not been pleased with some aspect of Mark's and Dive Bar I would only ask that we get a chance to show you we can do better. We are just local folks trying to do the best we can. I am very accessible and am happy to discuss anything in person to anyone who has a complaint, compliment, suggestion, etc.
I also want to thank the other bars/clubs and restaurants that have taken a chance in opening Downtown. It has certainly been a challenge for us all, especially in the current economy.
I remain optimistic that Downtown can be a successful local destination for nightlife.
Thanks for doing what you do and keep up the good work.
Regards, Mark
Bewler
September 29, 2009, 10:48:08 AMI don’t think it’s anything you guys do specifically, it’s just some people prefer dingy bars while others like a more swanky club atmosphere. Can’t please everyone all the time, though I understand the desire to when it’s the main aspect of your business.
braeburn
September 29, 2009, 03:34:34 PMYes, and some of us prefer men's night over ladies night
TREE4309
September 29, 2009, 03:40:37 PMThat pretty much sums it up. The music and the ambiance of a particular bar or club is generally what will attract or detract me. The ambiance of each place isn't going to change much from night to night, so if you want to attract varied subsets of people, then you might want to try switching up the music on different nights. Top 40 isn't for everyone.
cayohueso
September 30, 2009, 10:49:26 PMIn 5 Points, don't forget Mossfire's tequila bar (OK...too small for a club) but still cool and head to The Alibi on Cassat for a good dive...and then Pasttime's of course.
TREE4309
October 01, 2009, 09:14:24 AMThe Alibi and Pasttime's are on Edgewood in Murray Hill. =)
stephendare
October 01, 2009, 11:20:07 AMJennifer and I are going to be checking out the Biker Night on Bay Street, The Pearl, Steamworks and The Landing on a Thursday. We are thinking of adding IVY club to the mix.
cayohueso
October 01, 2009, 09:46:12 PMDamn, you're right...they are on the 'wood. That must have been a good night...
stephendare
October 05, 2009, 11:47:58 PMWow. Im editing the weekend club report for thursday or friday
Fusion.
Poppy Loves smoke
Mavericks
Twisted Martini
Sinclair (and a production of Hedwig)
the Pearl.
The reviews are hilarious and fun. I can't wait for you to read them.
stephendare
October 06, 2009, 12:20:03 PMA preview of the reviews coming out shortly.
From the FNG, Benton Richards
Captain Zissou
October 06, 2009, 12:36:58 PM^^ Stumped. Fusion is my only guess
TREE4309
October 06, 2009, 04:24:54 PMI was at The Pearl when Jennifer came in looking all official with her clipboard and camera in hand, like she was a health code inspector or something.
thelakelander
October 06, 2009, 04:29:25 PMLol, that's just Jen doing her job.
Bewler
October 06, 2009, 04:30:22 PMMaybe she graded you.
TREE4309
October 06, 2009, 04:54:27 PMPretty sure she was grading your Karaoke performance, BEWLER!
Bewler
October 06, 2009, 04:57:26 PMI prefer to call it one of my shows or "gigs"
stephendare
October 06, 2009, 05:11:49 PMlol. no doubt.
And now there are three other reviewers out and about as well, including Benton Richards, Jonathan Crews and Christo Nova.
Jennifer Browning
October 07, 2009, 10:12:56 AMYeah, that's me doing my job
stephendare
October 07, 2009, 02:35:43 PManother preview of the new CT&WB article.
Captain Zissou
October 07, 2009, 02:52:04 PM^^ Stop these previews and just post the darn thing already. I saw Jennifer Browning at TSI saturday, but wasn't in much shape to introduce myself.
stephElf
October 07, 2009, 04:07:45 PM"Steph Says" aka yours truly introduced myself at the Pearl and was 1.5 sheets to the wind... luckily her phone rang before I could continue speaking.
stephendare
October 07, 2009, 04:08:54 PMmiss bewleys presence is duly noted in the reviews.
but at another springfield locale
TREE4309
October 07, 2009, 04:51:13 PMUnruly Bewley...it's no secret anymore!
Bewler
October 07, 2009, 05:51:45 PMWhat secret? It's like I tell the young single girls at work, we're more like "roommates"
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 08:21:55 AMholy smokes.
David
October 08, 2009, 08:36:29 AMGo to Birdies (formely starlite) in 5 points if you want to meet Christie and say hi, she's there often, usually working on the place.
Fridays nights is more of a chill/laid back night at the Pearl. Discounted cover and 2 for 1 drinks before 11 make it a great place to get the night started, but no one's really there until around 11 and even then the crowd's pretty thin. Most are there for the Karoke, and most wind up singing "small town girl" by Journey.
David
October 08, 2009, 08:49:15 AMand how about a little more slant in the reviews for those of us who prefer the female gender and not rejects from the abercrombie and fitch catalogues?
Example: I would've given the Pearl 5 bonus points because the girl to guy ratio was 4:1
SCORE!
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 08:50:42 AMwe are deploying male reviewers as we speak, david~!
In the meantime, there are the tragic photos of the two girls getting tossed off the mechanical bull.
redglittercoffin
October 08, 2009, 08:59:48 AM"Local puddinghead and would-be land baron, Ray Beeson of Streetscape notoriety"
...is that what you call all vocal republicans? Just curious.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 09:03:12 AMis he a republican? Nope no politics involved. Clubs dont care who you vote for. Besides, if the headlines are any indication....Republicans are party machines! Can you imagine how much fun it would be to go drinking with the Palins, Meghan McCain, Ann Coulter and Mark Sanford?!
I think it has more to do with his boisterous encounter with the reviewers, and its all in fun!
David
October 08, 2009, 09:06:05 AMAhhh those maverick girls. It really does take a classy lady to attempt a mechincal bull ride in a mini skirt!
Very entertaining nonetheless
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 09:24:51 AMCaptain Zissou
October 08, 2009, 09:46:10 AMI recently won a VIP night at Twisted Martini for 6, which made me very excited, until I saw the douche convention as photographed by the metrojax reviewers inside. You say "cute boys", I say people I will probably punch, or at least argue with while there.
SDare, I'm a republican, if you needed further explanation for my partying ways.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 09:50:28 AMzissou. I was a reagan youth, and still registered R. Which explains my own 28 years of hellraising in nightclubs
Although obviously, I have to be the worst Republican in America in terms of party loyalty. My grandfather stayed Democrat for thirty years without voting for a single D, however....must be something contrarian in the blood.
Id still like to know what the guys meant when they told Jennifer they were off to 'party' on the dancefloor.
Color me unimpressed with spaz terminology. Wouldnt "dance" have sufficed?
stephElf
October 08, 2009, 09:51:22 AMFusion is stunning in the inside. I have an obsession with their chandeliers that hang over the bar - I saw them once on some HGTV type show a few years ago and have been in love ever since. And I agree, being from New York and having the opportunity to go to several "frou-frou" places there for a night out, this place could fit right into Manhattan's cityscape.
For me personally, I think this place makes for a great Happy Hour spot or a date night.
If the owners are reading, you may want to consider getting a few simple eats. A cheese plate, olive tapenade...some dainty, non-messy desserts like petit fours. People will wind up leaving and spending less money, simply because they are starving. If you do offer food and I somehow missed that, my apologies.
Captain Zissou
October 08, 2009, 10:01:12 AMDouchebags don't dance, they party. Douchebags don't drink, they get F***** up. Douchebags don't relax, they chill. I could go on and on and on............
I swear we didn't used to have this epidemic of societal degradation in Jax. The past 5 or 6 years have been a downward spiral in my opinion. Everyone tags guidos as the scum of the earth, but if you took off those 'chill bros' hats positioned at about 10 o'clock on their heads (12 o'clock pointing forward), and spiked their hair with some hair gel, you couldn't tell the difference.
Folks need to read a book, wear clothes that fit, find something interesting to bring to the conversation, and THEN go out.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 10:02:06 AMSteph. Int the place beautiful?
Benton has done time in the City as well and he was serious about his comments.
TREE4309
October 08, 2009, 10:09:47 AMWhen do the club reviews start and the cute guy reports end?
www.instantrimshot.com
Seriously though, this exercise really does help me confirm what I already assumed about some of the places that I have purposely avoided in the past...thanks for taking one for the team!
Finally, I just want to repost this picture for my own personal amusement.
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/gallery/index.php?i=669100428&ik=Vvrff&g=9841444&gk=ufXxF
How old do you have to be to get into Twisted Martini anyway? Ha!
TREE4309
October 08, 2009, 10:11:13 AMaaaand that picture link didn't work...help me out here stephen!
fsujax
October 08, 2009, 10:14:20 AMThats the beauty of going to Downtown to club. So many different types of people and places to visit. At least it isn't stale or homogeneous!
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 10:16:13 AMApparently 15.
DavidWilliams
October 08, 2009, 10:17:38 AM^^^^Tools and knobs are the terms that come immediately to mind for me.
Captain Zissou
October 08, 2009, 10:21:43 AMAccurate description, DWilliams. I'd rather talk about crops with the Mavericks crowd than hear how chill, dank, or sweet these bros are.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 10:22:49 AMIm going to guess Navy boys out on the town, from the haircuts.
Not too obnoxious, I suppose.
Captain Zissou
October 08, 2009, 10:23:36 AMIf that's our Navy, I'm nervous to be living in a coastal city.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 10:29:16 AMSo which of you guys was doing karaoke again?
stephElf
October 08, 2009, 10:32:14 AMMan, you guys are a tough crowd. They are just a bunch of kids having fun. They are like 21/22 ... they don't even know who they are yet.
Granted I am 10 years older then them and they don't necessarily look like "my type" - but sheesh.
stephElf
October 08, 2009, 10:34:16 AMUm "bewler" aka Brett did 2... the Smiths and the Doors (which I missed) ... and then myself and my friend Rach did a very, very pathetic rendition of Black Velvet when the mic got shoved in our faces.
Brett is actually a decent performer!
David
October 08, 2009, 10:34:38 AMThat would be Bewler. He has a good stage presence! My acquaintance Will, who isn't on here, was one of the shirtless wonders belting out the hits of yesteryear.
Captain Zissou
October 08, 2009, 10:36:27 AMIn fairness, I will meet up on the next club crawl and you guys can post my picture and ridicule it all you want. I'm 22 and may not know entirely who I am, but I think I might stand up a little better to the critics on this website.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 10:36:52 AMDavidWilliams
October 08, 2009, 10:42:52 AMAll in good fun...thankfully there weren't a lot of camera phones out there in my hard running days.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 10:49:59 AMno freakin' doubt.
This would be planet prison camp if there had been.
Bewler
October 08, 2009, 11:37:16 AMThanks, that’s really about all you can say for it since I can’t sing worth a shiest. Of course that’s kind of the whole point of karaoke to me, go out there, embarrass yourself, suck, and have a good time doing it.
And I guess take your shirt off if you feel so inclined.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 01:07:12 PMthis weekend is pure riverside.
And we are doing Pearl tonight as well as bay street.
Im putting together a team for Southside.
mandy6488
October 08, 2009, 01:23:46 PMPipe down Steph! =p Those dudes are the reason I avoid places like Twisted Martini. The first word that popped in my head was "tools!"
luvjax
October 08, 2009, 01:25:54 PMHey all! New to Riverside and this website. Is your "club crawl" on Friday night? Saturday night? Looking forward to your reviews. Need some places to go. Bored too death.
mandy6488
October 08, 2009, 01:29:01 PMBrett's karaoke performance was awesome! I got a little bit of lap dancing during it so that was two thumbs up for me!
I don't think I said Hi to Jennifer, but parts of that night ARE a little fuzzy thanks to STEPH making me do birthday cake shots. Geez, what a bad influence.
<3 The Pearl on Friday nights. Probably because I'm an old lady and don't like a big crowd as much anymore.
Love the reviews though! Very entertaining!
mandy6488
October 08, 2009, 01:30:31 PMCan't wait to read the Riverside one!
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 01:34:50 PMFriday Night is ok, but generally sucks in town. Saturday is a better night.
There are a buncha night spots in riverside, we may have two teams.
David
October 08, 2009, 01:36:51 PMRemember the crowd-judging goes both ways. A lot of my old friends across the ditch at the beach/Southside etc can't stand coming to hangouts on our side of town because they feel everyone's too pretentious and arty. Haha they still use the "emo" label which by their definition applies to anyone who's not dressed in the standard club uniform, aka khakis/acid washed jeans, polo/dress shirts and spiked hair.
To each their own though. This town's big enough for all creatures of the night.
mandy6488
October 08, 2009, 01:44:46 PMhaha Yeah I know. One of our pals talks bad about Riversiders all the time.. apparently we're all stinky and gross.. and I suck because I enjoy Starbucks every now and then. Then there are people who judge everyone who goes to Jaguar games.. I can take it if I can dish it.. it's all in good fun.
Captain Zissou
October 08, 2009, 01:55:52 PMEwww. Jax is not big enough for the guys in that picture.
David
October 08, 2009, 02:01:53 PMSure it is! They're about 15 miles east where land meets the ocean. outta sight, outta mind!
TREE4309
October 08, 2009, 02:06:42 PMI fucking hate Heineken.
stephElf
October 08, 2009, 02:29:56 PMSteph Says Heine Light is tasty-time!
Jennifer Browning
October 08, 2009, 02:40:07 PMAwww, you should have introduced yourself.
Jennifer Browning
October 08, 2009, 02:43:09 PMI was thinking the same thing when they told me that. I turned around to write something down... and they were all gone!
mandy6488
October 08, 2009, 03:11:58 PMMandy Says no way! At least the other beers you like are tasty.. for the most part.
Captain Zissou
October 08, 2009, 04:07:56 PMIt's not that I was drunk, I was just sweaty from dancing like a crazy person. I was with M McGowan.
jbroadglide
October 08, 2009, 04:19:53 PMAre there any nightspots for us over 50's??? These all sound like clubs for 20's and 30's..and frankly I don't want to be labeled a dirty old man by going into a 20's club and oogling all th 20 year old females..
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 04:28:03 PMBoth Marks and Fusion are good for the 50s age range as well, JB!
But its a good point and well taken!
stephElf
October 08, 2009, 04:46:05 PMNot sure what side of town you are on... but New Orleans Cafe on a Thursday seems targeted to the 40s / 50s crowd. They have live music on the deck ... covering classic rock type music. It's on San Jose right before the Julington Creek bridge.
And they may have more nights like that besides Thursday... it isn't a swanky environment. Pretty chill, casual. Kinda like Florida Keys meets Biker Bar ... lol.
event calendar & menu
http://www.myspace.com/theneworleanscafe
AntigoneStarr
October 08, 2009, 05:55:38 PMI'm hoping that there will be another review on the Pearl and the Sinclair when it's not karaoke or a show? And perhaps a little less bias in the review itself, it seems more like a story of how someone's night has gone as opposed to a review... I realise it must be quite difficult to be subjective in a case like this. Perhaps two people per venue, one male and one female, who are not associating with eachother, who are not acting as "staff", would yield more unbiased results?
Also, no category for cleanliness? Just blurry images and some shots of the restrooms in which to judge that on? I mean, some of the venues in the riverside/downtown area can be straight up gross or really clean...
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 06:02:57 PMgreat suggestions Antigone!
We are building the teams now.
The aim is to get a working guide for every night of the week....mondays, tuesdays etc
for every area of town.
the objective part is in the formulas, which gives the ratings, but the narratives are pretty subjective.
We will be expanding pretty quick. Check out the rankings of all the clubs to date: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-oct-metrojacksonville-club-ratings-scorecard.
AntigoneStarr
October 08, 2009, 06:09:33 PMYou've probably seen me out and about at that rate. There aren't many venues that I don't like, except for some of the larger multi-plex types...
jbroadglide
October 08, 2009, 06:12:12 PMDavidWilliams
October 08, 2009, 06:26:33 PM...and J Broad you CAN go anywhere you like. You don't have to be relegated to listening classic rock cover bands on a deck if that isn't what you are into. I am 43 and feel pretty comfortable at the places that have been mentioned here. Haven't yet been to all of them. Just keep your ogling to a minimum. My wife keeps my ogling to a minimum with occasional doses of of her elbow to my ribs when we are out.
CrysG
October 08, 2009, 06:31:22 PMMy only comments after being sent this from a friend was.
Not everyone goes to a club to drink. I personally go to see friends and dance to music, so a rating system based on drinks, attractiveness of bartenders or shirtless boys singing doesn't really tell me anything about the club in question.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 06:38:56 PMthanks crys!
The "D" in the formula is for anything that they serve, not just alcohol.
I think we should be including who the deejay is, and of course more crowd photos so that you can decide for yourself what the proper attire is for a given location.
What else do you think should be included, what would you like to see?
CrysG
October 08, 2009, 06:41:22 PMI, personally think the type of music should be factored. Ignoring that is like rating art galleries without saying what type of art they house.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 06:44:28 PMHere is a link to the first article which explains our system a little better. Do you think we should include the explanation with every update as well?
i agree the type of music should be listed! I don't think a club should be scored on the music though, unless its a seriously high quality performance.
Let me know what you think about the explanation! Thanks!
CrysG
October 08, 2009, 06:48:24 PMSteven,
I read the article. I've read the explanation. But in the explanation you state that the reviews are based off what people would notice first. The reviews then went to go on and list things I never look at. Not to be mean but just because the reviewer in question thinks that shirtless guys deserve a bonus point doesn't mean that the music that is played at a club is an afterthought to all.
CrysG
October 08, 2009, 06:52:57 PMCorrection:
Cute doorman as a bonus
AntigoneStarr
October 08, 2009, 06:55:28 PMYes, something about the type of music played, who the DJ is, who the bands playing are, should definitely be included in the written portion. I can't stand when I see flyers for a venue and yes, the DJ is listed, but you have no idea who that person is or what kind of music he/she spins. Something about danceability is also very subjective when considering music. I mean, I'm a total white girl who can not breakdance so listening to breaks out at the beach is more for my listening enjoyment, not my ability to dance to it. Don't think this could be factored in numerically unless it's some bang out performance going towards bonus points.
If the bar serves anything other than alcohol (like specialty virgin drinks, snacks, if there's hotdogs/food vendor outside like Sweet Pete, hehe), that should be noted somewhere. Then, the quality of it should be factored in the overall score.
What about a review on Kickbacks? It's not a club venue by any means - it's a gastropub, with a lot of awesome beer.
Photos should be more clear, less blurry. Attire should be labeled appropriately and accurately without a personal opinion attached (i.e. "suits and dresses" replaced with "business attire")
Also, what night the club was reviewed should be noted in the written section just do to crowd variety (this was mentioned after the first round of reviews I believe).
In my opinion, the overall article should reflect a subjective comprehensive review. A reader should be able to tell who is giving the review (it's fairly obvious that a female would notice the shirtless guys or whatever, and may or may not add this into scoring in an inappropriate manner).
And now I think I sound like a total bitch of a critic... hrm. Just suggestions. I like the idea that someone is finally at least making a review.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 06:56:21 PMCrys. Im here to listen!
I just wasnt sure you had already seen the first article, thats all!
How do you suggest that the music angle be handled, other than it being discussed in the narrative? Should it be covered in more detail? Or maybe a list of a few of the tracks and possibly some audio tracks as examples? Weve been discussing both, so your ideas are very timely!
AntigoneStarr
October 08, 2009, 06:58:00 PMOh! Forgot, perhaps something about drink prices included? Like, order a specialty drink and one uhm, baseline drink at each venue to determine this? Because beer ranges from a penny in some places some nights to to $7 for some beers in other places other nights.
Grab a baseline drink (1 beer, 1 wine, 1 cocktail) and a specialty drink. Include something about cover charges. Some places are more expensive than others, some are free. That really needs to be noted somewhere.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 06:59:53 PMAntigone, have you seen the original review section as well? Id be curious to hear if you think it was more complete than the update issue.
Heres the original: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-sep-crash-trash-and-weekend-bash-the-mj-club-crawl
Here is the master list of numbered ratings: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-oct-metrojacksonville-club-ratings-scorecard
and here is the present article: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-oct-crash-trash-and-weekend-bash-downtown-part-2
This isnt just for you, but for anyone else joining us for the first time as well!
AntigoneStarr
October 08, 2009, 07:06:25 PMI've read both articles beginning to end. Seems there's just more actual information in the first one than the second, and that the second was more personal experience based on the reviewer's tastes. I mean, some people obviously love the places at the Landing to no end... but it seems the venue sounds horrible and downright scary based on one person's experience there?
CrysG
October 08, 2009, 07:10:10 PMSteven,
For the purposes of a review you need to be objective. Most club review sites base their reviews on a mixture of the following:
Music - The quality of the music.
Location - The location and neighborhood of the club.
Ambiance - The decor and atmosphere.
Drinks - Quality of the drinks.
Value - Value for the dollar.
Service- Overall opinion of the service
Hotness Factor- self explanatory
Fun Factor- Again self explanatory
Then there are basic information given about the clubs in question:
Pricing-
Age-( 18-up or 21-up)
Cover-
Parking-
Air Conditioning-(Yes/No)
Dress Code- (Yes/ No, what kind)
Alcohol-(Full Bar, Cocktails, etc)
Music Type- (Club, Hip Hop, Rap, Top 40, Dance, Reggae, R&B, etc)
Website-
Lastly, maybe we can have more than one reviewer go on different night, then get together, give us who rated what how and then average. That way all demographics are covered.
AntigoneStarr
October 08, 2009, 07:11:44 PMWhat CrysG said.
Like, exactly what he said, is what I was making an attempt at saying.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 07:14:40 PMcool. thanks for the compliment of reading the entire thing, (both Crys and Antigone)
I think you are right that we need to have baseline prices built right into the review. as well as covercharges.
That just makes sense, and it changes from night to night.
I generally have a policy of sending people who arent necessarily interested in the main format of the clubs. That way its easier to tell if anyone from the public can walk in and have fun, not just the in crowd.
We are going to be sending multiple different people out for different nights. Do you think that would handle it? Like if Jennifer isnt all that into country music, but Benton is, you would have two or three different viewpoints on the crowd----while the basic rating categories are pretty objective (besides the bonus points).
AntigoneStarr
October 08, 2009, 07:20:35 PMThat would work probably. I mean, I'm not about to hit up Aqua on a Friday night anytime soon or Rain on a Wednesday but someone who actually likes that scene would want to know that it's there.
Reviews for the general public who goes out at night are good - especially when trying to suggest something for out-of-towners who don't necessarily appreciate the same late-night scene.
A friend and I did a similar project like this over the summer, and if there were a clubbing frequent flier card for Jacksonville, that would be amazing. Our two month crawl every night of the week had a specific purpose though - to locate EDM in Jacksonville, because most venues we called wouldn't answer the phone when I called them. That was a long two months.
CrysG
October 08, 2009, 07:22:16 PMSteven,
I guess I don't understand the purpose of the reviews then. I go back to my original argument about reviewing art galleries but not noting the type of art. You don't have to be an art major to say either you like art xyz because it's not your thing but you still have to review the art.
The point I'm getting at is that you don't want to review a club for a basic thing that a club is, a crowd of people drinking, dancing to music at a certain place. When you do that it stops being a review of clubs and more of a report of quirky or interesting things that happened at a club/bar.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 07:26:23 PMCool. Thanks for the input guys!
Im going to add the specific price points and cover charges etc.
The frequency of updates will increase, and we are already starting with multiple viewpoints.
The number of images are going to increase as well---this has actually been a concern as we get people trained.
Im going to keep the subjective narratives, because it adds a hella lot more than a straight review, which tends to be boring. Ive found people come to their own conclusions about the reviewers and can generally decide if one is serious about music, or just not that into smoke, or prefers conversation to dancing (or the reverse) and because they know people like that in their own lives, they can generally take their opinions for what they are worth.
The key to that is making sure there are a lot of different opinions represented! And we are constantly looking for people to help out with the reviews.......
Help me out on how to handle the music part.
Because we are going to be going to so many different kinds of places: indie, country, soul, neo soul, jazz, rock, punk, etc. I think its going to be impossible to find people that can give credible opinions about the quality of the music as a music form. Although they can easily talk about its effect on the crowd, and the quality of the sound system.
What are some ideas on how to convey quality of music, when appropriate>?
AntigoneStarr
October 08, 2009, 07:30:37 PMI doubt you'll be able to quantify the music aspect. I suggest just including the genre and if there were people dancing (not just if the reviewer was) if it was a dance type club, or if the were people standing at the stage for a live performance, or if half the club was nodding their heads or whatever for jazz or whatever or even if they were singing along or whatever(I mean, how might one judge the Metro on a Tuesday v. Saturday?).
I think crowd participation or response to the music is more subjective than the reviewer's personal opinion on the type and how good it is...
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 07:31:45 PMCrys, Other than Crowd Size, the friendliness of the crowd, the quality of the service, the quality of the drinks served, and the professionalism of the club to the review staff, how else would you define
'fun' in a nightclub that works for everyone no matter what kind of music or decor they are into?
some of our readers don't like crowded spaces. etc.
TREE4309
October 08, 2009, 07:32:29 PMI think just stating the kind of music playing, whether it was DJ, live band, karaoke, etc. and naming an artist or two that was played (if known) will suffice. "Quality" of music is going to be subjective, so no point in overdoing it, just state the facts in this case...that's my opinion at least. Names of DJs couldn't hurt either.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 07:35:48 PMyeah. I really thought is was kind of fun that Jennifer was like all ready to dance to some song at Maverick's that literally cleared the dance floor. It tells you something about the reviewer as well as the crowd.
Apparently they all like country. And they all hate Black Eyed Peas.
still chuckling over the image of her alienated retreat from the club.
CrysG
October 08, 2009, 07:40:16 PMSteven,
Not to nickpick but then I don't really see this is a review but more of a persons night out on the town. With a review you can compare and contrast based on agreed upon basics(ie the one's I've outlined) so that you can decide if the club is right for you. The reviews as they stand only give one part(which is subjective) of an overall club. From the reviews that we have I would have no idea if I wanted to go to any of the clubs that have been reviewed.
Lastly I do like the multiple people going on different nights.
Maybe we can have a mix of both. The outline of the clubs and then a personal narrative.
CrysG
October 08, 2009, 07:45:35 PMAsk yourself did you have fun? Then you'd say yes to it's a fun night club. Which points out my desire for having a overall baseline of questions, then everyone get together, you give us who rated what, how then the average. The reason for that would be if you know Bob is a 30 year old, married who doesn't drink but Sue is a 20 year old single who does drink then you can say I'm going to pay attention to Bob rating the club a 2 for fun vs. Sue's rating of 5.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 07:46:01 PMthat sounds like a great idea Crys.
We can run both the facts as well as the narrative, and that way people can get both approaches. Thanks!
I just read your example, and that exactly why we want people to have some insight into the reviewer themselves. Most of the review sites just give you these numbers and you have no idea if its bob or sue who gave them.
The narrative fixes that.
AntigoneStarr
October 08, 2009, 07:51:16 PMI figured that you were going to do that anyways? I mean, facts are informative but a narrative does provide insight in which statistics alone can not compete.
I'd just avoid giving points due to someone's appreciation of how "smokin' hot" the bartender is... unless of course that bartender is J. Depp or Jessica Alba.
CrysG
October 08, 2009, 07:51:50 PMSteven,
But to be objective you need to have facts that are things everyone would want to know not just things that some would like to know. My outline is a good base. You could add cleanliness or crowd involvement.
If you add the baseline questions you could add me as a reviewer.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 07:54:41 PMwell lets do it then, crys! Thanks for your help!
DavidWilliams
October 08, 2009, 08:35:22 PMStephen,
Keep a level of personality (subjective input) in the reviews. It humanizes it. MJ is not in the business of reviewing surgical suite cleanliness here. Keep it light and entertaining. And, I don't it is in the the business of doing paid club consulting. One of the better threads. Lots of people checking in with opinions and thoughts.
stephendare
October 08, 2009, 09:01:05 PMThanks David.
Were going to keep the narratives real.
Jennifer Browning
October 09, 2009, 03:19:20 AMstephendare
October 09, 2009, 02:33:28 PMalright.
Getting ready for a probe of riverside.
stephendare
October 09, 2009, 05:29:35 PMThree Layers for Coffee and something light, then Five Points Theater for Stiletto, then what?
alta
October 10, 2009, 01:02:15 AMGlad to see Fusion got a 4.2 rating at 8 p.m. That place is absolutely amazing. The Pearl 2.8 even on a slow night ridiculous.
David
October 10, 2009, 01:11:29 AM^
I guess there weren't enough hunky bartenders that night.
stephendare
October 10, 2009, 01:52:31 AMAlta, the details of the Pearl Review are located here: http://www.metrojacksonville.com/article/2009-oct-crash-trash-and-weekend-bash-downtown-part-2
It was a slow night. Also the details of the Fusion review are in the same article
stephendare
October 12, 2009, 04:30:38 PMWell Friday and Saturday Nights were a blast.
should have them up later this week. Probably Friday
stephendare
October 12, 2009, 05:52:11 PMKarrissa Wade will be leading a gay pub crawl shortly.
stephendare
October 19, 2009, 10:24:29 AMOk. The next update of Crash Trash and Weekend Bash comes out this week.
Here is a list of the clubs that we reviewed. Im not going to tell you who got slapped at one of them, but its a great story.
The Riverside Crawl.
the Casbah
West Inn Cantina
Moon River Pizza
Five Points Coffee and Spice
Steamworks
Wall Street
Birdies
InCahoots
Park Place
Walker's
Kickbacks
Eclipse
The Metro
Dapperdan
October 19, 2009, 11:47:29 AMMoon River is a club?
RiversideLoki
October 20, 2009, 08:40:41 AMWell, the place could use some bouncers... if that counts.
TREE4309
October 20, 2009, 05:23:37 PMIt serves beer and is full of douchey hipsters...does that count?
RiversideLoki
October 21, 2009, 02:25:29 PMYou are my new hero.
Dapperdan
October 21, 2009, 02:58:27 PMI should know. I was part of the famous incidient at Moon Roiver. I am guessing the slapping occured here?
Jennifer Browning
October 21, 2009, 06:10:48 PMI haven't heard about this famous incident.... what happened? I'm guessing the slapping happened there as well, since it didn't happen to me on my club crawls and I didn't go to Moon River... so, process of elimination....
Dapperdan
October 21, 2009, 06:47:35 PMJennifer,
Grab a book, sit back, relax and read this:
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,4577.0.html
Its better than most movies.
Jennifer Browning
October 21, 2009, 07:19:00 PMThat's horrible, I've never been there but I certainly don't want to go there after reading THAT.
stephendare
October 21, 2009, 07:20:58 PMlol. the pizza at moon river is flipping fantastic. And the event has made them pay attention to the customer service tremendously.
Dapperdan
October 21, 2009, 07:21:47 PMI have not been back since. I hope they went through the improvement training they said they would go through.
Dapperdan
October 21, 2009, 07:22:29 PMStephen, I am still confused on why it is on the club crawl??
stephendare
October 21, 2009, 07:25:13 PMWell its the habits of the club crawlers. Generally people mix up the experience with hip places to eat and talk somewhere in the evening of clubbing.
Most of them don't go to Olive Garden or Red Lobster, but will instead build in fun late night eateries to meet up at and get something on the stomach so as not to get sick from drinking.
Moon River is one of those places that people stop in at while clubbing.
stephendare
October 21, 2009, 07:26:57 PMAnd we have multiple club reviewers this week.
Jennifer Browning, Benton Richards, Jonathan Crews, Karrissa Wade, Jordan Rutter, and Christopher Phillips are all reporting in. And of course, myself as home base and editor.
This is going to be a fun one.
TREE4309
October 21, 2009, 07:50:03 PMDid I miss the 2nd round of reviews, or is that what you're referring to?
stephendare
October 21, 2009, 07:53:50 PMYou havent missed the new reviews yet tree.
CT&WB 1 and 2 are already online
CT&WB 3 comes out Friday.
Its a lulu
Sportmotor
October 21, 2009, 07:56:16 PMThis is rather intresting read
Jennifer Browning
October 21, 2009, 08:24:17 PMThank you
stephendare
October 22, 2009, 01:47:50 PMWe have a review of West Inn Cantina in this one.
Also, its very cool what Birdies has done to StarLite.
Bewler
October 22, 2009, 01:57:03 PMYeah, Birdies is a big improvement. The only thing I’m not crazy about is the name. I may be in the minority here, but every time I hear it I can’t help but groan and think “ugh, does it HAVE to be called Birdies?”
Pretty small complaint I know.
David
October 22, 2009, 02:01:50 PMThere's meaning behind the name for the owner. Just say it 4 times a week outloud for a few weeks, you'll get used to it
Bewler
October 22, 2009, 02:22:27 PMMaybe...
To me it would be like naming a bar Snugglebugs or something.
David
October 22, 2009, 02:32:46 PMWe'll open up our own "manly" bar then. We'll call it thrashers.
Atari007
October 22, 2009, 02:59:48 PMMeh.... I have to say that I liked it better before the change. But hey, what can you do?
Ive frequented Wallstreet in the past month more than I have in the past 2 years because of this change...
Bewler
October 22, 2009, 03:45:09 PMNow Dave I never said it had to be MANLY. Since you mentioned it though, "Come on down and drink at Beef Iron Pecks! RAAAAAAGH"
I still prefer Wallstreet, at least in the summer time but then again a smokey atmosphere doesn't bother me.
Captain Zissou
October 22, 2009, 04:55:25 PMYeahh....... I'd rather drink at a place called birdies. When I think manly, I think Shotgun Charlie's Or The Blackstonequarryexplosionrocketharleybar, not chests.
Bewler
October 22, 2009, 04:59:01 PMScrew that weak sh*t. Beef Iron Pecks will rip Shotgun Charlie's in half like a phone book.
Check out our MANLY prices:
Bottled beer - 20 situps
Domestic draft - 30 pushups
Import draft - 50 pushups
Well drinks - Lift Boulders
Shots - Wrestle a shark
Sportmotor
October 22, 2009, 05:14:31 PMI was JUST there!
stephendare
October 22, 2009, 05:16:06 PMCaptain Zissou
October 22, 2009, 05:19:46 PMSo lets see.... I could afford three bottles and a draft of domestic....MAYBE an import if I'm lucky... Maybe. I need to get in shape, so I can drink. (I promise this is a totally different mindset than the one I currently possess. Totally different)