Eric Brace (Mark Finkenstaedt for The Washington Post)

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Nightwatch -- Live
Hosted by Eric Brace
Washington Post Nightwatch columnist
Friday, April 12, 2002; 1 p.m. EST

Where's the best karaoke joint? What's the best brewpub around? Who was that band that rocked at the Black Cat last week? For the answer to any going-out-in-Washington question, just ask Eric Brace -- our resident nightwatchman.

From backstage at the annual Wammies (Washington's own Grammy Awards) to karaoke at Galaxy Hut to swing dancing at the Glen Echo Spanish Ballroom, every week Post staff writer Eric Brace throws himself on the front lines of the bar-n'-music beat in the Washington area. A Washington resident for nearly 30 years, Brace started with the Style section in 1990, where he wrote live music reviews and filed longer feature stories on the likes of Fugazi, Jawbox, Pearl Jam, Stephane Grappelli and many others. Then he created the Nightwatch column, which appears every week in The Post's Weekend section and on washingtonpost.com's Bars and Clubs page. He also sings and plays guitar for the country-rock band Last Train Home.

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

Eric Brace: Hello nightlife mavens,
thanks for checking in today.
I just went to see the screening of the re-release of "THe Last Waltz" and made me appreciate straight-up rock'n'roll all over again.
So tell me: is there anyone in town doing anything remotely like what The Band did?? Why not...
Heard any good locals doing cool stuff??
And what about new clubs??
Who's been to acropolis? any other new joints you checked out? Drop me a line.

Washington, D.C.: Hey Eric,

I have tickets for the Chemical Brothers and am signing over my credit card to Ticketbast, erm, I mean, Ticketmaster for Siouxsie and the Banshees. But that's not my gripe; it's with Nation, actually. $35-37.50 a ticket for these shows? What's up with the ridiculously high cost? Do they know that fools like me will still keep paying in order not to miss the band?

Eric Brace: You can blame ticketmaster for some of that, but mostly you have to blame Siouxie. I'm sure you noticed that the "convenience charge" on your ticket is something like $7 at this point... something like $2.75 service charge and $5 or more "convenience" charge... I can't figure those out, except that TMaster is trying to get back some of the interest on its massive debt.
But the high price is primarily because Siouxie and other big names on the road are asking for a lot of money...
If tickets are $35, say, and Nation can sell, maybe 1500 tickets, that's more than $50,000 at the door. Which means that Siouxie's fee is probably around $40,000. Maybe they have an amazing stage production and yeah, those things cost money, but please. It really DOESN'T need to be so expensive..

Washington, D.C.: I liked your review of places to go dancing a few weeks ago but I noticed you left Hung Jury out. Which I thought surprising since it is reviewed on the Post Web site. Any particular reason?

Eric Brace: Ah yes , the dance club round up.
My post.com counterpart Fritz Hahn and I did that over a period of a few months. We left out dozens of places where dancing takes place just because of time and space considerations. Hung Jury was left out after serious consideration mainly because it's not really a dance club. It's a bar where some dancing sometimes takes place. But its focus isn't dancing the way it is at pretty much all the other places. There ARE definite holes in the survey, but I think we got a lot of info in there. If you think there are grevious errors/omissions please let me and fritz know.

Here's a question: What's everyone's favorite place for a lowkey bar/dinneresque first date with a guy I don't know very well. I hate having date planning responsibility!

Eric Brace: I'll throw this one out into the forum...

but also, it sounds to me like the place should be a restaurant with a cool bar...
and one with good food so that if you're bored with your date you can pay close attention to the food: the new Toka, for instance, has great food, along with being a very chic place to hang. The menu at Chi Cha Lounge is really good South American stuff and you can get tapas while louging in your couch.
Other thoughts?

Reef.: I give it a C-. I dig bars, even boutique and themed ones, just not with carpet.

Eric Brace: Reef has opened in the space above Cities (did I get that right??) that used to hold the Star of Siam. It's one of the greatest physical spaces in town, and so i was curious. I've only had the chance to pop my head in, and though: "hmmm, a concept". I wish more places would open up just as a fun bar/hangout and concentrate less on getting all the fish tanks in place. I guess I shouldn't complain, it shows that someone's willing to invest capital into DC nightlife. and I won't pass judgment until I've spent some time in there.
Anyone been hanging in Reef lately who wants to give it a grade other than C-minus?

20009: You think Siouxsie is expensive, try going to see Dave Matthews Band sometime. Tickets are at least $60. Concerts have gotten ridiculously expensive. But then again, Dave puts on a hell of a show.

Eric Brace: I have no desire to see Dave Matthews at any price, frankly. Nice guy, but I'm a little over his music. He IS a showman, i'll give you that.
Concerts HAVE gotten ridiculously expensive, but my point is, they don't have to be. Dave Matthews and siouxie could both charge half what they're asking and do just fine. It's greed, plain and simple. You can talk all you want about production costs, blah blah blah, or "If people are willing to pay it then the artists should be allowed to get it", but what about the poor 15 year old who can't go see his favorite act? Or the poor 60 year old , for that matter. It just plain sucks.

Re: Low key date: Chi Cha on U street, Jaleo in Chinatown (don't go to Bethesda, the food is not as good), Tom Brazil, Black's Bar and Kitchen...

Eric Brace: Great list. And you're right about Jaleo. Brazil's food is hit/miss... Black's in Bethesda is real good (I go there expecting it to not be, for some reason, and then it always is).

U Street NW: My favorite bar/restaurant place for a first date: Rocky's on Columbia Road.

Eric Brace: Plus Rocky's has superb mohitos and caipirinhas and margaritas.
A fine choice indeed

What happened to Star of Siam?: Did I read that right? Reef is now in the place where my all time favorite DC Thai was? When did this happen?

Eric Brace: Yes.
But the food wasn't THAT great there.. or at least it wasn't the last couple of times I went.. which were soon before it closed at the end of 2001.
Reef just opened last week.
Great windows.. great great rooftop. Let's see how nuts it gets in warm weather.

Washington: Regardless of decor or carpet (huh?), I think the Reef is a cool, fun place to hang. Go back again and see. I just wish they'd ease up on the lines outside. There's no line at the Blue Room or Felix, but we had to wait 15 minutes to get in to the Reef. At least they don't have a cover, and hopefully the roof will open soon.

Eric Brace: Yeah, the reason I didn't go in last weekend was I drove by and saw the line late Saturday.
I'm glad you liked it. I'm looking forward to spending time there, and I'll do my usual thing and go early in the week to avoid lines and interior crowds.
The lines are in part because it's new. They may taper off a bit as the novelty wears off , but if they're doing something good, then maybe they won't. 15 minutes isn't long compared to some "velvet rope" joints.
I wonder how 1223 is going to handle the NEW lines when they open Swank this week...

The folk habit: Hey, even going to coffeehouses has gotten expensive. Tickets that used to be $6-8 are now $12-15, and $50 for any show at the Birchmere is just too much! It's not that people don't want to go out and hear live music -- it's that we can afford less and less of it!

Eric Brace: I think that's true. The entertainment dollar has not increased in anyone's household budget, and it's having to be sliced into more and more pieces. You've got your computer games/CDs/books/cable TV/movie rental/movie going/XM radio (does anyone subscribe? give me feedback)/restaurants (are you eating IN more often??) and waaaaaay down on the list is live music. Most people like to go out for the fun of it (thus the success of dance clubs vs. fewer live music clubs) but the birchmere is up against the same issues: Big name acts are asking for lots of money. Lyle Lovett probably walked with $20- or $30,000 for one night at the birchmere recently. Whatever. (but he was trampled by a bull, so i should say anything bad about him)

20009: Ah geez. I did not mean to imply that Dave or anyone else was worth paying $60 a ticket or that god forbid they deserved it. Yikes. Just that I've paid it and more than once because I love to see live music. It still sucks that it costs that much and is ridiculous and unfair and all that. Absolutely! But there are certain acts I'll still pay to see... and resent the hell out of them the whole time.

Eric Brace: but if you paid it, aren't you implicitly saying they deserve it? Or at the very least, you're literally saying they're WORTH it. Did you feel like it was worth the price, even though you resented it? Like Barry Bonds' salary probably irks lots of Giants fans, but they'll grudgingly admit he deserves it (if not him, then who?)
Moses Malone, when asked how it felt to be paid millions to play a game of hoops said something like "If they want to pay me that, it's ok with me"... but notice he didn't say, "hell no, pay me $50,000 a year. That's still more than an elementary school teacher makes."

Rockville, Md.: Eric -- have you heard that there's some new nightlife magazine being published called "Juicy?" Apparently they're throwing an introductory party tonight at that Club 1223, or whatever the numbers are, place -- at $15 a pop! Is that any way to introduce a new magazine? Charge 15 bucks at the door for a DJ and to see a magazine! What a rip-off.

Eric Brace: Ticket prices like that are merely to keep out the riff raff... it makes them seem exclusive.
Juicy is published by Favorite Media out of Fairfax.. Mostly they've been an online company, but they've gotten into film production and they want to have a "paper presence" in town. I don't know how DC can support it AND DC ONE, but Juicy will be all glossy and dishy and will cover music, movies, clubs... reviews, photos, listings. I wish them luck, we'll see if it lasts.

Arlington, Va and Washington, D.C. and all points in between: Eric:

Hi, Deeme here. I just wanted to thank you for the nice article last week about our friend and musician, the late Mike Downey. The musical tribute at Luna Park Grille was a great night. See you soon!

Eric Brace: Hi Deeme... I hope I spelled your name right in the column!
I only saw Mike perorm twice with Groovy but the man was so full of life, it's hard to imagine him gone.
I hear Luna park was packed for the memorial show. I'm sorry I couldn't be there.

Alexandria, Va.: Eric:

I am showing my age on this, but I used to enjoy going to places like F. Scott's and The River Club. Can you recommend a couple of places today that are comparable, i.e., dressier places that appeal to a 30s and up crowd. (I can do without the Yacht Club, by the way.) Thanks.

Eric Brace: I think most people would welcome more alternatives to the Yacht Club. It's one of the big holes in Washington nightlife. I'm really surprised nothing has surfaced over the past five years to take over the niche the River Club had.
The Park Hyatt at 24th and M (or somewhere close) has just started doing dinner/dancing packages, with a jazzy swing band on Fridays and Saturday nights starting at 7 pm. (sheesh, you'd think they'd put something on their website, but noooo). I'm gonna check that out soon.
Also, the Deja Vu club/bar inside Blackie's House of Beef is really well done, actually. DJ dancing on weekends.. low key.

20009: To me, every live show i see is worth it. live music just makes me happy and while i see lots and lots of shows that are in the $7-15 range, once a year i suck it up and pay the $60 for a great night of music. i'm always mad at myself beforehand for encouraging the beast but afterwards i wish i could go see 10 more shows. if i stopped going to shows, would ticket prices go down? No. and I'd be a sadder person.

Eric Brace: You're right. It's hard to know what one person can do.
rah rah rah to Fugazi for keeping their ticket prices down and perhaps shaming other rockers into trying to do the same.
(and is it true that EVERY live show is worth it? haven't youseen some stinkers??)

Wash, DC: DC One has started to charge for their magazine.. do you know if juicy will do the same?

Quite frankly, DC One does nothing for me. It's like a less intelligent Washingtonian for a younger generation.

blech.

Eric Brace: I just noticed that. I wonder who will buy it??
Don't know yet about Juicy's pricing policy, but they'll probably offer it for free, then make it cost something in a year, if it lasts.

Washington, D.C.: Hey Eric: Have high school freshman third cousin in town for the weekend. His first trip to D.C. from his home in the south. Any ideas of any good all-ages shows tonight?

Thanks much.

Eric Brace: Hmmm All-ages:
9:30 clubs Big Head Todd show is sold out...
but they have and early show with Cubanisimo!.. how cool is your third cousin?
More to cuz's taste might be the Sparta show at Black Cat (ex At The Drive In) or Caligari (local noisey pop) at Metro (I THINK metro does all ages.)

Arlington, VA: Re: High ticket prices - The money can either go to the artists or the scalpers. If demand exceeds supply, prices ARE going to be high, whether we like it or not (not that I do).

Eric Brace: I think it's more than just high demand. I think greed plays a big part of it. Scalpers certainly kick it up a notch, but that's after the fact.

washingtonpost.com: Metro is all ages all the time.

INexpensive live music: Yes, it's true that many acts have gotten ridiculously expensive lately. But I think we should be thankful that we live in an area like DC where there are a plethora of opportunities for cheap or free live acts. Galaxy Hut, HR-57, Wolf Trap (lawn seats, which are the best anyway), etc. I would never choose MCI Center over one of these cozy treasures (though I do love DMB's music).

Eric Brace: right on right on.
The flip side of what you're saying though, is musicians who don't get much money for their efforts. HR-57 and Galaxy Hut are great, fun places, but if you're a working musician, you can't hope to make rent money by playing those places.

Re; Reef: Yo,

Okay it's not a perfect bar. But after a killer work day there's something very Zen about sitting, cigarette in one hand, delicious Belgian draft in the other, watching gorgeous tropical fish and shrimp drifting stresslessly in their tanks. Very nice, helpful staff (though my waitress let me order the sickeningly sweet raspberry brew without so much as a warning) and a cool, slightly older crowd.

I would let Eric Brace take me there on a date anytime.

Eric Brace: well, gosh, thanks.
I'm still not sure about the carpet. And I'm ALWAYS uncomfortable watching fish tanks. Are those critters REALLY floating stresslessly (is that really a word??). Don't they pine--in some spot of their brain stem--for the open waters?
I'm up for the belgian draft though (and does anyone really spell out "draught")

Bowie, Md.: Eric,

What happened to D.C. Live?

Are there plans to re-open any time soon?

I hope that Dream didn't put them out of business (although I did hear that there was a new Urban club opening in the old Hogates location).

Eric Brace: I'm checking into the SW waterfront to see what's soon to appear. You're right, that there's something buzzing down there.
DC Live was mismanaged out of existence. I haven't heard about a reopening. Dream certain stole some of its thunder but it was already sinking when Dream opened.

Washington, D.C.: Eric, did you go to the big opening for Acropolis last night? Whaddya think of the place?

Eric Brace: Sadly, I did not.
I'm on my way there this weekend, if I get over this cold.

First Date: I would say Addie's in Rockville. Owned by the same Chef as Black's, but much better food.

Eric Brace: good call.
nice MoCo joint, but no bar to hang at.

Eric Brace: Ok Fritz just told me how out of it I am..
Abdul will be reopening DC Live as the VIP club.. it will probably reopen on May 11 (Howard's Homecoming Weekend). Fritz says they've done millions in renovations and it'll be huge, directly competing with Dream.

Bethesda, Md.: Eric,

Help me decide:

Paul Kelly/Freedy Johnston on Saturday at Iota

or

Josh Ritter/K Richey on May 5 at Iota

What's your pick?

Regardless, how early should I get there? I know doors are generally not until 9 but do lines form down the block?

Eric Brace: Paul Kelly... don't miss it.

Washington, D.C.: Eric, for my birthday, I'm giving myself tickets to the Church show at the Birchmere on Monday. Oddly enough, I've never been there. What to expect? It's just me going so think anyone will mind if I ask to share their table with them? Can I get a cab easily after the show back to the Metro?

Eric Brace: Cabs are a PAIN in the ass to get from the Birchmere.
Call in advance and have one waiting for you. Or sneak out before the end of the show and call.
You will have no problem finding people to share tables. It's waht you do there. The sound is great, but if you have a habit of talking to yourself, you'll be shushhhhhed.

washingtonpost.com: Howard's graduation weekend, he means.

Office social planner (a.k.a Julie McCoy): E, need a good karaoke bar (don't ask) with a decent happy hour. Can you help?

Eric Brace: Hmmm, how about that place Rockit Grill on King Street in Alexandria? that has it 7 days a week, as does (it think, still) Cafe Japone off Dupont.

Alexandria, Va.: My favorite band in the world -- VNV Nation -- are playing at Nation next week. Their last show in November was amazing, and the place was packed. If you print this question it will probably be the only place in the D.C. media they get mentioned. Thanks!

Eric Brace: true, VNV is a pretty rockin' industrial band.
There, I mentioned.

Birchmere: I saw the Americana motel show there (FABULOUS) and had never been, and don't drive. I had no trouble at all getting a cab to the Metro.

And good for you going to see a show by yourself!

Eric Brace: did you just flag one down or was there one waiting for you after the show?
'Cause I've left BEFORE the end of a show and there were no cabbies anywhere.

DC: To Alexandria, VA who was looking for alternatives to F. Scott's and The River Club. There's one in your own backyard. Try the Basin Street Lounge (219 King Street.) A very cool place to listen to some very cool jazz.

Eric Brace: there you go.. that's a nice call. John cocuzzi, pianist there 2 or 3 times a week, really swings.

20009: Went to Reef last nite, saw Fritz on the street on our way there. Man, I gotta say that joint was alot of sound and fury signifying nothing. Most of the extensive beers are available elsewhere, and it was loud loud loud in there. I'll give it another go when the roofdeck is open, but it's no Rouge in terms of chi-chi fun value for my money.

Eric Brace: yeah, I'm always passing Fritz on the street, trying to pretend I don't see him. FRITZ ! GO HOME! GO TO BED!! But no, he's diligently doing his job!!
Thanks for the opinion.

dc: oooo the last waltz.... where can we see that?

Eric Brace: it will open at the Dupont. The worst possible theater to see a music film. Robbie Robertson sure is annoying... but man he can play guiltar and write songs.

6th Street: Compared to newer hotel bars like Rouge and Topaz, and clubs like Dream, I was disappointed in the lack of decorative creativity at Acropolis. Additionally, the music was just bland house - nothing like what one could find at Andalu or ESL

Eric Brace: Thanks for the report. I wonder if they're "done".. maybe they'll make it snazzier or something as time goes on. too bad about DJs too... the competition in that neighborhood offers really good music, as you point out.

College Park, MD: Re: your ticket answer.

Lots of acts are in "show me the money" mode; what is Diana Krall getting for nosebleed tix, $42?

It may not get into Jacksons Victory Tour or Eagles reunion territory, but that's pretty close.

Eric Brace: yeah, I know.. and all she brings is a piano!

Arlington: Braceman,

When's the waterfront in Georgertown opening up?

Eric Brace: The Washington Harbour Club Restaurant & Lounge, as it's called, will open May 3, they say. complete with "a spectacular 3,000 gallon salt-water fish tank".. ahhhh jeeeez, here we go again.

dc: why is robbie robertson annoying?

Eric Brace: because he cuts off band members when they're talking, and hogs the camera (scorsese was clearly charmed by him, but missed more interesting stuff with the other members), and though Robbie can't hardly sing, he had a microphone set up on stage for him, so it would LOOK like he was singing, but the mic. wasn't turned ON... kind of a sham.

Birchmere: Walked a block or so and flagged one down.

of course, that was just the one time, maybe i was just lucky...

Eric Brace: you've got the magic. more power to you.

Rock It Grill: I'm a closet Rock It grill fan, but the singing doesn't begin until 9pmish. Not happy hour time. I think you'll find the same elsewhere.

Eric Brace: Thanks. Yeah, I haven't seen any happy hour karaokes...

Washington, D.C.:

Regarding ticket prices for shows. As a promoter --

Please remember to also factor in the cost of advertising, promotion and venue staff. For a band that won't sell out in hours, marketing alone can cost upwards of $10,000. (Have you seen The Post's rates lately?)

Also, the bands/acts you think may have a small following and a low fee often have much higher fees. Granted, some venues/promoters jack up the prices because they know people will pay them, but for those of us that do not, please try to be a bit more understanding.

Eric Brace: A voice from the inside, someone who actually knows what REALLY goes on. And yes, The Post does have very high rates.

re: reef and waterfront: can we (a) fish for the fish in the tanks and (b) eat them?

Eric Brace: hmmmm. supper.
I doubt it though. But bring your rod'n'reel just in case.

Thai Food: There is still Bua on P Street, that place on Connecticut near Dupont circle which are both really good. There's also Thaiphoon but that place is always so packed i've never actually gotten to eat there despite several attempts.

Eric Brace: for the person who misses Star of Siam..
thanks.

Re: The Reef: The lines at the door are not the result of a "velvet rope" policy, they're the result of occupancy limits -- not a pretension.

Eric Brace: that is often the case.. especially these days when District Fire Inspectors have been hassling clubs in a major way, especially on the Adams Morgan strip, about occupancy.
BUT, I've been to plenty of clubs where I've been kept waiting outside just to make it look like something was happening... when i got in, it wasn't even close to capacity (I'm thinking of two specific clubs on two specific occasions, i'm not saying this practice is rife)

Arlington: So, if Bloodshot or Warner offered Last Train Home a multi-record deal for hundreds or thousands of dollars, you'd say, "Hell no, pay me $50,000 a year. That's still more than an elementary school teacher makes"?

Eric Brace: If you take hundreds of thousands of dollars from a label, then you're just in debt to them. If I could go on the road and make rent, that'd be swell with me. I have no illusions about the likelihood of selling millions of records.
The analogy would be: if a label signs you for a million bucks and then raises its retail price $5 because YOU the artist have forced them to (like sports teams do to cover their payroll), then absolutely. Your presence in the fold as an artists shouldn't make them increase their costs, except manufacturing, for all those records you sell (wishful thinking).

Falls Church: XM subscriber here - I love it. What exactly do you want to know? I mostly listen to Cross Country, Hank's Place and I also scan the other channels. I also love that when I drive to see my family in Richmond, I don't have to search for a new station around the time I'm passing Fredericksburg.

Eric Brace: just seeing if people like it.. glad you do.
It seems like an answer to many people's complaints about the state of radio... not that it's perfect.

thai food: one joint to hit up: thaitanic!

Get the number 60 or the panang!
sooooo good

Eric Brace: yowza!

Poolesville, Md.: In various stories during just the past two months, the estimated (and not argued or downplayed by Paul McCartney) wealth of Paul McCartney has ranged, in print, on radio and in television, at anywhere from $500 million to a cool $1 billion. These are serious estimates, based on people doing actual research, in as much as they can without seeing his private documents and bank statements. So the point is, Eric, and I hate to say it, but it's greed. It's greed on the part of Paul McCartney, greed by U2, Elton John, Aerosmith, the Eagles and any other performer with an established base of wealth who charges ridiculous prices for a concert. It is greed. Why should a man worth $500 million to $1 billion charge $53 for a crappy nosebleed seat at a crappy concert venue like MCI Center? There is no reason. And people ARE complaining. I called 20 people to go see Paul and 16 of them said NO--precisely because of the ticket price.

Eric Brace: I said it too: greed.
also though with paul, it's sort of a reward to him for a lifetime of great achievements (and some not-so-great).. it's still too much.

Been out and about on the town: In the past 2 weeks, I've seen Virginia Coalition, Ani Difranco, and George Clinton at the 9:30 club and will see Nickel Creek this monday.

Also saw DMB at MCI center last week. Live music is alive and doin great in this town.

But anyone who pays $250 for Sir Paul is nuts.

Eric Brace: other than Virginia Coalition, none of those shows is local though.... but good for you for getting out.
Plus, that's just two venues.. do you go elsewhere? Smaller clubs?

McLean, Va.: Eric: What's the story on this new Teddy's House of Comedy in D.C., and when is The Post going to do a feature on the place? Who are the owners, what audience are they going after, what's the place like, how's the food and bar, and what, specifically will the entertainment be -- national comics, local comics, open-mike nights, some of the above, or all of the above? Thanks!

washingtonpost.com: Actually, we sent a staff writer just after the club opened. Read her review here.

Eric Brace: It's in the little space that used to be where SMokeless was..
it's booking national and local talent...
check out the link.
I'll be writing about it sometime in the future.

The Reef: A bunch of former Bedrock people are involved and they are great guys which makes the place good. Much better throughout the week when it's got a more ecclectic neighborhood feel.

And who misses Star of Siam...vomitous...If you want good, authentic Thai food, Thaiphoon is about as close as you'll get in this town.

Eric Brace: ahhh if Bedrock folks are involved, I'm reassured to a large degree. I'll have to talk to them about that carpet.

McLean, VA: Hi Eric-

I missed the tribute concert to John Jackson
at IMT in February (a real class gentleman
this Virginia bluesman was).

Do you know if there are any more such tribute/fundraisers planned in the future??

Eric Brace: Don't know if there are other tributes planned. haven't heard of any, but check my circuit box 'cause if there is something, I'll put it in there.

Bethesda, Md.: D.C. One lasts because it serves as an advertising/publicity vehicle for clubs that are owned or run by Masoud and his friends. Juicy better hope that they can find some other clubs to suck up to, or hope that places like Dream and 1223 will advertise in two similar publications each month.

Eric Brace: bingo

Re: The Yacht Club: I've never been there, but I was told that guys like me in their 20s can be picked up real easily by older women to be taken home. I was real hard up a year or two ago and my friends in their late 20's/early 30's kept saying they were going to take me there.

They said if I put on a blazer and combed my hair, I'd be taken home. Is that really true? And is this why this establishment is always the butt of jokes?

I'm serious here Eric, this isn't a joke post.

Eric Brace: ummmm, it's just a slightly tacky place with articles about itself all over the walls. I don't know about this hook-up stuff you're pondering.

Bethesda, Md.: Eric! On a whim I bought a ticket for Lake Trout next week. What are they like? Are they kinda electronica since they are playing with Thunderball?

Eric Brace: Lake Trout is from Baltimore and they've gone from too jammy for my taste to pretty interesting live electronica drum'n'bass meets pink floyd or something. It should be interesting.

Eric Brace: Time's beyond up folks... thanks to fritz for letting me run on and for straightening my out about DC Live/VIP.
Metro Cafe, by the way IS all-ages all the time, so to the fellow who has a young cousin in town, the Caligari show at Metro tonight might be the ticket.
meanwhile, if you have other thoughts and comments, feel free to send them on to me here at: nightwatch@washpost.com and check in to this page in two weeks!
bye.
eb

20009: to see cheap shows/locals: Iota, Metro, Half Moon BBQ,

Black Cat, State (sometimes cheap, sometimes local)

Eric Brace: yes!

The Reef: I've been once, and I liked it. Couldn't care less about CARPET. But now I'm worried, when I was there the music was definitely not loud. One of the cool things about the place was not having to shout over the music ...

Eric Brace: gotcha!
yeah, I hope they allow for conversation..

Gaithersburger: Don't miss Lavay Smith and the Red Hot Skillet Lickers at the Barns on Sunday!!

Eric Brace: a great show...

The Reef, con't: Eric, check out yesterday's "Got Plans?" chat, lots of info there about the The Reef.
(And the same poster complaining about the carpet.)

When are we going to see you again at Cocktail Charities?

Eric Brace: and i shall!...
hmmm I'll get back to you on the CCharities.. It would be fun.

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