IT'S A GLOOMY DAY >>>

The appeal can be summed up in a sentence: What happens at Dress-A-Raoke stays at Dress-A-Raoke - although I'm talking more about embarrassingly heartfelt karaoke choices (oh, for a Gloom Chaser drink and the music to "Chevy Van!") than about any activities stretching into the realms of illicit, illegal or enjoyable. No matter how wild the night can be, this is still Tacoma, not Bangkok.

Let's skip past the "Chevy Van" subject and talk Gloom Chaser.

The drink doesn't chase it away; it brings it on - especially on an empty stomach.

The Tempest Lounge - hosts of Thursday night Dress-A-Raoke (karaoke with props and hosted by Colin) - serves the $10 Gloom Chaser. Served in a pint glass, this liquid of death contains Belvedere Intense Vodka (100 proof), Grand Marnier, PatronCitronge liqueur, fresh squeezed lemon juice, dash of grenadine, and topped with soda.

Lost in the music and artist Teddy Haggarty's Hollywood stories, I accidentally drank three of these.

Enough said.