WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT TOP OF TACOMA BAR AND CAFÉ >>>

Tacoma loves booze. Fancy microbrews, dented cans of PBR, a snobby Cabernet or a shot of Jack - we love it all. But lonely drinkers we're not. We Tacomans go out to get our drink on because we know a good time has more to do with location than beverage.

Top of Tacoma Bar and Cafe has been a destination bar for the booze hopping set since it opened three years ago in the largely residential McKinley neighborhood. Neighborhood regulars, the Tacoma music scene, college coeds and bearded longshoremen call this place their unofficial livingroom, shooting pool and chowing down on the tasty grub.

Last Wednesday night was not different. The age span of the 30 or so beer chuggers was easily 40 years. But the vibe was cool.

What made the night interesting was the way co-owner Jaime Kay Jones handled a drunken douche who was hassling a cute young woman who was out with friends. The douche not only sat down uninvited to the hen party, but also kept asking his target her name, her job and where she lived - over and over. When she pointed out the fact that his questions were asked and answered, he got pissy. Jones simply told his friends outside that she wanted to talk to him. Once outside, she handed him is tab to sign. Problem solved.

‘Women make a bar, if they don't feel comfortable, they won't stay," she said as she went about her business.

Top of Tacoma Bar and Café

2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Friday
noon to 2 a.m. Saturday-Sunday
3529 McKinley Ave. E. Tacoma
253.272.1502

LINK: More photos in the Photo Hot Spot

ON THE SCENE >>>  

The Weekly Volcano dropped in on the Tacoma Comedy Club's soft opening this weekend. The club - embedded in Malarkey's Pool & Brew club at Sixth and Tacoma Avenue - nearly sold out three shows this past weekend, and already booked some 100 tickets for its grand opening this coming weekend. That fact doesn't surprise me. The joint looks like a dedicated comedy club space. Tables ring the stage and all seats are good. The waitresses are attractive, efficient and Johnny on the spot - all makings of a good club

Oh, and the comedians were funny.

Mike Agostini

Xung Lam emceed the opening weekend with my former history teacher, Mike Agostini warming up the crowd for Kane Holloway and Sean Anderson headlining. All comedians are known commodities around here, with Holloway and Anderson also pulling double duty for the upcoming film, Jesus4Less.

This weekend, The Tacoma Comedy Club will host Collin Moulton's fast paced mix of clever stand-up and physical comedy straight from his appearance on Comedy Central's "Best of" series.

LINK: Previously on our sister blog, Spew

SAX ON A SATURDAY NIGHT >>>

SAX Restaurant and Lounge slaps a big ol' FUZION logo on their Saturday nights, hosting three DJs spinning Top-40, some house and hip-hop. They toss in "The FUZION Girls" and their ridiculous furry boots, Jell-O shots and drink specials bringing in a crowd more concerned about dancing, hooking up and having a great time than frontin'. It's a diverse crowd, which included the gay community and one grandmother this past Saturday.

DJ Mike Yoda and guests will spin during The FUZION Oct. 30 Halloween Party, which includes a costume contest with $500 in prizes, and no doubt more ridiculous boots worn by the FUZION chicks.

FUZION

Saturdays, 9 p.m., $5 cover after 10 p.m.
SAX Restaurant and Lounge
2309 Sixth Ave., Tacoma
253.572.0588.

LINK: More photos of last Saturday's FUZION

UNDER THE LIGHTS >>>

The Hype: Thanks to Calvin Murphy, the South Sound has danced its ass off for the last 11 years. Murphy's DJ conglomerate Ocean Grooves produced many popular DJ shows and weekly series over the years, including its initial series at Tacoma's 6th & Proctor Bar & Grill in 1999 featuring regulars Donald Glaude, Omar and dAb. Last night, Murphy launched a whole new venture as manager of Jason Rim's new Gruv Lounge and Nightclub - in the same spot once occupied by the 6th & Proctor B&G, as well as the more popular Hell's Kitchen. Besides booking and running the show, Rim allowed Murphy to design the club - the DJ booth, lighting, video screens and color schemes. To give Gruv's grand opening an extra boost, Murphy hosted his annual Ocean Grooves Halloween Bash in the joint featuring Los Angeles DJ Uberzone and local DJs dAb, Jason Diamond and Mr. Clean. Read more on the new club here.

The Show: Based on last night's grand opening don't expect lots of v-neck-t-shirt-wearing guys doing that up-and-down motion with their arms in appreciation of the music, and perfectly groomed and tanned girls dancing in circles around their purses as that drunk girl high-fives the DJ for playing "Fantasy" by Mariah Carey while she sucks on a rock-candy ring. Instead, a very unpretentious crowd danced, chatted and drank – when they weren't hugging Murphy saying, "It's about time you brought this to Tacoma." The DJs riled up the crowd with fearsome house music and boogie-man beats while Murphy's LED lights constantly changed the interior colors of the club. Oh, and local artist James Allan Tucker's mural in the dance room is very cool. The Weekly Volcano Meat Market correspondent Brett Cihon was in the house. Look for his review in next week's rag.

The Crowd: A large crowd including curious local DJs scoping out the place, plus Bert and Ernie, Spock, Ron Burgundy, Mr. Heatmiser, Iron Man, cats, and a bunch of scary guys.

Overheard: "Man, I should've gotten stoned for this!"

By The Way: Donald Glaude, DJ dAb and Omar will spin Saturday, Nov. 6 at the Gruv.

LINK: More Gruv photos in our Photo Hot Spot