This was my first venue on this trip to Reno, Nevada, and I was reminded that I am no longer in California when I walked into the bar and a third of the room had people smoking. Good to know, though: a sign on the wall did indicate no firearms were allowed. I felt healthier already. The business has its own parking lot. While a bar only, they did offer bags of chips and I was even given some complimentary mix – a glass filled with pretzels and other delicious junk food trail mix. I was pleased to learn a draft beer was only $3.50 for a pale ale. Overall, the place seats close to 50. The bar has 2 pool tables, but it was the 8 muted TVs that were on, specifically the 4 behind the stage, that had me concerned. Host Canyon arrived at 8:25pm. According to her, that is late. Blame the storm going on that night. She has faithfully been running this room for 15 years, and I learned she runs another room in Carson City as well. All brands of talent are welcome, but I learned the ratio of 1 non-music-inclined act for every 10 acts that go up is realistic. Talent gets 15 minutes or longer, unless someone is waiting to go up. There is no signup sheet. Equally so, there are no language restrictions. Canyon moves a few tables with the help of a gentleman, and sets up two mics. Open mic started 8:52pm. 24 people occupied the bar. Canyon opened with a few songs, thanked everyone for coming out, brought the energy of the room quite high and all the attention to the stage, then introduced me about 9:15pm. Again, the TVs were left on, and I wondered that although I had everyone’s eyes in my direction, were they enjoying me or the football game having gone into overtime playing behind me? That may explain, however, why while on stage I got cheers and smiles before I hit some punch lines. That aside, I still had the majority of their attention. They were watching us both at the same time; the TVs were directly behind me. I did a solid 12 minutes then got myself off. I did better than I thought because Canyon asked to book me for a paid job at a later date for another event. After my set Canyon announced a short break, then someone else would go up. Normally the room goes from 8pm till 12am, sometimes 2am or more. This is a 24 hour bar. The place definitely has regulars, because Canyon was socializing with so many people in the room. Pool playing can go on while talent performs. I stayed for another hour, finally leaving to go to the hotel and crash. Eight hours of driving can wipe a person out. Guys, this was a terrific room, despite the TVs staying on. Canyon has such a lengthy history with this establishment, it’s hard to imagine her NOT knowing most everyone in the room, and she welcomes newbies like myself as though she already knows she wants to see you again. This was my first venue in Reno, and I found myself feeling at ease in this room.
This was my first venue on this trip to Reno, Nevada, and I was reminded that I am no longer in California when I walked into the bar and a third of the room had people smoking. Good to know, though: a sign on the wall did indicate no firearms were allowed. I felt healthier already.
ReplyDeleteThe business has its own parking lot. While a bar only, they did offer bags of chips and I was even given some complimentary mix – a glass filled with pretzels and other delicious junk food trail mix. I was pleased to learn a draft beer was only $3.50 for a pale ale. Overall, the place seats close to 50.
The bar has 2 pool tables, but it was the 8 muted TVs that were on, specifically the 4 behind the stage, that had me concerned.
Host Canyon arrived at 8:25pm. According to her, that is late. Blame the storm going on that night. She has faithfully been running this room for 15 years, and I learned she runs another room in Carson City as well. All brands of talent are welcome, but I learned the ratio of 1 non-music-inclined act for every 10 acts that go up is realistic. Talent gets 15 minutes or longer, unless someone is waiting to go up. There is no signup sheet. Equally so, there are no language restrictions. Canyon moves a few tables with the help of a gentleman, and sets up two mics.
Open mic started 8:52pm. 24 people occupied the bar. Canyon opened with a few songs, thanked everyone for coming out, brought the energy of the room quite high and all the attention to the stage, then introduced me about 9:15pm. Again, the TVs were left on, and I wondered that although I had everyone’s eyes in my direction, were they enjoying me or the football game having gone into overtime playing behind me? That may explain, however, why while on stage I got cheers and smiles before I hit some punch lines.
That aside, I still had the majority of their attention. They were watching us both at the same time; the TVs were directly behind me. I did a solid 12 minutes then got myself off. I did better than I thought because Canyon asked to book me for a paid job at a later date for another event.
After my set Canyon announced a short break, then someone else would go up. Normally the room goes from 8pm till 12am, sometimes 2am or more. This is a 24 hour bar. The place definitely has regulars, because Canyon was socializing with so many people in the room. Pool playing can go on while talent performs. I stayed for another hour, finally leaving to go to the hotel and crash. Eight hours of driving can wipe a person out.
Guys, this was a terrific room, despite the TVs staying on. Canyon has such a lengthy history with this establishment, it’s hard to imagine her NOT knowing most everyone in the room, and she welcomes newbies like myself as though she already knows she wants to see you again. This was my first venue in Reno, and I found myself feeling at ease in this room.