Blacklight District is a full bar with the emphasis on black. The walls were black. The seats were black. The curtain keeping the sunlight out at the entrance was black. Why they have the word light in their title, I don’t know. The only light on stage was a ghoulish green, which, unless you stood close to the edge of the stage, mostly you are not going to be highlighted. Parking is on the street. The bar seats 40 people, the majority of the chairs encompassing the bar. The stage is in the farthest corner from the two entrances. Everyone is going to see you wherever they sat, even if the lighting is not strong. The room houses nine TVs, only one of which was on and muted when I arrived. Before the show started, a second TV was turned on but remained muted. They will not be a distraction from the open mic. Also in the room are two pool tables, and on the other side of the bar a long shuffle board, the kind with salt sprinkled over the top. I arrived at 2:35pm. I was the only patron in the bar. I ordered a beer to support the room and waited. Todd, who is the current host, has been running the room for two years. He showed up with his friend Lucas who I think helps Todd, but I’m not sure if he’s a co-producer. It wasn’t as though when the signup sheet came out, Lucas got special treatment. He took the sixth or seventh spot. They arrived 3:08pm. The open mic didn’t start until 3:30pm. While all genres are welcome, the day I was there, everyone on stage was a comedian. My friend who plays the violin originally came intent on performing but decided not to go up. Talent gets ten minutes. There are no language restrictions. It’s first come first choice. One other talent showed up before our host. The signup sheet came out 3:15pm. I took the third spot. There were six signups by 3:20pm and nine signups by 3:30pm. The room started at 3:27pm with our host playing to four people plus the bartender. Happy Hour at Blacklight starts 4pm, and I later found out the room moved from noon to 3pm for that very reason, because Happy Hour starts at 4pm, and people started to show up. By 4pm, 11 people were in the room. The sound system was not the best, but the audience was very good about listening and not making noise. What patrons who were not there for the mic were good about keeping quiet. Also, the stand sucks the big one. The host admitted it. The comics made fun of it. Everyone knew the stand was nothing more than a coat hanger for the mic. Guys, I really liked this room. I went up third and only did maybe four minutes. I got a big laugh, and I knew I wasn’t going to get any better, so I got myself off on a high note. Everyone else was good about respecting their time. The other comedians were good about supporting the room by staying after their set, and everyone in the bar was respectful of the talent in that no one talked during sets. My suggestion is come closer to 3pm and signup at a time when more people are likely to be here (after Happy Hour starts).
Blacklight District is a full bar with the emphasis on black. The walls were black. The seats were black. The curtain keeping the sunlight out at the entrance was black. Why they have the word light in their title, I don’t know. The only light on stage was a ghoulish green, which, unless you stood close to the edge of the stage, mostly you are not going to be highlighted. Parking is on the street.
ReplyDeleteThe bar seats 40 people, the majority of the chairs encompassing the bar. The stage is in the farthest corner from the two entrances. Everyone is going to see you wherever they sat, even if the lighting is not strong. The room houses nine TVs, only one of which was on and muted when I arrived. Before the show started, a second TV was turned on but remained muted. They will not be a distraction from the open mic. Also in the room are two pool tables, and on the other side of the bar a long shuffle board, the kind with salt sprinkled over the top.
I arrived at 2:35pm. I was the only patron in the bar. I ordered a beer to support the room and waited. Todd, who is the current host, has been running the room for two years. He showed up with his friend Lucas who I think helps Todd, but I’m not sure if he’s a co-producer. It wasn’t as though when the signup sheet came out, Lucas got special treatment. He took the sixth or seventh spot. They arrived 3:08pm. The open mic didn’t start until 3:30pm.
While all genres are welcome, the day I was there, everyone on stage was a comedian. My friend who plays the violin originally came intent on performing but decided not to go up. Talent gets ten minutes. There are no language restrictions. It’s first come first choice. One other talent showed up before our host. The signup sheet came out 3:15pm. I took the third spot. There were six signups by 3:20pm and nine signups by 3:30pm.
The room started at 3:27pm with our host playing to four people plus the bartender. Happy Hour at Blacklight starts 4pm, and I later found out the room moved from noon to 3pm for that very reason, because Happy Hour starts at 4pm, and people started to show up. By 4pm, 11 people were in the room. The sound system was not the best, but the audience was very good about listening and not making noise. What patrons who were not there for the mic were good about keeping quiet. Also, the stand sucks the big one. The host admitted it. The comics made fun of it. Everyone knew the stand was nothing more than a coat hanger for the mic.
Guys, I really liked this room. I went up third and only did maybe four minutes. I got a big laugh, and I knew I wasn’t going to get any better, so I got myself off on a high note. Everyone else was good about respecting their time. The other comedians were good about supporting the room by staying after their set, and everyone in the bar was respectful of the talent in that no one talked during sets. My suggestion is come closer to 3pm and signup at a time when more people are likely to be here (after Happy Hour starts).