editor's note

I've been blessed with super powers. I should be fighting crime with the X-men or the Justice League. My superpower is the ability to overcome hangovers. No headaches no vomiting. Actually vomiting can be induced if a known super villian gives me a certain party favor. That in combination with drink will induce sickness on a massive scale. No worries all my true enemies in San Diego know this. They know what they've done..the comicbook stealing thieves that shower once a week...and thats the girls! I've updated with a few more reviews. What's in store for the future you ask? I'll be working on a story/review for an event they call 1st Friday. That should test my powers! You may also look foward to a Vegas vs. Atlantic City piece. So for now enjoy these brief and crappy reviews. Peace be with you all.
Kisses,
Ap

Icehouse Lounge

Icehouse Lounge
650 S. Main St
702.315.2575

This review is late I was trying to make peace with the night before, the Devil and I danced in the pale moonlight. We were happy and all my decisions were right and true. The tension and fear were all gone.
No drinking this night I am writing this stone sober, I have to be. Driving through downtown Vegas on a Saturday night while even slightly buzzed is a suicide mission. The Metro cops are ready and waiting. No statistic next to my name!
I am covering the downtown Vegas area and soon will venture to the Vegas clubs those reviews will be weirder and less concise. Be warned!
Icehouse Lounge has been in existence for several years, however in September John Barrett became the General Manager, and as soon as he got the job John hit the ground running. He quickly updated the menu and opened the Lounge up to a healthy mix of music. Everything from Metal, Jazz, Old school R&B and you get the idea. He also improved the upstairs loft to include bottle service and VIP seating. The loft area is also home to Poetry reading and live Jazz.
John's approach to Icehouse is to provide service with a personal touch and offering an alternative to the busy Vegas strip mentality. An upgraded music venue is a tough sell anywhere and the same is true in Vegas. The art district resurgence of the last year or so, according to many I've spoke to, has been quick and prosperous. Especially to those smart enough to know the city. In a city with an abundance of every conceivable want and desire the true visionary can offer just enough to get people in the door. John wants to offer Las Vegans an intimate music venue that's very friendly to local artists with a touch of quality.
The place is large enough to house a few hundred people the parking is ample and the roof area is sometimes opened. The staff seems very familiar with each other giving way to a family like atmosphere according to John. We noticed several off the clock employees hanging out at the bar that's usually a good sign. If your employees hang out after work. This isnt true if you work at a mall. That just means your a loser.Speaking at length with John, i got the impression that he is a down to earth guy from Atlanta, who seems genuine in trying to get people away from the turnstile strip mentality. I would agree with him. I've been here a month and if i can avoid even driving to the strip i'll do it. Icehouse offers happy hour from 4-7 with drink and food specials. I really need to start reviewing food because the menu here looks pretty good. With 2 for 1 specials during the week it would be criminal not to. If you get there early you might see local politicians chatting it up. Check out the website Icehouselounge.com for more info on upcoming events. See now that wasn't too bad was it?

Deception at Dispensary

Dispensary Lounge
2451 E Tropicana Ave
Friday night once again dear readers and the Dispensary lounge awaits. According to the many reviews I’ve read on this place, the perfect time to go is right before you’re ready to let loose, A sort of warm up before you find yourself in the big game.
I had a couple of belts at home. I used to drink this pre-mixed Long Island Iced Tea cocktail. In San Diego we used to call it the devil. If you drink enough of this shit you will see the devil that night. Tonight would be no different. I made my way towards Tropicana to get the review.
The Dispensary Lounge is deceptive in location and outwardly quiet appearance. The place is located very near a strip mall. I’ve noticed that many bars here are located near strip malls. I wonder if this some attempt at mocking the establishment or cheaper rent? I’ll assume the latter of the two.
As I approached the lounge I noticed 2 well dressed people outside, the sound proofing must be really well done, because when I opened the door I was hit with cigarette smoke and perfume and loud music. Well all right seems tonight might be the night! The place was packed with young professionals mingling and sipping on cocktails. Young ladies everywhere, I did my customary stroll thorough the bar like a shark trolling for young seals. Apparently UNLV was having a MBA-Law (and something else that I can’t remember) mixer. A young lady of unknown age approached me and asked what firm I was with? Firm? My response was quick: “Uh well I’m a journalist….are these all Lawyers?” Her response: “Yeah Lawyers and Doctors”. “Well I guess I’m a Dr. too”. She smiled then without warning she began introducing me to her friends. “Angelo the journalist is here to do a story”! She was half right and if she played her cards right, she might be the story! People immediately began chatting me up and asking questions…so far so good!
There has been a consistent theme in all the places I’ve reviewed here in Vegas so far, and that theme is an outward friendliness toward me. I suppose once someone knows your doing a story they all want in. However the conversations are friendly with little pretension. I removed myself from the group to jot some notes and get a drink. Here we go!
The bartenders here are very nice and welcoming Lisa the bartender was especially friendly, she reminded me of an ex girlfriend. A tall and thin blonde except 15yrs older, with none of the Skyy Vodka bottle throwing defects. She bought me my first drink. I paid for 1 drink during my hour and a half at the lounge. I walked out of there buzzing but good. For San Diego readers imagine the Turf Club without the pretentious freaks that have haunted that bar for entirely too long. The bar is dark and very comfortable, the staff is very friendly and it was good to see them so busy. There is the famous waterwheel in the upper level and furniture that you can move and arrange to your liking. They serve food however I did not have the room nor appetite for a late snack. The booths were all taken so the only place to be was the bar. The drinks are cheap and the staff was attentive. Like I said the staff had bought me several drinks before they even knew I was there to review the joint!
The highlight of the night was witnessing Robert the drunk and his girlfriend win 2,500 from video poker. When I asked Robert for a few words he mumbled something about hot garbage and began flexing his arm, real Alpha male nonsense but funny. I told him I wouldn’t use his name, I lied. His name is Robert and once he finished flexing he invited me to a friendly contest of fisticuffs. I graciously declined his invite and turned my back. The low point was witnessing a young lady order a Vodka Martini then after a painful sip ordered a chaser of water. The bartender looked at her with a stunned resentment muttered something and to his credit fulfilled her request. So dear readers I insist you visit the Dispensary Lounge for a pre- warm up. Toss the ball get loose for the big game. The Bartenders have tons of experience and the vibe is friendly. If you have no friends when you get there, you will when you leave so give it a go
The devil is already whispering in my ear and I have to pee, Christ I gotta stop drinking!

Manicure anyone?

Beauty Bar
517 Fremont St
702-598-1965
Following my adventures at the Dispensary Lounge I knew Beauty Bar was waiting for me. I was ready I was buzzed and Scott the Bar manager was waiting for me. Thus far my illustrious career as a roving entertainment journalist I’m finding that downtown Vegas is offering me the best reviews with genuine hospitality from the hosts. Beauty Bar was no different. I arrived right after 1200 am ready for a good night. I pinched 15.00 and hid them for later on that night!
Beauty Bar is a chain of retro bars located in various locations: San Francisco, New York, L.A., Austin, Vegas and San Diego. I was going to visit the San Diego Beauty Bar branch but I left for Vegas before that happened. One would think that with various chains of the same bar, you might want to place said bar in the most touristy sections, this way you draw in the most people. However the SD Beauty Bar is located in a questionable section of town, I don’t know where the others are located, but here in Vegas; Beauty Bar is perfectly situated a block from the Fremont Experience. The bar opened in 2004 and according to the website: Beautybar.com provides a refuge for the casino fatigued tourist/local, I’ll agree. When I walked into the bar I was waived right over to Bree who is co-manager of some sort. She bought me drink and we spoke briefly. The bar’s interior resembles a 1950’s beauty salon, one you might find somewhere in Jersey, coincidently some of the furnishings were taken from Capri Salon of Beauty in Trenton, NJ. Another step toward redemption for the glorious garden state.
Once I got my drink I made my way towards the back where the bar opens up to an open air venue. The stage is situated where a parking lot used to be I presume. The area is fenced off so no wandering hobos or preteens stumble in. Very nice I would imagine when Satan takes holiday here in summer and the temp rises to 200 degrees, this nice little spot is a welcome relief. For San Diego readers imagine, well actually if you go to the SD branch you will get it. No need to reference. The crowd was a good indie rock/punk mix. Yes I did make some friends who, once they noticed my reporters pad immediately asked what I was writing. Very bold. 3 drinks into the show I was feeling good and chatting up some girlies, I forget what I was asking them but nevertheless I was having a good time! I only caught the last 2 songs from a band, of which I can not remember their name. Oh well next time fellas. The final act was The Strays who hail from different parts of the world. I believe it was: Greece, England and parts of America. They had a good sound, their influences were apparent; to their credit however they maintained a nice distance.
When someone told me they had bud cans for 2.25 I knew trouble was brewing. I was down to my last 10.00 bucks. Scott the General Manager runs a good ship here. He is a very friendly guy who added to my blood alcohol level by buying me a strong Rum and Coke; we spoke briefly about the bar and his hopes for the place. With a steady stream of locals and steadier stream of local bands as well as out of town bands, Beauty Bar is one to look out for. As with many of the places I’ve been to, the people were friendly and the girls were cute. I was going to talk to Bettie Page but she looked busy, and I was close to drunk.
As I said my goodbyes I had a chance to speak with the bouncers outside. These chaps were friendly despite their intimidating expressions. We spoke about something I can’t remember. I said adieu with my budlight can in hand and stumbled to my after hours where weird circumstances would lead me onto an even weirder path. The devil was here and ready to mix it up!