Busted My Pandora's Cherry

I visit Seattle fairly often and have noticed the reviews for the clubs, particularly that Pandora's gets the most, and is held in high regard by the distinguished members of this forum, so I found some time to check it out. I've driven by it probably hundreds of times and it always looked dingy and sordid, a skid row peep show kind of vibe from the outside. I've had some unfortunate experiences visiting one or two of those and now know to avoid them.

I pull into the lot about 7pm on a Friday night and enter the club. The door man asks me $20. But peeking into the club I see it looks pretty dead. I don't see many dancers or customers. So I decide to get a drink at the bar next door. The door man at the bar asked me for $10 for the band, who were just setting up. I told him I just wanted a drink and wasn't going to stay and he let me in without the cover. The bar scene was very comfy. People were friendly and it felt like it was a regulars scene. They only served beer and wine so I ordered a beer at the bar and watched the band set up.

The bar filled. It was run by a gregarious old man who smiled and joked a lot while his granddaughter, judging by their resemblance, served drinks. Nice people. The band started their set. Awesome guitar player surrounded by middling to decent supporting players. Classic country rock. Good partying music. I nursed my beer for a few songs and headed back across the lot to Pandora's.