Posted by: Andrew Holt in Nightlife, Music, Culture on
Jul 12, 2010
Just as recently as 3 years ago, the chance to experience entertainment in Walla Walla after 7 pm was slim and none with none more often than the slim. Now, one can walk the streets of downtown on Thursday through Saturday nights and have several places to patronize.
This is a prime reflection of the stark change in Walla Walla. Let me give you an example. On a Saturday night, just a couple of weeks after I had moved to Walla Walla in March of 2003, I went to a local pub and restaurant for some food, drink and a little action at 8:30 pm. When I asked for a menu, the bartender told me they had closed the kitchen at 8. I thought that was a bit early but cheerfully asked him where I could get some food at this hour?
He chuckled and said, "The only place serving food after 8 in Walla Walla is Shari's." You know Shari's, a distant cousin to Denny's that specializes in "down home" pies. Any entertainment? Yeah, a broken down barn called "Barnaby's" that was the home of 21-year-olds experimenting with hard liquor for the first time, and a DJ who was obsessed with rap. I became depressed.
In just 7 short years, that scenario is a distant memory. Not only do most restaurants stay open much later but there is a bevy of music and eats coming from a wide-range of establishments. Vintage Cellars used to be solely a wine and beer bar; now it serves food and live music with its beverages. With its patio and inviting upstairs, it makes for a nice evening destination.
Posted by: Andrew Holt in Nightlife, Music, Food on
Dec 28, 2009
Walla Walla finally has an upscale night club with dancing. Ladies and Gents, may I present to you . . . The Red Monkey! - I know, I know, the name does not reflect the major upgrade in night clubbing that "The Monkey" represents. But let's excuse the owners for their strange taste in names and, rather, applaud them for opening a true dinner dance club that does not cater solely to the 24-and-under crowd and their rap music.
In fact, before 9:30 on a Friday night, "The Monkey" more closely resembles a classy Sports Bar than a Dance Club with its multitude of large flat screen televisions strategically placed throughout the establishment. The dinner menu is solid. Everyone in my gang seemed to be happy with their burgers, barbequed pork and salads. I had the chicken quesadilla which was tasty and not too salty . . . a good thing.
As the night progressed, the Happy Hour crowd and early dinner couples began to dwindle and were replaced by the younger crowd. Not a problem. There's actually a dress code and young ladies entered dressed to the nines, wearing a myriad of sultry pant and skirt ensembles, instead of the usual jeans falling off the hips or pajama bottoms. And the lads looked nice, too: Collared shirts, dress shoes and jeans, instead of the normal oversized hockey jersey, the ball cap to the side and unlaced monster sized basketball sneakers.
As a male in his mid 40's, I felt quite at home. It's the type of place folks in their 30's to mid 50's have been aching for since I moved here in 2003 -- a place to go dancing that plays music we recognize and makes you feel like you're having a "night out" instead of getting in the way of the drinking duels of 22-year-olds who didn't have the time to comb their hair before making their motley appearance. The constant presence of security folks shows that "The Monkey" doesn't want to be a haven for macho man fights. God bless them.
Posted by: Andrew Holt in Nightlife, Music on
Jun 15, 2009
Our first foray into "live" entertainment in Walla Walla. The other weekend I ambled down to one of my favorite hang-outs, Sapolil Cellars, to listen to a wonderful local musician, Mark "Doc" Brown. "Doc" Brown played piano professionally for ten years before cashing in his PHD for a career in social services. He still plays masterfully and is a frequent performer at Sapolil. "Doc" is unique in many ways; he can play the piano and trumpet at the same time (a true crowd pleaser), most of the songs he performs he wrote and composed, his rapport wit the audience is top notch and the lyrics of his songs are catchy and humorous.
Tonight he is paired with a blues guitarist Robin Barrett of Coyote Kings fame and although the duo has never played together, they sound smooth and relaxed, transitioning between solos and melody. The repertoire ranges from rhythmic blues to some of "Doc's" hallmark tunes with a few classic covers thrown in. Sapolil is alive with music, laughter, and mirth.
Sapolil, located downtown at 15 W. Main Street, started solely as a tasting room for Sapolil wines but quickly became a hot spot for "live" weekend music when owner, Bill Schwerin, has made it his mission to feature local and regional talent; the musical fare covers a wide variety, from Latin Jazz and acoustic guitar to Blues bands and Folk vocalists. One only has to pay a negliglble cover to take in the music and the beverage on tap is an assortment of Sapolil wines. One can always just grab a bottle of water if so inclined.
