Rumors are already circulating about the future of the spot -- one involves salsa (dancing, not pico de gallo) -- but nothing has been announced yet. "Our landlord won't tell us anything," Mara says, "so I'll be just as surprised as everyone else." Stop by to bid a fond farewell in person, or just call 303-863-8433 to say you love the Lounge. There's nothing sweeter than a bartender who calls you "honey" and means it.
The action's picking up at Bender's 13th Avenue Tavern (314 East 13th Avenue), which is now double-booking its Thursday nights with Night of the Living Shred and Rock Star Karaoke. The two events appear to be residing peacefully together, with off-key singing in one room and skateboarding DJs in another. Night of the Living Shred, which premiered a couple of weeks ago, blends Thrasher magazine culture with vinyl records played at deafening volumes. Organized by sponsored skater Charlie Morrison and DJ Wesley Wayne, it's a sure draw for kids with cool haircuts. "We're just trying to make the night the rockingest night ever," says Wayne. For Tony awk wannabes, it's like a really good X Games after-party. The night features product giveaways from prominent skate shops and companies, iconic 1980s skate videos projected to life-sized proportions, and DJs who cover all the bases of punk/rock/metal/rap/whatever. In fact, the only thing that's missing is a ramp.
What's more painful than the worst skateboard spill? Listening to people abuse their voices at Rock Star Karaoke -- or, as host Jermaine Smith calls it, "Karaoke Debauchery." The evening has been going for about a year now, and it's as popular as ever. "It started off as just another niche in the scene, and a lot of hipsters came to it," says Smith, who brought his MC skills all the way from Wichita. "Now it's more of a LoDo crowd." Whatever side of the tracks people are coming from, they fill the room to near capacity every week. While Smith will deny only a few karaoke requests, there's one absolute no-no: "Who Let the Dogs Out?" And please, remember that it's never acceptable to call it "kuh-row-key." For more fun facts on either event, go to www.benderstavern.com or call 303-861-7070.
Finally, there's still time to bounce on in to Bounce Lounge, the ultimate jam session hosted by Count D and Theo Smith (aka Lord of Word) at the Walnut Room, 3131 Walnut Street, starting 9 p.m. Friday, December 23. (Our apologies for the wrong date in last week's Club Scout.) Admission is $10; for more information, go to www.jerseybounce.com or call 303-292-1700.