930 Forums
=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: Vas Deferens on October 24, 2006, 02:08:00 pm
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I can't find the thread...is it close to a Metro? How's the surrounding area?
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shit, someone re-posted a link to the original thread not too long ago. i'll try finding it later, once i'm off the clock.
to answer your questions:
no, it's at least a dozen-plus blocks from the closest metro, which is union station (use google maps to get exact distance). 15 minute walk, i'd say.
neighborhood along the way is pretty damn sketchy. traveling in a big group i wouldn't worry, but if less than 4 i'd recommend a cab. the bars around the R'n'R hotel have pooled together to provide a free shuttle service between the metro stations and the H St NE corridor, but I can't remember the details (starts at 10 PM i believe, might be only on weekends). call the R'n'R hotel or search through this msg board...
i saw adam west at the R'n'R hotel a few weekends ago, i liked the place. dirty and grimy, the way rock'n'roll is suposed to be :) bar upstairs is way cool.
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be on your guard, there have been some muggings in that area lately
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Originally posted by pela123:
be on your guard, there have been some muggings in that area lately
They need some street lights like the ones on T St by the Black Cat! It's like 1pm at 2am!
Definitely check with RnR Hotel (http://www.rockandrollhoteldc.com) about the Atlas District Shuttle from Union Station to the area.
At least they're all set come 2007 with the smoking ban (you're allowed to smoke in there now) since there's a HUGE painted "No Smoking Allowed" sign above the double doors to the main venue room.
MindCage
Mindless Faith (http://www.mindlessfaith.com)
Deep6 Productions (http://www.deep6.com)
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Check out Welbilt, ADHD and Minus-One there on November 16. Should be a good time.
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Do they have pool table(s)? What about at the Red and Black?
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there is one pool table upstairs at the R'n'R hotel
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What about parking? Street only?
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i don't remember seeing any paid/reserved parking when i was there, then again i was in a cab so i wasn't exactly looking either. definitely nothing specific to the R'n'R hotel. i would assume that it's street only.
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Originally posted by sweetcell:
i don't remember seeing any paid/reserved parking when i was there, then again i was in a cab so i wasn't exactly looking either. definitely nothing specific to the R'n'R hotel. i would assume that it's street only.
Yes, street only for the time being, it's usually pretty easy to find a space close by, but def go in a group.
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Capacity?
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Originally posted by Bombay Chutney:
Capacity?
Depends who you ask, but promoted as 400 capacity
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Originally posted by Bombay Chutney:
Capacity?
Main room would hold about 300 on the pushing it side. :)
MindCage
Mindless Faith (http://www.mindlessfaith.com)
Deep6 Collective (http://www.deep6.com)
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Originally posted by cale:
Originally posted by sweetcell:
i don't remember seeing any paid/reserved parking when i was there, then again i was in a cab so i wasn't exactly looking either. definitely nothing specific to the R'n'R hotel. i would assume that it's street only.
Yes, street only for the time being, it's usually pretty easy to find a space close by, but def go in a group. [/b]
Hmm...glad I didn't go solo this one time...Looks like I'll wait to venture over when there's a lot close by or a posse comes...
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its fine to go solo, just be aware of your surroundings
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Be sure to pack heat (semiautomatic preferred)
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You know, I decided to pop over there tonight to catch Washington Social Club, and it turns out it's a pretty cool place. I caught this weird old 930 vibe from the downstairs room. No smell, no pillar blocking the stage, but there was something very familiar about it all. And that was even before I got upstairs and saw the old DC punk scene flyers lining the wall in the corridor to the bathroom, much like one used to find at dc space. To the people who have put this place together, I say nicely done.
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I went last night to see WSC as well. The place has a really cool vibe. Sound needs some work. But overall, an interesting space. I don't know how much I'll be able to go down there as its pretty inaccessible, but I definitely liked it.
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Graaace, were you the Krispy Kreme girl with the knife through her head?
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Hahah, no, but I was a fan of her costume. I was supposed to be a fairy but left my wings at home. I had a bright red peacoat and a gray taffeta skirt on and a wand. I hope you had a costume!
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Ah I remember you! No I did not have a costume, alas, except for an orange light hung from my neck, courtesy of the house...
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Adults who take Halloween seriously are gauche.
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I beg your pardon?
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THREAD HIJACK!!!
halloween is hands-down the best holiday of the year, if only because people feel free to wear things that they wouldn't the other 364 days.
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Originally posted by sweetcell:
halloween is hands-down the best holiday of the year, if only because people feel free to wear things that they wouldn't the other 364 days.
That's what I'm talkin' about! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexdc/278775658/in/set-7215759434503734)
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Originally posted by Surly Bonds:
Adults who take Halloween seriously are gauche.
LOLOLOL.
This is coming from someone who plays with dolls!
Personally, I think we should have some kind of costume party at least twice a year. I think they are a blast. What's even better is when someone goes in costume at odd times of the year since everyone knows you may only be in costume around this time of year. It's so much better when you can't place an excuse to the outfit.
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Originally posted by They call me Doctor Doom.:
Ah I remember you! No I did not have a costume, alas, except for an orange light hung from my neck, courtesy of the house...
Ah I came so close to having a Forum encounter!
Did you get any pictures?
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That's too bad, that would've been cool! I did, but I used my cameraphone, so they are, how do I put it? Impressionistic. Anyway, here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexdc (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexdc)
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These H St NE venues sound cool, but there's one thing I don't get. Does DC gov't want more people driving drunk and over longer distances? Otherwise why not allow rock venues in the side of town where rock venue patrons live? Heck if I'm gonna take a taxi that far
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Originally posted by Mixed Veg:
Heck if I'm gonna take a taxi that far
The problem is getting home. Some friends went to RnR on Saturday night, and waited an hour for a cab end of the night. That's a problem. I'm counting on driving whenever I go, meaning no drinks which isn't so great for the bars.
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New NME cover stars The Horrors are playing there this Sunday. I've heard some of their stuff and it's not bad -- definitely good enough to see on stage. I'm looking forward to that, and to seeing this place. It's only about 8 blocks from where I live, so I'm happy about that.
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Originally posted by Mixed Veg:
These H St NE venues sound cool, but there's one thing I don't get. Does DC gov't want more people driving drunk and over longer distances? Otherwise why not allow rock venues in the side of town where rock venue patrons live? Heck if I'm gonna take a taxi that far
I think it's rather presumptuous to assume that rock patrons only live in Northwest.
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Originally posted by They call me Doctor Doom.:
Originally posted by Mixed Veg:
These H St NE venues sound cool, but there's one thing I don't get. Does DC gov't want more people driving drunk and over longer distances? Otherwise why not allow rock venues in the side of town where rock venue patrons live? Heck if I'm gonna take a taxi that far
I think it's rather presumptuous to assume that rock patrons only live in Northwest. [/b]
Thank you Doom because I was about to lay into this guy. I guess he thinks it's nothing but prairies and deserts out there. :roll:
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Originally posted by Jaguar:
Thank you Doom because I was about to lay into this guy. I guess he thinks it's nothing but prairies and deserts out there. :)
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I think it's rather presumptuous to assume that rock patrons only live in Northwest.
I didn't say ONLY; but the demographic facts are clear. My point is valid that this encourages people to travel further to nightlife, and that isn't consistent with trying to discourage drunk driving
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I still don't think it's much of a point -- I would guess that a majority, or at least a significant minority, of the people who come to 9:30 club, drive. and R&R Hotel is probably closer to people coming in from the burbs via New York Avenue NE or Shirley Highway than many NW clubs.
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Originally posted by They call me Doctor Doom.:
I still don't think it's much of a point -- I would guess that a majority, or at least a significant minority, of the people who come to 9:30 club, drive. and R&R Hotel is probably closer to people coming in from the burbs via New York Avenue NE or Shirley Highway than many NW clubs.
I live seven or eight blocks away from the 'hotel.
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and i live further away than most of you and attend shows all the time.
a venue that is a few minutes further is not going to stop me!!
what IS going to stop me, though, is that i have no idea about the area it's in yet.
and i can't believe i almost missed the first Grace/Doom encounter.
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Youbebetty, what would you consider having an idea about an area?
From my one visit, I can tell you it's no less sketchy than 815 V... probably slightly less, because it's on a main drag. I parked only a block away, on the same street.
As for a Grace/Doom encounter... I wouldn't want to miss such a thing, but I didn't realize others felt that way too. :)
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So I went last night, to see the Horrors, and the venue itself is very nice. Very interestingly adorned, with cool side-rooms in various themes. It'll look a lot cooler once it's been around awhile, since everything looks a little too new. It has the feeling of someone who had a couple grand to spend, and just went out and bought a bunch of weird shit and paint.
But in terms of musical experience, here's where the 9:30 is such a rock star. The Hotel's website originally said three bands, doors opening at 8:00, music at 9:00. Day of show, the two openers had disappeared from the site, replaced by one different opener. Get to the show at 9:00, doors aren't open and won't for another hour, and no opener. Horrors come on at 11:35 and play for 25 minutes, and show's over (there may have been someone else coming after, but I split). So I waited 2 1/2 hours for less than half an hour of music. Good DJing though, so that helped.
If you've attended more a couple shows at the 9:30, you can deduce almost to the minute what the timing for any given show will be, whether it's two bands on a Friday night, or three bands on a Wednesday, or whatever. Plus, the web site always has accurate timing on it too. That is such a benefit. (Not to mention Eddie's willingness to give heads-up replies to questions on how a show is selling).
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I don't really think it makes much sense to compare the 9:30 Club and Rock n Roll Hotel. The 930 Club is a venue -- you go there, see the bands, and clear out. The Hotel is a real club. The bands are an important part, but not the whole, of the experience.
People don't go to clubs to wait. They hang out, chat with their friends, have a few drinks, play billiards. Try that next time, you'll enjoy it more.
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How exactly is advertising doors at 8:00, then being closed until 10:00 part of "the experience"?
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Originally posted by Bombay Chutney:
How exactly is advertising doors at 8:00, then being closed until 10:00 part of "the experience"?
The difference between 9:30 and the RnR is that even thoguh "doors" don't open, you can still go hang out upstairs, much like the Red Room at the Cat. No one is shut out.
I think the 9:30 Club does handle the timing of bands better than RnR. They have also been around decades longer, and have had the time to establish a great staff. Sure RnR has had its bumps in the road; They lost their top sound guy right after the venue opened, some of the bands that play there have been slightly less than professional... ok, shit happens. Talk to me again in a couple of years and I think you'll see a well run club that has a lot of shows we all go to see. I have had the pleasure of being on both sides of the door at the RnR, and can say they are a very professional group of folks who are trying to do things right.
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I saw the Album Leaf on Friday. First time there. It was nice to see an actual point of sales window, unlike the Black Cat where you just have confused door staff.
The sound was balanced and the timing of the bands was only 15-20 minutes off.
Once the smoking ban goes into effect, this place should be awesome. The low ceiling made my throat hurt. And yes, with time this place will only get better.
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Yeah, I didn't mean to complain too much, I realize they just opened, and Doom's distinction between club and venue makes sense. That said, everyone I asked (the ID checker, the ticket seller, the bartender upstairs) had no idea A) who was playing that night, B) what time doors were supposed to open, and C) when bands would be on-stage. So whether they're a club, venue, arena or speak-easy, they probably need to do a little more communicating among staff.
More than anything, it made me appreciate the 9:30's set-up and organization. I've got the 9:30 Formula down pat, along with the Black Cat Formula.
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[Responding to multiple things at once]
Originally posted by redsock:
The difference between 9:30 and the RnR is that even thoguh "doors" don't open, you can still go hang out upstairs, much like the Red Room at the Cat. No one is shut out.
Ah. That's different. Still slightly annoying, but not as a big deal.
Originally posted by Glass Arm Shattering:
It was nice to see an actual point of sales window, unlike the Black Cat where you just have confused door staff.
In the Black Cat's defense, I had the easiest ticket purchase ever at the Cat last week. The whole process took less than 5 minutes for tickets for 2 shows. Not bad.
Originally posted by Relaxer:
More than anything, it made me appreciate the 9:30's set-up and organization. I've got the 9:30 Formula down pat, along with the Black Cat Formula.
I couldn't agree more with this. It's probably the main reason I rarely make it to DC9 or The Velvet Lounge. I see Doom's point, but if I'm driving in from the suburbs on a Tuesday night, it's not to play pool or just hang out. I'm there to see the band. After getting burned a couple times regarding start times, I rarely give them the benefit of the doubt any more. I know what to expect with the Black Cat and 9:30. It may seem a little petty, but it does make a difference to me.
I'm sure things in the new places will smooth out in due time.
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Originally posted by Bombay Chutney:
I couldn't agree more with this. It's probably the main reason I rarely make it to DC9 or The Velvet Lounge. I see Doom's point, but if I'm driving in from the suburbs on a Tuesday night, it's not to play pool or just hang out. I'm there to see the band. After getting burned a couple times regarding start times, I rarely give them the benefit of the doubt any more. I know what to expect with the Black Cat and 9:30. It may seem a little petty, but it does make a difference to me.
I'm sure things in the new places will smooth out in due time.
See, this is because the suburbs are crushing your soul. You need to learn to act more like a real clubber (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNLMXqOQ1uA).
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ps, my review of the place is here:
http://www.alex.to/blogs/2006/10/wsc-at-rock-n-roll-hotel.html (http://www.alex.to/blogs/2006/10/wsc-at-rock-n-roll-hotel.html)
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Originally posted by redsock:
Sure RnR has had its bumps in the road; They lost their top sound guy right after the venue opened, some of the bands that play there have been slightly less than professional... ok, shit happens.
I thought the sound guy for the Hopewell/Longwave show did a very good job. Good mix.
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Originally posted by Relaxer:
So I went last night, to see the Horrors, and the venue itself is very nice. Horrors come on at 11:35 and play for 25 minutes, and show's over (there may have been someone else coming after, but I split). So I waited 2 1/2 hours for less than half an hour of music. Good DJing though, so that helped.
I missed the Horrors on Friday night, but glad I didnt wait around so late to see a 25 minute set. I had a feeling it'd be short. I think they only have the EP, unless an album was just released. I hope it was a good 25 minute set. I did see The Thermals play maybe a 35 minute set, and it was the best 35 minute show I could have asked for. They played before The Horrors.
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They really need to get a professional sound person in there.
Saw White Whale last night, and while they played really well, they sounded like shit. The sound guy also managed to fuck up Brandon Butler's solo acoustic set. And The Fake Accents were an assault on my ear drums...
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Originally posted by xneverwherex:
I missed the Horrors on Friday night, but glad I didnt wait around so late to see a 25 minute set. I had a feeling it'd be short. I think they only have the EP, unless an album was just released. I hope it was a good 25 minute set. I did see The Thermals play maybe a 35 minute set, and it was the best 35 minute show I could have asked for. They played before The Horrors.
The Horrors were okay. I have the ep and I like it enough for what it is, punchy riff rock with retro keyboards and vocals that sound kind of like Mark E Smith. Live, they were hampered by crappy sound and cramped space. The guitarist clearly knows how to play, though he kept playing with his back to the audience. More than anything, they look like rock stars, and for a UK band playing that kind of music, that's probably the most important thing for the UK music press.
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Anyone going to see Jeremy Enigk there on December 3? Should be kickass show. He's going on tour with Brand New later this year.
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Originally posted by redsock:
Originally posted by Bombay Chutney:
How exactly is advertising doors at 8:00, then being closed until 10:00 part of "the experience"?
The difference between 9:30 and the RnR is that even thoguh "doors" don't open, you can still go hang out upstairs, much like the Red Room at the Cat. No one is shut out.
I think the 9:30 Club does handle the timing of bands better than RnR. They have also been around decades longer, and have had the time to establish a great staff. Sure RnR has had its bumps in the road; They lost their top sound guy right after the venue opened, some of the bands that play there have been slightly less than professional... ok, shit happens. Talk to me again in a couple of years and I think you'll see a well run club that has a lot of shows we all go to see. I have had the pleasure of being on both sides of the door at the RnR, and can say they are a very professional group of folks who are trying to do things right. [/b]
Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out!