Absinthe Lounge doesn't make a big deal about itself. You might never even notice that it's there.
JASON JANIK/Special Contributor
Guests lucky enough to score good seats mingle as they enjoy the music at Absinthe Lounge.
That would be a shame. The small, dark basement lounge – located inside the South Side at Lamar lofts – hosts everything from live jazz to poker to hip-hop.
We showed up just after 11 p.m. on a recent Saturday expecting a light crowd. (If you walked up to a basement joint with tinted windows, wouldn't you think the same?) But the place was jammed and booming with old-school hip-hop.
The bar was full, and so were all the couches. Any available wall space was gone, too, so we stood awkwardly in the aisle, trying to stay out of the way.
Luckily, there were $2 Miller Lights and well drinks until midnight. Yay! Pass the beer.
While we waited for a free seat, we were happily surprised by DJ Burb's classic picks: "Proceed" by the Roots, Gang Starr's "Work," Fugees' "Nappy Heads."
The beat was heavy, but there wasn't much dancing. The crowd – and decor – looked too classy for that.
Tiffany lamps glowed on end tables, and red velvet valances hung on the walls. Most people bobbed their heads, dressed in trendy tops and shiny accessories.
Absinthe, for the record, is named for an old-fashioned liqueur that's been outlawed in the United States, supposedly because it produces hallucinogenic effects.
The lounge does serve a version of the spirit, which doesn't contain the trip-causing wormwood ingredient.
The presentation looks cool – it involves a burning sugar cube and a process that's too intricate to explain – but it's not worth ordering unless you crave the taste of old licorice steeped in alcohol. (Or unless you want to get totally, mind-blazingly drunk.)
Lesley Téllez
Up All Night
At the end of the night, we didn't really want to leave, but other nightlife duty called.
Our last song was "Poison" by Bell Biv Devoe, and Burb cut it off at the hook so the crowd could sing.
In one of those happy bar moments, everyone chimed in unison: "She's driving me outta my mind. That's why it's hard for me to find ... "
Got a hot nightclub tip, event or anecdote? Send it to Lesley at ltellez@quickdfw.com.
Absinthe Lounge
1409 S. Lamar St., in the
basement at South Side on Lamar
www.absinthelounge.net
What to wear: Women: nice jeans, shoulder-baring top and sparkly earrings. Men: straw fedora, linen pants, button-down shirt. (Note: The dress code may be more casual weeknights. It's best to check the Web site.)
What the music is like: Changes daily – anything from R&B to jazz to acoustic folk. On weekends, it's mostly house, acid-jazz and occasionally hip-hop.
Seen/heard: A woman at the bar, after overhearing the bartender's complex directions to the bathroom, exclaimed: "You gotta Mapquest that!"
Drink of choice: Anything on special.
Smoking: Yes. But it's too bad they don't sell those long cigarette holders. That would be so 19th-century French cafe.
Cover charge: There's rarely, if ever, a cover charge, and it's never more than $5. Street parking is also free.
Bottom line: Absinthe makes the heart grow fonder.
