So I went to the SG party last night at Ruby Skye in San Francisco. Between tickets, gas, parking, and drinks, I spent about $70 (I'm not including the cost of the shirt I bought since I can use that for other events) And to top it off, I had a miserable time. I needed to keep a good buzz going just to deal with the fucking hoi-tois there.
Tonight I spent a little bit less, saw four awesome bands, and came home with two new shirts.
I really can't understand why people in my age group go to bars and clubs but tend to look down on people who go to shows instead.
I was at Ruby Skye for four hours, managed to converse with absolutely no one I didn't already know, and felt like I wasted my time. Even Taylor's photo shoots did nothing to raise my mood. Total spent on booze - $30. Total time spent dancing - 0. Fun factor - negative one.
Tonight I spent my time talking with people (much) younger than me and didn't even feel bad about using the phrase "When I was your age..." Total spent on booze - $7. Total time spent dancing - 2 1/2 hours. Fun Factor - uber, and this was going by myself.
Am I missing something about clubs and bars? Is there some magic secret to enjoying yourself at them I don't know about? Even dressed nicely not a single girl would even give me the time of day at Ruby, yet at the show tonight I got hugs, laughs, and dance partners while sweaty as hell in beat-up Chucks and shorts.
If anyone can explain to me why bars and clubs have such a draw to people my age, please do. Because as I see it, they're a waste of time and money with nothing in return.
*Sigh* guess I'll start cruising Pollstar looking for upcoming shows so I can still get out once in a while.
Tonight I spent a little bit less, saw four awesome bands, and came home with two new shirts.
I really can't understand why people in my age group go to bars and clubs but tend to look down on people who go to shows instead.
I was at Ruby Skye for four hours, managed to converse with absolutely no one I didn't already know, and felt like I wasted my time. Even Taylor's photo shoots did nothing to raise my mood. Total spent on booze - $30. Total time spent dancing - 0. Fun factor - negative one.
Tonight I spent my time talking with people (much) younger than me and didn't even feel bad about using the phrase "When I was your age..." Total spent on booze - $7. Total time spent dancing - 2 1/2 hours. Fun Factor - uber, and this was going by myself.
Am I missing something about clubs and bars? Is there some magic secret to enjoying yourself at them I don't know about? Even dressed nicely not a single girl would even give me the time of day at Ruby, yet at the show tonight I got hugs, laughs, and dance partners while sweaty as hell in beat-up Chucks and shorts.
If anyone can explain to me why bars and clubs have such a draw to people my age, please do. Because as I see it, they're a waste of time and money with nothing in return.
*Sigh* guess I'll start cruising Pollstar looking for upcoming shows so I can still get out once in a while.
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
bigeasybri:
As an aging hipster with more than a little experience with this topic, I think you have answered your own question by your descriptions of the respective scenes. Club/fancy bar scene= self-absorbed, see and be seen, what-pretty-person-can-i-hook-up-with crowd. Everyone there aspires to be the star of their own show. At a small club with a live band, the focus is on the band and the music, not the crowd. Since moving to Vegas a couple of years ago, I've had occasion to visit one of the mega clubs on the strip. (I work a side gig as a bartender spy). The crowd is truly astonishing. Never have I seen so many girls clad so scantily. It may take an hour or longer to get in. Well drinks are $10 each. A regular old beer is $8. Hell, water is $6... water... If I wasn't being paid to go there, I wouldn't set foot anywhere near the place. Live music is where it's at. And, while I know it's been a long time... when I was your age and growing up in the Bay Area, there were live music venues everywhere. I spent virtually every weekend driving up to S.F. or Berkeley or somewhere to see a show. Even at my ripe old age, I'd rather go out wearing shorts and Jack Purcells to see a live show than get all dressed up for a club.... Viva la live music.
shelby122:
Any guy wearing chucks gets points from me...and the bar/club scene gets old fast....