First Call: The Victory Lounge

Photo by JJ Wandler

The Victory Lounge
433 Eastlake Avenue East
382-4467

Barkeep: Lawrence Lefsky

Pick Your Poison: The Squirt Shot

The Victory Lounge used to be the Lobo Inn, a dismal dive with a sticky floor, shady characters, and punk rock charm for miles. As a staunch defender of sketch, skuzzy bars with no patience for designer cocktails (or the sort of customer base that drinks them), I loved the Lobo and saw my share of loud, sloppy rock shows there.

Whenever someone described the space�s new incarnation to me, it was usually something along the lines of, �It sucks, it�s not the Lobo, and there are flat screen TVs.� Now that I�ve visited Victory myself, I only agree with the latter two assessments. Just because it�s cleaned up doesn�t make it sterile, and while I�ll take a Spits show over a Sonics game any time, that doesn�t exactly pay the bills when your rent skyrockets (as it did with the Lobo). Besides, it�s still the same owners (including Funhouse co-owner Bobby Kuckleburg) and many of the same employees, including Lawrence Lefsky, a handsome smart ass from New Jersey. They also have an insanely affordable �Power Hour� from 10-11 pm, when any drink imaginable is 50% off.

How long have you been here?

We�ve been open [as the Victory] since June. I worked at the Lobo for two years before that.

Didn�t you used to work at the Storeroom too?

Yes, for about a year.

So what do you like to make?

Shots of Jager and cans of Pabst.

Hilarious! I hope you know I wouldn't be stupid enough to ask you this sort of question if I wasn't interviewing you with a specific purpose.

The Squirt shot is pretty good. A lot of our shots were born out of the Funhouse.

I don�t do shots.

What??

I know, most people don�t understand that about me. Or the fact that I don�t like the band KISS.

Well, here, let me make you a Squirt shot.

Fine. What�s in it?

Fresh grapefruit juice, ruby red vodka, a splash of grenadine and Red Bull.

Jesus.

You�ll love it.

[Sipping gingerly, like the wuss that I am]. Not bad.

Really?

Can I have a vodka soda, please?

[Defeated] Alright. But we�re listening to this.

What is it? Not KISS, please.

The best that 1979 had to offer: Gary Numan.