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.
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