The front room of Ice Lounge
Now that the filming is over it’s time to actually show people what we’ve done. And that means a screening party.
Sure it’s self-indulgent, superfluous ego-tripping. But I’m not above any of those things. Hell, I’ve been telling friends about this project for months. But, unless they’re watching hours and hours of public access television, or have their PVR set to Cable 10, none of my friends are actually going to stumble upon it. They all have satellite.
We needed a venue for this party, a place that:
- Is on the subway line so it’s easy to get to.
- Has TVs and DVDs that we can use to play the segments.
- Is semi-private so everyone can actually watch and listen.
And finally, the venue had to be free. The budget for this party is coming out of our not-so-deep pockets. So that means we needed a place that would be willing to host us on one of their quiet nights.
Jill suggested Ice Lounge. We had both been by it, but never in it. All I knew was that it looked sleek, chic and very empty all the time. Last night, we decided to check it out.
About 8:30 we stepped into the bar. It’s made up of two large rooms with cozy clusters of comfortable leather couches and chairs. The clientele consisted of two rougher looking guys at the bar plus, Jill and myself. Four people. That was it.
We met the manager and he was agreeable. He said we could use their TVs, the date was cool and we could even bring in our own appetizers for our guests.
Deal or No Drink Deal
Jill asked about the possibility of a happy hour deal. That’s when the manager kinda flipped out.
“That’s illegal,” he declared vehemently.
Really? Maybe he should tell that to the other hundreds of bars in the city.
He went on, “You think I’m gonna change my prices for you? I don’t change prices for anyone! You bring in 300 people, I’d give you a deal. You want something for 20 people? You’re crazy.”
Whoa. Just asking.
Perhaps he realized that he had overreacted, because then, he ended up offering to buy our party a round of shooters.
Still for what we need, the place is great. And what makes it even better is that it’s always quiet. And I’m not exactly sure why.
Maybe the bar’s really more of a nightclub and I simply haven’t seen it after midnight. Or maybe it’s a tax write-off for some Iranian multi-millionaire. But I always assumed the place was a front for something: like money laundering, or a nice little cocaine business.
And at the end of the night, when Jill took out her credit care, I was convinced of it.
Gail Van-Oxley would love this place
“No credit cards here,” the manager barked. “Cash only.”
I can’t remember the last time I went to a bar or restaurant that didn’t take credit or debit. Nothing says “Under the table” and “On paper this business doesn’t even exist” and “Don’t open the meat locker in the back” like Cash Only.
Come to the screening and fill up these lonely seats!
You Always Remember Your First, Screening Party
(Everyone welcome! Unless you’re a jackass!)
Wednesday May 4, 2011
6:30 pm- 8:30 pm
Ice Lounge at 560 Danforth Ave
Cash Only Bar. I repeat – Cash Only!