There are few things better than a highly curated vibes playlist in a place that knows it wants to establish a highly curated vibe.

Look at this picture - get this aesthetic in your head (yes, that’s a neon Robert Smith brooding down on our drinks):

Take a minute and think what you want to hear in a room that’s dark even when the sun is still out.

Actually, take a minute and think what you DON’T want to hear.

If you can’t come up with anything, I’ll suggest Cher. Not because there’s anything wrong with Cher. It’s just that’s the wrong kind of pop-synthy thing to work if you’re trying to get all Cure’d up in blood-red lighting.

Every time we’ve been here (The House Noir, NEPA represent), we’ve left admiring the music. No song is out of place and it is a rare experience. Foods and drinks and everything else benefits.

Don’t ask me how, just admit you know exactly what I’m talking about.

The details are so easy to get wrong, or overlook, or let the jukebox dictate what’s going on. And for some places that’s 100% the right decision. Here, it’d be 100% wrong, and I appreciate the situational awareness.

This gothy cover of Cher seems to come on every time we’re there and gets lodged into my brain for weeks. The window treatment keeps everything out, including my cell phone reception, so let me disclose that I’m 95% sure this is the cover, but me and Shazam will find a way if not to validate it next time we’re there.

Familiar. But, not. Have a listen.

Ps. Ok, have a listen, not a watch, but if you did both because I shared the YouTube - what in goth-god’s name is that midriff choice? Who shot this video and dressed this guy? I think I need a drink after seeing that. This is why they play the songs and don’t show the videos haha