We got things started with a bang this week at Asylum, Adam’s Morgan’s very own “medieval vampire lair.” I have walked past this place several times, but had never stopped to look inside before last night (perhaps the draw of Heaven and Hell has just always been too powerful). I thus had zero expectations about it, other than a faint hope that the bartenders would all have fangs or look like Sara Michelle Gellar.
I was pleasantly surprised when I walked in. Red velvet drapes adorned the ceiling and faux-stone walls, while gold chandeliers cast an eerie glow about the place. On the far wall hung photos of sultry she-vampires in poses far too risqué for the Twilight crowd. The bar was well stocked with beers both domestic and foreign, micro and macro brewed. An early favorite had to be the Leffe Brun, a sweet Belgian brew served in glass chalices with gold rims. Despite one person’s joke that the beer looked “tinged with the blood of vampire victims,” it went down smooth. I would also recommend (dare, perhaps?) that you try the Double Dog Pale Ale, a hoppy beer with just the right amount of bite. As for the food, the cheap tacos were delicious if dangerously messy, and I hear the wings also packed a punch.
The evening provided several unexpected sources of entertainment. Around 9pm, the upstairs underwent quite a Transylvanian transformation, converting into a club hosting an event called “Cakes & Kisses.” Basically, it was an open mic hip hop show . . . with free cake and Hershey Kisses. I ventured upstairs at one point to enjoy a huge slice of chocolate cake and a hip-hop cover of, appropriately enough, Vampire Weekend’s “Mansard Roof.” I thought the beats and delicious pastries went quite well together, thank you.
But the real party was downstairs, where a good 20 A-to-Zers remained, sipping on $4 PBR tallboys and watching some of the worst-played pool games on record. Indeed, several of us competed for the chance to embarrass ourselves on the lone pool table, which was heavily guarded by two of the “regulars,” a nice Ghanan named “GZ,” and a not-so-nice Wilfred Brimley doppelganger named “Sleepy” (wrong dwarf – this dude was Grumpy). Sleepy acted out of character with his name, perching alertly in the corner making sure every player followed his “rules.” He was so annoying, he once even caused a normally chillaxed M. Gatewood to lose his cool and nearly fight the 50-year old hobo. When the drama subsided, GZ explained to me that he and Sleepy had been playing on that same pool table for 20 years, even as it relocated throughout DC five times in that span! So, I guess they have a reason to be protective. But that still doesn’t explain why they were bad at pool.
All in all it was a great night. I was quite pleased with the turnout – by my headcount we had 40 people show up throughout the course of the evening. I don’t want to jinx it, but I’m confident we can maintain a strong showing over the next 25 weeks. Thanks to all who made it, and I look forward to seeing you next week at Bar B.
All-star of the night: The aforementioned M. Gatewood, who not only defended his right to suck at pool at any cost, but also ate 2 pieces of Jumbo Slice pizza before walking 3 miles home in the rain.
And finally, here’s a picture of me, after spending a few hours in the dark vampire lounge:
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