The Launchpad

Do not go here unless you know someone who knows someone who’s playing that night. This isn’t a club. It’s an underground.
During the day, it’s strangely both a glass blowing shop and a band rehearsal studio. During the night, the space is rented out for indie bands to do their thing — the owner is in a band, of course.
Park on the street, or the car garage attached will tow you. In fact, there’s no sign that says you’re in the right place, except a note from the garage owner on the wall of his shop: «No Launchpad Parking.»
Inside, at least the night I went, it was a $ 10 donation that goes straight to the bands. Drinks are the best you can find from plastic jugs — that night, vodka or rum — and those are run entirely open bar, with tips.
There’s no über light show, but there’s a kick ass sound system and a decent sized dance floor. Too bad very few people will dance. Most just lounge around on the many, many couches which circle the floor, smoking unnamed substances which gave me one of the few asthma attacks I get every year. (I stepped outside to get some air, and surprisingly managed to bum an inhaler from some dude who stepped outside to smoke.)
Show up sometime when the bands do and you get in free. The event’s run like a party, so the sex, drugs, and rock & roll runs till whenever the bands are done. I’m an old man. I was one of the first to leave, and that was around 2:30…
Odd space. Come with friends. Bring your own beer and inhaler.