The look: Walking into The Clubhouse - formerly The Loft - is like meeting a set of identical twins with completely opposite personalities. The first floor is a classic sports bar (despite the fact that you can hear the mixed dance tunes from above) with video games, pool tables, flat screens and a corner seating area with comfortable leather couches. Climbing the stairs to the second-floor loft area is like walking into a completely different bar.
The crowd: We arrived at about 10 p.m., and while the place wasn't packed, there was a nice crowd. And the crowd was equally contradictory as the two floors of the bar. A wide range of people, ranging in age from early 20s to middle-aged, mingled between the sports bar and dance club areas.
The two drinks: We tried two drinks from the upstairs bar because the downstairs one was pretty swarmed. The bartender, Matt, told us he was on a Red Bull kick lately and whipped up two concoctions he enjoys drinking himself. Neither was officially named, but both contained Red Bull. Matt considerately asked us what liquor we don't like, and after I requested a vodka-free drink, he made me a delicious mix of Bacardi Limon, 7-Up and Red Bull. My boyfriend (who requested no rum) was served a mixture of UV Blue Vodka, cherry grenadine and Red Bull. It was very sweet, but not overwhelming, and pleasant to drink.
The grub: You can order pizzas during the day, and they have a free appetizer bar for the evening happy hour.
The verdict: The Clubhouse would be a perfect place to please a group of imbibers craving different scenes. The top area is a vibrant dance floor (stripper pole and all), while the main level a lively sports bar. I'm always happy to see a new bar thriving - especially so soon after its reopening.
