The HangOut - May 28th, 2009

Tonight we wen to The HangOut - what has to be just about the coolest bar in existence. We walked in a dark, dingy place probably no bigger than my living room. The place only had 4 people and I had my doubts but as we sat down, I looked around, and Serene started telling me what hte room had to offer. The place was eccentrically decorated. Rather typical of such small places but then in the corner there was a drum kit and electric guitar, which anyone could play. The far wall was completely lined with hundreds of records a person could choos from and ask to be played. Beside the stereo there was a computer which doubled as a jukebox and was also availabe. At one point a man logged into facebook and showed the owver and his friend pictures of his family. Another wall had a shelf-full of books andvideos, which you could read there or take home for a borrow. The next wall was lined with snapshots of patrons - and I mean lined. The forth wall had two cooler fridges filled with beer, which you could help yourself to and then pay with honesty later, and inthat corner, an acoustic guitar.

And now, to get to my favourite part about the bar - Aussie. Owever, tender, extraodinaire! He wasn't in the bar when we got there but came in a moment or two later. A somewhat short, nearing middle age Korean man with hair down to his shoulder and a friendly looking beer paunch. (I think I saw him drink far more in the course of the night than his patrons and was so easy going he'd even let people mix their own drinks if he was out.

Such a friendly guy, he welcomed us with laughs and warmth - offered me - as I wasn't drinking free tea, coffee, or water, and gave us all chocolates. And my favourite part of the night . . . Aussie entertaining. He grabbed a stool and set up in the middle of the bar with a guitar, belting out songs for our enjoyment: including but not limited to the main song in Once, "Let It Be," which we were all encouraged to sing along to, and "Desperado". Yes, a good night was had! :)