In keeping with my alcoholic tradition of reviewing bars, I give you Rockin Gators ... (crickets).
When you first see this bar, you instantly want to run away. It's on a busy corner and looks like a biker dive bar.
My friends and I wandered in there after learning they have karaoke (and the fact that we could walk home if we had too much to drink ... Oh and the fact that it's near a police station in case a biker massacre happened).
It looks better on the inside, though it is TINY. The bartender was some homely woman who kept skipping me to serve what I assume were regulars based on their frosted jeans and white high tops.
Karaoke: Â Holy f*ing hell. Be sure to bring your earplugs or stand outside, because you will literally have people "singing" in your ear due to the small size of the place. Just don't walk too far outside or you will become pancake sauce by the heavy traffic only five feet from the front door.
Highlight: Â Gator Bites! I never tried alligator before, but it was pretty tasty. It was like chicken with the consistency of shrimp. Tastes better than it sounds; especially after about 10 drinks.
Note: Â Mullets are in attendance, so do bring a camera.
Rockin' Gators is a smoky, dirty, small, and yet somehow magical place. I go there at least once a month for the karaoke. Honestly, I think it's the KJ there that really makes it. He is awesome. He knows the regulars and brings a real great energy to the crowd. There's also a guy there just about every Saturday that walks in really late and sings Pantera's Walk. The first time I was super drunk and ended up head banging to it.
The drinks are kind of hit or miss. I always get a Long Island, and most days its pretty good, Â but sometimes it's a little off. Not enough triple sec, too much coke. It's a hard drink though so I don't complain. They have a really great shooter their called the Gator. It's apple pucker and something else... it would make me really happy if it was mixed with Gatorade, but it's probably just sour mix. They also have jello shots.
It gets warm in here in the summer, so skimpy (err ummm I mean light) clothes. There are also gators every where. All types strewn across the ceiling, on shelves. It's fantastic.
Dairy queen is also across the street and I've been known to drunkenly sneak in a blizzard or two after the kitchen is closed. They haven't yelled at me for it yet.
Honestly, I can't really tell you why to go there. But you should. It's fantastic in a weird way. Karaoke is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights starting at 9. And this guy has the biggest song selection I've ever seen. It fills up two 3" binders and he's got more that aren't even in the book. I have no idea about any of the other nights, but karaoke nights, this place is where it's at.