So I have not blogged in a while, so let start… I recently got an email from a band in NYC that said Antiseen (legendery punk band that played here about a year ago) was saying how the Spitfire was an awesome place. Its one thing when a band comes in and says this is the best place they have ever played, as an owner you think that a lot of that is just talk and they want to kiss your ass. Do not get me wrong I think this is the best place on earth, this is my child and who does not love their children. Well that is a great compliment when bands are on the road and they say the Spitfire Saloon is a great place to play. There are actually a lot of bands that spread the Spitfire word and I appreciate that, many bands from out of town actually consider this their bar. The one thing I always try to do is to graciously accommodate bands. I will usually try to help them load in, make sure they have beers on stage etc. but of course I try to make sure everyone has a good time. All anyone has if they never met you is your reputation and I think we have a good one.
Mods Vs Rockers
We had a Motorcycle/Scooter rally this past week is was a great success and was larger than last years which was the first one. We are more or less the cornerstone of the event. The event organizers usually have a meet and great on that Friday and this it happen at a new bar 2 miles down the road. Then on Saturday there is a two hour ride around the Cleveland area that eventually ends up here. We blocked off two blocks this year for the bikes and vendors. Later in the night there was a free ska show at NTC for anyone that register for the event. Our real responsibility for the event is to get the permits and block of the street and help in any other way the day of the event. James from P.O.C. is the organizer of the event and I proud and honored to be part of the event. The night before the event I told my wife that because I was going to have to wake up so early that I was going to sleep at the bar (she bought me a cot for Christmas last year). Sleeping at the bar is never a good idea and I regret it every time I do it. I could not fall asleep and at 9am I decided it might be better to go sleep in my car. I usually sleep in my car quite comfortably, it was not happening this day. At about 11am a vendor pulls in the lot and wakes me out of my light sleep. They did not even know I was in my car. I get out of my car all ragged with no shoes on ( I sure they wondering what the fuck was this guys story and later realized I was the owner, I must of seemed pretty shady). So James and I get the street closed off and at 1pm about 60+ bikes roll in at once. Last year I scheduled two bartenders and cut one because it it was not busy enough for two bartenders. This year I scheduled only one and that was a mistake. From the time we open until we closed we were slammed, I was helping bartend until I got someone to come in and help. Myself and the other bartender where out of our minds, we did not even have time to think. I was not even sure what planet I was on, we where taking 2-3 orders at a time and that was not enough to keep up. It stayed like that until 7pm. When the other bartender got in I tried to take a nap in my hot car. I could not sleep even though I was completely exhausted. Finally things thinned out when we had to open back up the street and I was able to drive home see the kids for about 10minutes and take a shower and try to take a nap again, no deal again. Went back in because I had 2 bands that night. Night went pretty good, but I thought it might be busier. I think everyone was out early and went to bed. Finally at 4:30am got home to bed, and it was dreamy. One last thing I feel obligated to comment on was that fact that I did not run a happy hour during Mods Vs Rockers. The fact of the matter is that I needed $3000 to renew my liquor license by the end of the month. I usually do not do such a shady thing but I am trying get my bills paid so I can stay operating. To offset this happy hour price thing I gave everyone that registered for the event $1 cans. Well that is it for now.