Prompt service at the Yucca Tap Room

The Yucca Tap Room was a little hard to find. Hearing it was on the corner of Mill and Southern made it sound like I could just drive up and see it. This is not exactly true. So I went to the Circle K on the corner and asked the clerk where to find it and where to park. He told me it was three doors down, but the parking was in the back of the strip mall, so you had to drive all the way around. He warned me though, because I guess I didn't look like a typical patron of the bar, "It's full of hicks."

As promised, The Yucca Tap Room does have a few people in cowboy boots and cowboy hats. However, everyone was really nice, and no one seemed to mind that my clothes didn't fit in.

More importantly, I had a drink within about 30 seconds of sitting down at the bar, and the service was prompt all night. The prices are fair, and a college student would be able to afford a night out there. Bring cash though, as the Yucca doesn't except cards. Another unusual thing about the Yucca is that they don't serve draft beer. That's okay with me, since I don't drink draft beer. But for all you kids who like to split a pitcher, you can't do it at the Yucca.

There is only one pool table, so it might not be the best place to show up hoping to play pool. They have a decent size stage, although they don’t have bands every night. The main feature in the Yucca is definitely the bar, as it takes up most of the room. It's really a place to go and unwind and drink. It's quiet, and peaceful. When I walked in, The Refreshments where playing on the juke box, which I took as a good sign since they're one of the best bands I think the Valley has produced. It was also nice to hear mostly upbeat songs, to spite the stereotype of country music making people cry in their beers.

I think the Yucca would be a good place to go for a quiet date. You know, when you want to talk to someone and you don't want anyone to bother you, but you're not ready to take them home. Or maybe a friend you never get to see and you want to talk to. It's a good place to have a long conversation in peace, and not run out of beer while doing it.

The most important things to me when I go somewhere is that the people are friendly, I can get a drink in a reasonable amount of time, and it doesn't cost and arm and a leg to do it. By those standards, the Yucca Tap Room passes the test.

— Jenifer DeLemont

Jugheads: A venue only knuckleheads could love

I went to Jugheads at 52nd Street and McDowell Road to see a band called (Sic)monic because I had interviewed them recently and wanted to go to a show. I'd never been to Jugheads before, but my friend Carl Jenkins goes to more local shows than anyone I know, and he warned me that it was not an impressive venue. He was right.

There's no need to walk inside. The corner of the room that serves as a floor-level "stage" is visible from outside the door. If you do walk in, I hope you like to get cozy with strangers. I stood right in front of the singer of (Sic)monic, but was unfortunately pressed up against a very drunk guy with lots of facial piercing who was standing behind me. I realize that at national acts like Korn or Gin Blossoms, you expect to be squished by people. But local shows aren't usually like that; everyone generally gives everyone else space.

I guess Jugheads has its own crowd of people that live near by and come to get drunk more than to see the bands. And why, I would love to know, is it always the biggest and fattest guy in the whole place that gets drunk and wants to start a mosh pit? Why do drunk people walk up to you three times in ten minutes to ask you for a lighter when they should know that there is no smoking in buildings in Arizona? And most of all, why did it take so long for me to get a drink? I must have stood at the bar for 10 minutes before someone even asked me what I wanted. I understand how you could miss a short, meek girl in baggy clothes standing at the bar. But I am tall, loud and obnoxious … and in a minidress. The bartender just kept walking by. When I finally got a drink, I realized that a simple shot is $6 and nearly gagged. This place is definitely not cheap!

The band was good, and the band's fans were nice. So, that's my silver lining to the night. As for the venue and its built-in crowd, let's just say I've had much better nights out. Last week's blog on The Alwun House wasn't a bad review, just a realization that the crowd was generally much older than me, and that made me feel awkward. This is a bad review. This is somewhere I wouldn't recommend to anyone. If you're going to drive all the way to Phoenix to see a show, try The Paper Heart or Modified Arts instead, as they have a friendlier crowd and better stages and space for fans.

— Jenifer DeLemont