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