“Thank you for your tips — ‘cause a ho’s gotta eat,” reads the message on the specials board in neon green ink.
Right below it is a listing for the infamous $2.50 Jameson shots special. And with at that price, you’d better tip the cute blonde bartender. “If we’re open, it’s always $2.50 shots of Jameson,” says Drew Nye, 28, owner of Dub Land Underground.
The Place: Open at 9:30 p.m. six days a week (closed Mondays), the Dub Land Underground is a popular spot for a seasoned or newbie Rochester barhopper.
Dub Land’s name comes from its live music of choice: reggae. Dub reggae to be exact. “It’s also a play on words (with Dublin),” says Nye, whose partner, Tom O’Callaghan is Irish.
But that’s really about as Irish as Dub Land gets, besides the Jameson specials and Guinness on tap, of course.
The bar is divided into an upstairs and downstairs (hence the “underground”). Both bars are fully stocked. Upstairs, Guinness is the only beer on tap, while the downstairs bar includes Labatt Blue, Killian’s, Blue Moon and, of course, more Guinness.
Formerly Whiskey, Dub Land is located on Alexander Street, on the opposite side of across East Avenue from A-street’s main strip of bars and clubs. An ample amount of black vinyl bar stools mean you might just have a place to sit (if you get there before 11 p.m., that is)!) Seating on black vinyl bar stools is ample (if you get there before 11 p.m., that is). And don’t forget to pick up your “Hip-hop is not dead” T-shirt and before hitting the live-music venue downstairs, which has a stage and dance floor.
Complete with a stage and dance floor, the And while the downstairs is all about the music, while the upstairs is all about meeting up with friends for a drink (or five). There’s also a smoking patio off the top floor (yes — drinks can come with you! you can bring your drink).
Even more entertaining are the “love” notes in the ladies bathroom. “You’re f---ing gorgeous,” is scribbled on the stall door. Feel the love. (Also worth mentioning is the full-length mirror in the ladies room. Always helpful to avoid the potential dress tucked into boy shorts. Or if you just want to check out your ass – don’t worry, we all do it.)
The Scene: The music is eclectic. Hip-hop performers or DJs are there one night, and a rock band’s there the next. The crowd’s alternative, yet extremely diverse.
“Anyone would fit in here,” says Gina Graziano, 22, of Penfield, a first-time patron and Playboy Bunny look-alike. “It’s a little bit different — attitude and everything,” says Nye.
What attracts the diverse crowd is definitely the music. Reece Q(uotable), 23, from Henrietta, a regular performer at Dub Land also frequents the bar.
“They’re helping local hip-hop,” he says, “So I definitely go out to support them.”
Good to know
What: A club featuring live hip-hop, reggae and a diverse crowd.
When: 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Cover: No cover to enter the upstairs bar; downstairs cover runs $3 to $6.
Beer: Guinness, Killian’s, Labatt Blue and Blue Moon on tap and more than 10 in bottles. Amstel Light, Sam Adams, Red Stripe, New Castle, Heineken, Molson, Genny, Budweiser, Coors, Labatt and Yuengling bottles.
Drink specials: $2.50 Jameson shots, every night, all night.
Food: No menu, but it is on Alexander Street and a Pontillo’s is right next door.
Free stuff: Nope, but the Jameson shots come pretty close.
Music: Dub Land is known for its hip-hop, funk, reggae and rock performers and DJs.
Fun & Games: A plasma TV at each bar and an electronic dartboard.
Parking: The standard for Alexander Street parking: cramped lots and parallel-parking nightmares.
Contact: Call 232-7550, or go to: www.myspace.com/thedublandunderground
