Club Watch: Vertex

(Credit: File photo)

Vertex. This goth bar/club is just a couple of blocks from the Eastman Theatre. The two-story red brick building is recessed back from the street and framed by trees, but there's no missing the glowing sign out front.

Clientele. Anything goes. Most are clad in black T-shirts and ripped jeans, but some of the women are done up in corsets (satin or leather) with mini-skirts and laced-up combat boots or slinky high heels. You can go casual in a T-shirt or pull together your most outrageous outfit — and I guarantee someone will still have outdone you. The crowd ranges in age from 18 to mid-30s.

The atmosphere. The rooms are dimly lit and hung with fantasy-like paintings or pencil drawings. DJs Mike Dailor, Cedric and Darkwave spin industrial, techno and '80s. Music by bands such as Rammstein, She Wants Revenge and VNV Nation pounds through the club and drifts out into the large outdoor patio. The second story is where the dancing is. People crowd the floor, without self-consciousness, letting the music flow through their limbs. Hidden ceiling fans cool sweaty bodies and lend a surreal feeling to the room when combined with the lights and concert videos on the projection screen. The first floor has a pool table and a dartboard.

What to drink. There is a bar on each floor with most types of liquor and beer.

What to eat. There's no food served, but I'm not sure anyone sits still here long enough to eat.

What to know. There's an open bar on well drinks and draft beer until 11:30 p.m., but expect a cover: $5 until 11:30, $3 after; and $8 for the under-21 crowd. Thursdays and Saturdays are reputedly the most popular nights to go.

The details
169 N. Chestnut St.
585-232-5498
8 Noise factor 8 Hook-up factor
(1 being the lowest, 10 the highest)

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