We walk into a venue for happy hour

Happy Hour at Duos Lounge, West Seattle, Washington
Sid Law, guitar in hand, asked Mindy, “What kind of music do you like?”

“I’m not picky,” Mindy said.

He must have pegged her for a Bee Gees fan, because “How Deep Is Your Love?” was next on the rotation. That song was high on the charts in our high school years, so it was a reasonable guess. But we both preferred the Gershwin and Tom Petty tunes.

We were at a bar that isn’t always there. Well, the bar is always there, and the bar stools beside it… But The Lounge isn’t always open to the public. Duos, a catering company, owns The Lounge, an event venue. Twice a week during August, the company is hosting “Happy Hour” to benefit the West Seattle Food Bank. Awhile back, owners Ben Jury and Josh Cooper met the folks who run the Food Bank and decided to do some events together to help the cause.

We visited on Thursday night and took seats alone at the bar. Other people were enjoying other comfortable spaces indoors and out. There were tables, comfy couches, and places to socialize outside (enjoying the evening’s relief after days of smoke-filled skies). It really is a nice space, providing room for large groups and more intimate conversation. But we sit at the bar whenever we can -- it goes with the name of the blog.

The cocktail menu was short but appealing. Mindy ordered the Pink Diamond, and I ordered Strawberry Fields Whenever (though I don’t think our balladeer for the evening played a single song by the Beatles while we were there). I asked about a food menu, hoping for a snack, but the only food option was the buffet table. We appreciated that the money for that meal would go to the food bank, but we weren’t hungry enough for a buffet.

Lauren, our bartender, gave us glasses of water without our asking, which is something we greatly appreciated (big agua fans that we are). Lauren told us about Ben and John. She has worked for the company for a year and a half or so. She usually works their catering events -- in the summer, they do a lot of weddings. Throughout the year they do private parties and events, some at this location and some in homes (she especially enjoys those).

We, of course, asked Lauren our two questions. She said that at a good bar, “you walk through the door and feel welcome. Especially for women. since men sitting alone at a bar is more common.” That welcoming should include a sense of comfort and safety. She also mentioned “friendly staff, good service, being remembered.”

Mindy asked if they have regulars, considering the nature of the month of happy hours, and Lauren assured her they do, and the staff remembers them.

For our question about what makes for a good church, Lauren responded, “I don’t go to church, but the same things. Welcoming, remembering people.” She said she also appreciated “old school art,” especially after a recent trip to Italy where she saw the art in the old churches.

While I was away (taking a look at the buffet), Mindy talked to Mary. Lauren told her about our blog, and she said, “What makes for a good bar is Mary & Lauren.” When Mindy asked what made for a good church, she said, “I am about fellowship.” She said a church should be warm and inviting; people’s smiles should be genuine. “I’m a sucker for the worship team,” she added as she left. We wondered about the story that went with that statement, but she was gone.

We enjoyed our drinks very much. We had a tinge of regret that we weren’t going to enjoy the buffet table as well, but it was good to know that other people in West Seattle (who need more food, while we don’t) would benefit.