In the heart of the Fruit Loop (the gay section of Las Vegas near the strip on Naples and Paradise), a new nightclub has opened called the Black Door Bar and Grill. On Thursday nights they feature “CUI: Comics Under the Influence” starting at the late time of 11pm. Why so late? ‘Cause they are naughty comics and everyone knows naughty stuff happens only after 11pm, ask your mom.
A Pole Dancer entertained the crowd before the show started
I’ve been to the Double Down, the next door neighbor of the Black Door, once before to cover the Roller Derby Wedding. Remember the Roller Derby? They are still awesome. So anyway, the place has achieved world fame for being the best dive bar ever. So, no matter what people told me about how nice the Black Door is going to be, it was a little hard to believe given the neighborhood.
As you may recall, I went to see this show last week. And well, as convenient as last Thursday was for me, the show didn’t show up until the Thursday that was last night. I was in a bit of a time warp last week and a full seven days ahead of myself, but I got all caught up, or behind as the case may be, last night and walked into the Black Door to find everyone there. It was like magic!
I fought my way through the drunks rolling out of the Double Down and located the Black Door Lounge. The entry way is very dark but once you’re through that, what you see is a class act. It is actually very nice in there with cushy booths and tables, a small stage and a really nice, roomy bar. I was early by a couple of hours because I was hungry and I figured I’d stuff my face while waiting for the show to start.
Not all of the crowd was upscale, nightclubbing, pretty girls
The menu is small but to the point. They offer some pizzas, sandwiches, salads and appetizers. I picked the “Dave’s Addiction” grilled cheese sandwich with the fries. The cutie bartender highly recommended the truffle oil upgrade on those fries and he looked like he was going to start salivating just talking about that stuff so I gave that a go too. This wasn’t just any grilled cheese. It was toasted to perfection and had several varieties of cheese. The seasoned fries were even more addictive than the sandwich. I ate well after I was full and still took half of it all home.
Eddie Rivkin gives away a bottle of Johnny Love Vodka at the start of the show
I sat around and occupied myself and watched people come in. I spoke with the “CUI: Comics Under the Influence” producer, Eddie Rivkin for a few minutes. He was running around all night attending to last minute details and talking with guests as they came in. He didn’t seem nervous really about the show, but intensely focused on getting the show off without a hitch.
I imagine those guys are saying things like, "Oh, yeah, and then I said, 'I'll kick your ass, dude.'" Come on! Are they BLIND?
The sound system in there is awesome. They played a lot of rock and roll while a couple of girls took turns entertaining the crowd with some pole dancing and people chatted amongst themselves. The big screen TV on the stage played the videos of the songs booming from the sound system. I think the girls in the crowd paid more attention to the dancers than the guys did, judging by my photos. When it was just a couple of minutes before show time they switched to one of my favorite videos of all time, Sam Kinison’s “Wild Thing.” You know the one where he did his own version of the song with his then girlfriend, the ‘church slut’ whats-her-name? I love that video.
The show began very shortly after 11pm and Eddie Rivkin took the stage to welcome the packed room to the show. Some lucky and very happy guy was told he had won a bottle of vodka from one of their sponsors, Johnny Love Vodka. Quickly, the master of ceremonies took that stage and started the laughs rolling.
Gooch read some hilarious emails he got from a disgruntled listener to his radio program.
Six different comedians performed and gave their best work. Their material was incredibly funny and not nearly as dirty as I was warned. I’m a girl who will actually listen to Jim Norton on occasion, and usually regret it, but I always seem to eventually come back for more. This material was no where close to the things or even the concepts Jim Norton comes up with. This is old school Vegas lounge comedy and it appears to be at its best. I couldn’t help but compare the show to maybe the very early beginnings of the rat pack.
This was one of the rare photos I've taken of Diaz that captured his eyes actually open.
I have seen some of these guys perform before in Vegas and they are some of my favorites. I did hear some of the jokes before, but also heard a lot of new ones last night.
The crowd laughed heartily all night, although after midnight it seems people were starting to tire and were getting slower to respond. If I were to criticize anything, it is the 11pm start time. And that is the only thing I would be able to find to criticize in this show. It was top notch and I loved the venue. I had a really great time, even though I was up well past my bedtime.
CUI: Comics Under the Influence
11pm Thursdays (ongoing)
Black Door Bar & Grill
4640 Paradise Road
Las Vegas