Friday, August 8, 2014

It's A Good Time, If You Can Find It.

    It's been a long few months.  It has been very hard...the worst emotional roller coaster I've ever been on.  Not only has my personal life flipped upside down, but work has been challenging lately as well.  So, it was getting to decision making time.  That decision was simple...go insane and have a breakdown over the recent stress, or grab my best buddy and take a break.

     So, I opted to NOT go insane.  Instead....I grabbed my best buddy and we packed the car.  We hit the road and drove about nine hours south.  After a long drive, we crossed the bridge...and we were at our home base for the long weekend.  Over the next few posts, I'll tell you all about it.  It was an awesome time.  I had a chance to get out of my head and be ME for a while.  It was  much needed....and very much worth the drive.  And it all started that very first night.

     We walked down the alley, heading toward a place that few even knew existed and that can only be found by those that have been there. An unmarked door in a back alley of Savannah, Georgia was the destination.  There were plenty of people on the street this night....laughing, talking, enjoying their drinks out on the street like you can only do in Savannah.  We got plenty of compliments...considering we were dressed for the occasion.  I mean, you can't show up to a fully legitimate speak easy and NOT go all the way.  My buddy was in all black, looking like a million bucks.  I was rockin' the pinstripe suit, white shirt and white tie...and the shoes.  Oh, I love my black white wing tips.

    We approached a door and I was pretty sure that we were at the right place, as the doorman shook his head and he showed a group of would be patrons away from the establishment.  They weren't very happy, but if one wanted to get into this club, they had to have the right key...literally.   I straightened my tie, and approached the doorman.


  "Can I help you?" he asked.  I glanced over my shoulder and noted that the recently rejected customers regarded me with a bit of a glare.
     "I should be on the list," I answered, turning back to doorman.
     "Ok," he smiled.  "Under who's name?"
I smiled...and mentioned the owner's name.  
     "That's a good name," the doorman smiled. " And your name?"
I told him, and he nodded.  "One moment, please."
     He disappeared behind the big door.  I looked over and the patrons that glared at me only moments ago. They now watched with particular curiosity.  The doorman returned, and with a sweeping gesture, he stepped aside and greeted us.  "Welcome...to the house of Mata Hari."

     So, the House of Mata Hari is Savannah's very own Speakeasy.  It operates just like the old school, prohibition era underground bars operated.  The location is not advertised.  The only way in is to know the password....or in the case of Mata Hari, to have a key.  The membership 'card' to the club is antique silver key that members show the doorman in order to get in.  No key, no entry.  The only other way to get in is to know a member and be on the list.  Fortunately for us...I managed to get on the list.

     Once inside, we were transported the 1920's.  The place was just...cool.  The lighting, the music, the staff....all of it just gave off a good vibe. As we entered, I noted a group of people were gathered around the pool table just to the left.  Leather couches and plush chairs were placed all throughout the bar.  It was comfortable, and relaxing.  I didn't get a 'meat market' vibe at all.  The clientele ranged from 20 something college students to one couple that had to be in their 60's.




     As I approached the small bar at the far end of the room, I noticed that there were two mixologists working this evening.  A couple of young ladies were slinging drinks.  They were dressed in a 20's-esque neo-burlesque style...complete with fishnets and bow-ties.  They were attentive and quick to take our drink orders.  I left a tab open and smiled at the fact that my whiskey sour was just right.  My buddy's drink was perfectly mixed as well.  So, the night was off to a good start.

     The DJ, who's gear was set up in an old piano (it was a very cool look, keeping with the theme) was playing a good mix of bluesy tunes and jazz standards from the 40's and 50's.  As the night progressed, the musical timeline progressed as well.  But, the real entertainment came every half hour, as the DJ silenced his tracks and the spotlight turned to the stage.  That's when Stevie Williams stepped to the microphone.  Her white sequined dress was slit all the way up and echoed the look of true divas of days gone by.  She closed her eyes, and I watched as the first few notes of her first song started.

    Damn!  She was good.  I sipped my drink and listened to her belt out Alicia Keys and Christina Aguilera with ease.  Then...doubt crept in.  The first notes of "Rolling in the Deep started. She was going to sing Adele?

 Uh, oh.  She had better bring it if she's going to...

"There's a fire, starting in my heart...reaching a fever pitch, it's bringin me out the dark...."

...Oh....

Yep...She brought it.


After her set, we had the opportunity to go backstage and get a look around.  Stevie explained that every weekend, there was live entertainment at Mata Hari.  Every other month they even do a Burlesque show in a special theater section of the club, behind the main stage.  We got to see the dressing rooms...full of amazing costumes from the various shows.  After a few minutes of wandering the back rooms, the DJ came back.  It was time for Stevie to take the stage again.

   The remainder of the night was spent listening to Stevie's sets and just chatting with some of the bar
patrons, and Chris...the doorman.   I have to hand it to Mata Hari.  It is quite possibly the coolest bar I've been to.  And I have to hand it to the owner.  The business has thrived, solely through word of mouth. All in all, for the first night of our vacation, It was a great time and I will definitely be going back the next time I'm in Savannah.


 







 Then it was time to go.  The rain had started and was coming down in sheets.  Chris ran to the back to try and find us an umbrella.  He came back with a couple of ponchos.  We kindly refused them.  What better way to end an awesome night like this...than a walk in the rain?


     If you find yourself in Savannah, and you're looking for a fun, different bar experience....I highly recommend the House of Mata Hari.  If you ask around, I'm sure there are locals who know where it is...and how to obtain a key.  Then it's a matter of ringing the bell on the right door...and waiting for that eye slit to open.  Then...it's a good time...if you can find it.



Sarge,
Out

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