Walden's: Reno's open-mic, all-ages utopia
The Reno Scene - Exploring entertainment and nightlife in our fair city
Walden’s Coffeehouse isn’t just a place to get a tasty cup of coffee. It’s a place to listen to live music, drink bottled beer, play around on Myspace and spend time with your friends in an all-ages environment full of happy faces. Most places like Walden’s have a serious crackdown on age, but here, the music is available to every generation. There’s also a small but yummy selection of deli foods, as well as an easily accessible location, smack-dab on the corner of McCarran and Mayberry.
In regards to the “scene” at Walden’s, it’s pretty much all-for-one and one-for-all. Nobody gets judged here; at least, I don’t think so. You’ve got 80-year-old women who just want to bop their heads to some good tunes; you’ve got 16- year-olds who have nowhere else to rock out, so they come to Walden’s to enjoy themselves without being carded every five minutes; and you’ve got your San Francisco-style ladies with their stylish leggings and model-esque haircuts, many of whom come equipped with knitting supplies, I’ve noticed.
The live music generally happens on Friday and Saturday nights about 7 p.m., and but you don’t need to get there much earlier because the bands don’t tend to go on before 8 p.m. The environment isn’t exactly a ho-down, however, as it closes pretty early and there’s hardly any room for dancing. If you feel like bashing around to the tunes, you’re going to have to figure out how to do it in your own little bubble, which will consist of about 4 inches of space, depending on the band that’s playing and the turnout. The stage for live music is…not really a stage, just a space cleared for musicians to jam in, but it seems to work out quite nicely for everyone, including the people who are trying to get in and out of the establishment. There’s a sound guy named Todd South who’s always around to make sure the bands don’t sound like crap, and they never do, so well done, Todd.
As for beer, you’ve got choices – bottled, bottled or bottled. But at least they have Blue Moon. Hell, at least they have beer. Most places like this don’t serve alcohol, as minors like to try to get in on the action, but Walden’s is a little more trusting than most. The bathroom is somewhat difficult to get into; it stands alone and is coed (located right near the back door where smokers gather).Prepare to push and shove your way in, which kind of sucks when you really need to go. In its defense, it’s decorated quite nicely.
Walden’s open-mic night (every Friday at 7 p.m.) was voted best in Reno, and always draws great talent and aspiring local musicians. Plus, you don’t have to pay a penny to surf the Internet while you listen to music, have a fantastic cup of coffee, people-watch or have a blast with your friends. It might not be Thoreau’s Walden, but this local favorite offers a utopia all its own.
In regards to the “scene” at Walden’s, it’s pretty much all-for-one and one-for-all. Nobody gets judged here; at least, I don’t think so. You’ve got 80-year-old women who just want to bop their heads to some good tunes; you’ve got 16- year-olds who have nowhere else to rock out, so they come to Walden’s to enjoy themselves without being carded every five minutes; and you’ve got your San Francisco-style ladies with their stylish leggings and model-esque haircuts, many of whom come equipped with knitting supplies, I’ve noticed.
The live music generally happens on Friday and Saturday nights about 7 p.m., and but you don’t need to get there much earlier because the bands don’t tend to go on before 8 p.m. The environment isn’t exactly a ho-down, however, as it closes pretty early and there’s hardly any room for dancing. If you feel like bashing around to the tunes, you’re going to have to figure out how to do it in your own little bubble, which will consist of about 4 inches of space, depending on the band that’s playing and the turnout. The stage for live music is…not really a stage, just a space cleared for musicians to jam in, but it seems to work out quite nicely for everyone, including the people who are trying to get in and out of the establishment. There’s a sound guy named Todd South who’s always around to make sure the bands don’t sound like crap, and they never do, so well done, Todd.
As for beer, you’ve got choices – bottled, bottled or bottled. But at least they have Blue Moon. Hell, at least they have beer. Most places like this don’t serve alcohol, as minors like to try to get in on the action, but Walden’s is a little more trusting than most. The bathroom is somewhat difficult to get into; it stands alone and is coed (located right near the back door where smokers gather).Prepare to push and shove your way in, which kind of sucks when you really need to go. In its defense, it’s decorated quite nicely.
Walden’s open-mic night (every Friday at 7 p.m.) was voted best in Reno, and always draws great talent and aspiring local musicians. Plus, you don’t have to pay a penny to surf the Internet while you listen to music, have a fantastic cup of coffee, people-watch or have a blast with your friends. It might not be Thoreau’s Walden, but this local favorite offers a utopia all its own.
|
<i>The Reno Scene is an insider’s look at what’s going on around town after dark. Our intrepid night owl will scour the city each week to find out what’s really happening during the wee hours of the morning in the Biggest Little City. Basically, each week, we'll play “Operation” with the heart of Reno - get in, get out, and don't get zapped.</i>
<b>Next week: Vino's</b>
<b><a href="http://www.reno.com/article/20061110/ENTERTAINMENT03/61122003";>Last week: Satellite - Reno's best bar?</a></b>
<b>Next week: Vino's</b>
<b><a href="http://www.reno.com/article/20061110/ENTERTAINMENT03/61122003";>Last week: Satellite - Reno's best bar?</a></b>
Please log in to leave comments.
SUBMIT
