CASTLE LOUNGE; EVERETT, WA
An alternative option for everyone’s enjoyment

By Ty Hughes

The Castle Lounge has recently changed hands. Now under the ownership of Victor and Keith, a pair of guys with a vision for tolerance of lifestyle, no matter what that lifestyle choice may be.

“Everyone is welcome here”, says Victor. “We appreciate everybody for who and where they are and all are welcome at the all new Castle Lounge”.

The crowd is widely diverse, from young and old, alternative and straight, and come from all demographics. Acceptance is a high priority at the Castle Lounge and visibly appreciated by those that have made this their home location for karaoke, entertainment and good food.

The experience begins in the parking lot, where a towering roadside backlit sign harkens back to the middle ages of knights and castles and kings. The interior is true to the day with classic stone and mortar cobblestone construction, dimly lit wall sconces, and gothic style, wooden tables scattered throughout. Patrons of the Castle Lounge enjoy the big, comfortable, carpeted, living room like setting where active conversation and lighthearted cavorting prevails. The ceiling is adorned with an amazing blacklight painting of a sky port to the stars with the original owners’ family members peering into the center of the room from above – absolutely stunning artwork! The blacklight paintings continue on another wall where a dimensional veranda features the dramatic moon lighting bathed over the castle’s view of the lands of the middle ages.

Keith and Victor have revamped their menu to include such items as pastas, pizzas, seafoods, sandwiches and burgers – something to suit everyone’s taste.

The dance floor is partitioned off and completely rigged with extensive and professional lighting, fog and bubble machines and directive speaker systems. Keith and Cody of Just For Fun Entertainment run the show and sound equipment from behind a caged sound booth situated alongside the dance floor. Their view of the audience from the sound booth is limited to a small, barred window in keeping with the style of the age. The KJ is virtually unseen by the masses, a reality that Keith and Cody admit is a bit different but doesn’t prohibit their success in producing an enjoyable karaoke show. They run a JBL mixing board with a wide selection of song choices and a speaker system designed to contain the sound largely to the dance floor, allowing for comfortable conversation levels around the room. The clarity of vocals are not ideal for those that want to just sit back and enjoy the singing talent. Even sitting in the very front of the stage, the sound is muffled and hard to understand, but no one seems to mind the trade off of sound clarity for the opportunity to converse with good friends.

In keeping with Keith’s business name, Just For Fun, the karaoke entertainment here is truly just for fun and those that participate and/or spectate are there to enjoy the fun aspect first and foremost. This was never more evident when someone requested that Keith get up and sing “A lap dance is so much better when the stripper’s crying”, to which he graciously complied to the excitement of an appreciative audience.

Cody, who’s been hosting karaoke for six years now, got his start at Toby Magee’s before moving onto such venues as Jimmy Jacks and One Eyed Jacks. His allegiance lies with Keith and Just For Fun Entertainment, performing every Wednesday night at the Castle Lounge and regular private parties. He performed several times throughout the night, showcasing his vocal talents, while Keith spends his time milling around the room, keeping in touch with his audience.

Wireless microphones enabled Stephanie, aka Cutie Raspberry Girl (CRG), the mobility to perform Def Leppard’s Pour Some Sugar On Me after Kimmie belted out the song of her choice and feeling the love from her supporters.

Sister Sissy (yep, that’s what he goes by) did a superb job singing Fly Away, a retrospective song choice, to the delight of his wide base of friends in attendance.

The Castle sports a large smoking and beer garden on the street side of the building, plus an accompanying room off the kitchen with tables and couches, a dart board and a fireplace for those looking to escape the loud music and relax in a more quiet setting.

Every week brings an array of entertainment here; Wednesday is karaoke night with Keith and Cody from 8pm to closing; Thursday features a Wii competition night on the big screen while Friday and Saturday nights are open for special events and DJ music and dancing. The events scheduled at the Castle are unique and alternative and appeal to a wide variety of interests.

Check out the Castle Lounge for a memorable night of entertainment from Tuesday through Saturday, 6pm-2am. They’re located at 11501 Hwy 99 in Everett, (425) 438-4111. Happy hour runs daily from 6pm to 8pm and features $1.00 off all your drinks.

This place is exciting and definitely unique – a must do for all you karaoke and live entertainment diehards.