MCCABE’S AMERICAN MUSIC CAFE; TACOMA, WA
Good times at McCabe’s

By Ty Hughes

Though McCabe’s American Music Café is best known for its kickin’ country music, cowboys and line dancing, more often than not, you’ll find a wide cross section of good people out for a good time – many of whom don’t even own a pair of cowboy boots.

Good people out for a good time. Whether you work in a downtown office building or actually find yourself plowing the fields by the light of day, there is a seat reserved for you at McCabe’s on downtown Tacoma’s Pacific Avenue any night of the week.

If you’re a lover of the spotlight and prefer to spend your evenings providing the entertainment rather that just sitting back and being entertained, come out to McCabes on a Wednesday night for some rousing karaoke in a rustic setting.

Karr Productions (www.karrproductions.com) is proud to present McCabe’s newest karaoke hostess, Denise, behind the controls and urging folks to let down their guard, take the mic and sing to your heart’s content. Denise, a longtime McCabe’s patron, has recently been given the opportunity to host the karaoke here every Wednesday night from 8:30pm to 12:30am. Her on-mic persona is engaging, authentic and contemporary, giving onlookers a free pass to wrap their hands around the mic for the very first time or the thousandth. Her posse of girlfriends, all gorgeous, much like Denise herself, typically make their way to McCabe’s every Wednesday night to show their support, turning the entire bar into a lighthearted and whimsical party-like atmosphere.

Candy and “T” can usually be found behind the bar if not meandering throughout the vast interior, mingling with an exuberant crowd surrounding the gigantic dance floor, keeping everyone’s glass full. They offer some incredible drink specials, available only during the karaoke on Wednesdays, including $2.00 Bud and Bud Lights and $4.00 Crown Royal or Jose Cuervo shots. As if you needed yet another reason to spend a humpday at McCabes, they are both complete service experts – always upbeat and smiling.

The crowd, though separated by the humongous dance floor and pulsating lightshow, is fun and surprisingly close. There is always room for more personalities in this place and they make you feel immediately welcome and comfortable.

Beware! McCabe’s may be addictive to your insatiable nightly entertainment fulfillment. One of Karr Productions owner, Oren Artlip’s favorite hangouts, he was on hand Wednesday, July 16th for his own 46th birthday celebration. Surrounded by friends and beautiful girls (as usual), Oren was the recipient of several donated cocktails, not to mention a couple of close, personal dances with his close friend, Annette. At one point, they were the sole source of entertainment as she gifted him with his birthday dance. They alone occupied center stage as their dance bordered on some kind of kinky slash dirty dancing expose. Everyone in the place was laughing with them and spurring them on with cheers, etc. Good times.

Kirt, a karaoke regular, busted out of the gates with “You Give Love A Bad Name”. Les and Sheryl showed up and bestowed their gift unto a grateful audience, Matt sang “Everything I do” before cowboy Chris, who will be moving back to West Virginia soon, got the crowd up and dancing to a believable version of “Good Directions”.

Chaz dedicated “Last Summer” to his favorite host, Denise and Gunny, who just retired from the Marines two days earlier, presented the audience with “It’s Your Song”.

Denise, Annette and Mary did a joint version of “Does He Love You” and the night poured onward, along with the beer.

Come one, come all to McCabe’s American Music Café anytime of the week, but if you want to enjoy Denise and her lively karaoke show, make it a Wednesday. 12:30am will surely come way too soon, so get there early and snag your seat. Tell Candy or “T” that you read about them in the Karaoke & Entertainment Guide.