Upscale martini bar provides a splash of class

Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Jun 2, 2000 by The Gazette

At the risk of ruining a good thing, we'll let you in on a new place that opened quietly downtown a few weeks ago. It's been a bit of a secret, but word is starting to spread quickly about Wise Guys Social Club.

In an alley off Bijou Street between Cascade Avenue and Tejon Street, the upscale cigar lounge/ martini bar is just the kind of cosmopolitan hangout you'd expect to find in much bigger cities. The cozy bar (capacity about 50) has a clubby, library-like feel, with rich cherrywood, plush leather sofas and chairs, and both a retail humidor and small "locker" humidors for special customers.

"I've always wanted to own something like this," says Mark Harris, 24, who moved a year ago from the East Coast to Colorado Springs, where his parents live.

"I think this city has potential, and I'd like to not only see it but be a part of it."

Harris spent several months turning the site (a former silversmith shop and consignment gallery) into Wise Guys. Sinatra plays on the speakers, an extensive ventilation system keeps the air surprisingly clear, and the bar serves up a range of martinis, wine, powerful margaritas (made with fresh limes), all sorts of other cocktails and French-press coffee.

A small appetizer menu is catered by The Warehouse restaurant. Choices include a generous fruit-and-cheese platter, smoked salmon, yellowfin tuna sashimi and steak tartare, for $18-$21. Harris and manager Johnathan Shankland plan to occasionally host private events and special wine, vodka and gin tastings.

Although Wise Guys is open to everyone, membership has its privileges. For $750 annually, folks can have a private humidor locker and receive discounts on the menu, at the bar and for special events. Corporate memberships also are available. At Wise Guys, there isn't a rigid dress code, but business-casual attire is preferred.

So, how can you find this place? Don't look for a sign, because you won't find one. Head south down the alley off Bijou Street between Tejon and Cascade and look for the door with a red light above. Wise Guys is open 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 6-2 Sundays.

THE OFFSPRING: In the tradition of Jakob Dylan and the duo Nelson comes Carlton Pride, another musical progeny. Pride, the son of country music legend Charley Pride, plays mellow reggae. He'll perform Tuesday at the Underground, 130 E. Kiowa St. ($3 cover).

His band, Zion, has the distinction of being the first reggae act to perform at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. The Texas-based sextet has been taking their tunes on the road for about four years, performing both covers and original tunes. Their current CD, "What You Need," is packed with sun-splashed gooves and just a sprinkling of more up-tempo dance-hall influences. The real kick is Zion's remake of Charley Pride's big hit, "Kiss an Angel," giving the country-pop tune an island flavor.

MUSIC IN THE OUTDOORS: Denver may have Red Rocks and Fiddler's Green, but now the Pikes Peak region has the Gold Rush Outdoor Palladium, which opened last week in Cripple Creek.

The amphitheater, which can seat more than 1,000, is in the heart of the town at Second Street and Carr, and run by Southwest Casino & Hotel Corp., which operates the Gold Rush and Uncle Sam's casinos.

The amphitheater will show movies in current release, and about a dozen music acts are lined up. Country singer Danni Leigh will kick things off June 10, followed by Starship with Mickey Thomas (June 24), Tim Martin & the Ballad of Booger Red (July 2), Chris Daniels and the Kings (July 3), Freddie Fender (July 20), Ramsey Lewis Trio (Aug. 12), a blues festival (Aug. 19), Lou Rawls (Aug. 27), Bill Haley's Comets (Sept. 16), and Shawna Russell & Way Out West (Sept. 23). Tickets for Leigh ($12-$24) and Starship ($18-$28) already are on sale through Ticketmaster, 520-9090 or ticketmaster.com.

SWING IS STILL THE THING: While trend-followers have moved on to rumba and salsa and other in-the-moment dances, swing dancers remain true to their first love.

Swing dancing has a home Sunday nights at the VFW Hall at 430 E. Pikes Peak Ave. Free lessons are held 6:30-7 p.m., with dancing till 10. Admission is $5.

Organizer Mike Dancel has kept the swing-dance torch burning since Jupiter Moons nightclub dropped swing music last year. Most Sunday nights average from about 40 people to 80 or 90.

Music ranges from such classic acts as Count Basie and Duke Ellington to such contemporary musicmakers as Indigo Swing and Royal Crown Revue. Organizers also bring in live bands for special events. For more information about the local swing scene, call the hotline at 266-6453 or visit www.swinginthesprings.com.

NEW FROM LISENBY: Local rock- er Lance Lisenby has been busy lately, playing a slew of gigs in support of his new CD, "Riding the Moon." He and bandmates from Leaving the Trees will hit the road this month in the South, gigging in Georgia and Alabama.

Lisenby's "Riding the Moon" betrays his roots (he was born in Alabama), with a pure-bred Southern rock sound. The disc is packed with acoustic tunes that spotlight Lisenby's muscular vocals and nimble fingerpicking.