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Gazpacho at The Derryfield
It's Friday night at The Derryfield and the place
is its usual packed self. Tonight, the band is Gazpacho. Nothing against
the band, but weekend nights at this venue would bring lots and lots
of people even if Alvin and The Chipmunks were the headliner.
But Gazpacho's cover band rock-and-roll is just what the doctor ordered
for these night clubbers. The band provides the impetus for the dancing,
but it's the constants that keep them coming back-pretty waitresses,
reasonably priced drinks, fun-loving people and the ability to dance
or, for that matter, just show up without being judged.
I ask Tom, a 36-year-old single Derryfield loyalist, what keeps him
coming to The Derryfield. Without batting an eyelash, he replies,
"to meet women and get laid."
Maureen, an obviously intoxicated 33-year-old Derryfield veteran,
when asked the same question, laughs, staggers and responds, "It's
a safe place to dance, drink and laugh. And, I've had a lot of luck
with guys here." With that said and being the Good Samaritan
I am, I quickly introduce Maureen to Tom.
The crowd is not young. Most of the folks I speak with are in their
30s or 40s. Most were either married, divorced or both. Many have
children at home and cherish these nights out on the town. These are
not pretentious people. There are no flashy jewels, no high fashion
statements or comparing of tattoos/piercings.
What is on display at the Derryfield is people having fun. Laughing,
"hooting," dancing and silliness-no matter what song the
band plays, people dance and shout. The Derryfield waitstaff and bartenders
earn every penny they make. There never seems to be a lull in orders
for Corona with lime and rum drinks. As the night gets later, the
"hooting" gets louder, the voices scratchier, the hands
braver and the dancing crappier!
The Derryfield is still as it ever was, and for the hundreds of revelers
who call it home on Friday and Saturday nights, they wouldn't want
it any other way.
In case you're interested, I didn't stick around long enough to report
on the outcome of my introduction of Tom and Maureen!
-Neil Lovett
Neil Lovett can
be reached at hippo@hippopress.com.
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