In the Drink: At The Dame, Red Bull's a mixer

Club's bartenders can tell what'll sell by the music that's playing

By Wendy Miller CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST

Researching The Dame has been an education for me.

Some of it, of course, is generational. For example, I learned more about the glories of MySpace.com, where previews of just about every lineup on any given night are available, conveniently linked on The Dame's home page. No more guesswork about spending time and energy on an act you will despise.

I learned too that, in spite of its reputation of being for "young" people, "Lexington's live music hall" has, for five years, been offering the most diverse entertainment in town.

Talent finder Nick Sprouse recites a long list of musical genres, from country to techno, psychedelic to folk, indie to blues, and all the genres in between. The Dame has participated in the Lexington Mardi Gras celebration and Until the Violence Stops, as well as charity events, tributes, comedy and improv theater, exclusive film screenings, and open mike nights.

In short, it's a club for everyone.

I spend all this time on back story because the bar at The Dame is really an appendage, albeit an essential one, and what goes down at the bar is directly related to the crowd, which directly corresponds to who is playing (or DJ'ing). And because the layout of the space itself -- a cavern with incidental seating, an elevated stage and mega-speakers -- is dedicated to music appreciation and dancing, the bar, with just a few stools, caters to those who order and leave or belly up on a slow night to talk with one of the fun bartenders.

There are seven bartenders in rotation, all of whom have been there a while. "They love working here," Sprouse says. "We've never had an unhappy bartender."

Given all this, and that every drink is served in a plastic cup, don't get too silly and expect some kind of stultifying pretense or quaffing wine. Or even beer; the best bottles I saw in the cooler were Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

So, who is drinking what? Here is some anecdotal evidence supplied by staff.

Country shows bring in the "lite" crown, Bud and Coors. It was news to me that indie rockers drink PBR, which I learned is the abbreviation for Pabst Blue Ribbon; the hippest among this group drink Stella Artois. Whiskey and Coke sells out at punk shows. The college crowd still orders Long Island ice teas. Dame publicist Samantha Herald reminded me that JŠgermeister remains in fashion: "It's always fun, social and easy going down."

Predictably, there are several good bourbons available: Woodford Reserve, Basil Hayden, Jim Beam, Wild Turkey, Buffalo Trace. The well is Kentucky Tavern, which has developed a quirky local following.

So far familiar, right?

Well, then, name the popular drink that surely gets honorable mention for best buzz, dual use, most additives and overall weirdness?

The distinction goes to Red Bull and vodka, a blend of the Austrian "energy drink" that apparently is designed to enhance endurance and performance with the cleanest and most beloved of spirits.

Bartender Mike Sullivan says this cocktail resonates most with the late Friday night '80s dance crowd, closely followed by the "JŠgerbomb." He was kind enough to share both recipes (see the box above) for those of you who are inveterate experimenters or just want to stay up all night in a mellow state of intoxication.