McCabes in Everett Review

"I enjoy it," DJ Timbo said, as he referred to his experiences working for McCabe's. "You never know what to expect every week." Sure enough, I found myself floating in the same boat; I had no idea what to expect. Waves of exhilaration sent what felt like heartbeats pounding throughout my entire body. As we approached the venue, excitement and laughter trailed our steps like fallen leaves blown from their branches. While we may not have known exactly what the night had in store for us, my friends and I anticipated an eventful and fun-filled evening at McCabe's.

My initial reaction was unlike any I had experienced before. McCabe's is not your average Seattle nightclub, especially because this venue is located in Everett. But who really loves average anyway? Sure, average is appreciated here and there, but it can become boring after seeing and experiencing the same nights everywhere you go. McCabe's is one scene where boring doesn't exactly come to mind.

As I glanced back at the entryway I had just passed through, my eyes were immediately drawn to the wooden arch guarded by the skull of an animal. Ahead, lightly colored wooden floors made up a large dance floor that numerous boots had two-stepped across in a well-practiced, fun but orderly fashion. Outlining the welcoming dance floor, a fence made of wood beams stood as if excited bull-riding fans might be awaiting a rodeo. Separated by this fence was a massive wall-to-wall bar offering endless possibilities for any drink a customer may ingeniously concoct. Brightly lit signs advertising cool drafts hung from the brick and wooden walls.

Gazing around the room to absorb every distinguishing trait that encompasses McCabe's, I noticed American flags and old-fashioned pictures decorating the scene, providing a lively country ambiance. Meshed in between these various embellishments were photos of attendees sharing their anecdotes of entertaining nights with merely a smile and an arm around each other. As I soaked up the venue's character, a friendly dance proposal came with a polite hand for a good ol' country two-step. Within minutes, I felt as if I had already belonged to this cheerful family.

I wondered how every last dancer appeared to know each step as if it were second nature. Karen, an owner of McCabe's, informed me, "Dance lessons are offered around 7:30 p.m. before the night's start." Attracted to this aspect of McCabe's, I gathered more information from the manager, Meleace Small. "The first half of the class consists of learning to line dance. You don't need a partner, so it welcomes anyone who is interested in joining, even if you are alone. It is very easy to learn, along with the couple's dancing that we have after. If you do not come with a partner, it is not a big deal because we can easily pair you up."

The more conversation I shared with Small, the more I gathered just why I had immediately felt so at home in a place that was nothing like my home at all. "It is just like family here," she said. "You don't have to know everyone. It all just meshes well. Everyone becomes so close it's like a Cheers experience."

As much as I enjoyed this entire country-style portion of McCabe's, I was eager to experience the nightlife this split venue provided, with a completely different scene located just upstairs. "It's like combining the naughty and the nice, the best of both worlds," Small revealed. I liked the sound of this! A look followed by a set of raised eyebrows, and my friends and I bolted up the tall staircase. How could this be? Was there really a hip-hop nightclub above this country, line dancing and boot-stomping locale?

You better believe it! It was like day and night the way the two scenes screamed their differences. Blacks and cheetah prints dress and decorate the couches and bar stools. Garnished in staggered corners, tall ferns and wooden carved giraffes enhanced this dark and classy jungle-like theme. Tiny white candles resting atop windowsills and small black end tables flicker their light, casting shadows among brick walls and soft black curtains. Black and white pictures of Marilyn Monroe and 1920s-style art hang in frames over the dusty-red colored bricks.

Considering the fact that I absolutely love to get my groove on, what better place is there to do so than in the jungle? I was pleased when I locked my eyes on the dance floor that was waiting my arrival. I had to join the hundreds of little red and green lights scattered along the polished floor like swarming bugs in the heat of the jungle. At that moment, I was enticed by the tall stripper pole and mirrors that had been strategically placed on a small stage at the corner of the dance floor. I giggled and fought the urge to keep that pole company. Instead, I walked back to my table of friends to become part of their thoroughly enjoyable people-watching charades. In the midst of our fun-filled girl talk, the bartender moseyed on over to ask us a very serious question, "Can I get you ladies any drinks? It's on the house." I want to say it was about one whole second before the "Oos" and "Yes pleases" were fired at him like unstoppable bullets. Like a flash of lightning, our peach presses had come and gone. Mmm mmm. Delicious!

Curious if most McCabe's nights are always this delightful, I joined DJ Timbo to ask him a few questions while he was mixing a variety of classic hip-hop beats, such as Will Smith's "Summertime," The Fugees and of course the timeless song, "Sexual Healing." "I love DJing here!" he said without hesitation. "We get a wide variety of age ranges and many curious customers from downstairs. It's all just kind of unexpected!"

Heading back downstairs to reenter the country side of McCabe's, I struck up a conversation with one of the bartenders. I knew for sure one of my friends wouldn't miss me, as she had joined a second cheery offer for a bit of energetic line dancing. Everyone at this north-end venue had been incredibly entertaining and spirited that time slipped away from us and we didn't want to leave. Don't miss out on all the different nights including amusing dance lessons that McCabe's has to bestow. I have no doubts that I will be returning for another night of delectable drinks, dynamic clientele, dancing and laughter.