SCENE OF THE CRIME by Natasha
I had walked by City Lights a million times before I finally was enticed to enter.
Fundamentally, I'm really not into playing pool.  My hand-eye coordination isn't so keen, and I don't like to be distracted from socializing.  Well, maybe I'm a little bit of an attention whore, too.  That's probably it.
However, City Lights, or rather now Tacoma's City Lights & City Nights, has gone through some changes recently that sweetened the deal for me and for you.
In addition to the 21 pool tables, big televisions and games, City Lights has added a music room.
Even though it was a school night, the world-famous Bluecifer convinced me to catch his band there.  Not only was it my first time being in City Lights, it was also my first I Defy performance, and I got to enjoy it with those model squad broads - Chesty Meow and Ebony. Quadruple the pleasure.
When you walk into the pool hall portion of City Lights you'll feel like the room is filled with smoke even though we're not allowed to do that anymore.  The lights are low, and there's a mix of different customers. Some are shady; others are swank.  Ladies, you'll want to be on top of your game here. I was approached by three different dirtbags, all of whom I quickly dissed and dismissed.
The music room was easy to settle into for the show. It's spacious. The tables are set back far enough away from the stage that you can get your groove on if necessary, and I appreciated the acoustics.
City Lights is an interesting setting for a show because the music room has windows all the way around it. The dingy Tacoma Avenue South people walking around outside made us laugh a number of times, and there was even a woman who flashed her hoo-has.  We also had the chance to wave to the Durango 95 lead singer, who is too young to be in the place. That's one reason to turn it into an all-ages venue.
I Defy offered a great acoustic performance. Carl bravely played his guitar with one string broken, and Bluecifer was donning a banana-yellow cowboy suit. He's so tall that he had to let the hems of the pants out, but he knew the outfit was destined for him, which made me giggle. The lead singer asked everyone in the audience to give him the middle finger during the show.  I was smiling and refused because he hadn't done anything to tick me off.  He came straight up to me to antagonize the situation, and instead of flipping him off, I kissed him on the cheek.  Awww. 
So, would I recommend City Lights for the booze, pool or a show?  Sure. Grab your friends and have a ball.
Tacoma's City Lights & City Nights, 445 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma, close to Tacoma Grand Cinema, (253) 383-3301

Tell me where you like to party here.