RON SWARNER: HOWDY! >>>

If you're under 45, the romance of the West probably doesn't resonate with you all that much. Hopalong Cassidy might have been your father's or uncle's childhood obsession, Bonanza was something you watched in reruns amid the dregs of Sunday-morning TV, and Gene Autry is a fading cultural landmark. For the most part, it's old hat â€" no pun intended. But there are still traces of that lost Western mystery out there, thanks to Neil Harris and George Reed-Harmon who opened the Western-ish New Frontier Lounge Wednesday night. OK, there isn’t hay bales, mechanical bulls or anything remotely country-western cheesy. Nope, this joint in the Tacoma Dome District is has a rustic, Butte, Montana feel to it.

The bar is rectangle in shape, has a sole pool table, stage in the corner and a mix-match of furniture â€" all have seen some time on this planet.

Perched high in the corner sits the old New Frontier Lanes sign from the former bowling alley that sat on Center Street for years. Harris bought it off the demolition team for $300. Yes, the retro sign was headed for the dump! Unbelievable.

Mark my word â€" the New Frontier Lounge will be the new happening place in Tacoma. Both Harris and Reed-Harmon have long ties to the Tacoma music scene, so expect the low-rise stage in the corner to be filled with talent â€" including the upcoming Squeak and Squawk Music Festival. 

Check out Natasha’s column for more back ground on the New Frontier.

[New Frontier Lounge, 301 E. 25th St., Tacoma] 

LINK: More photographs on the Photo Hot Spot