On any given night, three floors above Northampton’s Strong Avenue, chances are a band is playing at Bishop’s Lounge. Making the ascent past trendy restaurants where couples gather for candlelit romance and jazz can be something of a pilgrimage, and the arrival into warm blue lights and close-packed bodies usually produces both buzzing energy and mellow relaxation.
A diverse lineup of musical acts keeps everyone coming back for more, whether it’s a Blues Kool Wednesday with Ed Vadas and the Fabulous Heavyweights and Sue Burkhart, or the cool island breeze of the weekly roots reggae sessions featuring a revolving roster of DJs. Tuesdays bring open mic sessions with Rusty Belle, and Sundays are karaoke time.
When the intimacy of the lounge becomes claustrophobic, a patio that stretches the width of the building’s front can be a great place to catch your breath and take a load off in between dancing and not dancing.
For a listing of all the cool goings-on that are coming up at Bishop’s Lounge, log on to www.mulinos.com.
-Levon Kinney
