Carbonado is the end of the suburban
line, unless you are intent on serenading the ranger station
or sing to the bears in the hills, is the Carbonado Saloon
situated at the very end of town.
Robbie their karaoke host is there most nights of the week from
8:00 pm to bring DJ and karaoke to its patrons.
The best way to keep up with what's going on is through their
web site:
www.carbonadosaloon.com .
Band schedules are published along with other special events.
Best of all, there are clear driving directions too.
And, thoughtful Carbonado Saloon signs along Pierce County roads to
document your journey.
Even though the bar is full of history
and mining relics, Robbie's karaoke system is very high tech but
his speakers
are the old lovable kind that still delivers great sound. No
beer soaked song books here, just a video scrolling of songs
by singer or by name, no slips to fill out, just tell Robbie
what you want and he easily complies. The computer keeps track
of rotation too. There's a huge central TV and small personal
monitor to track the words.
The wood tables are there for you to carve your name in and a
collection of spittoons to remind you
what chewing tobacco was all about "in the old days".
Robbie is an extremely animated host,
strictly his own style and sings with a very professional bass
tone.
Years of traveling with a rock band shines through during his
performances.
How many singers can put across "A Whole Lot Of Speed along with "Golden
Years?" Robbie does it with aplomb.
At the end of November the Saloon is
giving away a custom motorcycle.
Only 1,000 tickets are up for sale at $20 each. $1,000 of the pot will be
donated to B.A.S.H. (Bikers Against Statewide Hunger)
and $1,000 more to A.B.A.T.E. of Washington, the organization
that protects bikers rights.
If you happen to notice smokers staying
out longer than most, the Saloon keeps a fire pit going in back
of the building.
Robbie knows when to collect his singers for rotation to keep
dead air down to a minimum.
One singer, Dutch Phillips, a local promoter of (BFB)
(BikerFriendlyBar.com)
website and designer of others,
(especially the music industry) claims he never sings but the
audience coaxed him up to the spot light to perform.
He chose "Unchain My Heart" and sang it with lots of emotion, on
tune and meter.
He must be practicing in the shower and not telling anyone.
Amy sang out "Shadows Of The Night," & Barb
sounded like Patsy Cline doing "Crazy." She also sounded very
well with "Black Velvet." then Jeremy picked "Lightning Crashes"
and Brent compares his rig to "Ode To My Car" and James likes to
sing "What's It Like."
The bartender runs the room and serves.
There is a full kitchen and good cheap grub that the kitchen
staff serves with pride.
It's fun and worth the drive. If you know where Buckley is
you'll certainly find Carbonado.
101 Pershing Ave, Carbonado 360-829-9417. Plenty of free
parking.