While we're all lamenting the demise of the Crocodile, I will note that The Last Supper Club is alive, well and they let me "work" last Friday night. Darcy, one of the managers, invited me down to get first-hand knowledge of how they run the place and what it's like from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. To be honest, I was a little sleepy when I left home at 9:30 p.m., but it was totally worth it. Darcy showed me around, explained the business, and pointed out the challenges they face (and generally surmount) in running the club. I helped Luke check ID's at the door for part of the night. Well, Luke checked ID's and I tried to tell if someone was already over-served and should be shown the way home. I had some overly long conversations with a few glassy-eyed people whose friends vouched for them by saying, "It's OK, s/he's not driving." Right, I'm going to trust you with the future of my business? Take you're friend home.

Things I learned:

Girls will put up with very cold, wet weather in order to avoid wearing a coat.

Guys will put up with very cold, wet weather in order to avoid wearing a coat.

I know I am old because I saw a lot of fashion "don'ts" that these days I think are considered fashion "do's."

Buying a drink for your buddy after he's been cutoff is grounds for ejection.

Liquor control agents wear body armor and guns.

Running a club means you throw a big party every night while a handful of people take advantage of your hospitality by trying to sneak in, drink too much or act like a jackass.

For the most part people just want to go out with friends, dance, check out the DJ and have fun.

DJ's are expensive.

The indoor smoking ban wrecks havoc on door staff, as well as neighbors.

Darcy mentioned that she's worried about what happens when the residential development planned for the edge of Occidental Park goes up in a couple of years. TLSP will have new residential units pretty much across the street. The club will have to meet new noise regulations soon, but it's just as reasonable to expect the construction of the new building to take into account that Pioneer Square is a noisy place at night.