HAVE A DRINK WITH THE CULLENS >>>

In the late ‘70s, Goth's association with gargoyle-laden architecture of the Medieval Period and monster novels of 18th century daisy-pushers such as Anne Radcliffe was coffined for the bleak post-punk prophecies such as of Joy Division, dark clothing, androgyny and waif-thin appendages that consumed the definition.

Bela Lugosi's dead - long live Bela Lugosi!

In downtown Olympia Goth means the Cryptatropa bar, or as Olympians call it, the "vampire Bar." It's dark with red lights and black booths, and Pan graces the jukebox.

The joint has a funk of sweat and spilled beer, but frankly so does the street outside. What makes this a killer spot - in addition to the New Wave cranking from the dance floor - are the intimate, dimly-lit booths hiding dweller and their conversations/make-out sessions.

[Cryptatropa Bar, 421 Fourth Ave. E., Olympia, 360.754.3867]

LINK: More photos from Friday night at Cryptatropa Bar

NEW DANCE NIGHT AT THE CLIPPER >>>

Slip on your Cleopatra Jones afro or your dad's toupee and slide on over to The China Clipper for the "Funky Empire Strikes Back" funk-soul-electro-eclectic mix with DJ El Goonie tomorrow night. His new Saturday night dance party series will be full of rubbery grooves, slick licks and hi-tech keys caked in stardust.

Goonie and his band of rotating DJs - tomorrow night features DJ The Jessica - created the dance night to fill a gap in the Olympia scene. Their goal is to created a spot to chill, have a few drinks, and if you feel the funk, then boogie.

Goonie wants to stress that it will be an eclectic mix with funk as the underlying bass - from today's music reaching back to the mid-60s.

"It's gonna be more fun than selling fake insurance on closeout cell phones at a mid-mall kiosk in Tacoma," state Goonie.

Yea, I have no idea what that means.

[The China Clipper, every Saturday, 10 p.m., no cover, 402 4th Ave. E., Olympia, 360.943.6300]

NEW FILM NIGHT IN OLYMPIA >>>

Action film junkies, today is your day. And so will be next Tuesday. And the Tuesday after that. Your Mecca has become Tough Guys Tuesdays at The Urban Onion in downtown Olympia. Owen Taylor, a Weekly Volcano scribe, will launch the action movie double feature weekly event tonight with Deathsport and a special surprise flick.

"The films will be a blend of the best and worst, some campy, some underground, some amazing, all fitting to a few basic criteria: highly trained weapons experts, double-crossings, revenge, bullets everywhere, blood, guts, one-liners, lots of shit blowing up, car chases, horse chases, great sword fights, perfect hair, and always getting the girl/love interest," explains Taylor. "Oh, and gratuitous nudity when possible."

The films will be screened via a digital projector on The Urban Onion's wall facing Sylvester Park.

Food and drink options include $1 Millers, $2 cheap ass whiskey and yet to be determined food specials.

Also expect prize giveaways, trivia and rock ‘n' roll.

Will there be an arm-wrestling contest?

"Only if I can find a copy of Over The Top," adds Taylor.

[The Urban Onion Restaurant and Lounge, every Tuesday, 7 p.m., no cover, 116 Legion Way SE, Olympia, 360.943.9242]