Bossy Grrl’s Pin Up Joint

I’m here all the time. Wifi, sandwiches, cocktails and coffee and just scratching the surface. The bathrooms aren’t gendered, the smokers patio huge, décor really awesome thanks to former owner Sandy Rollins handiwork.
Bossy’s is the cities only burlesque bar, and any given Monday you’ll be able to catch a show. Bossy’s is important for the local music scene, with happy shows on weekends, nightly events including kareoke, EDM and ample rock n roll.
The bar is long and narrow, the stage is shaped to accommodate that fact. The bar staff are friendly, some are members of local burlesque troupes. Bossy’s is generally considered a safe-​space for members of the Queer community, very Queer-​friendly.
Whether you want a daytime coffee, a nightly thrill at a show, or a last call night cap, Bossys is your go-​to.

I really, really wanted to love this place. Unfortunately, I do not. They have great events that I’ve seen on social media, but because of my first (and only) visit… I don’t really want to chance going back. The bartender completely ignored us at a table for at least 15 minutes. We thought maybe she was busy, so we moved to the bar where she continued to ignore us for at least another 5 minutes. There were only about 5 people other than us in the place, but she clearly couldn’t leave her conversation with the two guys at the end of the bar to grab us a beer. We felt unwelcome and probably won’t be back. Disappointing because I really wanted to support this endeavor.

They used to have a happy hour until 9. Now it is 7. They didn’t consider any of the Unilocal comments if they believe it. My girlfriend and I looked into a sad, empty bar, and thought «let’s go elsewhere.»
If at 8pm your bar is dead, and no one is in there, there is a reason for it. And it isn’t because they are waiting for the Rockabilly band you shove down our throats. I feel for the bartender who saw two customers look at the place – which we used to frequent – and saw you changed your hppy hr to one proper, and walked on.
We went to a proper happy hour, and then to Club 20.

Very cool looking place, very cool-​feeling vibe. I bet it’s even better when events are going on. I came in early evening on a Wednesday, trusting that a place with such an extensive coffee menu and a bunch of sandwiches would not be an odd place to bring work and hang out quietly. But while the logo advertises «Coffee, Beer, Spirits,» with coffee first even, really it’s a bar, in layout, atmosphere, and lighting. The only thing coffeehouse about it is the coffee.
The bartender was very personable, and there was a small happy hour crowd around who seemed equally friendly and open. In truth, the only one who seemed to feel odd about me ordering tea and a sandwich was me. But I did feel odd, even though this stuff is right there on the menu, like when you’re at the gym and discover after several minutes that you’re using that complicated-​looking piece of exercise equipment wrong… but no one else noticed.
I wanted to try the Elvis Impersonator – a vegan peanut butter/​banana/​faux bacon sandwich – but they were out of bananas and faux bacon. So I tried the black bean burger, and it was quite good. The «sweet and sassy» sauce, whatever it is, was indeed sweet and sassy. I wouldn’t come here specifically for dinner, but if you want something to wash down with your drink, it was a pretty good choice.
There was going to be a drag open mic that evening, but I had to go before it started. Bossy Grrl’s has a lot of interesting things on the schedule, and I’d love to catch some of it and actually drink there. It’s a decent place for that tea and burger, but it might be an awesome place for booze and burlesque.

I have never been to a bar where I felt so instantly accepted for who I am. Every time I’ve been to Bossy Grrl, every single person in the place, staff, patrons, and performers have been friendly and outgoing. This is definitely a good place to go if you want to make instant friends.
I’ve been told this is not a «gay bar», but rather a «queer friendly bar», with friendly being the key word. Diversity rules here on a number of levels, so come as you are. The pin-​up theme is pervasive, but that doesn’t mean you should feel you have to come in pin-​up attire.
Thursday night karaōke was lovely, with a good mix of karaōke-​pros and drunken shenanigans. The KJ was super sweet, and even looked up some obscure songs for me that weren’t in the books. The rotation was fair, and fast, and the atmosphere was supportive to nervous singers.
Monday night burlesque was quite the experience. This show definitely had an «edge» that I haven’t seen in other shows I’ve been to. The hostess was a very talented drag queen, «Mary Jane», who showed off a number that beats any of the shows I’ve seen at other, bigger venues. She jumped off the bar, onto the stage, into a full split! «Shante you Stay!» Come early for good seats!
Drink specials are always great, and since most of the shows are free, you can easily wobble out the door for less than $ 20. It can get a little crowded during peak times, but I’ve never had any difficulty getting a drink or finding a bathroom without a line. I hear there is parking in back, but I’ve always lucked into parking right in front on High.

We decided to hit Bossy Grrl for the «Skinful Saturday» burlesque and poetry show, and were a bit taken aback at first by the way the shop had been packed to the gills. We almost considered leaving, but an offer from the bartender to move some stools around so that we could sit and see the small stage at the front of the shop changed our minds.
We got a real treat because we stayed. Not only were the performers energizing and entertaining, but the crowd was enthusiastic and friendly, bringing us in and making us feel like we were surrounded by friends in just a few minutes.
The coffee selections weren’t bad, especially for the low price, but I have to admit that the «No Cover EVER» policy is a little dicey when it means they’re packing the place past capacity for a show. I suspect that may get them in trouble sooner or later.
Still, if the live shows are as fun as the one we attended, I’m sure we’ll be back soon regardless.

This place is really coming along since the first time I visited soon after they opened.
The good: tasty sandwiches, cream ale on draft and a variety of entertainment every night (No cover! Big time bonus!), no matter how busy it is the restrooms are clean and stocked
The not so good: it’s a little more pricey than other bars (non-​happy hours), its VERY small, in my experience service has been rather slow regardless of number of patrons
It’s definitely a place to check out if you’re looking for something fun to do on a weeknight. I’ll be back again.

I stopped in here after a metal show across the street at ace of cups, which closes notoriously early, sometime in May or thereabouts (I’ve been on a break from Unilocal). AoC shows end real early bc the bar sucks, so I went into Bossy Grrl’s at about 12:55.
The place was empty save one customer and a bartender who proceeded to ignore me for five or more minutes while she did dishes and other random crap that could have waited at the other end of the bar. When she finally came up to me, she even said something to the other guy first; not about me or anything, but hello, that guy’s already been served. I try to order a beer and she says «oh, sorry, it’s after hours.» And I’m like «uh, it’s only one.» She then goes on to tell me they only have a 1 a.m. liquor license bc that’s all they can afford.
Two things: 1. Well then, it wouldn’t have been after hours if she hadn’t ignored me for five effin minutes. Way to not only let, but MAKE money walk out the door. 2. This is interesting. It taught me that ace of cups, whose crappy hours I have complained about in the past, actually closes at 1 because they’re cheap bastards, not out of any principle or anything (as staff once tried to assert to me).
I told the barkeep that was a helluva first impression to make and that I’d be hard pressed to return. This was back in May or June, and I haven’t been back yet. A good show might be enough to get me to try again, but not until then. Especially given some of these other reviews.
Also, after looking at their website, I’m not so sure they even meant to spell Grrl that way. The grammar nazi in me is shivering.

This place is starting to grow on me.
This past Friday they had in All the Fish and The Girls! for the bands and the place was hoppin I’ll tell you that. And, let’s face it, The Girls! killed it. If you haven’t seen them perform lately, you’re missing the boat.
The week prior I had a grilled cheese… simple enough but it was still something that hit the spot. I still think O’Reilly’s has the best bar grilled cheese but all a matter of opinion of course.
I do like this bar despite it being small. Shows are more intimate but yet still the same great energy of a larger bar except minus more drunk people. :) Happy hours seem to have been adjusted with better pricing so that’s cool.
Essentially what I’m saying, in the midst of my rambling is I’ll be back. Check it out if you haven’t. A good mixed crowd, both gay, straight, trans… everyone gets along which is awesome to see. And, let’s face it… no matter who you are, everyone needs a beer now and then.

To use the word ECLECTIC would be an understatement. Bossy Grrl’s Pin Up Joint pulls off the unique trick of being a little neighborhood grub pub all wrapped up in boa-​bearing, bustier-​busting burlesque fems and dems! I didn’t stay past 11PM and on my way home I kept thinking, «Turn around, idiot.»
Let’s start the smallish bar and kitchenette. Bossy Grrl’s promotes sammiches and while the menu is limited it does the trick nicely. They’ve got a sammich-​making station behind the bar and a grille press. Voila! Sammiches made to order (I think you could go there). I enjoyed a grilled bacon, tomato and cucumber number that was yum-​yum (BG’s ran out of lettuce and I love sliced cucumber). And it’s inexpensive to boot, the sammich coming in a small boat with chips.
The liquor selection is not wide-​ranging but the staples are there. Me? I had a Red Stag on the rocks and got a decent (not generous) pour from barkeeper Vivian who last night was 3 nights new to the job. She’ll step up her game in the future… lots of bubbly charm in Viv.
What is Bossy Grrl’s all about? Burlesque performers ripping into live music sets (last night’s band The Spitfire Cocks kept a purfunctory beat) and losing their outerwear. Leather, feathers, hats, corsetts,… just about anything goes for the performers who do not have stage fright. And there’s THE PONY. Go and see for yourself… how a tiny acrylic mascot finds his way into the dancers’ performances.
A friend of mine, singer and guitarist for the band ALL THE FISH, through it out there that I should pop-​in for the shows. I did and I don’t think I’m done with Bossy Grrl’s just yet. They have a second room if you work your way through the narrow main lounge and BG’s has a patio out back too. I say GO FOR IT and see what «feeling comfortable in your own skin» does to release the hounds!

Wow — I had a blast at this bar!
The bartender was friendly, fast and really had the hustle down.
My girlfriends and I decided to dress up in pin-​up attire and had happy hour prices all night. We drank $ 1 glasses of Draft beers. AWESOME!
The 2 owners are the ying and yang. Amber is friendly, super sweet. Sandy is wild and flirty. Perfect.
I will be back as often as possible :)

Went here for happy hour last night (three girls) and we quite liked it. We thought the décor was cute and fun. Is it the coolest best décor to rival Manhattan with teams of interior designers, no, but I’m glad because there is also no attendant snobbiness. I think it’s well done for the area. Loved the variety of what they were playing 70s 80s 90s music and some swing stuff. Three draft pints for $ 10, 4−8pm, I’m happy with that. Really nice pear cider. I just wish it were in walking distance of my house and there were better parking options.

I came down here to get something to eat. It’s a nice place but the girl who was doing the cooking and also tending bar was going nuts. And no help from management either. I ordered the «Big John» sandwich. It came on two big pieces of bread with cheese, peppers, and tomatoes but no meat. Well, «no» isn’t accurate but it was pretty damn close. And I guess I got there too early for the showgirls but I wasn’t going to stick around.

What do people expect from this place? They expect every new joint to blow them and shower them with free shit for being new. This is a casual joint that is about the shows — that’s what I got from everything before I ever stepped in.
A buddy an I popped in here on a Friday night — the décor must fit in different in the ambient lighting, as yes, it’s kitschy. They had a belly dancer and a backup band. The bartender made us a hummus plate and serve us beer. The crowd was in to the dancer.
Will this be a go to bar? When they have performances, yeah. Not insanely loud. Intimate. The bartender was awesome-​but I think they do need to figure out a better way to do the food. I can’t imagine this place busy.
Will we come here for food? Only if we are here and hungry. It sounds cool, but food doesn’t seem their forte. Stop comparing them to Betty’s. they ain’t. They also aren’t trying to be.
I’ll be back.

When I heard about this place, I immediately liked the idea. Beer and grilled cheese sandwiches… what could go wrong?
First, the positives… the beer selection was good and the bartender was friendly.
This place is close to my home, so I want it to work and be a cool hangout spot. The pin-​up art on the chairs is a nice touch, but beyond that, my biggest complaint is the interior design. Things don’t flow very well. They seem to be caught in that bad spot between trying too hard and not trying hard enough.
Lame list:
Bras on the chandeliers
Fake pearls strung up on the wall
Bad coffee-​house art
For a «pin-​up joint» there was not a whole lot of pin-​up art around, except for where you sit. I was expecting it to look more like Betty’s. They spent money on a vintage-​looking Coca-​Cola fridge, but the typography on their sign looks like amateur hour.
Maybe that’s a petty detail, but I think those details matter.
I’ll be back to test out the food.

‘Meh, I’ve experienced better’ honestly sums it up pretty succinctly.
Bad prices, tasteless food, good coffee (at least). The spot it is fit in has a bad habit of chewing up and spitting out places; maybe it’s just the layout but it seems to draw businesses that don’t have their model figured out. They could have had a lot more fun with the décor but it didn’t do anything for me. I’d give it a shot for the breakfast, but it was pretty lame.

Décor’s cute. Service was prompt and friendly. My sandwich was good. And that plus three beers ran me $ 7.75 at happy hour. Reading the other reviews it sounds like there may have been some kinks, but from what I saw tonight they appear to have been worked out. I’m a fan and expect this place to make it into my normal happy hour rotation.

I went to the grand opening with a friend who knows the owners and was forgiving of all the kinks because it was the grand opening. I went back a week later and the bad had gotten worse. The «samiches» are now smaller and it took over an hour– yes, an hour for the one bartendar to make my order. She had to go back and forth tending to the 10 people that were in the bar. She made the sandwiches one at time instead of four at a time (which is what their grill press could handle). I was still hungry after my $ 5 sandwich so I went to Rally’s. No chips or other sides are offered with the tiny sandwich either.
Great beer selection, however, the prices are not listed and not even close to being acceptable during happy hour. I try to support small businesses but this place needs to shape up if they expect to compete with their neighbors.

I know this is a new place, so maybe this review is unfair from a certain standpoint. but 4 dollars for an americano? this is simply too high. also, did anyone notice the «tail» label/​sign on the women’s bathroom? why not just have unisex toilets? i felt like it was not just an aesthetic mess but a missed chance to be something more than kitschy.