Night Watch is a regular column about bars and clubs by nightlife columnist Tara Nieuwesteeg.
Downtown Delray was awash with Christmas lights. They were crawling up tree trunks and stretching across storefront windows; they dangled from awnings and snaked around wreaths at every art gallery, pet salon, clothing boutique, and chocolate café on Atlantic Avenue, Delray's main drag.
Just the sight evoked something warm and fuzzy deep within the cynical recesses of my soul. It felt like my heart (which is three sizes too small) was growing! I quickly needed to repress syrupy feelings with a special holiday gift to myself: booze.\
So I popped into Dada (52 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach
561-330-3232, Dadadelray.com)
We passed through the light-splattered outdoor drinking area, moseyed
under an archway lit with red and white Christmas lights, passed into
the restaurant, and thumped across the worn-in wooden floor. DaDa feels
like part art gallery, part hipster hangout, and part 20th century
French café. We opted to sit in a red-walled room with spotted
curtains, a mirror with a twisting iron frame, French Bordeaux-style
lampshades, and several psychedelic paintings. One featured a
bright-colored mustachioed man; others depicted contorted naked women.
Electronic ambient music subtly filled the room, lending a soundtrack
to the surreal setting.
DaDa peddles an impressive array of fruity mojitos (mango, raspberry,
blackberry, and pineapple, just to name a few), not to mention classy
wines and to-die-for entrées. I considered ordering the zen mojito,
made with Tazo tea (because who doesn't need a little bit of zen during
the holiday shopping rush?) but figured I'd seek some expert guidance
first.
The bar was positioned by a stone fireplace and adjacent to a room with
giant sculpted ants crawling on the wall. I moseyed up and attempted to
chat up the ponytailed, pretty bartender, Aggie. She informed me that
the bar was actually a renovated house from the 1920s --hence its small
rooms and cozy feel.
"We get a good mix of age-groups, feature tons of
mojitos, and have a cool vibe," Aggie said proudly. She suggested I
come back to check out the magician who has a standing gig every
Wednesday. "He has a comedy routine and is quite popular."
Next I shuffled over to a pair of young men, one sipping a Jack and
Coke, the other enjoying a Newcastle. Turned out that Jody, the
shorter, darker of the two, was from Boston and here to visit Adam, who
was tall and thin. Jody noted how he "almost froze to death leaving
Boston because I didn't bring a coat. Didn't want to have to carry it
around sunny South Florida." Shortly afterward he was srprised that the
temperature seemed to get really hot -- unexpectedly hot -- as he made
his way down the Florida highway. "That was because my rental car has
heated seats and I didn't realize they were on."
Just then, a very sexy brunet walked in, and Adam jumped up.
"I guess this is the 'friend' we were waiting on," Jody said under his
breath.
My cue to scamper back to my table.
My friend Beard was busy drawing a lopsided Christmas tree on the
table. I assume this was perfectly acceptable, because a cup of
sidewalk chalk was provided on the tabletop. We then came very close to
intellectual repartee when he tried to get me to guess his favorite
Dadaist, but I instead made a mad dash
to the next drinking establishment on the list.
