Ken H.
Yelp
"Tuesday night I reorganized my record collection. I often do this at periods of emotional stress. There are some people who would find this a pretty dull way to spend an evening, but I'm not one of them."
-Nick Hornby
I waltzed into The Overland as the early night became late night. I was clutching my vinyl copy of the song "Closet Freak" by Videeo because it was Tuesday & Tuesday means BYOV night (Bring Your Own Vinyl) at The Overland. Shortly after I walked in, a bartender/waiter named Destiny greeted me & handed me a menu. The bar was fairly packed to fully packed, so I have to give Destiny much credit for touching base with a new random customer. She was obviously bringing out food or drinks for about 6-7 different tables or orders. I definitely appreciated the immediate professionalism from Destiny.
Gabriel, a bartender, was running the BYOV, the BYOV sign up sheet, and playing the records people brought in. Gabriel was exceedingly personable. Gabriel handed me the sign up sheet, I filled it out for 10PM, and he took my Videeo record, and added it to the stack of records to be played. Gabriel asked me if I had put in an order yet, and he suggested I try something off the Dry January menu because I mentioned I was not drinking. I ended up ordering a Hot Toddy. The drink lived up to its name. I felt the heat with each sip. A robust nightcap.
Other patrons had brought in some funky fresh vinyl indeed. Someone even brought in a copy of Shimmy Ya by ODB, and I recall most of the bar staff and patrons were bobbing their heads. I remember hearing MF Doom, Pink Floyd, Out Hud, Sextile, and Farah too. Gabe got around to playing the single I brought at approx. 10P just like I signed up for. People seemed fairly amused by "Closet Freak" and I found it refreshing to sit in a crowd of people who were curious to hear the variety of tunes people brought in. The BYOV nights have a pleasant cosmopolitan vibe to them.
I made sure to snap a few photos as the night went on. I got a few good ones of records people brought, and Chase, another bartender, even had the lights turned down for an extra moment during closing so I could get a picture of the disco ball they have in the center of the bar. I really appreciated the attention to detail & easy-going hospitality that each staff member manifested here. 5 stars is just a minimum at Overland.