What'd I say?

At the beginning of last year, I presented my resolutions for the Twin Cities nightlife scene -- i.e. my recommendations for ways to make the scene better in 2009. Did anyone listen to me? Let's take a look back and find out. Here is a list of what I wished for in 2009, and what really came true. If anyone's taking notes, these recommendation can still be a road map to success in 2010.

No more superclubs

Did they listen? Yes. Oversized nightclubs met their maker in 2009, when several closed and none opened -- a sign that the club scene finally had hit its threshold for bigger-is-better venues. Myth, the 4,400-capacity megaclub in Maplewood, was the largest casualty. Two clubs with identity issues -- Trocaderos and Visage -- also shut down. With the Twins ballpark coming, there are rumors of new superclubs on the horizon. My suggestion: Don't bet on big.

Remodel the Gay 90's Did they listen? Half-heartedly. At this time last year, owner Peter Hafiz told me he would finish remodeling the iconic gay club by the end of 2009. That didn't happen. While he did give one of the rooms (the Happy Hour Bar) a gorgeous facelift, the rest of the place is still waiting.

Downtown clubs need to take more chances Did they listen? Barely. The homogeneous sound of Top 40 radio still rules the club scene. It's what the masses want, so it's hard to blame the clubs for giving in. I had hoped that mainstream clubs would take a chance on DJs such as Soviet Panda, Attitude City and the Moon Goons (all of whom attract crowds at counter-programming clubs like First Ave). While the larger scene has been slow to welcome them, every once in a while you'll see someone like Soviet Panda or the Moon Goons at a place like Envy. More, please.

Show St. Paul some love Did they listen? Yes! The Bulldog's St. Paul debut in 2008 woke up the sleepy city. But Barrio's opening this summer (right next door) solidified Lowertown's status as a nightlife hotbed. And there's more to come: Cities 97 radio personality Brian (B.T.) Turner is still planning his downtown music venue, and Bin Wine Bar will open soon.

More beer geekdom Did they listen? Yes. While no blockbuster beer bars opened (these would be places that treat beer like wine), this particular kind of geekery flourished at existing hot spots. Bars such as the Muddy Pig and the Happy Gnome continued their campaign for good brews by promoting festivals, dinners and release parties (the Pig even hosted a real Trappist monk from the Netherlands). Boutique beer also pushed its way into unlikely places, such as ethnic eateries (Ngon Vietnamese Bistro) and the suburbs (Three Squares in Maple Grove).

Follow the way of Johnny Michaels Did they listen? Yes and no. La Belle Vie bartender Johnny Michaels is the Twin Cities' best cocktail maker, leading the charge for local mixology. The niche scene got a big boost in 2009 from Bradstreet, a New York-style cocktail lounge in the Graves. While the excitement seems to have tapered off there, every new bar or restaurant worth its weight in shaking tins is promoting some form of a "beverage program." They get an "A" for effort, but many get an "F" for faking it. Not every bartender can be a mixologist, so quit acting like they can. You know who you are.

Dig the ballpark, hold the sports bars Did they listen? Remains to be seen. I expected the race for nightlife real estate around the Twins ballpark to heat up sooner, but it's only just begun. So far, the big news is Kieran's Irish Pub moving to Block E (that's good news). Few other deals have been announced, but the rumor mill says the sports bars are coming. As I said last year, let's not go overboard.

thorgen@startribune.com • 612-673-7909