The demographic at St. Pete scenesters’ favorite downtown hangout and weekend live-music watering hole has changed noticeably since the lovely, always-smiling Linda started pouring drinks there this year. These days, the musicians, artists, careerist cheapskates and punk-rock types are joined by a cool, loyal crowd of women who, seriously, aren’t interested in going home with you, dude. DJ Glamazon spins the tunes on Tuesdays, and the Emerald’s Wednesday festivities and any-bomb-you-want special lend new meaning to your idea of the usual dive-bar Ladies Night. It’s always good to see a local hangout evolve without losing the personality that made it great in the first place, and the most recent shift in the Emerald’s clientele only adds to its eclectic charm.
This article appears in Sep 13-19, 2006.