PlanJam!From your screen to the scene

There is one bar I can never get sick of in Santa Barbara. I think it is the only place I feel totally content sitting alone on a Monday evening drinking a glass of wine or dancing away on a weekend with crowds of people.

The James Joyce is a great Irish bar with friendly bartenders, giant peanut barrels and awesome local bands. Most nights out of the week, you can find a variety of “Big Band” type musicians playing at the Joyce. My personal favorite is the Saturday night standard, Ulysses S. Jazz. This group is made up of older, mostly retired musicians playing every instrument under the sun.

One of the eldest of the group plays the trombone, piano, saxophone all at once while often putting them down to sing! Don’t be fooled by the “No Dancing” sign on the wall because I often see swing dancers twirling away to this band. Many of the members of Ulysses S. Jazz play with other Joyce groups during the week, switching instruments and bringing in different local singers to accompany them. While you listen to the bands, you can play pool or darts or chat up the bartenders, most of which are from Ireland. You can check out the full musical lineup at www.thejamesjoyce.com. Make sure you check them all out. I guarantee you’ll have a great time and if not, your pint is on me – you can usually find me at the table closest to the peanuts.