Where is the Love?

I've heard about a place called Love in Manhattan for a while. The venue hosts the Dub Wars. Although I had a good time (I have a good time anywhere), I will not be going back. I had a million complaints about the place.

My overal review of this joint is that it tries to pass itself off as being part of the underground scene, yet in reality it is just another over-priced, over-rated place in the village. There is no sign, and there was a line of about 30 people waiting to get in at 12:30 or so. The doorguy came up to each person and said that the club had nearly reached capacity, and there was not a good chance many people on the line would get in. My friends and I prodded him a bit, and he said they did not want a long line to draw attention from the cops. Some people left, and we were in the door within 5 minutes.

In general, most of the staff I encountered were nice.

The cover was 15$. Beers were 8$, and shots and mixed drinks 10-12$. Water was 6$. The bathroom had a nice attendant and a short line, if any. The coat check had a ridiculously long line.

I wanted to buy this girl a drink, and she wanted water. At the moment, they were out of 6$ bottles of water, so this guy, who was like security, wanted to charge me 2$ for tap water. THAT IS NOT LOVE.

There was a nice, chill area to hang in, which I did for much of the time, since the place was ridiculously packed. AS usual, much of what was supposed to be dubstep was not (This is a seriously annoying fact at the moment here in New York. Bay Area people would flip out at what is played here at events that are advertised as dubstep).

There is only one dj playing at a time, and you can hear them throughout the place. Which is cool when the dj is good. When the dj is not so good.... not so much.

The speakers were excellent (and are apparently one of 7 in the country or something, as told to me by the owner or manager of Love. I complained to him a few times. I was in a complaining mood).

At one point, we were not allowed to go outside to smoke cigarettes.

I heard there was an arrest. I was also told there were undercover cops. I believe both.

Finally, it cleared out, and the regular DJs of dubwar played dubstep.

So, basically, if the dubstep/electronic/club/party scene is new to you, you would really enjoy Love, since you don't know any better. But, from the beginning, I felt exploited. I also felt like the establishment is exploiting a culture and music that I and other people hold dear to our hearts. I know what dubstep and techno parties elsewhere in the country and world are about, and Love does not care to be a part of that community. It is all about the dollars. It is obvious that Love wants both the benefits of being an underground loft party place, but it also wants the profits of a public, legally-ran club. Which is fine for some, but I got other places where I can spend too much money for a better time.