What's up with Gabin?
Actually went out of my way last night to head over to Gabin (around midnight) to see what was happening. In 8 years in the 'hood, I never went in Daebul, but figured it was time to pay the new place a visit.
The interior is a couple of shades of orange, and seems newly painted. They do have a bar and they did serve us one drink, but their liquor selection was very sparse (and antiquated) and the bartender didn't know how to make very basic drinks. Doesn't seem like anyone is actually there to drink, as nobody else had a drink in front of them and nobody ordered one while we were there. One vodka/soda and one bourbon were $17. A bit steep, but not completely out of line.
The area to the left of the bar (as you look from the street) is divided up into smaller rooms with opaque glass sliding doors. While we were there for 30 minutes, numerous young women (all asian) flitted between the rooms, solidly closing the doors behind them. There was one door that was partly visible from where I was sitting, so I was able to ask the bartender what was going on in the rooms. Her answer, of course, was Karaoke. Funny thing was, I didn't hear any music coming from the rooms when the doors opened, but did see a few people in the room.
I asked her if we could join in one of the karaoke rooms, and she said no. All of the rooms were occupied.
The clientele (that weren't in the rooms) were all younger asian men playing pool on the pool table at the back of the bar, and one white guy who was working very hard to get the bartender's phone number. It seemed like this was his first time in there, too.
It really seems to me like a GREAT place to have our next NOPNA meeting... The large, open room is plenty large enough... And if they're not doing anything wrong in those rooms, they should welcome us!
Alternately, it seems more than fair for someone to really find out what they do there... If they really are doing Karaoke, then I have no problem with it. It just seemed as strange as everyone has been assuming that it was, and nobody last night wanted to help clear their name.
Just a thought...
posted by Matt Lanning @ 8:22 AM
8 Comments:
Thank you for having the nerve to explore that place. The blackened windows and ominous appearance have certainly kept me for checking it out. Sounds like your experience has more or less confirmed the rumors. How long did you stay there? I'm curious how long they would tolerate an outsider in the house. I love the idea of having NOPA meetings there.
We really need to frequent more businesses for our NOPA meetings.. especially now that Cafe Organica is gone. I second the motion we meet next at Gabin.
Unlike someone who posted a comment on another post, I was not asked to leave, overcharged, or made to feel uncomfortable, but it was just very obvious to me that this is not a 'bar' where one sits and has a drink... There's something more to the story...
What about the women who these men come to meet. Does anyone ever see them come or go? Are they 'kept' women? I don't want to get all conspiracy about this, but there have been prostitution rings in the Bay Area involving women smuggled into the county and/or in some sort of endentured situation...
Way to go Matt!
I agree, your experience confirms the rumors.
My personal opinion is that the extremely low profile of the place makes it hard for the neighborhood to complain.
On the other hand, while the oldest profession is generally looked upon as a 'no victim' crime, many (including me) feel that the women are in fact, very much victims.
Do we, as a neighborhood, do something about that? somehow, I personally don't feel that it's the neighborhood's place. but that's just me.
I went into Daebul once with a friend and had a similar, yet more antagonistic experience.
We sat at the bar and orderd a beer. The bartender proceeded to sit right in front of us, arms crossed on the bar and her chin resting on her arms - staring at us until we left.
The owners of that place are up to no good, people. I think a NOPNA meeting there is a great idea. I say meet there every month and maybe invite local police to speak.
Matt-
Good for you to test out the waters. Keep investigating!
-Leela
I can't believe this gossipy bullshit. Why don't you take photographs of the license plates of the patrons and post them in the NOPNA newsletter?
I left TX to avoid ignorant, evangelicals, but looks like their alive and well here in NOPNA.
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