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 KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com Dancers get into the music Saturday night, December 20, 2008, at The Phat Cat in Cape Girardeau. [Click to enlarge] |
In August 2001, when the Phat Cat fired up, it was billed as "a stylish club experience," which it still is. Owners Pat Buck and his wife Tamara Zellars Buck originally targeted a slightly older or postcollege crowd.
"We wanted to open a place that we would like to come to," Tamara Buck said.
In many cases, though, it is the patrons who determine a bar's identity. Gradually, a younger clientele began to filter in which, according to Tamara, was fine by her husband.
"The adjustment was a little hard for me," she said. "But Pat was ready to do whatever it would take."
 KIT DOYLE ~ kdoyle@semissourian.com Patron and pineapple is one of the more popular drinks at The Phat Cat according to bartender Angela Mireles. [Click to enlarge] |
"Earlier in the week, the kids [legal age Southeast Missouri State University students] run the place, literally," he said. "They work the bar, serve drinks, all of it. Just like any other bar, they shoot pool, dance ... they do what they do."
However, according to Bubba, unlike a lot of bars, this one polices itself. In the rare event that there is an altercation, it is the cool heads of the customers that defuse it — and then it's right back to the party.
DJ Vince Brown has been spinning beats since 1990. He moved to Cape Girardeau in May 2007 and said his goal is to try to create the "crunkest" possible atmosphere. In the parlance of partying, the term crunk is tossed about frequently. Brown's crunk is "older disco with a splash of gansta and some heavy influences from the Gulf South region down around Mississippi and Alabama. People like Soulja Boy and T.I."
He said one of the reasons the Phat Cat works is "It's a lot of regulars here." It's a testament to the club's atmosphere that there is such return business fueled in part by those from Sikeston, Mo., and Cairo, Ill. Patrons can chill at a table, on one of several couches or belly up to the bar where a PlayStation 2 is hooked-up, complete with wireless controllers.
The Phat Cat, 731 Broadway, is open from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. If you feel that a comment is offensive, please 
Someone please explain how this article is news?
I find it annoying to read what I thought was a news article, and it turns out to be an advertisement.
How is this an article worthy of print? It reads like an ad.
They should have never torn down the Taste lounge.
How long before a shooting closes this one down?
It's a shame when you report the bar serves to underage kids and nothing comes of it.
I could not agree more, terrible, this is not news, why is it the first article I see when I open the web page. Yea, a great place, go sit and watch this place let out a closing, watch the fights and then follow the train of thumpin music all the way to Rhodes on Sprigg and Hwy 74. Watch all the cars pile in the parking lot just to hang and scare away any real business. Then watch the fights and other junk that goes on that these great customers from Sikeston and Cairo bring. If you don't believe just ask the night time employees on the weekends at Rhodes. Why don't the SE Missourian do an undercover story on that!
The article never said anything about selling liquor to anyone not of legal age. . . here's the quote you're twisting to make fit you're ideology. . .
"Earlier in the week, the kids [legal age Southeast Missouri State University students] run the place, literally," he said. "They work the bar, serve drinks, all of it. Just like any other bar, they shoot pool, dance ... they do what they do."
The article never said anything about selling liquor to anyone not of legal age. . . here's the quote you're twisting to make fit you're ideology. . .
"Earlier in the week, the kids [legal age Southeast Missouri State University students] run the place, literally," he said. "They work the bar, serve drinks, all of it. Just like any other bar, they shoot pool, dance ... they do what they do."
Let's all go down there!
;O)
The 20 year old girl that lives with me goes there because she can drink booze.
I miss underage drinking at a bar when I went to college. Glad to see places still cater to an Adult out of high school.
Why all you be hatin on dis herrrr article. It's da bomb diggity yall herrrr meee.
I think you have to look at several things going on here.
If you do the journalistic math you will see that POOR SUBJECT PLUS POOR WRITER DIVDED BY HOWEVER MUCH SAID POOR WRITER AND PAPER WAS PAID = NEWS.
That be wayyyy crunk baby! Pack yur gat and let's go to da club!!!
Uncouth..ignorant?? I can't even find the appropiate words to describe some of these responses.
I agree that the article is certainly NOT front page worthy. But, it is an attempt to shed positive light on the night life in Cape. Seriously. Someone mentioned that they serve liquor to her underage friend; but in all actuality you are there w/ her. So, could you not be an accomplice in the solicitation of alchohol to a minor?? What's worse, is that it's not even the response I am referring to..
The fact some of you think that just because these kids go to the club, it makes them categorically eligible to be uneducated. Ignorance is not a good look for anyone. Be more considerate of the college students, and residents that have graduated. And please, please, don't allow your children to speak as ignorantly as you have. Correct them. Be a part of the solution, instead of contributing to the problem.
And one last thing. The Taste..wow..lol. Did you ever really even drive down Good Hope between the hours of 11pm and 3am??..lol
adorable
Uncouth. Such a big word. Very....adorable.
My children were perfectly raised until the public school system got ahold of them, thank you very much.
The problem isn't with the crowd, the bar or the music, it's that this is supposed to be newsworthy?
And I think the word crunk is getting a bad rap and made fun of because last time a party happened where things got "crunk" was when that guy pulled a gun on the police officer and got himself shot.
On January 20th nothing will change. Sad but true.
I'll accept your compliment. Thank you.
I can neither confirm nor deny what, when, where, or why things went wrong in your childrens' lives.
But if they are talking like this:
"Why all you be hatin on dis herrrr article. It's da bomb diggity yall herrrr meee."
Then it's evident that there was a breakdown somewhere.
In regards to the shoot out..."crunk", no, how about just stupid. If you choose to play adult games, there are adult consequences.
And the article..lol..still not front page quality. Perhaps the entertainment section would have been a better option.
I'm sorry, I didn't acknowledge the Jan. 20th comment. It is sad, and possibly true. And while change may not happen; HISTORY did. And while I grew up w/ the Limbaughs, Sylers, and the Mosleys..no one can change that.
Be blessed.
It is indeed sad and possibly true. I know many who voted for hope, change, and all those clever politico marketing tactics aimed at 20 somethings. They are not so happy with how their messiah-elect has moved towards the center.
Politicians are politicians.
Yes on the 20th HISTORY will be made. The first 1/2 white 1/2 black president will be in office. I hope he does help the country. 8 years of Bush. Yes I voted for him twice and see the error of my ways.
So what is the difference between the Mosely's of the world poking fun at slang talk when comedians like Chris Rock and Dave Chapelle are applauded for doing their impressions of other cultures?
Reverse racism or double standard. Either way a joke is a joke.
I am blessed. My kids and grandkids are blessed.
The country, not so sure.
Sadly, I must agree. The truth is just that.
There is no such thing as "reverse racism"... racism is racism no matter which direction it is aimed.
Remember that when you point the finger at someone you have more pointing back at you. The public school didn't mess up your children, the upbringing they had did. I am not saying you as a parent are to blame, but to blame the public school system for a person's failures is simply ignorant.
They need to check out Tuesday nites out with the Sig Ep. down there, they were busted once for underage drinking at least 30 counts, i heard it happened again not to long ago. Liqour Control and the police need to worry about THIS BAR also before it gets out of hand like the others have. I think with 30 counts of serving underage they should have their license taken away. Cant say on this one they were not being served when two of the bartender's were arrested and charged for the same crime.