MEN'S NIGHT: NIGHTSPOT TURNS TABLE ON WOMEN

Most nightspots try to bring in women patrons by holding Ladies' Nights that offer them free admission or drinks.

On Wednesdays, the River City Yacht Club's Men's Night turns the tables in its way.

No women are allowed.

The men get a man-sized steak with baked potato and unlimited draft beer, then smoke a cigar that's almost Cuban and watch sports bloopers and cheesy videos on a big-screen TV.

Women aren't allowed into the downtown Cape Girardeau nightclub from 6 to 10.

Men's Night isn't a reaction to Ladies' Nights, owner Doc Cain said. "You just don't ever see anything for men. We thought we'd do something a little different."

It is an idea that hasn't quite hit its stride. The crowd this Wednesday was eight-strong.

At the Baby Boomer table: Don Greenwood, artist: Mark Farmer, artist: Jack Green, insurance broker; Dave Cossiboom, Air Force retiree, now a surgical technician; and Bob Camp, entertainer.

At the Generation X table: Brian Honaker, Chris Ring and Michael Holland, all waiters at a West Cape Girardeau restaurant.

Being able to relax a bit more than usual seems to be the main attraction for the men, who laughed at any suggestion that male bonding might be occurring.

Some said they feel slighted by the proliferation of Ladies' Nights that often offer women free admission and drinks.

"This is a backlash from the women's movement," Farmer said with a cheery smile.

Cossiboom was there because going out to dinner alone sometimes makes him feel uncomfortable.

Green's explanation was simple: "They made me come tonight." Responded Greenwood: "I think he has reservations about the part where we take off our shirts and hug."

Among the topics at the Boomer table: A serious discussion of bullies and how to deal with them and a sure-fire thing to say if you want to avoid jury duty.

Camp told a story about a famous rocker who tried to dodge the draft by shooting his foot but went to the emergency room still wearing the shoe with the target painted on.

The death penalty came up. "I'm pro-choice on the death penalty," Greenwood said.

The X'ers have been the most loyal patrons through the three months of Men's Nights. Honaker and Ring have missed only one. To them Men's Night is a four-hour break from the politically correct world outside.

"You don't have to worry about what you say," Ring observed. "Men have a habit of saying the wrong thing."

They also think Men's Night simply is a good deal -- all that food and beer, a cigar made from tobacco grown from a seed that originated in Cuba, and video entertainment for $14.95.

"There are lots of people who want to come and can't," Holland said. Added Ring, "There are lots of guys whose wives won't let them out of the house."

So far, the Boomers and X'ers haven't gotten to know each other very well. "I don't know why," Ring said.

Only two women were waiting when the men emerged from their lair after four hours of chewing and quaffing and puffing and ogling. They didn't seem to care about what they'd missed.

No, women don't complain about them coming to Men's Night, the men say. "There have been a few women that complained when we haven't," Greenwood deadpanned.

And what do the Generation X'ers do at 10 o'clock when Men's Night is over? "We go out and look for women," Honaker said.