The Green Lantern — Restaurant in Lexington

Playing pool here at any time of day is a transcendental experience. In early afternoon, when the light filters in through the window cages and dust motes flutter through the beams and around the happy hour regulars onto the rough-hewn floor, the loud crack of a break will be the only sound louder than the front door hinging shut as a friend arrives. The warm light (and an clearer eye before the later drinking) displays the extreme extent of the "house advantage" on the table. There's more than one rail and three separate pockets that a friendly opponent will warn you about -- after the first couple games.

If you really gin up a streak, you'll own the table further on into the evening. Maybe you'll hold the door for a touring guitarist loading in for the night's show. Or if your handwriting is nice you can write their names on the chalkboard out front between shots. Maybe you'll realize that smoking a cigarette between every match depleted you faster than you thought and you've already bummed a couple. No worries! Head to the vintage cigarette machine. Wait, head to the bar to get crisper singles to slot in one at a time. Now pull that plunger.

People are starting to pile in and it's getting rowdier. There's a door person now, but since the pool table is at the door you nod acknowledgement to everyone anyways. Many of them drop a quarter on the rail on their way in, or a bottle cap, ready for their shot at the table. You're feeling invincible, but the competition is stiff. The table is no less quirky, but now there's a crowd element forcing you to choose your shots wisely -- no not that pocket, you'd have to get that dude in the motorcycle jacket to move, and he hasn't moved all night. Wait is he asleep? No, thank heavens just watching basketball. Either way you'll go for the bank shot. And another drink.

As the bands play you pop your head over to listen. It's good tonight, and your favorite scene -- crust punk/rebel country/sludge metal/folk songs/electronic dance music/electronic music that's impossible to dance to/twee pop/burlesque/etc. You get distracted and you finally biff the eight ball. You belly up one last time (boy it's later than you thought) and ask for the tab. You grimace in anticipation at the damage due (you've been here all day) but smile and have a sigh of relief -- the drinks are cheap here. You tip fat for the service and because you have enough left over for pizza ordered at home

As you leave to ride/walk/unicycle home, you drag your fingertips along the really weird rail of the pool table. You wave goodbye to the person who finally beat you and your friendly bartender. You brush the chalk off your fingertips onto your pants leg and think that the Lantern already feels like home. You'll...

Okay so I left Lexington Kentucky 8+ years ago with my wife and we started a family in NY. I came back to town looking for a job and an opportunity to move back here and catch up with friends. Last night my friend Beth and her band were at TGL and I went. Back in the day 15 years ago I tagged along with my friends in the Lexington punk scene but I never really committed and it wasn't my thing. Now that I'm an old man at 34 I was surprised what TGL has become. I member going G there in the past and it was pretty dodgey and scary for most well off white kids. But that has changed its a pretty hip place now and I saw some of the old Lexington punk scene faces in the crowd. I paid a 5 dollar cover and enjoyed all 5 bands. There were lots of good people to meet, it was a very friendly environment. I hope to go to more events like last night when I move back to Lexington. This city has really changed and so...

Myself and two friends heard about the band performing at the Green Lantern from a bar tender at another bar. So we thought we would check it out. We got to the bar and noticed it was primarily a younger crowd but still wanted to check it out. We were questioning the young man at the door about the cover charge when he started becoming very unprofessional and refused entrance. Upon asking him to talk to someone in charge, he laughed and said it’s a Saturday night, there is no one in charge and I control who enters. All three of us were older, so I’m not sure if the bar doesn’t welcome an older crowd or what the young man’s problem was. You can be sure that we will never visit this establishment again and will make sure that everyone we come in contact with knows of the bad experience and lack of...