Nightlife Agenda Pick of the Week

Many new bars and lounges opened their doors to the public in 2006, but even in a class that included Fly Lounge, the Rock and Roll Hotel and PX, the Palace of Wonders stood out. Perhaps it was the glass cases stuffed with macabre dime-show objects, like five-legged dogs, shrunken heads or the taxidermied remains of a unicorn. Maybe customers' attention was captured by the sword-swallowing bartenders. Or maybe the crowds are really coming out for regular weekend shows that might feature burlesque dancers, human blockheads or wild-west rope tricks. For the next two nights, the Palace is celebrating its first birthday with a diverse collection of fire-eaters, magicians, acrobats, shimmying dancers, tarot-card readers, light-bulb-eaters, sideshow carnies and everything else that will shock, amuse and amaze. (Don't miss Charm City's Trixie Little and the Evil Hate Monkey.) Shows run from 8:30 to 2 a.m. both nights, with intermissions. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door, and you'll want to arrive on the early side to make sure you get a good view of the action.

We have many choices in this week's Nightlife Agenda, from reggae DJs to Nas to an album release party for a bunch of local jazz hotshots. And don't miss our list of parties taking place on July 3, because you really should celebrate that day off of work.

By Fritz Hahn |  June 28, 2007; 11:00 AM ET Bars and Clubs
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