The Cobalt re-opened on June 6, 2006--or 6/6/06 for those familiar with Satan and Iron Maiden--after being shut down by city inspectors for various health code and legal violations. It was re-located temporarily to the Astoria hotel, which is now on its last legs due to multiple suspensions thanks again to the City of Vancouver. Now the bar has moved back home to 917 Main Street, the entrance to Vancouver's Chinatown. Inside is a mirror image of outside--dirty, fun hardcore.

As I entered, I felt welcomed back by the bar's old familiar atmosphere: black walls covered in graffiti, a sweaty crowd of punks, and that immediate feeling of intoxication brought on by just being there. The boss of the 'Balt, liquor dispenser and scaryoke hostess, Wendythirteen, is happy to be back in the old neighborhood.

"Home sweet home. The location [compared to the Astoria's] is better, but the washrooms are shittier," she said. Coincidentally, it was brought to my attention that the girl's washroom had already been flooded proper: sanitation had long been one of the city's past concerns.

Like the Cobalt, Wendy has been around awhile, serving brew and making her contributions to Vancouver's punk/metal scene. She has also run for city council and has made the Cobalt into one of the better sketchy bars in the city, especially when compared to other classic dives like the Columbia or the Ivanhoe.

In celebration of opening day the Joint Chiefs, the Draft and the East Side Death Squad all performed. The bands were what you would expect out of a Cobalt show: speedy beats, dirty riffs and drunken growls.

According to the bassist, Deener, it was the East Side Death Squad's fifth show and although that was apparent last Tuesday, their catchy songs and hyperactive performance still stirred up the crowd. The Joint Chiefs followed up with a more polished sound and at this point the crowd was killing each other in the pit. Bodies and beer were sloshed around like rag dolls and all I could see was a blur of colourful hairdos and fists circling around.

I sipped my Pilsner and strolled between the leather-bound crowd during the evening's closer, The Draft, and I noticed slight differences about the bar itself: the air seems clearer and fresher, the walls are decorated with mirrors -- previously camouflaged due to the abundance of posters--and the stage seemed safer and sturdier for bands to play on.

Besides being a west coast punker's haven for over a decade, the Cobalt has a history in Vancouver as one of the premiere sleazy strip-bars and one of the most welcoming places for all types of people, not just the punks. "It's the vibe (of the bar) and it's almost unexplainable," Wendy said, adding that it's not just the regulars who come, but people from all over the province.

Although it is evident that efforts have been made to keep the bar open, there's no telling when the city may get involved again [hopefully they fix the crapper--Ed.]. But Wendy still seems positive about the Cobalt's future and how it will continue to reign supreme as one of East Vancouver's classic bars.

"People will still expect a wicked atmosphere of sound and reasonably priced beverages and cover charge," Wendy said. Opening night was a blur of packed memories and faces. Amazing.