The last two Thursdays I had the opportunity to hit up Jolly on Dufferin street (http://www.cafejolly.com/). I was looking for something new: not as high-energy-banging in the face as say, Hotel on a Thursday night, or the way Beba used to be when Sydney Blu and Deko-Ze rocked it there a summer or two ago (alas, good bye beba!). So I thought I would check out Jolly. I couldn't really find any information online (the website doesn't give much) but when I got there, a flier on the spelled it out pretty quickly. Rotation of DJS: Paranoid Jack, DJ Neno, Mute & Laki, DJ Rudee, Adam Green, Alicia Hush, Brennen Kovic, Ortemy, NuEra, Bole, and Llija Katic. Two DJs are up each Thursday, and the panel gets rotated through. I have to say, that's a solid lineup; many familiar faces from basement are on rotation here.

Parking on the street is free. The setting is a classy and stylish bar with some booths, high tables and dimmed lighting setting the ambiance.

The sound system is good. Nice and clear, didn't cause my ears to ring (or bleed like an alien was escaping my head) when leaving. The bass didn't rattle my clothes off, but I don't think that was the goal of the sound engineer.

The mood of the place is a little more relaxed. There's certainly a dance floor, but the place isn't going off like Hotel might on a Thursday night. It is a different kind of appreciation of house music. Bobbing heads, hands clapping along with the DJ as the centre piece, it seems to be more about savouring the beats than capitalizing on them energy-wise.

What's also nice about this venue is that because it is small and intimate, you really get a chance to converse with the DJs--as most of them hang out there every Thursday night who are in the rotational panel. I had a great chat with Mute about the beats he laid down last week, and finally got to see Rudee last night and ask him what was up with Basement. Listening in on the DJs talking, there's a real passion for the music--they weren't there because they had to be, they were there because they loved the beats. Their conversation was solidly grounded in the beats, talking about tracks, mixes and the scene nearly the entire time.

The place has a big patio too outside. Very comfortable to take a beer to and chill in the fresh air while the music filters through the story windows at the front of the bar. The DJ is stationed right by these windows; unlike other venues like Beba where the dancefloor and DJs were crammed in near the back. This club keeps it very open.

LLija Katic played this bleepy bloopy clickee stuff that didn't really turn my crank, but the lower end bass lines were enough to keep me interested. Rudee played this weird mix of vocals with african and tribal influences, totally different sound to anything I had heard typically when going 'clubbing.' I think it was one of my favourite sets I've heard from him so far (why don't they record this stuff?!). It would have made a great set to put on the mp3 player.

if you're looking for a good place with a classy environment (but comfortable), solid beats and a few beers, Jolly is for you. However, if you're looking to "lose your sh*t" on the dance floor, then Hotel may be a better choice generally. You can still get down at Jolly, and maybe it depends on which thursday you pick. The style of the place fit my mood perfectly. I grabbed a seat, ordered a couple caronas, and let the beat therapy wash over me.

Good times! 8/10 for a bumpin/chill night on the town.