Tony, Frank And 27 Martinis

The martini bar is here. Tini Bigs - that's "tini" as in mar-tini - opened Tuesday at the corner of First and Denny, the latest venture of Keith Robbins, owner/operator of the adjoining Romper Room.

Robbins has had first option on the Bigs space (it was a travel agency) since he opened the Romper Room six years ago. He moved in and began remodeling this summer, incorporating the magnificent bar from the long gone Watertown tavern. "I've been paying storage on it for seven years, just waiting for a home," says Robbins.

Tini Bigs is a sedate, cozy corner spot, very much in contrast with the hyperactive RR. Bigs features 27 martini variations and 42 single malt scotches. The menu, mostly ambitious appetizers, was created by Craig Serbousek, former sous chef at The Herb Farm. Cigars will be (discreetly) available.

Robbins says he'll have live music periodically, probably small jazz combos. In the meantime, the 200 CD juke box is filled with "Tony, Frank, Dino and Sammy. All the important cocktail music."

The Romper Room, meanwhile, continues with live music on Mondays and DJ-driven faves the rest of the week. Last year RR added The Hardened Artery restaurant.

Further up First Avenue, Chicago's features live music, mostly blues and rock, Fridays and Saturdays. Big Bad Groove Society plays this weekend, and there's no cover.

Sorry Charlie's at 529 Queen Anne N. continues as one of few rooms in town where anyone is welcome to sit around the piano and sing. Howard Bolson tinkles the ivories 8 p.m. to closing Tuesday through Sunday.

And while it doesn't offer live music, the venerable Mecca, 526 Queen Anne N., is a great little watering hole. -- The Crocodile Cafe, which enjoyed SRO crowds last week with Neil Diamond tribute band Super Diamond, this Saturday presents El Vez - The Mexican Elvis. The Diamond show was an homage; El Vez - a k a Robert Lopez - pushes the Presley package much farther.

Los Angeleno Lopez, a former punk rocker, began doing The King in 1988 as part of an all-Elvis showing at a Melrose Avenue art gallery (lots of black velvet paintings). But he didn't limit himself to regimented mimickry. Lopez mixed Presley with politics and '50s rock, '60s British pop, glitter, wave, Dylan, Aztec folk and the cruising sounds of East L.A. His albums include "Graciasland," "A Merry Mex-Mas" and the new "G. I. Ay, Ay! Blues."

He's a Southland icon, has toured internationally and has been prominently featured in Newsweek, Entertainment Weekly and The Village Voice.

As for the show, it's an extravaganza. The costume and lighting changes are constant and El Vez is accompanied by the Elvettes (Lisa Maria and Priscillita) and the Memphis Mariachis. In keeping with the season, El will present his "Feliz Navidad Especial."

Tickets are $10. They'll be opening up the big room for this one.

Also Croc-in': Overwhelming Colorfast tonight, Chainsaw Kittens Sunday and the lovely and talented Kristen Barry, along with Just Tiger, Tuesday.

-- Moe's hosts a Home Alive! benefit tonight with Carmine, the fast rising Anodyne and Subminute Radio.

-- The Fastbacks, fresh off the road with Pearl Jam, headline Moe Saturday. Tuesday it's acoustic stuff with Jeremy Wilson (Pilot), Ron Nines (Love Battery) and others. Come hear the words.

-- The Backstage has a strong lineup tonight with Higher Ground and Box Set, followed by singer-songwriter John Wesley Harding tomorrow, the always surprising and entertaining Jonathan Richman Tuesday, and gifted bluesman Keb' Mo' Wednesday.

-- Orville Johnson and Mark Graham celebrate the release of their new CD, "Kings of Mongrel Folk," tonight at The Tractor. No cover.

-- And congratulations to John McClellan, the Chicago comedian who last Sunday won the Seattle Comedy Competition at the Comedy Underground.

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