Route 63 Roadhouse the real deal

The roadhouse seems to be a fading American icon.

It is loosely defined in the dictionary as "an inn, restaurant, or nightclub located on a road outside a town or city," but it was depicted in caricature form by the Patrick Swayze film "Roadhouse."

The roadhouse stereotypes abound, but clearly being on the side of the road is a requirement for any self-respecting roadhouse. It helps, and some may say it is required, that the road in question is somewhere on the way to the middle of nowhere.

In less rural areas, entrepreneurs and restaurateurs are more inclined to set up shop in centrally located settings like downtown Springfield, Main Street in Northampton, or Cottage Street in Easthampton.

None of these entertainment destinations are conducive to a true roadhouse.

Nonetheless, somewhere on the road to the middle of nowhere, the Pioneer Valley boasts a true roadhouse. Traveling north on Route 63 through Millers Falls, you will find the Route 63 Roadhouse.

Its pedigree is confirmed by location alone, but its credentials as a roadhouse are reinforced once you walk inside.

The Roadhouse looks like a room that used to be the basement of something else, converted to an alehouse out of necessity. It is worn and comfortable, clean but not sterile.

The accoutrements are all in place; an ample bar, overhead televisions, and a stage. The walls are lined with album covers of classic rock bands and live music is a staple at the venue. The dance floor is a nebulous idea, and last Saturday night it existed without borders, defined by where you happened to be standing when you started to dance.

The Route 63 Roadhouse is for locals, but welcoming to passersby. If there is a single cliché to pull from the movie "Roadhouse" that exists in this true roadhouse, it is the idea that the locals know how to celebrate a Saturday night.

The Route 63 Roadhouse has acoustic jams on Sunday afternoons, an open mike on Wednesday, karaoke and dance on Thursdays, and live music on the weekends. On Friday night, Catamount performs. The John Sullivan Band plays on Saturday.

Contact Donnie Moorhouse at unscout@aol.com