It is common practice for DJs to pull out their patent classic-rock set at the end of a long, sweaty night of Top 40 to sanctify the drunks before they head home – and to clear out those whose musical appreciation is limited to MTV Countdowns. Tunes like “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey and Steppenwolf’s “Born to be Wild” cause perfect strangers to throw their arms around each other, clink their beer bottles and jovially sing along in harmonious revelry. Or, at least it sounds harmonious at the time. If it’s this part of the night that speaks to you, then the Tattoo Rock Parlour will be right up your rock star alley.

The music is the eponymous rock, the décor is big-budget rock-eria and the beer-goggled end-of-the-night camaraderie starts early and continues till last call. Everything from The Beatles and The Stones to The Gorillas and The Killers are spun here by surprisingly talented DJs. I was impressed to hear rock being spun with the same seamless style and care that’s usually reserved for electro DJ sets. As a result, the dance floor never quits, except when the occasional girl fight breaks out (I was a witness to one of these exciting scenes, which involved nudity and the works).

However, the real gimmick here is the onsite glassed-in tattoo parlour which is conveniently open the same hours that the bar is. The concept sounds just plain treacherous to me.

Cut to the inebriated and enamored making some rash decisions and waking up the morning after with the name of their one-night-stand inked into their bicep –something moderately worse than the usual hangover. The staff set the dress code with their copious tattoos, leather and chains–without which they wouldn’t have been hired. Perhaps they get a discount at the parlour?

Quips aside, Tattoo Rock Parlour is serious business. Toronto club king Charles Khabouth of Ink (behind local venues like Ultra Supperclub and Guvernment) and The Liberty Group (think C-Lounge, The Courthouse, Phoenix) have pooled their expertise and pocketbooks to revamp the old Queen West Crystal Room - to the tune of $2 million.