Sarah Lipman

Bars like this are dime a dozen. Well, at least they should be. On an unsuspecting Tuesday night in Echo Park, hundreds of people lined up around the corner for Taking Back Tuesday, the monthly emo night that’s made its trek down from San Francisco to Los Angeles last December. Named after the early aughts’ angsty Taking Back Sunday, the night pumps out hit after hit to a crowd of sweaty 20 and 30-somethings who just want to get together to sing, dance, drink and feel all of the feels. After just a two-month residence at the Eastside’s Short Stop, the event has grown so large that it’s found a new home at the Echoplex for this month’s event on February 3rd. So what can you expect at Taking Back Tuesday? 1. Guest DJs from your favorite emo bands. Last month’s guest DJ was Buddy Nielsen of Senses Fail. This month ups the ante with a DJ set by Blink 182’s Mark Hoppus. When you're there...try to read Hoppus' face. If he looks sad, it could be due to the rumored feud surrounding his former band, or it could be the natural face you make when attending a night dedicated to music that helped you get over your first love. You can bet on seeing crowds in their now-too-small Blink 182 and/or Angels & Airwaves shirts—either in favor of or protesting Blink’s decision to axe DeLonge. 2. Amazing drink specials with equally as amazing emo puns. Order a Soco Amaretto Lime or a Whiskey is for Drinking, Not for Burning. Both are clever plays on songs from Brand New and Senses Fail, respectively