The mid afternoon ambiance at Top of the Stairs is slightly
different from its busy night scene. A propped door welcomes customers and a
comfortable breeze. Phil Collins, Queen, Sting and other classic rock-style
songs play at a moderate volume in the background. Liquor bottles are neatly
stacked behind a bar made of polished hardwood. Empty red-cushioned stools wait
for customers who want to rest their feet and fill their spirits.
The restaurant and bar, affectionately named TOTS, has its
charm and appeal — like many establishments in Blacksburg.
“It’s been around so long and has a lot of history. People
come in and hear about the bar before they get here,” said Ryan Ruggero,
daytime manager.
However, the endearing qualities that make these customers
continuously return is also what makes it Blacksburg’s award winning best bar
and place for karaoke.
“We have a lot more space … like decks and three different
bars we can open at any give time. That makes it easier for people to get
drinks and makes the customers want to keep coming back,” said Ruggero.
Another employee, Krissy Perrault said the service is
another reason people love TOTS.
“A lot of the people who work here are really great and the
drinks are served fast.”
The senior in communication has been working at TOTS for
over a year. She got the TOTS tip from her sister — an employee at the time.
“I knew everyone from the beginning,” she said smiling.
Like birds, many bar-goers change their migration with the
weather. They flock to TOTS to enjoy the outside deck and bar. TOTS,
established in 1978, wasn’t always so spacious.
“From what I understand the whole outside has been added,”
Ruggero explained.
The outside decks and karaoke nights aren’t the only thing
that TOTS is famous for. “Everyone knows about the rail, that’s our signature
drink. It’s been around for awhile. We also sell a lot of Red Bull and vodkas
as well as mixed drinks like rum and coke,” Ruggero said.
Those already tired of climbing the mid week hump can take a
pit stop at TOTS Tuesday night karaoke.
“That’s the best night for business,” said Jon Floyd,
employee of TOTS and junior in international studies. He continued, “It’s what
I look forward to.”
Ruggero listed some of the popular songs belted on Tuesday
nights, “‘Sweet Home Alabama,’ a lot of Bon Jovi songs and I
would say 80s rock is pretty popular. I always sing ‘We Didn’t Start the
Fire’…”
The casually cheerful Perrault chimed in, “I think I hear
that one EVERY Tuesday,” as she laughed
and rolled her eyes in his direction.
“I like the atmosphere because it’s fun. No one can really
sing, but everyone tries to … it’s different than going out on a regular night
when it’s just your standard sitting around drinking. The warmer months make
karaoke more enjoyable. A lot of other places are too small to make it fun …
and it’s an excuse to go out on Tuesday,” Ruggero said shrugging.
Perrault described one of her favorite karaoke encounters.
“I don’t know their names but two guys come in, they are hilarious.
They actually sing really well, and they pick songs you don’t think they would
sing like … oh what is it? You know … Kelly Clarkson,” she said.
The name ignited recognition in the other two employees, and
all three laugh, sharing the memory of two grown men enthusiastically singing a
Kelly Clarkson melody.
You don’t have to be the best singer to stand up to the mic
and sing a round of the best karaoke at the best bar in Blacksburg.
“It’s pretty much the same core crowd every week. Some
people are here every other week. That’s why a lot of the same songs get sung,”
Ruggero said.
Some notes can turn sour and may not be music to your ears.
Jon described a karaoke regular.
“The town drunk,” Floyd paused and shook his head and let
out a few broken chuckles. “He doesn’t really talk, he just kind of
e-e-e-a-h-h-h-h-s-s-s. He gets up there and picks a song, usually something
really weird like Spice Girls, and he E-e-a-h-h-a-s … it hurts your ears.”
For those awakening from the deep sleep of winter hibernation,
and who enjoy warming up to the rising temperature — join the chirping birds,
budding flowers and lazy clouds ambling across a blue sky, and sing in spring
at TOTS Tuesday karaoke.
