|
![]()
|
|
The
location: Fangtasia (the
vampire bar)
|
![]() Q. What is it supposed to be on the show? A. Fangtasia (an obvious play on the word "Fantasia") is an after-dark bar & nightclub where humans & vampires can mingle. The bar serves regular drinks for humans and "Tru-Blood" (an artificial blood substitute) for vampires. It's a goth/punk atmosphere of red walls, studded dog collars and lots of tattoos - along with the fangs, of course. The
humans who come range from yokel tourist types who just want to gawk at
the freaks, to hard-core fangbangers (those who enjoy sex The
owner, the 1,000-year old Eric (the local vampire Sheriff), is the focus
of attention (which, in some instances, seems to border on worship), but
he doesn't tolerate fools easily. Q. Where is it supposed to be on the show? A.
In Shreveport, Louisiana. Q. When did we see it on the show? A.
We first see the bar in Episode 4 of Season
One, We see it again in Episode 7 ("Burning House of Love"), when Jason visits the place, naively looking for vampire blood. He meets Amy Burley there, a "V" addict who turns out to be a lot more ruthless than she looks. There's a notable scene in Episode 8 ("The Fourth Man in the Fire"), set in Fangtasia, where Eric uses Sookie's mind-reading powers to expose a thieving bartender (leading to Bill having to kill the vampire when he attacks Sookie). In
Season Two, Fangtasia resurfaces in a more sinister role, when we learn
that Lafayette is being held in chains (along with other human prisoners)
in a dark
In
Episode 3 of Season Two ("Scratches"), Bill brings a wounded Sookie to the bar to be
healed by a special doctor. She later reads the mind of a human there and
realizes that Lafayette is being held prisoner below. Unable to free him
on her own, Sookie cuts a deal with Eric to help him find the missing Godric,
in return for freeing Lafayette (and $10,000). Q. What is it actually, in real life? A.
A real bar - but far in Louisiana. Q. Where can I find it in real life? A. The Fangtasia scenes are filmed at Alex's Bar, a punk rock dive at 2913 E. Anaheim St., in Long Beach, CA. Decked out in a blood red, with some Day of the Dead decor, the real bar looks almost as funky as Fangtasia. (Without the vampires, of course... although you will find your share of piercings & tattoos) Alex's is near the northeast corner of Anaheim Street & Gladys Ave (next to an AutoZone store), about two miles east of downtown Long Beach. On the show, you're looking at the rear entrance. Another thing they have in common with Fangtasia: they're usually only open after dark: Doors open at 9 p.m. (and 7 p.m. on Sundays). It's an over-21-only place, of course. They have shows Thursday through Sunday nights. The cover varies a lot, depending on the show, so phone before you come: (562) 434-8292. But bear in mind that the entrance is in the rear, by the parking lot - that seems to confuse some people. (DON'T park in the AutoZone parking lot next door, or your car will be towed) Check
out the bar's own website, at alexsbar.com,
and see if it looks like your cup of tea. (Sorry, no "Tru-Blood"
on tap, you'll have to settle for Pabst Blue Ribbon.) Here
is an aerial
photo of the bar's rear entrance. And here is a map
link. Q. How the heck did you figure out where it was? A. This one's pretty common knowledge, but I actually first found out about it long before the pilot had aired, thanks to my pal Tim Grobaty at the Long Beach Press-Telegram, who reported early in his column that they were shooting scenes at the bar for a new show called "True Blood". So,
all I had to do was drive down there and shoot these photos: |
|
Southern California Locations - Louisiana Locations - Clickable Map of All Locations The
True Blood screenshots from the show & all related characters &
elements are trademarks of and © HBO. Looking for something in particular? Search the Seeing-Stars website! |
Return
to Seeing-Stars.com