When most bar-goers hit the town, they usually aim to arrive at the bar on the early side, avoiding those annoying lines and maximizing drinking time. One man, No Cover Guy, is not like most of us. As his name implies, for No Cover Guy, the best time to hit up the bar scene falls shortly after 1 a.m. – just when the night starts to become a little crazy and the cover charge becomes non-existent.
- Mira Levitan
- Dance on No Cover Guy, dance on. You are an inspiration to us all. (DAVID TUMAN/Daily)
No Cover Guy, who at first did not want to reveal his daytime identity, can be spotted dancing in his trademark swing and salsa style at Scorekeepers, Touchdowns and a few other local bars from Thursday to Sunday.
Dubbed “No Cover Guy” by the staff at Scorekeepers two-and-a-half years ago when his habit of showing up at 1:15 no longer passed unnoticed, No Cover Guy has become a mini-celebrity in his own right to those familiar with the Ann Arbor bar scene.
“The dance moves catch on, and the people love it,” No Cover Guy said.
No Cover Guy is certainly not your ordinary barfly. Practicing his dancing at the Michigan Union Ballroom on Wednesday and Sunday nights, he aims to bring his signature moves to the bar, and that’s that, mind you.
“I’m not into the freak dancing scene. It’s a little too sexual for me,” No Cover Guy said. “I don’t want to treat a girl like meat, I’d prefer to treat a girl like a lady.”
To truly understand No Cover Guy, one must first understand that he is a true gentleman. A hopeless romantic at heart, No Cover Guy’s website (www.nocoverguy.com) lists his ideal date as “a walk on the beach at sunset holding hands,” and his favorite song as Celine Dion’s “Where Does My Heart Beat Now?”
No Cover Guy will happily snatch up a number from a girl he has been showing his dance moves to all night – or the 15 minutes just before close – but only if she’ll be able to remember his face in the morning.
“It’s not the best time to get a phone number from a girl when she’s drunk,” he said.
Just who is this nighttime mystery man? Where does he go when the bright lights of the dance floor shine no more?
For starters, No Cover Guy is a 24 year-old computer student at Washtenaw Community College, and is looking to receive his Bachelor’s from Easter Michigan University in the near future. After a considerable amount of time, No Cover Guy finally revealed that those who don’t know him as No Cover Guy call him Jon Kargul.
Also, No Cover Guy is a devout Catholic. “When we ask (No Cover Guy) his horoscope when we check his ID, he always answers, ‘The Holy Spirit,’ ” Scorekeepers bartender Reid Joliat said.
“I would have to say my biggest passions are faith in God, music and dancing. It’s hard to tell sometimes between the last two!” No Cover Guy said.
Most importantly, though, No Cover Guy is just looking for a good time, and he doesn’t give a damn what you think.
“Hey, I’m just here to have a good time, party hardy! Anyone who wants to join me is welcome,” No Cover Guy said. “I don’t like to stay home and watch TV all night.”
Occasionally when he goes out on the town, No Cover Guy encounters those people who may not be jealous of his moves. Maintaining his trademark cool, as well as good humor, No Cover Guy shrugs off these naysayers and keeps on dancing.
“A few guys think that the dancing is weird,” No Cover Guy said. “You take that, and you say, ‘You know what, I know what I like to do, and I don’t care what people think about it.’ It keeps me going.”
To all the budding no cover guys out there, the original No Cover Guy offers this bit of advice: “If you like to dance, go for it. If you want to, go to free dances, go to Scorekeepers when they stop charging cover.” But, he added, “I think [being No Cover Guy] is a personal thing.”
The staff at Scorekeepers agrees that being No Cover Guy is a personal thing – and this personal thing has kept No Cover Guy a distinguished guest throughout the past year. He’s even been known to stand outside for 10 minutes or more waiting for the cover to drop.
“He’s never spent one dollar here … the one time I’ve seen him come through cover, his buddy paid for him,” bartender Shaun Katona said.
Cheers, No Cover Guy, this beer’s for you. Well, maybe it would be if you came in before last call.