Here’s a couple of don’ts to keep in mind at the Skinny. First of all, avoid guffawing and knee slapping while giving the person at the door the clever “Here’s the skinny” line. They hate that. Next, remind yourself that you weren’t the first to come up with skinny fat jokes or skinny phat jokes.

Here are a couple of dos: Do check out the Skinny’s concert calendar. With big names like Juliana Hatfield and smaller names like the Figgs and Subarachnoid, you’re bound to stumble upon something to your liking. Do attend a Skinny special event, like one of their experimental short film nights or a monthly First Friday “artwalk” though the city -- one of the many things the Skinny does to maintain a great relationship with the local arts community. They also keep a rotating gallery of locals’ paintings, sculpture and other works and give away free rehearsal and studio space for local bands and artists. Oh yeah, and do have a drink at the Skinny’s bar any night between 5pm and 1am. --Kiersten Aschauer