Photo by bogotron.

If there’s one complaint that I’ve heard more than any other about the Real World‘s imminent arrival in town this week, it’s this: where are the alcoholic safe houses going to be for all of us that don’t care about the true stories of seven strangers living together, preferring our own stories which don’t involve having jobs handed to us and living in a Dupont Circle mansion?

Or simply put: where are we going to drink, and how many of our favorite places will be tainted?

Fortunately, Going Out Gurus’ Fritz Hahn did the yeoman’s task of digging up a partial list of clubs where Real World cast members will be welcome — and two legendary outposts where plenty of locals will be relieved to see that they won’t.

First of all, Columbia Heights residents will certainly be reassured to see that Wonderland Ballroom will be one of the few institutions that will likely remain MTV-free. Hahn’s story includes this adorable little tale about Wonderland owner Matt McGovern:

“I don’t know if I’d let them film here.” So [McGovern] put my question to a vote of the patrons present, shouting “Should we let ‘The Real World’ film in here?” Audible groans and murmurs of dissent could be heard on my end. “I guess the answer’s no,” he said. “We almost run the bar like a democracy, and certain things have to be put to a vote.”

Also on the blacklist, according to the story: Black Cat, where owner Dante Ferrando noted that camera crews would be a change when “[w]e don’t even let people take pictures of people they don’t know inside the club.” Touche, good sir.

On the list of Real World-approved outposts: Cobalt, Russia House (which likely has a good chance to be the cast’s “go-to” bar, since it sits right down the street from the house), Gazuza and Chi-Cha Lounge, Town, Shadow Room, Cafe Saint-Ex, and Bar Pilar — most believing that any sort of involvement with the show would be an immediate boom for business. None of them are really that surprising — although folks looking to grab some dinner at Saint-Ex or a cocktail concoction at Bar Pilar would probably be surprised to see a bunch of wild co-eds cavorting around the place. But it’s tough to argue with — it is obvious that there will be plenty of folks looking to get their mug on the telly, and in such a competitive environment any extra business is good business.

So, what do you think of the list so far — is there a bar you adore that you’re selfishly hoping will shun the MTV crowd and stay your own?