Yesterday afternoon as I was doing laundry, my friends texted me: “Want to do some day drinking? We’re going to Bardog.” That sounded like a plan, so I took the laundry out of the dryer and headed up there.
The bar had uploaded pics to Facebook of Panda Manda “smothering” a bad tipper with her boobs, so I brought a wooden nickel (good for a 5-cent PBR) up there and told her I was going to tip her a penny. They had one of those Christmas toy dogs up there that flaps its ears and sings Christmas songs. I guess the makers of Billy Bass felt the need to get in the holiday spirit. Anyway, this being Memphis, we decided the dog needed to be more gangsta. So Amanda did a little decorating.
I was going to leave for the Saucer at 3 to watch the Memphis-Louisville game, but I was having a good time where I was. Amanda asked if I wanted another beer. “Well, you know,” I told her, “I guess I was going to like, LEAVE or whatever, and go to the Saucer to watch the game or something. But you know, I think I’m going to have ONE… more!” I didn’t feel like I was overstaying my welcome, the way some people do at bars.
We ended up staying until 4:30. Since I hadn’t been in Bardog for a while, I decided to ditch my original tipping plan and tip 100% instead. I’ll save the penny tip for the next time I’m at the bar at Maria’s Cantina in Southaven. A really fun afternoon at Bardog. I really don’t know why I haven’t been going in there more often lately. Need to start back up again.
Next stop was the Saucer, and since we’d be passing the Blind Bear on the way, we called Jamie and Jeannette and asked if we could stop in and see the place. WOW. It was still under construction, so I didn’t take pics, but that place is going to be beautiful when it opens. Large bar toward the back that seats probably 15-18. The poker tables had me eagerly anticipating Tuesday, December 27, which will be the first poker night. Lots more to appreciate about the Blind Bear too, but seeing as how it’s a speakeasy I don’t want to give away all its secrets. “I’m going to lose my Foursquare mayorship of the Goose because of this place,” said my friend Clay, who has been going to the Goose every day. I can’t disagree – this is the kind of bar that could make me lose my mayorship of the Saucer. It has the potential to be that good.
Jamie told me two pieces of Blind Bear beer info, both of which are good signs. First of all, they’re going to have PBR on tap. Secondly, Jamie told me, they’re not going to carry Abita Turbo Dog at all. Both facts indicate they understand their customer base. If you’re not familiar with the bouquet of Turbo Dog, feed a hippopotamus some laxatives and stick around for a couple of hours.
Next stop was the Saucer. The crowd at the bar wasn’t exactly what I’d hoped to see, but I made the best of it nonetheless. Happy to see that when I check in on Foursquare at the Saucer, I’m now getting points for consecutive days at “Bars” rather than “American restaurants.” Management is finally starting to get it.
After watching the end of the Tiger game – a disappointing loss – I wandered next door to the Silly Goose. I sat down at the bar and ordered a PBRtini, my signature drink which consists of a PBR poured in a martini glass. I don’t always drink PBR in ‘tini form, but I’ve decided that from now on I’m going permanent ‘tini at the Goose, in honor of the patrons there who wear their sunglasses indoors and brag to everyone that their group name is on a “VIP reserved table” card. The only time I won’t do ‘tinis at the Goose from now on is Monday poker night, when there are just too many people in too small a space to manage a martini glass.
(I only drink PBRtinis at certain bars. For example, I would never drink a PBRtini at Bardog. I just have a feeling that Aldo would hate that. Gotta respect the house, you know.)
It was one of those days when I’d forgotten to eat, and I needed to take a break from beer, so I ordered nachos as Paul’s Drunkass Food to go. Came home and ate, and contemplated going back out, but then thought, “Nah, screw it. It’s cold outside, think I’ll catch up on sleep.” I’ll save the partying for next weekend, when both Thursday and Friday will be weekend nights for me in Memphis.
So now it’s Sunday. I’ve been asked to judge a balcony lighting contest at a Downtown condo building today at 4. I actually take things like that seriously, and don’t want to be completely sloshed by the time I get there. So, I’m skipping brunch at the Majestic, eliminating the three mimosas I usually drink there. However, I will be out around noon, because I have to spend this:
Yesterday I wrote about some of the benefits you get if you join the Flying Saucer’s UFO Club. Well, I left one thing out. If you give them your email address, they’ll spam you with “Important Beer Goddess Video Messages” about glass nights, beer dinners, and other special events. Well, that sucks, huh? No, actually it’s a good thing, because at the end of many of those videos is a “Capt. Keith Beer Quiz.” These are quizzes about beer designed by Capt. Keith Schlabs, who works for Saucer corporate, and if you get at least 7 out of 10 right, you get to print off a certificate good for $5 toward beer at the Saucer. The questions are not easy, but with the help of Google and Wikipedia you should be able to get a passing grade.
If you’re looking for cool stuff to do Downtown today, here are a few suggestions.
- Grizzlies open practice 1-3 at the FedExForum. Doors open 12:30.
- Blues Society jam at Mr. Handy’s Blues Hall, 4-8 PM
- Memphis Jazz Orchestra rehearses at Alfred’s, 6-9 PM. This is kind of a chill way to wind down the weekend.
- FreeWorld plays Blues City’s Band Box at 9:30. They backed up the start time an hour so people who do the 8-5 rat race thing can still catch their first set before bedtime.
All right, that’s all I’ve got for now. Since I don’t have to be anywhere until 12, it’s entirely possible that I’ll find something else to post.