Saturday, November 06, 2010

Best Bar Contender

Before I continue on about Da Boars, one of the best bars in which I have ever had the pleasure to have a beer or two or three or, well, whose counting, another short rant.

Don't you get a bit tired of the government telling us how to run our personal lives?  Banning McDonalds from putting toys in meals with over 600 calories?  C'mon, give the kids a break.  Shouldn't it be the parents responsibility to say no to their kids once in awhile if they ask for something unhealthy?  Same thing with taxing high-calorie drinks.  But what really roused Bar Man's ire was the New York State Liquor Authority trying to change the law to ban Four Loko, Joose and other heavily caffeinated alcohol beverages.

For those of you who may not know, Four Loko and Joose are malt liquors that run about 12% ABV and come in several fruity flavors in brilliant colors like red and green.

And Blue


They are very sweet and have about the same amount of caffein as two cups of coffee.  This, apparently, is bad because, and I am shocked, people buy this stuff to get drunk and yet stay awake.  Obviously this must be prevented at all costs.

What next, no Irish Coffees on St. Patrick's Day, any other?  Will I have to give up my rum and coke (the kind you drink, not sniff)?  No more Red Bull cocktails?  Are Jello shots to be banned?  Enough already, There are plenty of things for the government to worry about without getting involved with sweet and caffeinated malt liquor.

Okay, back to Da Boars.  Now what makes this such a great bar?  Well, for starters they really know how to throw a party.  Now remember, we left before the Vikings/Packers game even started.  That is because my friends both have jobs and, for some reason, thought showing up for work on Monday tired and hungover wasn't a great idea.  Man, we are really getting old.  I kind of thought that was how you were supposed to show up for work every day.  Maybe a healthy slug of Four Loko or Joose for breakfast would take care of things.

Beer, of course, it all starts with beer.

And There Was Plenty Of Beer


Food, plenty of food also helps.  And all of the food was free.  You certainly can't beat that.

And Not Just Any Food


Not only was the smoker cranked up, there were grills going too.

Just Like Tailgating


Pork Chops On A Stick


And Pizza Too


And bratwursts, nothing goes with beer like brats.

A Brat, A Bar Man, A Beer  - Heavenly
 

Now I am not sure what Sandy was munching on, but she was obviously impressing, or appalling, the Mysterious Chinese Woman with her gusto.

Go Girl, You Go


Somebody who was famous for his delicious popcorn brought in a bunch of it so there was plenty of free popcorn too.  And chicken wings also popped out.

More Food


Oh, and those "If it were up to the government they would probably be illegal" Jello shots.

The Little Kids Love Them


Those Jello shots kind of remind me of when they pass out your medication in the mental ward.  Not that I would know about that first-hand, of course.

Well, as it turns out, I have a lot more to post about Da Boars but that will have to wait until Monday.  I am getting ready to head to Pennsylvania to visit friends and won't be returning home until then.  I have to head to the liquor store to get the ingredients for my much-in-demand glogg.  My friend Bob wants me to make it after I get to his place so he can see how I do it.  I guess he figures it will be easier to make it himself in the future instead of having me bring it over and then putting up with me.

Wednesday, November 03, 2010

Back In Minneapolis

We headed back to Minneapolis on Saturday and stayed at my friends Rico and Sandy's place.  Rico was barbecuing ribs in his style.  I know he smokes them for awhile and grills them at the end to finish them but I am not sure what else he might do inbetween.  Maybe I don't want to know.  But they are delicious.  I think Sandy makes the barbecue sauce.  I know she made the date bread that the Mysterious Chinese Woman loves so much.

On Sunday we headed out for a bit of mischief and made our first stop Floyd's where we had our breakfasts in a glass.

Breakfast Of Champions




Our ultimate destination was Da Boars, but first we had to make a little stop for a couple of beers and a chance for Sandy to fund our day's expedition.

Just Like A Bank


Well, not on this day.  Sandy is a pull-tab maven, or so she says.  And, based upon the times I have been with her, she does win more than she loses.  But, alas, we had no luck today.

And then:

Da Boars


It might not look like much from outside, but this is one kickass place.  And, being that this was game day, they had all kinds of special stuff.  Of course this is Viking country and we were playing their arch-enemies, the hated Green Bay Packers.  There are still mixed emotions about Favre around here.  I should have worn my Jets Favre jersey just to see the reaction.

Obviously Vikings Fans


The first thing I had to do was hit the bathroom.  Hey, I had those beers at the American Legion.

Now, Which Door?


Needless to say, I was a bit intrigued by the poster above the urinals.

Sounds Like A Fun Day


I admit I was a bit intriqued by the Green Bay Cheerleaders! thing.  But that became clear a little bit later in the day.

There was a lot going on here so I will finish up tomorrow.  But I will leave you this picture of the bartender, Shelly who, along with her husband Jeff, owns of the place.

Shelly, Another Beauty With Brains


Had to laugh about the Knicks having to postpone their game last night because when they were cleaning out abestos-related materials (whatever they are) from the attic above the arena, debris of some sort fell through the ceiling onto where they were installing the court.  They were installing the court above the ice (the Rangers play here too).

Tuesday, November 02, 2010

Coney Closings, A Sad, Sad Day

My heart dropped when I read about the proposed closings along Coney Island's famed boardwalk.  Among the businesses that will not have their lease renewed and have two weeks to clear out is my beloved Ruby's.

Best Beach Dive Bar In The World


With A Beach View


Ah, the many memories that I have of Ruby's.  And when I think of all the things I can't remember it makes me even more morose.

I Kind Of Remember This


Ruby's was welcoming in all kinds of weather.

Rain Or Shine, Ruby's All The Time


Plus you could always meet some disreputable character to spend some time with at Ruby's.

Sigh, It Had To Be A Yankees Fan


And, of course, you always could count on the Mysterious Chinese Woman showing up.

Did Someone Say Food?


Now There Are Only 20


And not just Ruby's is going, my next favorite bar on the Boardwalk.  Cha Cha's, is going as well.

Now This Is Just Cruel


And Shoot The Freak will be going too.

Not Quite As Big Of A Loss


Even Beer Island, one of the coolest recent additions to Coney Island, is going to go.

Have They No Mercy?


I will have to visit next year just to see what destruction that has been wroght by the decisions to close all of these places. I can guarantee you, it won't be good. Certainly not as good as it used to be.

Tomorrow I will post about a great bar that I visited while I was in Minneapolis.  Well, two, actually.  But mostly about one.