St. Patrick's Day - The Other Story

In Review - The Other Story

St. Patrick’s Day was spent away from my first two choice bar and grills, Bronkos and The Bold O’ Donoghues. I met up with Yaega Lee at the ‘Lounge’ because she wanted to catch up with Dorn, who fixed the corn beef and cabbage for the owner, Mr E. It was a good time in that we caught up with most of the old crew who hung out there when it was Cheers. Mae was behind bar and I was feeling good until Dino got back into his old antics (i.e. kicking the bar)

It’s like the Lounge functions in social shifts, the neighborhood folks in the day and a younger crowd at night, a crowd so young it attracts the kind of notice that gets cops to visit bars. St. Patrick's Day was unique in that the youngsters were in the bar at 4:00 pm for food. Mr. E, rationed the corned beef because he wanted some for his 'homies' when the sun went down.

Between Dino acting a fool (he was limping, using a cane, his ribs were rapped because they were broken and there was bruises on his upper neck by his left ear. Dino said he had an accident, I believe him, it must have been an accidental ass whoopin'. I went to Game On after the bullshit with many of the regulars hot on my heels. I left there and was soon followed by many of the old crew and neighborhood folks who were at the Lounge.

Breezy, was at the Lounge but commented he liked the Corned Beef at Game On better because he could eat as much of he want without Mr. E standing over it rationing it out like the crooked ass army supply pogue he is. That was kind of a bad vibe for me but I went for seconds at Dorn's urging. I did it so he could see how Mr. E was handling his good will and hard work. Dorn left too.

What caught my eye was the response that many old timers at the Lounge had when they saw Yaega Lee, they miss their friend and bartender. Mae was getting a little miffed that Yaega has a following, and they followed her right out the door to Game On. (Its not that they don’t know where she’s at…but the Game is still throwing off its old image)

Some folks on the Lounge side of town are scared to come to Game On for fear of being stopped by the cops, most of those folks are the kids...them over 20 years who know the difference between warm and cold beer. But the kids fear is justified given the cops are parked in the lot adjacent to McDonalds, which is across the street from Game On (a place loaded with the loaded).

The vibe for this St. Patrick’s Day started on Sunday the 15th. I was at Bronkos and Game On and people started coming out, throwing off the stress and really having fun. Yaega went off on a few people Sunday though because the bar was filthy. People were commenting on how fucked up the banking system is under Obama and how he hooked up the executives back in December.

I reminded the patron that Bush was President back in December and a man named Paulson (no one knows where Paulson is, the money is gone and he is too) was the Secretary of the Treasury who did the deals . (Another Cracker Barrel patron who wants to blame the negroes for slavery).

Other people, not just ‘bar people’ or ‘bar flies’ (as some folks refer to anyone who shoots pool or drink in public) seem to be glad theirs a new President and are feeling relaxed about it (I told them to watch their guns and their rights - a liberal constitutional lawyer is the President).

The smiles seem a little more genuine, not painted or put on as in just days past. I’m surprised at the number of folks going to bars, pubs and lounges despite the economy. Maybe that is the reason, the bad times. So, back to bartenders, I have noticed that in some establishments bartenders still don’t know how to make a ‘Black and Tan’. For some bartenders it’s a major accomplishment for some just to pour the beer.

Eye candy behind the bar is only effective as the service of getting the drink you order in a professional manner. To some who tend bar a "quality drink" never crosses their mind, people only drink to get drunk, right? Also, I watched a patron at an establishment explain what a ‘snifter’ is to a ‘hot bar tender’. To those who tend bar, you know you’re a bad bartender when you chastise people for their drink orders. (You know who you are Esmerelda!)

But the Game On has a group from the ‘Old Corner’ who are starting up a band. I won’t mention names but Gravel Throat with his deep grate grinding voice will probably lead the ‘headbangers’ on their start into bar band glory. Meanwhile, the more stable drinking establishments on the South Shore are gearing up, preparing all kinds of ways to get you into their bar with bands, beer pong and other attractions for the spring and summer.

Hang on. More good times are coming.

RJ