Fat Boy Bar, Woo’s Pagoda, Amber Inn

Saturday night we slipped away from the “event” and went to the Fat Boy Bar. It looked scarier from the outside than it was. For the Long Islands we were given a choice of sour mix or coke. They were marginal. It was the middle of a long evening, and I can’t remember too much more.

Sunday we visited two bars in the early afternoon.

Woo’s Pagoda is out on Hastings Way, the old US-53. It has been around since the late 1940s. It had the most elegant internal decor of any restaurant we visited to date. We went for the Sunday buffet which was acceptable. When I go back it will be more for the ambience than the food. We forgot to look in the “Lounge” to see if they had Leine’s on tap, but the Long Islands were both good and the most expensive in Eau Claire to date ($5.75).

The Amber Inn is up by the old Uniroyal plant, now Banbury Place. It is very unassuming from the outside, but was quite charming inside. Good Long Islands, and they had Liene Winter Wheat on tap. Plus, when we go back, I will try the Amber Inn Ale. The decor included historical photos and assorted memorabilia. The booths were nice and comfortable, and not a bad menu, either.

St. Patrick’s Day

This is a holy day for professional drinkers.

Company coming from St. Paul, so probably no new bars. Wigwam for corned beef and drinks, Stone’s Throw for a special fund raising event. Who knows what else.

Ole’s Southside, Connell’s II, Do Dodge Inn

Started the holiday weekend early by going to Ole’s Southside Tavern. It is a little hard to get there, and when we ordered “Long Islands” the bartender said “Can you help me? It’s been ten years or more since I made those.” They turned out pretty well. He claims that the Southside Tavern is the oldest continuously operating bar in Eau Claire. He showed us an aerial photo of the area from about the 1920s. Not too smokey, at least at 4 in the afternoon.

Connell’s II is out at the airport. Most were focused on some basketball game, but they did have a full selection of Leinenkugel beers on tap. It has a view of the runways and is outside the security area. Not bad LI’s.

Our final stop for the evening was Do Dodge Inn. In spite of its cutsey name, it was a nice place. Has a large room with pool tables (which we did not look at), has good LIs, and I don’t remember if it has Leines or not.

That’s up to 33 bars now.

The First Thirty

Here are the first thirty in random order:

1. Chuck’s on Clairemont
2. Tailgate
3. Mike’s Smokehouse
4. Cancun Mexican Restaurant
5. Bowl Winkles
6. Burgundy’s (in the Plaza)
7. Jericho’s (Day’s Inn)
8. Green Mill (Holiday Inn)
9. Dragonetti’s
10. Boston’s (pizza restaurant on Hastings Way)
11. Double Day
12. Rays (on Water Street)
13. Dooley’s
14. The Pickle
15. Pioneer Tavern
16. Wigwam
17. Last Chance Bar
18. Clancy’s
19. Scooter’s (”the gay bar”)
20. El Patio
21. O’Leary’s
22. Whiskey Dick’s
23. Bistro (Ramada Inn)
24. My Place
25. 5 O’Clock Club Bar
26. Bonnie’s Labor Temple and Cocktail Lounge
27. Chester’s
28. The VFW (on Folsom)
29. The Elbow Room
30. Hilltop

There you go. Yes, there are some restaurants included. And many of the “bars” will serve food.

What makes a good bar?

When I travel and drink (and who doesn’t drink when they travel?) I try to drink the local brew, on tap. A second choice is the local/regional brew in a bottle….well except Tecate which should only be in a can.

So, a great bar in Eau Claire would have to have Leinie (preferably Honey Weiss) on tap.

Now my drinking buddy, drinks only Long Island Iced Tea. So, the bar also needs to make a great Long Island….and save the fruit for someone who cares.

A great bartender remembers a customer who has been in a couple times, especially if he/she/they order something slightly unusual.

Fried Onion Rings just rock someone’s world. So far we have found a favorite for that. They used to have the bartender, and all the other items above, but either he left or is on vacation. The last two times the woman bartender “Hey, what are you having, guys” us even though one time she had to go look for the gin!! She did not remember us!

Finally a great bar would be non-smoking.

That last will be a challenge in Eau Claire!

First Post

I arrived in Eau Claire in early December. I began to visit the local establishments which serve potent potables. After having visited a few, an idea happened. Why not try to visit all the bars in Eau Claire? Wow, a goal!

Yesterday I visited #30.

Over the weekend the thought was suggested to blog about my adventures.

Well, here they are. Stay tuned!