Barley Club @ Pine Meadows; Princeton Valley Golf Course; Wild Ridge @ Mill Run Golf Course

It was a rainy, wet weekend — good drinking weather. I started on Saturday at the Barley Club. It is a nice, good sized room overlooking the putting green, and has a large deck with tables which would be very nice on a bright sunny day. It was incredibly quiet, but the bartender made a good Long Island.

Next stop was the Wild Ridge, but they were hosting a wedding, and even though there was a crowd drinking there, I did not stay.

So I headed over to the Princeton Valley Golf Course. It is a much smaller course, which also has what would be a nice deck on a nice day. The bartender, Megan, was definitely the cutest bartender in town, and pours a great Long Island. The only downside is that there is no Leine’s on tap. They only have three or four draft beers. All are Budweiser products (I think). It was also very quiet. I went back on Sunday, when they were running a tournament in spite of the rain. It was busier, but Megan was a cute as ever.

Sunday I went back to Wild Ridge. Since the storm was still on, it was even quieter, and the pro shop was getting ready to close. I had one drink (and was the only drinker), and left. Interesting that checks are to be made to Sweetwaters!

That brings me to sixty-five bars visited in the City limits.

American Legion (Water Street)

The very “front” part of the building on Water Street is the bar. Behind it is a very large hall (which we accidentally entered last weekend). The smoky bar is wood-paneled, and screams of a 1950’s decor. It is cozy, and there are clearly regulars. There are a limited number of draft beers, Honey Weiss is not one. Leine’s regular is.

I did not ask for a Long Island because of the age and demeanor of the bar tender (who seemed like a nice, grandmotherly, older woman). I did have a couple of cranberry/vodkas, and they were certainly well priced ($2.25).

Bar #61.

Mogie’s Pub; Pizza Plus; RIP Garfield’s

Mogie’s is on Water Street next to Mona Lisa. While I did not have a Long Island, I did have a beer. They have Leine’s on tap. Always a good sign.

Pizza Plus was not only the last downtown bar, but the 60th on my list. It is primarily a pizza place, but it does have a nice cozy bar in the back. I enjoyed it very much.

The paper last week noted that Garfield’s (at Oakwood Mall) was closing with no notice. I guess I will never get to drink there. There is one other on the list of 86 which are not currently open — One will be open once the redevelopment near north of Barstow is done. The license is for The Livery, and it is slated for 316 Wisconsin Street. I think I’ll work on the country clubs before the season changes.

El Patio (Water Street) and Brat Kabin

We visited El Patio on Water Street on a Friday early evening. The very small bar was full (all eight seats taken), so we had to sit in the restaurant. No Long Island Iced Tea, no cranberry juice (vodka/cranberry is the 2nd favorite), white zin was ordered. No draft beers, I had better luck with a Dos Equis (XX). The server was very honest, and noted that the white zin was very bad, so a frozen peach margarita was the final answer.

We also ordered food. I was underwhelmed.

The next weekend I was on Water Street after 10 pm. The Brat Kabin was open, so I parked and walked in. It was very quiet. After a bit I was the only customer (other workers), so the bartender (Dave) and I had a great chat. Good Long Island, and Leine’s is on tap. Brat Kabin is open on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday starting at 8 pm. [That is why I had not been successful.] It is a nice room, with a DJ area, and an unremarkable bar. It was starting to get busy as I left at midnight.