Dooley’s, Clancy’s, Houligans

It was a snowy day, but there were errands to run. very late morning found us on Water Street, and we decided to go back to Dooley’s. It is very clearly an Irish-themed bar (witness the big Irish flag on the Fifth Avenue side of the building). It has an appeal as a smoke-free establishment also.

They do serve food, although we did not eat there this time — we had a luncheon engagement. But there was a party of 8 or so in the back corner there for lunch, and a group which was clearly a UWEC student and his parents who came and sat at a table as we were preparing to leave. At the same time, it is clearly a bar, and has an interesting mezzanine level (which is probably worth exploring some time). Good Long Islands, and Leine’s on tap!

Later in the day found us downtown, early for an event at Houligans [the next part of the post]. We slopped through the snow into Clancy’s. It is a typical smoky tavern with tropical paintings on the walls, and sports on all the TVs. They have good Long Islands, and several beers on tap. The occupants on either side of us were having an extended conversation about the NFL Playoff picture, and it was fairly quiet on a snowy early Saturday afternoon.

Then it was time for the party at Houligans. I have commented on Houligan’s before, but need to add more. They had several parties there that evening, some just for dinner and others in separate rooms. There was a pretty full bar in our room, but no draft. At one point I ordered a Honey Weiss for which the bartender headed to another room and came back with a draft. The Long Islands were “city-priced” at $7 each, but the drinking partner really liked them (I thought that they had too much sour and not enough cola).

The food for the party was great, and the staff did a great job of keeping the food warmers full. One of the women there told a funny story about having been at a bar to watch the Packer’s game last Thursday. [It was one of those NFL Network deals, so unless you have a dish you could not see it. Since many bars have dishes, they advertised heavily and drew large crowds.] It was a long, sad (for her), smoky night. The next day she washed her sweatshirt, sweater, and blouse. She did not wash her brassiere because, as she said, “I wear these for more than one day!”She then went to get dressed. Her husband said “You reek of smoke!” She realized that the smoke in the bar had penetrated to her brassiere! That is a smoky bar!!! Houligans appears to be smoke-free.

Anderson’s B&B

Well, that is what it says on the receipt I have. The sign out front calls it Anderson’s Bar & Grill Grill & Bar. It is right next to Exit 59 of Interstate 94, but you have to leave SR312 (North Crossing) where US 12 peels off to the west, and take the frontage road past the AmericInn to get there.

From the outside it looks like a rustic log building, it is nicely furnished inside. I was there for a “meeting” late in the business day, and we were alone in the bar until just after 5 pm, when the joint started hopping.

Even though my drinking buddy joined me at the end of the meeting, we stuck to beer and wine (no Long Island Iced Tea this time).

It is pleasant, and there is a dining room in half the building. It is light and clean. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area.

Getting famous

I talked to a writer at Volume One yesterday. There should be a short piece about this blog in the mid-December issue of the paper. It all started when I sent an email after this incident. You will note that in the full web version of this site (for all you RSS readers) that I have a link to the “other blog.” They have a rating system, and focus a great deal more on events at specific bars. I think that we are a good compliment to each other, my approach is much more narrative, and focuses almost solely on the venue.

Outside Town: Fanny Hill

It is set on a hill over the Chippewa River, and, I understand, started as a classic Supper Club. Fanny Hill hosted an event for the Chamber of Commerce. It was packed, but is clearly a nice facility. It even has rooms for the bed and breakfast which were open for view and were quite spectacular. Almost all had both fireplaces and a whirlpool. Looks like a nice romantic getaway.

Because of the crowd, I did not order the usual, but a return trip is indicated!

Five O’Clock Club and Whiskey Dick’s revisited

Last Friday was warm. My drinking buddy and I wanted to sit outside and drink. Where could we go?

We started at the Five O’Clock Club. Since our initial visit this winter, they built a patio on the side. It has high stone walls with a couple of iron gates. They did not have table service outside, so we bought our drinks at the bar, and headed out to sit in solitude for most of our drink. It was nice and enjoyable, but at one point, someone turned on the music which made it a little harder to talk. As we got ready to leave, a larger group 6 or 7, took over several tables in the corner. It remains a small, cozy bar with average Long Island Iced Teas.

Our second stop was around the corner at Whiskey Dick’s. We also sat outside at the Tiki Bar. The bar is bamboo, and only parts of it have plexi-glass to make a smooth, wobble-free surface. It was still early, and there was a small crowd inside and out. (We clearly missed the fights featured on the other Eau Claire bar blog.)

Another Eau Claire Bar Blog?

I picked up Volume One for October 4, and there in the nightlife section is a box with an article about another bar blog covering Eau Claire!

I’ll have to write and let them know that I was first!

(I am wondering if it was one of them who let me know about Galloway Grill?)

Galloway Grille

They are open! I had lunch and a beer there today, stay tuned for a full review (including the obligatory Long Island!).

Jersey’s (a new bar)

Just when you think you are done, someone spoils your fun! There are now two new bars in town. Jersey’s is a clean, brightly lit, sports bar located across the parking lot from Famous Dave’s. I went out with a group, several of whom live in that part of town and a couple of whom live in my part of town.

The Long Island was good, and $4.50 (after a trip to a large US city, it was nice to get back to reasonable prices). They have Leine’s and lots of other beers. The waitress did a pretty good job with the after work crowd, and only screwed up once on the last round when she charged us more than she should have.

It is a real sports bar with lots of monitors (one wall has four!). It had a diversity of ages in the crowd, and it was a non-smoking bar!

Outside town: Moose Lodge

Well, even though I have visited all the currently open bars in the City of Eau Claire, there are yet more “taverns” in the area.

Saturday night I had the opportunity to attend an event at the Moose Lodge (which, like the Elks, is a private club). It was all about the dancing and music, rather than a purely social visit. There was a bar, but I did not get the usual. Prices were only “ok.” The club has a huge dance floor (the attraction for the evening) and lots of seating.

The Finish Line

Well, I have now had at least one drink in the 80 bars which are open in Eau Claire. Of the 86 bars there are two which are simply catering or special event halls (Florian Gardens, Eau Claire Regional Arts Center) and four are not open (Galloways [closed before I got there], The Livery, Galloway Grille, and The East Room [open by appointment]).

The Finish Line was the end. It is located in a fairly industrial area, but also near both some motels, and the Wagner’s Bowling Alley. It is just off Hastings Way. When we walked in, it seemed like deja vu because it is similar in layout to several other bars. The first bartender mad the Long Islands from scratch, and they were pretty good. The second bartender used “the mix” which resulted in mediocre drinks.

The initial quest is over. However, since I did not blog the first thirty, several are due for re-visits, and notes. This blog will not die. I need to decide how much further afield will I go? There are townships around Eau Claire (and the City of Altoona), plus Augusta and Fall Creek as incorporated municipalities. Then there is Chippewa Falls. Stay tuned!