historic 25th street

 

As you know, when in a new town I like to visit historic places.

 

Historic 25th Street

Ogden, Utah

loose moose

 

The Loose Moose Bar was touted as the place to go in Toronto. That proved true on a Sunday afternoon when the Toronto Raptors where playing Miami Heat in the semi-finals -- the place was packed.  It was apparent that I was several decades too old for the crowd so I went next door to Canyon Creek where the ambiance was more subdued and the decibel levels lower.

 

Loose Moose

Toronto, Ontario

5.14.2016

where the girls are

 

No matter where I go, I seem to find funky bars to photograph - not necessarily to partake. There are  a dozen or so featured on the blog.  Here in historic downtown Brunswick is The Historic Red Carpet Gentlemen's Club- where the girls are!  The place has been in business for 50 years and the exterior shows it.  However, the pictures on the home page The Red Carpet Lounge are quite a contrast (click warning:  it is adult entertainment!)  That small window air conditioner is probably insufficient to cool the place down.

The Historic Red Carpet Lounge
Brunswick, Georgia
4-23-16

got beer?

 

I'd like to say I had a beer in the Mule Lip Bar in Mingus but I didn't.  I think the actual bar is in the newer stone building to the right, but the handwritten sign on the historic building had more character! The Mule Lip even has its own Facebook page with the disclaimer "We don't serve women--bring your own!" For a small place of about 200, the town supports at least two bars (the Boar's Nest offers darts and shuffleboard) and Lori's Liquor Store. The Outlaw Cowboy Church balances out the activities in Mingus.

 

Mule Lip Bar

Mingus, Texas

FM 193 and 108

3.4.2016

for sale

 

If you are looking to quench your thirst on Saturday night, don't go to Thirsty's.  The place is shut down and for sale.  Not surprising that the bar didn't make it in staid, Baptist-dominated Plainview. and downtown no less.

 

Plainview, Texas

1.8.2016

lady liberty at the daiquiri bar

 

A stylized Statue of Liberty between two television sets adorns the wall at Tom's Daiquiri.  Crisp December nights are not conducive to patio sitting.

 

Tom's Daiquiri Bar

1808 Buddy Holly

Lubbock, Texas

 



freaky tiki

 

I've not been to this relatively new place but it might be a possibility for a Halloween outing with live music and $2.00 Drunk Monkeys.

 

The Freaky Tiki

2512 Texas Avenue

Lubbock, Texas

I only stopped for a newspaper

 

The sign says the Win Place & Show was voted the best bar in Ruidoso-- don't know when or by whom!  However, from previous years I know it's a great, dark, smoky CW honky-tonk.

 

Win Place & Show

Ruidoso, New Mexico

la favorita

 

On the way to Our Lady of San Juan de los Lagos Church and the Talpa cemetery, we passed Paul's Bar.  Turns out this place was the most photogenic place on this leg of the trek.

 

Paul's Bar

SH 518

Talpa, New Mexico

bloody mary

 

Judging by the number of Bloody Marys bartender Renna concocted, either Renna makes a great drink or the bikers had a bad Friday night.

 

Riley's Tavern

Hunter, Texas

Today's jaunt was historical in nature.  Riley's Tavern advertises being the "oldest bar in Texas" by virtue of receiving the first liquor license - No. 0001 - issued in 1933 after Prohibition was repealed.

 

 

The oldest building in Hunter is home to Riley's.  It was built in 1895 as Galloway's Saloon.   I felt it appropriate to visit the establishment and sample the wares.  Population of Hunter is less than 50 souls and the number of Saturday afternoon customers at Riley's matched the number of inhabitants.

 

 

Riley's Tavern

Hunter, Texas

FM 1102 and 2439







bottoms up

 

Somehow, it is not surprising that this dual purpose bar didn't make it.  Rockers and knights? Heavy metal and lute music in the same establishment?  Beer or mead?  The storefront is for rent, if you are interested in a business opportunity-- one half is empty with Pepto-Bismol pink walls and the other side is your basic castle motif.  By the way, Wayland Baptist College is just a few blocks away.

 

2408 West 5th Street

Plainview, Texas

lou's

 

Many years ago on a trip to Big Spring, I ran across Lou's and took a photo to make a personalized birthday card for my friend Lou.  On the recent trek to Big Spring, I wondered it Lou's was still there (thinking about a follow-up card).  It was -- and the door was open.  Being an intrepid photographer, in the middle of the afternoon-- I ventured inside, curious what the interior might be like (since this wasn't the type joint I usually frequent).  Now we know:

 

 

After the initial once-over when I stepped through the door and asked if I could take pictures, the occupants pretty much ignored me.

 

PS - Lou's has karaoke on Thursday nights.

 

Lou's

1012 West 3rd

Big Spring, Texas

12.29.2014





what are the odds?

 

I regret that I didn't have time to visit the 50/50 Club but it wasn't open when I was there.  I did have questions:  Is there a "new" 50/50 club?  Is the 50 reflective of the clientele's age?  Do pool players and karaoke singers peacefully co-exist?  Maybe next trip to Fort Worth.

 

The Old 50/50/ Club

5908 Jacksboro Highway

Fort Worth, Texas

9.18.2012