Bison Witches: you don't need to understand the name to enjoy the game

Bison Witches Bar & Deli, 326 N. 4th Ave., is a place where size doesn't matter. With less than 20 tables throughout the bar/restaurant (~10 booths and 2 two-person tables inside, ~5 bench tables outside), accommodating everyone with a seat is a difficult task. Shockingly, this doesn't come in the way of anyone's drinking. Standing with a glass in your hand as you talk to those in a booth is always an option.

As you enter Bison Witches from the front or back entrance, be sure to head straight for the bar - not necessarily to get a drink, but to sign the little notepad that hangs on the wall. By signing your name and the number of people in your party, you're ensured to be seated inside at a faster pace. Seating outside is on a "first come, first served" basis.

Those lucky enough to snatch a table can order their drinks from their friendly, outgoing server. On Thursday nights, the servers seem to be equally as social as the drunken students they serve. Because of the daily specials, many students find themselves starting their night (or what is dubbed "pre-gaming") at Bison Witches before they travel to other bars. The daily specials include:

• Monday - Mexican bottles - $2
• Tuesday - All premium pints - $2.50; Jager shots - $3
• Wednesday - All bottles - $2 ($1 off premium imports)
• Thursday - Bud/Bud Light pints - $1; U-Call-It martinis - $4; Shiner Hefeweizen $1
• Friday -Margaritas - $2; Shiner Hefeweizen $2
• Saturday -Domestic bottles - $1.50
• Sunday - Bloody Marys - $2;
• ***Late night Sunday special (7pm-close) - Pick any special of the week

See their Web site for their full bar menu.

The bar is shaped like a "U" with stools surrounding it. In the center of the inside room, the bar serves not only as the source of alcohol but as the source of media entertainment. Two flat-screen televisions hang on either side of the wall that separates the "U" into two halves. Regular TV sets hang throughout the rest of the bar. On a busy Thursday night, many students stare at the screens to see recaps of sports games played earlier in the day.

Aside from the great deals on drinks, what does this bar offer that others don't? It leaves you the opportunity to be social without having to feel overhwelmed at the same time. You never feel that the bar is too giant for your comfort level. Even when the place is packed, there is no need to call your friends frantically wondering where they are. You can't get lost. A walk from one end to the other takes you less than a minute. The drawback? Waiting for a place to sit. Oh, and if you have a tendancy to feel claustrophobic in small, confined spaces, don't go to Bison Witches on a busy night.

Here is a recipe of one of the drinks mentioned in this blog:

Bloody Mary

Other reviews of Bison Witches Bar & Deli:

Citysearch reviews

DoTucson.com reviews

PubCrawler reviews

Dirtbag's: a part of growing up you're not likely to remember

Dirtbag's, 1800 E. Speedway Boulevard, was famous in my mind. I repeatedly heard its name even years before I was old enough to know what a bar was. My sister had her graduation party there in May of 1990 (it was at the other Dirtbag's location--yes, there were two--that is now Four Points by Sheraton).

A couple months ago, pre-21, Dirtbag's was all I could think about. Older students always talked about it, explaining how it was where everyone ended their nights. I even knew that is was referred to as "fratbags" because there always seemed to be a heavy Greek presence there.

My first time at Dirtbag's was an experience. Arriving around midnight I thought I might have been there at the wrong time. From what I heard before, if you didn't get there by 11 p.m. you'd have to wait in line and shove your way through to get to the bar. Maybe I just had good luck or it was a slow night, but I got right in. No wait at all.

The interior reminded me of your classic bar. I'm not really sure what defines "classic," but I loved the wood panel look the place had--on the ceilings and the walls. Along with the wood panels dispersed throughout the walls were wooden frames fillwed with old newspaper clippings or magazine pages (some very random, like what appeared to be a '70s advertisement for Eureka vacuums).

The place was separated into three areas, similar to O'Malleys. The first location was the rectangular bar that filled the room you first entered. Most of the customers stood around the bar, but there were patrons standing throughout the outter areas. A little room set aside from the main bar stood tall table and stools. There you could see the students who were too tired to stand any longer and needed a break from the night.

The next area was a room completely separate from the main bar. This area had a mini bar of its own. This seemed like a cozier place to hang out with friends, yet still quite loud. The doors in it lead to the outside patio. This was the third section of Dirtbag's. About a dozen tables filled the patio. It looked different than I imagined it. Driving past this bar you notice the black metal bars that surround the outside patio. I'm uncertain why they had those up, but nonetheless it was a feeling of satisfaction to be on the other side of the bars for once.

What impressed me was the bathroom availability. Unlike O'Malleys, I didn't have to wait 5 minutes for an open stall. There was room in the bathroom for people to actually walk and even take a break at the mirror to touch-up makeup. I can't comment on the men's bathroom, but the women's bathroom was better than other bathrooms I had experienced.

What I liked about the bar was not only its notoriety, but the fact that there was a working jukebox. I'm not sure if the music was ever actually played, seeing as I paid for 4 songs that I never heard, but the excitement from a jukebox was enough to make my night fulfilled.

The fun part about leaving Dirtbag's was probably the rush for everyone to leave. People slowly congregated outside in groups trying to figure out where the night went from there. You could see a few people stumbling here and there, and others pointing and laughing.

It's true what they say: Dirtbag's is a part of growing up. The bar is a landmark for the University of Arizona. Everyone knows the name, and everyone awaits the experience. Just remember that Dirtbag's is closed Sunday nights, so be sure to make your plans accordingly.



Dirtbags

Dirtbag's Daily Specials

Dirtbag's Specialties

A Night at O'Malleys Will Have You Saying, "Kiss Me, I'm Irish"

O'Malleys on Fourth, 247 N. Fourth Ave. , has the atmosphere and bargains that college students seek! Every Thursday night this bar is filled to its limit with people looking to have a good time. It is definitely one of the "it" places every Thursday night in Tucson. The two-for-one drink special is cause for immediate celebration. It's an easy excuse to meet that person you've been eyeing all night by giving them your second drink; better yet, it's an easy excuse to get yourself heavily intoxicated at a faster pace.

The bar is separated into three main areas: the downstairs bar inside, the patio with a bar outside, and the upstairs bar that surrounds the music. I usually find myself wandering around the bar just to change the scenery every so often, though I do tend to spend most of my time in the room with the band.

Depending on the time you arrive and what people decide to do that night, your wait for getting into O'Malleys can range from less than a minute to 45 minutes. Sometimes the line wraps around to the northeast corner of the building. My advice: get there before 10pm or after 12am.

The band that typically plays on Thursday nights is a band whose name is very popular in Tucson, the MockingBirds. They cover rock hits of the past, including songs like "Blister in the Sun," "The Boys of Summer," "Shook Me All Night Long," and "Don't Stop Believing." Check out the four band members at: Mockingbirdsmusic.com . Toward the beginning of the night the band is the center of attention. As the night progresses, girls flock to jump on stage and dance to the sounds of the MockingBirds. I actually tried to go up on stage and less than five seconds later I was booted off. It really was a shot to my ego. Before I let it get to me the guy explained that no one can have alcohol on stage; if I put my drink down, I was welcome to go back on the floor. I declined. I was adamant on finishing my half-price drink.

From what I've noticed, O'Malleys seems to be filled solely with college students on Thursday nights. It might appear that way because that is the crowd I am actively seeking; however, the average age seems to be the lower 20's.

Whether you're craving a draft beer or a mixed drink, the two-for-one price still stands. Have a tequilla shot, a "red-headed slut," a Long Island Iced Tea, a bottle of Corona, or whatever your heart desires. Just be sure not to mix all those in one night. Believe me, I made that mistake.

You may have to wait around the bar for a little while until you can even get the attention of the bartender. Though there are multiple bars, each one is extremely crowded. So if you don't like crowds or loud music, O'Malleys is not for you.



Here is a recipes of one of the drinks mentioned in this blog:

Red Headed Slut


Check out other reviews of O'Malleys:

City Search Review

Google Review


While on Fourth Avenue, here are some other bars you may want to visit:

4th Avenue Nightlife

Gentle, Ben, Gentle...

I guess the slippery roads cause for a slippery turn-out at Gentle Ben's Brewing Company http://gentlebens.intrigomedia.com/content/display/file/index.php. Located at 865 E. University Boulevard, "Ben's" is a local hang-out most popular on Thursday nights.

Not this Thursdsay night.

August 31 had rainy weather and a half-decent turnout in the forecast. Over the past year I had heard many stories of Thursday evenings where Ben's was the "cool" place to be. You would run into many classmates and friends on this night, seeing them make fools of themselves dancing on the dance floor, attempting to sneak in with a fake ID, or cutting the line extending down University with their "VIP" status.

This night was unlike the stories I had heard.

There were less than five people standing in line before me. Not that I was complaining - lines are never fun. However, they do say a little about the place.

Either way, I found my way up the stairs to the center of the music.

the place was half-filled with a crowd I hadn't seen too often at bars. In one word, the crowd was "diverse." It was pretty cool and interesting to see your not-so-typical Seven-jeans-and-Lacoste-polo-dressed students prancing around making it be known that money was not an issue. I felt like I was standing out in the crowd this time.

The music was blaring to current popular music like Justin Timberlake's "Sexy Back." (Yeah). The dance floor was filled with many girls, very little guys. This was typical of a place where guys had to be put up to humiliation to present to the world their dance moves (or lack thereof). I could see maybe 10% of the people on the dance floor being males (if that).

The crowd kept moving from the inside to the outside patio decks. One long table with what seemed like 4-feet-high stools (they seemed extremely tall to me because I was a short girl trying to climb the stool in a short skirt). Sitting and observing everyone I noticed that this place was extremely casual, not fancy pancy like Sam Hughes Place Championship Dining, 446 N. Campbell Ave.

The prices were pretty affordable. I got a "double" Long Island Iced Tea (whatever that meant) for $5.50. The beer was buy one get one free - at least that is what my friend told me when she used my open tab to purchase herself some alcohol.

Those who I spoke to who frequently visited Ben's on Thursdays told me that this was an off night and usually the place was packed to the max.

I guess I will wait until next time...a day where the rainy weather doesn't scare the crowd away.



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Check out a recipe:

http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink590.html (Long Island Iced Tea)


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