Tucson: Bar None If You're Under Twenty-One

Bar-Bound in T-Town: Your Ultimate Guide to Local College Bars

2006-12-03T14:10:00.000-08:00

As the last blog of this series, I think it'd be appropriate to touch on some key areas I might not have gotten to in this blog. This guide will help you seek even more local bar attractions.

Where else can I go?

Here is a schedule for your typical bar week:

Cactus Moon

North on Fourth

Popular places for celebrating a 21st birthday/power hour:

Some new bars on the rise:

Raz

Level Bar & Lounge

Auld Dubliner

Here are other helpful links:

City Search Tucson Bar Guide

Fourth Avenue

AZ Night Buzz Nightlife Search

How can I find out about some of the newest, coolest college events and deals?

The Internet has made word-of-mouth be second to the eyes and ears of the Web. MySpace, one of the most popular communicative tools for college-aged students, has made marketing bar events so much easier. Some Tucson bars have MySpace profiles that somehow find college students, add them as a friend, and then send invitiations and bulletins to announce future events.

What are some good points of logic for bar visits?

Here are some tips on bar etiquette:

Bar etiquette in the USA

Rant: Bar Etiquette Tips #1-6

The Soul Bar: Dos and Don’ts of the Bar

Here are some tips specifically about bar tipping:

Tipping Etiquette

How do I dress?

It all depends on which bar you're going to. Obviously, if you're merely daytime drinking on University at No Anchovies or Frog & Firkin, you need not dress up more than you did for class that day. If you go nighttime bar hopping, at typical rule of thumb is: dress to impress. This is, of course, the University of Arizona where the people are beautiful and the competition is plentiful. I don't mean that you have to wear a dress and suit; however, you should not wear sweat pants and tennis shoes. The only time sports wear seems acceptable is on the day of a football or basketball game. On those days, Wildcat spirit is both a necessity and highly encouraged.

HAVE FUN BAR HOPPING!!!!!

The Bashful Bandit: there's nothing bashful about it

2006-11-26T17:39:00.000-08:00

The Bashful Bandit, 3686 E. Speedway Blvd., is known to most people as a biker bar. On the southwest corner of Dodge and Speedway, this bar is reserved for the leather-wearing, motorcycle-riding crowd. On Tuesdays, however, the bar undergoes a transformation - the crowd goes from biker to college.

Tuesday is Ladies Night, a.k.a. college night. Buy a domestic long-neck beer for $1.50, or take advantage of a few other drink specials. As one of thbars that is frequented on a regular school night, it is surprising how large of an audience this bar gets. Parking can sometimes be a hassle depending on the time of night you get there. You might have to park on the street instead of the parking lot. The few Tuesdays that I went to the Bandit I luckily didn't have to wait in line. When you are about to walk in and you get your ID checked, the door man sometimes uses a little nifty device that scans your idea. I'm not really sure what it does, but it showed a neon light that said 21. I guess the little piece of technology has some sort of way of scanning your ID to tell your age. It was actually pretty cool to see.

Once you step into the biker bar, you see the bar to your left and the crowd surrounding it and the area to the right. To the right is an open area filled with students talking, dancing and laughing at the drunk people making fools of themselves singing Kareoke in front of all their peers. (Believe me, Karaoke can get pretty intense and can be really> fun) Most people don't do the songs justic when they sing, yet they still sing their little hearts out not knowing that they are off-tune or off the beat. Nevertheless, it's a fun opportunity to request your favorite song and get a few minutes in the limelight.

It might take a little while to order a drink from the bar, but the easy alternative is a pretty quick trip to one of a handful of stands that are placed around the bar selling beer and a few other liquors. Cash is essential for these beer/alcohol stands. (But if you do start a tab at the bar and perhaps forget to close your tab, you will be charged a 20% gratuity when you pick up your credit card the next day, f.y.i) The beer stands have places for tips as well.

The crowd at the Bandit seems to vary every time I'm there. It's always very diverse - from gangsta to preppy to grunge-ish. No matter who you go with, you'll always find someone you know there. Really, it's a place where you can't not fit in. The Bandit is a unique change of scenery and the hoppin' place to be on a Tuesday night!

Check out other reviews of The Bashful Bandit:

AZ Night Buzz Review

City Search Review

Arizona Daily Wildcat Review

The Buffet: your choice of...hotdogs, booze and games

2006-11-19T22:23:00.000-08:00

The Buffet, 538 E. Ninth St., is the ultimate Tucson must-see dive bar. Though it may not have some bizzarely far-out, strange aspect to it, its appeal stems from its opening time: 6 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

The Buff is one of the bars you hear about a lot, yet never really know what it was you heard. I heard the name mentioned so many times when I was an under-ager, mostly for two reasons: 1) people raved about playing shuffleboard and 2)the bar was really lenient with fake IDs.

On the contrary, my first experience at the Buff proved that wrong. It was a friend's 21st birthday and the Buff was our second stop. The bartender requested that we show our IDs as soon as we walked in. We stood around the bar, patiently waiting our turns. The door man went to a back room to retrieve a book. It was soome sort of book that showed and described every state's driver's license. One of the girls had a California license (and believe me, she really was 21) and the expiration date was 3 years after the issued date. California licenses are supposed to expire 5 years after the issue date. The confusion with the years could have come about because the girl had to replace a stolen license over the summer. Nevertheless, the bouncer would not let her remain in the bar. He took her ID for a few minutes and gave it back to her a lfew minutes before the cops came and verified that it was in fact a legitimate ID. Ironic that this was the same bar so many under-agers bragged about getting into easily.

The place was pretty small, though it seemed like an okay size for the amount of people who were there that night. I'm sure it gets crowded on busier nights. As you look around you notice that behind the bar there are snacks for sale - not your typical bar sight. The next interesting sight was the sign for hotdogs. This actually seemed like a great idea seeing that hotdogs seem to be the greatest remedy for the drunken munchies. I sadly did not try it, though next visit I might take the plunge.

The Buff is known for being the oldest bar in Tucson in the same location (its nearby neighbor, the Shanty, opened earlier but at some point in its history switched locations). The decorations were nothing too extraordinary, kind of your typical rusty-looking place, cluttered with random pictures and of course a moose's head hanging on the wall. The pool table area seems to take up about one-fourth of the bar. On the opposite end of the bar, tables are lined up against the walls for extra seating (aside from the bar).

Now here's the special you might have heard of: "Happy Minute." Two times a day - 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. - you will receive a replica of the exact same drink you possess. At the 6 p.m. Happy Minute, you'll get the extra drink for free. At the 11 p.m. Happy Minute, it'll cost you $1. This is a very surprising treat for visitors who are there and don't know the rules. Like magic, one drink becomes two!

The Buffet is also home to many crazy stories. You hear people talk about drunken memories that ended at the Buff. One time, some friends and I randomly went on a road trip to In-N-Out Burger at around 11 p.m. one Sunday night. It was a 3-day weekend, so we were all pretty drunk (aside from the sober driver of course). Well 7 hours later we finally made it back to Tucson and two of the guys made their way to the Buff to continue their night. Yes, it is a feat for college students to drink at 6 in the morning.

Another story I heard was from a 36-year-old man I met at a bar on my birthday. He happened to be a UofA alumn visiting for his flying certification (something like that). Back when he was in college, he and his SAE fraternity brothers construed a plan to see how long they could spend at the Buff. They arrived at 6 a.m. The rules were that they could not step foot out of the bar and they had to have an open drink at all times. They snacked on hot dogs and a pizza they had delivered. They made it to about 12 hours there. Being anywhere for 12 hours straight is an accomplishemnt in itself.

So now it's time for you to make your memory at the Buff. See you there bright and early!

Here are some other reviews of The Buffet:

Arizona Daily Star Review

Tucson Weekly Review

Another Tucson Weekly Review

City Search Review

Maloney's: big enough for two worlds to collide

2006-11-13T00:41:00.000-08:00

Maloney's on Fourth, 213 N. Fourth Ave., is a bar that joins together the college scene with Tucson's older adult crowd. Some people dub it a Cheers-like bar, with the vast space, pool tables and decorative photos and quotes. With the music blasting (everything from classic songs to the newest popular hits) it is an enjoyable experience to hang out in this dimly-lit bar.

Not your typical predominantly-college-crowd bar, Maloney's is filled with multiple bars with lots of room for many bar-goers. With a large balcony, this bar gives people the chance to get fresh air along the long deck. When I went here the past time, it was Saturday night of Homecoming weekend. I waited in line for 20 minutes, which wasn't bad at all considering campus bars had 2-hour-long waits. I actually had an interesting experience getting into Maloney's this time. The people I was with managed to get some sort of VIP cards for us. With this card, you can enter on the left side of the balcony and get right in. Well, somehow the situation got screwed up and the guy wouldn't let us in until a guy tipped him. I've seen this done in movies before, but this was a first in real life. What an exciting start to the night.

The first room you walk into has an oval-shaped bar completely stocked with alcohol. Booths surround the room to give people a break from standing. One very big plus about this bar is its large availability of seating; however, on crowded days you will still find yourself standing. The walls were decorated with a variety of pictures and quotations. The wall to the restrooms from this front room is filled with pictures of famous performers when they were younger.

The next room inside is larger, with a few different levels of floors. Here you'll find a couple pool tables and another bar. The place was so large I didn't even make it to the other side (mostly cause I was a little too scared to leave the crowd I knew - an older man who sat 5 feet away from where I stood was staring at my group the whole time).

The drinks were priced pretty well. I didn't know it at the time, but I guess they have some sort of beer deal on Saturday nights. This was a lesson to remember to ask for specials before I order. Nevertheless, a large glass of a mixed drink (my favorite: Long Island) was only $6. The glass seemed almost double the size of glasses at Dirtbag's. I was happy.

The crowd flowed from inside to outside and back inside. The doors were wide open to make access to the outside very easy. Overall, the place has a very fun set up. It's spacious like O'Malleys, but not as spread out. The bar just looks very well-kept and upscale-ish, without seeming too expensive. The only downside I saw, was not the place but the crowd. I prefer to hang out at bars with people my age. The crowd at Maloney's definitely has an average age of mid- to late-20s, maybe even higher. It is more a T-Loc scene than the other bars I've written about previously. However, it is still a fun place and an experience you can't neglect!

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The bar hosts wrote a note on the Maloney's Web site to all bar patrons - a cute little poem. It reads:

We've created a place where people can gather
A Place to have fun and kick up a lather
Where spirits are high and filled with good cheer
Your problems and troubles have no place here
We offer good food and drink at a low price
An idea created from our patron's advice
So grab a cold beer and settle on in
The fun at Maloney's is about to begin

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Check out other reviews of Maloney's:

Travel Yahoo Review

Pub Crawler Review

City Search Review

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Che's Lounge: unique place, unique culture

2006-11-06T07:48:00.000-08:00

Che's Lounge, 350 N. 4th Ave., is on the corner of 7th Street and 4th Avenue.

My experience at Che's was characterized by a few surprises. As we stood outside waiting til the strike of midnight (to celebrate a friend's 21st birthday), we heard a man sitting on the ground, leaning against the wall, singing an oldies song. The only thing that was unique about this rendition of the song was that the man sung it in a very deep, creepy-sounding voice. I was beginning to feel a little disturbed by the song until I looked down the sidewalk and saw a woman running in a white angel costume.

There must have been something in the air that night. I thought she might had been a die-hard Halloween fan, trying to celebrate the holiday a week later. I then learned it was Dia del Los Muertos, the Day of the Dead. There had been The All Souls Procession 2006 earlier that day, so the people in costumes must have been part of those who had participated in that event. I even saw a woman dressed up in all black, looking like she was dead and walking like she was dead - with arms stretched in front of her walking like a zombie.

Che's Lounge was very small, yet the colorful walls (purple, red, orange, etc.), decorative artwork and mirrors, jukebox and old-school video game systems gave the atmosphere a sense of fun and excitement that took attention away from its size.

The prices of drinks seemed very decent. I got two mixed drinks for under $10. It's hard to discover a bar's specialty while you're actually there if they don't have menus/signs around showing you the specials. Guinness beer seemed to be one of the bar's popular choices. I heard a college student take a sip of it and say, "It tastes like coffee." The artwork was definitely my favorite part of the place because it ranged from black and white to very colorful, in all sizes, and at all all heights on the walls.

Though Che's isn't a bar whose name I hear everyone going to all too often, it was a fun place to hang out with a group of friends. The scene wasn't a college one, that's for sure. I did get caressed and smiled at by a 30-something-year-old man as he walked past me. However, it was a fun little bar that had some character to it. They have live local bands playing on Fridays and Saturdays, with no cover charge. Che's is definitely a place to check out whenever you are seeking a change of scenery!

Check out other reviews of Che's:

City Search Review

AZ Night Buzz Review

Yahoo Travel Review

Tribe.net Review

Arizona Daily Wildcat Review

Date Dash: the unexplainably unique semi-bar experience

2006-10-29T17:24:00.000-08:00

The bar at the Date Dash

I know that a sorority/fraternity date dash isn't REALLY your typical bar experience, but it is an experience that will drastically change once you turn 21.
For those who have never attended a date dash, it is basically a dance with a theme. You dress up to whatever the date dash may be called: Westerner, White Trash, Boogie Nights, Pajama Jam, Heaven & Hell, etc. The sorority or fraternity, whoever is holding it, invites date(s) and meets at the Greek house. Yellow school buses transport the group to and from the destination (which is unknown to everyone but the executive members and social chairs of the organization - to prevent drunk-driving).

Upon arrival at the destination, usually a conference room at a hotel, intoxicated college students make their way to the inside. Music blasts from the DJ - the latest trendy rap/pop songs mixed with the best dance hits from the past. Students dance provocatively to the tunes while sporadically taking breaks to eat the provided snacks.

The bar is separated from the rest of the area. Security surrounds the bar entrance to ensure that no one under the age of 21 enters. The drinks, no matter who the vendor may be, are usually over priced. Price doesn't really seem to be a huge factor because students are usually seeking any possible way to keep their buzz. The drink selection varies depending on the location. Usually, domestic beers are the popular choice. The only stickler for the bar situation is that the are to which you are allowed to drink is very limited. Sometimes, it is merely a 20 feet cubic space. You must finish your drink in the designated area before you leave. Drinks can not leave the vicinity and be brought to the dance floor (It's a precautionary measure to ensure that under-agers will not drink).

It may not be the typical bar, but turning 21 changes your date dash experience. You can now feel free to enter ANY part of the party experience. Believe me, you feel left out when everyone is squeezed into the bar area drinking and socializing while you are left solo on the dance floor.

Make your own Halloween drinks

DrinkOfTheWeek.com

Mastersschool.com"

Find the perfect costume for any theme:

3 Wishes

Costume Universe

Annies Costumes

Hollywood Costumes

Meet Rack: The only place in Tucson where party meets GOD

2006-10-16T22:22:00.000-07:00

"It aint cheating; it's just a slice of the cake that no one misses"-God

The Meet Rack, 210 W. Drachman St., is a place everyone must see. It's one of those bars you want to check out - not for the alcohol - but for the experience. It was my first real sober experience at a bar, but to be honest I think I might've been a little scared being drunk there (at least without many guys I know surrounding me).

Don't get me wrong, it was a great experience! The only thing is the place is in a bad neighborhood, and the environment is kinda--sleezy. What do I mean by sleezy? Get a tour from God (the previous owner of the bar--a man who legally changed his name from Jim to God) and you'll experience a fascinating point of view from this outrageously funny and unique man.

You begin in the sex room filled with posters and sex machines. God walks you around every point of the room and explains the history and details of every piece of machinery. He even tells you the story of his two-time win in a masterbation contest.

After the room of promiscuity, he leads you to the women's bathroom. He demonstrates the little condom contraption. Inside the bathroom hangs a condom machine. When a person purchases a condom, the moment she walks out the door a loud bell sounds, signalling to the entire bar that this person is planning to get lucky.

Next stop in the tour - God's bedroom. A few minutes listening to God's view on life will bring laughter and cheer into your night. He tells of his single life, and how he enjoys it. The funniest quote of the night was when he talked about his freedom of doing what he wants. "It aint cheating; it's just a slice of the cake that no one misses," he said. I guess that's his theory on dating. It sounded funnier coming from him. He explained how he had the best set up anyone could ask for. He lived in the bar - a second away from all the women and alcohol he needs. that does sound like a pretty good set up. Along with the pornographic pictures on his walls, he had a mirror above his bed. Every man's dream.

The bar is decorated with photos of him and many other people, like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Elvis. Bras hang above the bar. The largest bra I've ever seen is signed with a heart and a woman's signature. Everything in the bar seems to follow the sexual scheme. Even the menu of drinks are all named with a sexual undertone, written on laminated cards that are held together by a metal ring. "Classy" is not a word to characterize the place, but "thrilling" definitely is.

Overall, the bar was an interesting experience. Even without a sip to drink, I left with some of the most unforgettable memories of my college experience. (For a little while I even got to experience God telling a story at the bar--drawing a picture on a yellow notepad explaining that your first 10 years are filled with drool, your last 10 years are filled with drool, and the hundreds of thousands of days in between should be filled with partying). It's one of those places everyone needs to see at least just once. It might not be your bar of choice for every weekend. However, it is a great place for birthday celebrations or an escape from the monotony of the same-ole scenery.

And for those who tend to do outrageous things when drunk, you can experience the infamous branding with God's face. What does it mean? You'll be marked for the rest of your life with a man with a beard. But it also means you'll get 50 cents off every drink at the Meet Rack for the rest of your life. You'll have a card marked with a number that IDs your branding. It's a story to tell your kids. Be sure to go to the Meet Rack and check out one of Tucson's craziest places. You'll leave with a the bar God's name marked on your arm (don't worry, a little scrubbing the next day can take it right off).

Check out what other people think about the Meet Rack:

Tucson Underground

Best of Tucson: 2003

Ten Ways to Shock Visiting Parents (Daily Wildcats)

Yelp.com

NoRTH: the elite's direction of choice

2006-10-15T15:32:00.000-07:00

North, 2995 E. Skyline Drive, is one of four restaurant/bars located at the roundabout driveway at La Encantada shopping center. Along with Ra Sushi Bar, Bluepoint Kitchen & Bar, and Firebirds Rocky Mountain Grill, this restaurant/bar has the atmosphere that college students seek for a nice night of dinner and drinks.

Before I was 21, North was the Friday night hangout for underage students with fake IDs. Now that I'm of age, I entered the doors with excitement to experience what I had missed out on the past year. The look of this place was one of a contemporary restaurant with a sleek and shiny design for those dressed to impress. My friend said it had a "Scottsdale wannabe" look. Scottsdale is known for being a little fancy schmancy (suprisingly enough, there is a North located in Scottsdale). North was the kind of place that even before we walked in the front door, we had a guy offering to buy a glass of champagne for the birthday girl (I guess a large group of women always attracts attention - but I am almost positive the birthday girl wouldn't have had a glass of champagne offered to her at the neighborhood bar at T.G.I. Friday's).

The interior brick walls and the metalic legs of the chairs surrounding the bar filled the place with a conservative look mixed with the sensation of shining luxury. My group sat in a room set aside from the rest of the area, which isolated us a little. However, we still managed to enjoy the bar scene from our table. Our room even had its own flat-screen television, just like the ones surrounding the real bar area. We ordered a variety of Frizzantes (a mixture of sparkling wine and fruit), wine and champagne (compliments of the man we spoke to when we entered the building) from North's Wine and Beer Drink Menu.

For a non-lover of wine, the frizzante was not that bad. It did not taste a whole lot like strawberries, but the fruit mixture did offset the usual sharp, biting taste of wine. The prices weren't cheap. The small glass of Frizante was $8, and it barely gives youa buzz (and I'm a lightweight). North is definitely one of the places where your money pays for the atmosphere. College students dub this place as "expensive" so usually it is one of the places where people go for special occasions, especially birthdays. So if you want a fun night at a special place, try North at La Encantada.

Learn more about Frizzantes and other wines

Check out other reviews of NoRTH:

DotComTucson Review

Insider Pages Review

Open Table Review

Championship Dining: Drinks for UA Champions

2006-10-08T16:39:00.000-07:00

Sam Hughes Place Championship Dining", 446 N. Campbell Ave., Suite 150, is the newer, convenient sports bar right on the edge of campus. Located on the corner of 6th Street and Campbell Avenue, it is surrounded by students' condominums and a few retail stores and eateries.

The buzz about Championship has grown vastly in the past year. Friday night seems to be designated the "night" to go to Champs (as some people call it). It attracts students with its stunning, higher-class-ish-looking interior. The honey onyx bar top swerves around in an s-shape and accents the honey-colored lights above it. Champs is the perfect place to watch sports games because of its collection of plasma flat screens placed around the bar. Though the place gets crowded very easily, there are a good amount of high-topped booths and tables spread throughout the bar area inside as well as tables outside on the patio. When the weather's nice out, the patio is the perfect solution when there's no room to move.

It was only my second time at this bar (and the first was in the summer so that didn't really count). I wasn't sure what to order because I felt like this was a bar where a beer just wouldn't look too attractive for a girl to have. I went with my typical drink of choice, a Long Island Iced Tea. My roommate was celebrating her second-to-last day as a 21-year-old, so I thought I would buy her her drink of choice: a strawberry daiquiri. We were a little surprised that they even made frozen drinks at a campus bar. Believe me, she looked a little funny walking around with such a classy drink at a place filled with college students; it was even topped with whipped cream and a cherry.

Looking around I saw an unusually large amount of colored drinks in place of the typical abundant sights of domestic beer bottles. I discovered that the popular, large glass mug of blue liquid was known as an "Irish Trash Can." I was curious as to why there was a can of Red Bull dumped upside down and floating in the liquid, but the name of that put my curiosity to rest. I took a sip of someone's drink and it tasted like pure Red Bull (at least to me it did). If you like Red Bull energy drink, you should try this enticing drink.

I'm not a huge fan of wine (I know, call me crazy), but Championship had a
seemingly large selection of wine set up on a glass display. The alcohol just seems to flow at this place.

There seemed to be a little bit of an older crowd at Championship, though it was predominantly college students. A few times I'd look around and see 30-something or 40-something-year-old guys. I just thought, "Hmm, what are they doing here?" One guy even tapped my friend and I on our way out of the bar. He wondered if he could ask us a question. We said sure. He then proceeded to turn around, place his hand on his side, and stand in a position so that we could check out his rear-end. He said, "It's nice, right?" We just laughed. I guess all guys are goofy no matter what age.

The prices didn't seem to be as high as I remembered this visit. The daiquiri and iced tea (both of which we thought were too strong, but I guess that's a good thing) were $13 total. My last visit there I thought the prices were so expensive when my friend bought two Yager Bombs and it cost him a little under $20. Compared to $1 drink specials at other bars, I guess the place is a little pricey. If you can fit the prices into your college budget, check this place out! Be careful what time you get there though. The line at the door begins around 11-11:30 p.m. And believe me, you will wait a while before getting through the doors.

Check out recipes for a few drinks mentioned in this blog:

Strawberry Daiquiri

Irish Trash Can

Jager Bomb

Check out other reviews of Champs

Tucson Weekly Review

Visittucson.org Review

Sullivan's: for a swingin' good time

2006-10-01T23:31:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd change it up a little. Instead of the regular college-scene bars I'd try out something a little more...tasteful. I've been in Tucson for three years now and I had yet to have a meal at Sullivan's Steakhouse. I've heard a little about their bar (mostly that it was an older, richer crowd) so I thought I'd check it out myself.

I went in for a nice Sunday dinner at Sullivan's. Instead of just having dinner in the dining room, I decided that the lounge would be a better experience. The lounge housed the bar and the live jazz band. The bar was just gorgeous. It was not the typical T-loc scene of drunken messes all around. Sure, it was a Sunday night but even at bars such as Trident and O'Malleys you'd be sure to have a little college chaos around.

The drink display was, as they'd say in the movie "Swingers," MONEY. It was a pretty collection of alcoholic bottles - from wine to the hard liquors. The
columns behind the bar were lit with an orangish glow. The leather-topped stools were studded on the edges with golden bullets. The jazz band played a couple familiar songs like the opening jingle to "Cheers." The room was very open yet felt secluded at the same time. Windows acted as one of the walls. Because it was nighttime we were able to see the tables outside on the patio with candles shining on each setting.

The top of each wall was lined with a 2' to 3' border telling the story through scenes. It continued the bar's jazz theme with portrayals of people enjoying themselves with glasses of wine and musical instruments.

I tried the Pucker Up martini (Smirnoff Apple Tiwst & Sour Apple Pucker splashed with Sweet & sour). It was a delicious apple treat with a cheery on the bottom for $8.50. It seems that you're paying for the higher-class atmosphere, not really for the drink itself. They advertised their Thursday specials: "Swingin' at Sully's." From 5 p.m. until close, the white wine feature and signature martinis are $5 each (with complimentary cigars for the ladies).

The signature martinis include:
* The Knockout
* The Orange Blossom
* CEO
* Lemon Drop
* Pucker Up
* Margatini
* Cosmopolitan

If you're looking to meet a college-aged student, I wouldn't really recommend this bar. However, I did enjoy being greeted by the entertainers there. As my friend left me alone for a few minutes at the table, a man who I had seen frequenting the bar every few minutes approached me. Here's one difference between the college scene and the Sullivan's scene: guys actually talk to you. He politely shook my hand when he introduced himself and began explaining that he needed to keep himself entertained while it wasn't his turn on the set (he was the introductory act with Frank Sinatra-like music accompanied by the big band). Sure he was intoxicated and may have eaten a piece of my friend's calamari off her plate without her permission, but he was entertaining at least. At least he didn't drunkenly stumble or ask me what my major was.

Here's a recipe for a drink mentioned in this blog:

Pucker Up

Check out other reviews of Sullivans:

DotcomTucson review

Citsearch review

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

2006-09-24T18:43:00.000-07:00

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

2006-09-17T15:48:00.000-07:00

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"

2006-09-10T19:27:00.000-07:00

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...

2006-09-04T07:51:00.000-07:00

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.

...................

Check out a recipe:

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

Have you visited Gentle Ben's? Make your comment here along with reading other reviews:

http://travel.yahoo.com/p-reviews-2809350-prod-travelguide-action-read-ratings_and_reviews-i;_ylt=AguEfmzx.2o0KO5.I7wWl0M1FmoL

EmBARking on the New World of Twenty-One-dom

2006-08-28T01:26:00.000-07:00

It has been exactly 28 days since I've joined the world known as "21-dom." As a college student, drinking is not an activity set aside for the elite; however, the world of the bars is unique in all aspects. I never had a fake ID like many students I know, so my twenty-first birthday was definitely a new experience.

I heard so many stories of how people spend so much money on alcohol at the bars. As a female, this idea of paying for drinks was foreign to me. I was accustomed to guys handing drinks to me non-stop at fraternity parties (obviously for selfish reasons and not really for me to have an enjoyable time). Consequently, I was hesitant to believe that alcohol would soon equate to money. I had much to learn. My twenty-first birthday, however, was the one night where I wouldn't have to worry about paying a cent for a drink.

Walking into the bars was a huge feat. I showed my ID to the bouncer with pride. (I have always looked 5 years younger than I really am, so I thought that I'd feel a sense of accomplishment out of proving this man wrong that I in fact was of age). To my surprise, he barely looked twice at my license. He didn't even blacklight it. I was a little offended yet also satisfied. I have finally proven myself worthy of this new life.

It was a Sunday night--July 31, 2006--at Trident Grill and Bar. It was one of a few "popular" college bars that held power hours on a Sunday night (You can't go to O'Malleys or Maloney's at the strike of midnight on your birthday and Dirtbags is closed on Sunday nights). Because it was summer, the place was nowhere near a true portrayal of a bar at its best. I could count the amount of students there with both my hands. But it was my birthday and all I cared about was the group of friends who joined me there to see my night to shine.

Shot after shot I strived to meet the 21-shots-in-2-hours prize. My 5-foot-1-and-a-half-inch body couldn't really take that much. My guy friends decided to give me a taste of the real world. With the infamous Three Wise Men shot, I slyly and sophisticatedly walked to the bathroom. I knew this was not going to be a pretty sight. I did, however, make it to the toilet and walked out of the bathroom with a cool composure.

The bouncer walked up to me, less than a minute later, telling me that someone had heard me get sick in the bathoom so I would be forced to leave Trident that instant. I put my 7th grade acting skills to work and convinced the man that I merely had to use the bathoom. I'm not sure whether I was convincing or whether he just felt sorry for me, but he let us stay.

He regretted his decision a few minutes later.

I had a list of all the shots I had taken that night. After a while, my friends decided that they wouldn't tell me what the shot was until AFTER I had taken it. The 10th one came along and everyone watched me with scruitinizing eyes. The bartender gave me a lime and said I'd need it. I was scared. I held the shot glass in my hand, took the liquid down like a champ, then sucked the lime until there was no liquid left. Suddenly all I felt was a burning feeling in the back of my throat. Tabasco sauce was not my friend. I had just taken a Prairy Fire, which consisted solely of Tequilla and Tabasco sauce. Seeing as I didn't like Tabasco on food, this was a horrible idea looking back.

I could not control my body. I turned to all my friends, gave them the dirtiest look for letting me drink something that horrible, turned back towards the bar and started releasing all that was inside of me. I'm a very considerate person so my first thought was "Oh my gosh I'm going to make a mess at this bar." So I grab the only glass in front of me--the shot glass which had put me in this horrible situation--and aimed for that. As it overflowed I had no choice but to finish the activity on the ground. My group of friends witnessed the entire event. It was probably the funniest yet most humiliating moment of my life. I of course told the bartender that before they kicked me out I would clean the mess up, which I did a minute later.

The last thing I heard as I walked out of the bar was the bouncer saying underneath his breath, "I knew this would happen."

Yes, I finally had made my entrance into the world of paying for your own alcohol, of waiting in a massive line to get acknowledged by the master of the drinks, of being shoved left and right by a person wandering aimlessly through a crowd, and of being able to drink whenever you want just because you can. Finally, senior year has begun.