Beau Club

I love dives. I love serious bars that have been around forever where people get their drink on. Especially love such bars when they serve as an oasis for folks to escape oppressively posh surroundings.*

So I wanted Beau Club to be all those things, and I wanted to love it. But...it wasn't quite. And it was a quiet Sunday night when I was there, so who knows, maybe I'm missing out on the real experience. The stained glass murals are certainly awesome. BUT the bartender, while friendly enough, didn't know the different between bourbon, scotch, and Canadian whiskey. The pours were kind of tiny, and not cheap -- $7 for a little sip of Wild Turkey. The jukebox is one of those crappy electronic ones that tries to trick you into spending extra money every time you press a button. In short, it has a good foundation for being a good serious drinking bar (divey history; pretty, old fixtures; friendly, tattooed bartender; low-key clientele; good fries from the kitchen next door), but fails on the execution. I just can't get relaxed when the pours are weak, the drinks expensive, the barkeep unknowledgeable, and the jukebox is trying to rip me off.

*See my review for Subway Inn, NY, NY.

Fun & friendly townie kind of bar.  Hard to beat the stained glass behind the bar and the last-call bell.  The bar tender is a no-nonsense kind of lady, good at what she does.  

Extra stars will be given if you remove the death metal from the juke box and if you start accepting credit cards (It's almost 2012 for god's sake!).  It's bound to increase business as I try to drink my way to a free flight on my Alaskan Airlines card...

Love love love this bar. Am always greeted when I come in and the bartenders typically remember me and what I like, even when it's been awhile. Best jukebox ever! Pool tables, arcade games, video poker, etc. Awesome beers on tap, usually including a caldera brew, and an even greater bottle selection. Great service, good food from the attached restaurant, Geppetos. It's small, they don't ever have much going on, but for someone who just likes a calm fun place to go with a friend or two, this place can't be beat!