O'rourke's Tavern

I've only been to this place once and I think that might be enough. It smelled like piss and the patrons looked like they had seen better days. This is very much a dive bar in my books. I'd rather go to the Watering Hole (before the renovations). They do have pool tables and an arcade game or two. But I don't plan on going there again.

This bar will always hold a special place in my heart, it was a Sunday staple for me when I lived downtown.  There's something very unique about the atmosphere that I can't identify.  Maybe it's the soft subtle Jazz music or the abundance of people who appear to have lived a rough life.  Whatever it is, I like it.

My main reason for starting to come here was for the free pool, every Sunday from noon to six.  It's not really the price that makes it so great, but it's more about the consistent quality of players who frequent the place, and will always give you a good game.  If you suck at pool you might not want to waste your time.  It can get pretty busy back there, I have see columns of names waiting on the blackboards.

Music is weird here, but that's not a bad thing at all!  I love hearing old stuff that's new to me.  I'll never forget this one time when a kid pumped some money into the jukebox and turned on some rap music.  The bartender Rick came out and unplugged the machine!  Awesome.  You've been warned.

As far as drinks are concerned, they make the best bloody mary in the world (I have tried a lot, believe me) and on Sundays you can get them for $3 and that's a steal because they are not little.  The long islands here are also delicious, but very dangerous so watch yourself.  When you purchase a pitcher of beer, it is custom for them to give you a card.  Save five cards and you get a free pitcher!

Annually on Super Bowl Sunday they have a chili cook-off, and of course they celebrate St. Patty's day with the best of them.  This place isn't for everyone but you should definitely check it out!

The place was dead and smells like raw sewage.