Tootsie's Tavern

My friend just moved to Big Lake so we decided to check out Tootsie's, which was right down the street from her place. It was your typical small-town bar. There was a band playing 80's cover songs and they were pretty good. The two young male bartenders were really friendly and half-way cute! I had a beer and my friend had a vodka-cranberry. Her drink was really strong and it was pretty cheap. Everyone seemed to know each other in the bar and as outsiders it felt welcoming. The only downside is we had a creepy guy harassing my friend most of the night. He told her his whole life story the first time, came back a second time to continue and on his third try I finally turned into the bitch was told him to go away..he did but continued to stare her down from the other side of the bar. Another downside is that since it is a small town bar, they close at 1 am :(  I'll be back up there next weekend with another friend of ours and we will definitely go back and try it again and hope the creepy guy isn't there this time!

Update (4/25/13): My friends & I went back here last weekend to check it out again and it was a lot of fun. The bartender from before was there but it was his night off so we knew someone at least! My friend ordered a pizza and it was pretty good. The band they had there that night was excellent! We recognized some people who where there the first time we came and luckily the creepy guy wasn't there! We didn't stay long since we wanted to check out other bars but we will try going back during the week to check out the scene.

Always have a good time at Tootsies!  Fun, small, hometown bar, and good live music.  The first time I went in there after work, I was introduced to Tootsie herself (Awesome lady), she was very cool and I will def. be back again soon!

I went to Tootsie's on a Saturday night while visiting friends who live nearby. We arrived to find a bunch of bikes parked out front and could hear the cover band singing. As we walked in the guys playing darts had to stop because you literally walk through the line of fire when you enter. There's a small stage and dance floor in one corner, a bar in the middle, pull tabs, a pool table, and a patio out back. I loved the character of the place-- wood paneling, random memorabilia on the walls, and lower ceilings. The singer even came off the stage and walked through the crowd. It was exactly what I was hoping for in Big Lake! We split a pitcher of Coors Light for $10, listened to the cover band and were entertained by the dancing. We were actually hoping to do some dancing ourselves but there was no room.  Toostie's isn't a big place but it is packed with entertainment and a friendly bunch of patrons. (Some of whom have outstanding tabs they've run-up hanging above the bar.)