Any great Happy Hours to recommend?
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PKWY Tavern Tivoli
Date, time, place: 16 December, 4:05 pm, 450 S. Rampart Blvd.
Moon phase and illumination: last quarter, 49%
Elapsed time until first beer: 8 minutes, 17 seconds
3.5, Beer
2.5, Music
1.0, Other stuff
0.5, Atmosphere
7.5 Total
From an extensive beer list, I first chose Bitburger Premium Pils, an excellent German beer. Prefer in bottle, but can was fine. Next pick was Elysian Space Dust, first rate, no complaint. Pleasant music at good volume. I can accept recent songs, but still like to hear much more classic rock. Bartenders busy, though chatted once in a while. Unfortunately, did not have any good conversations with nearby patrons. Book was sitting clearly on the counter, so not our fault no one asked about it.
The bar was solid dark-brown wood with a useful foot rail. However, only three chairs available without video poker. I understand they need to make money, but why not half and half? Sue and I switched to the non-gaming seats shortly after arriving. Space above the bar was filled screen to screen by TVs, a bit excessive in my opinion. In the outside patio area, for when weather warms up, was a chess board across the floor with pieces knee-high and larger, which I did like, correctly set up. A very enjoyable visit, as indicated by splitting one last Kona Big Wave Golden Ale with Hurricane Sue.
Gordon Biersch Brewing Co.
Date, time, place: 2 December, 3:30 pm, 3987 Paradise Rd.
Moon phase and illumination: waxing gibbous, 70%
Elapsed time until first beer: 5 minutes, 55 seconds
3.5, Beer
2.5, Music
0.5, Other stuff
0.5, Atmosphere
7.0 Total
We experienced adverse conditions enroute to Mandalay Bay, an unexpected college football game at Allegiant Stadium, the PAC-10 conference championship between Utah and USC. They’re not even from around here, how was I supposed to know? After stuck in traffic and blocked from self-parking, we took up a new course heading off the Strip with sidewalks filled by hordes of people. Detours are part of the adventure!
Excellent fresh beer at Gordon Biersch. First tried ‘Another IPA On Paradise.’ Also took a sip of ‘Golden Export’ that Sue ordered. I prefer a Pilsner or Pale Ale over an amber, but due to limited choices my second draft was the ‘Marzen,’ Oktoberfest-type beer, which was fine. Lively music at good volume, but not enough rock to my liking. Minimal interaction from bartenders, and place mostly empty, though admittedly still early. We had a good burger, with white rice. Atmosphere, average, but as long as with Sue, always enjoyable.
PUB 365 Tuscany Suites & Casino
Date, time, place: 18 November, 3:20 pm, 255 E. Flamingo Rd.
Moon phase and illumination: waning crescent, 23%
Elapsed time until first beer: 6 minutes, 21 seconds
3.0, Beer
3.0, Music
2.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
9.0 Total
Based on bartender recommendation, I tried the local Lovelady Love Juice Hazy IPA. Adequate, but hoping for better. After a more careful examination of their 61 beers on draft, I went with the Alesmith San Diego Pale Ale, much more to my liking, first-rate tasty choice. Music played at just the right volume, nice and loud while still allowing normal conversation. No dance floor, but that didn’t stop Hurricane Sue and I, to favorite sounds of classic oldies and rock.
We encountered a guy named Julian, visiting Vegas for a cannabis convention. He mentioned an exclusive event at one of the top Strip casinos that required attendees to leave cell phones in zip lock bags. A line of well-dressed braless women marched in with serving trays of marijuana. Later in the night, they were less dressed and offering lines of cocaine. No word on what the music was. That’s terrible, omitting such a foremost detail. Julian also mentioned his ‘husband’ back in New Jersey, and Charlie’s Bar, perhaps the best gay place in Vegas.
No thanks, my book sitting on the counter is for standard heterosexuals. I conversed with the person on my right named Kevin. Originally from Portland, him and the wife moved to Vegas for better weather and close proximity to the Strip, living ‘on a rooftop’ level, whatever that meant, but sounds great. Next book he wanted to read was Moby Dick, though I suggested my ‘Great American Novel.’ When moment was right, I briefly described it and he readily bought it. I’m learning that people who like my book don’t need much persuading. And those who don’t like it cannot be persuaded anyway. In either case, doesn’t take long and I can get back to my beer.
Average décor, cozy hangout. The grilled wings, large and delicious, tasted really good with our drinks. I was much pleased they kept music playing even with a Vegas Golden Knights hockey game on a small television, which did not interfere with this thoroughly satisfying Happy Hour celebration. In here, life is good.
Steiner’s Pub
Date, time, place: 11 November, 4:20 pm, 1750 N. Buffalo Dr., Ste 115
Moon phase and illumination: waning gibbous, 95%
Elapsed time until first beer: 6 minutes, 39 seconds
3.0, Beer
2.5, Music
1.0, Other stuff
0.5, Atmosphere
7.0 Total
From a selection of more than 70 beers, I chose Warsteiner, a fine German pilsner. Nice foamy head, good flavor, though not as carbonated as I prefer. Due to a 2-for-1 Happy Hour, did not try another type. Music at right volume, pleasant mood, but no classic rock. Of 20 barstools, only three without video poker screens. Sue and I took two with adjoining polished dark-wood countertop area, as it should be. A sturdy foot rail stretched below for entire length of the bar, which had large TV’s dominating attention from above. A colorful, clean place, well-decorated, with plentiful dining tables. Did not interact much with nearby patrons. Bartenders busy and only briefly friendly.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Golden Nugget Hotel Casino
Date, time, place: 8 November, 4:30 pm, 2300 S. Casino Dr., Laughlin, NV
Moon phase and illumination: full, 100%, morning lunar eclipse
Elapsed time until first beer: 1 minute, 52 seconds
3.0, Beer
1.0, Music
1.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
6.0 Total
Got first beer in less than two minutes, impressive. This Hazy IPA draft was a little flat but not bad. Second beer, Heineken, nice fresh taste from an ice-cold bottle. Even music sounds better with the right drink, but still too low against distracting bar noises. ICEE machine louder than the tunes. That’s just wrong. Saw partial eclipse in morning and partial rainbow on the way here. Such an unusual day thought might even sell a book. But most people sat at tables, one couple far off at the bar, bartender not a factor. With my book/coaster under the Heineken, never even asked about it.
Blustery day, but still nice view of the Colorado River outside large windows. I’m still trying to drink myself sensible, but in a world like this not always possible. Slow evening on a Tuesday, but I’ve got beer, a few good songs, health and freedom. Life is good, though not as good without Hurricane Sue. Even if this place full, I could still feel alone. But with her, never am—always something to talk about while enjoyment guaranteed.
Bahama Breeze
Date, time, place: 3 November, 4:45 pm, 375 Hughes Center Drive
Moon phase and illumination: waxing gibbous, 74%
Elapsed time until first beer: 4 minutes, 5 seconds
2.5, Beer
2.0, Music
1.5, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
7.0 Total
Drank a pint of Stella Artois, adequate. Followed that with Aruba Honey Blonde, since I am curious about unfamiliar beers. Somewhat better, but probably would have liked Stone IPA more. I enjoyed Caribbean-style music and give credit for showing the World Series WITHOUT sound. See? It can be done. Would like music louder though. Friendly bartender, RJ, too busy to talk. That’s okay. Hurricane Sue and I had the coconut shrimp and grilled mahi tacos, which were delicious. Pleasant roomy atmosphere, nicely decorated, and only two small TVs in the bar area. I approve. No coasters, except napkins, but perfectly used my book for that.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
Date, time, place: 27 October, 4:45 pm, 10840 W. Charleston Blvd
Moon phase and illumination: waning crescent, 6%
Elapsed time until first beer: 2 minutes, 52 seconds
3.5, Beer
2.0, Music
0.5, Other stuff
0.5, Atmosphere
6.5 Total
Started with Piranha Pale Ale, then Voodoo Ranger IPA. Both first-rate fresh drafts in glass mugs. I approve. Preferred music a bit louder. Selection had some classic rock, but other songs I didn’t like. The first bartender was busy but friendly. Second one, did not say much. An old man in his 80s sat down by Hurricane Sue and lamented his wife passed away a few days ago. We expressed our condolences, but were there for a celebration of health and freedom, not to worry about death. Maybe next time. Good selection of about a dozen beers on draft, spacious bar area with high-top tables. Too many TV’s though, could use more unique decorations
Hennessy’s Tavern
Date, time, place: 19 October, 5:10 pm, 7811 Herschel Ave, La Jolla, CA
Moon phase and illumination: waning crescent, 34%
Elapsed time until first beer: 5 minutes, 13 seconds
2.5, Beer
0.5, Music
1.5, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
5.5 Total
Liked the looks of this place but a San Diego Padres playoff game was on television, WITH the audio playing! I don’t care if Padres fans were there. I don’t care if a big game. I don’t care. When I go to ‘Happy Hour,’ sports on TV is fine. Just let me hear music and avoid frequent barrage of commercial breaks. Mercifully the sound wasn’t loud so I did enjoy some conversation with interesting patrons. But all I felt inside was start breaking chairs and knocking over tables, although still careful not to spill beer. That would be going too far.
Had a Pacifico, then Sculpin IPA brewed by Ballast Point, both on draft. Pacifico was okay, liked Sculpin much better, first-rate IPA. The semi-outdoors seating section with small bar had a pleasant warm breeze. The Irish décor looked good, including a sign, ‘Women are to be loved but not understood.’ An adjoining section with music salvaged its score from a ‘0’ but was at very low volume and only discovered on the way out. If I had known about no music beforehand, would have chosen another place that Sue and I walked by earlier which did have music.