Happy Hour Odyssey 2023 Annual Report (plus last quarter 2022)
When moon brightest than darkest, wait time for beer noticeably less (1 min 45 secs), while overall scores noticeably higher (7.2 vs. 8.1). Data based on 29 visits, so now we know when best to go!
Any great Happy Hours to recommend?
Contact: birdseyebeyond@gmail.com
Paris Hotel Casino Beer Park
Date, time, place: 27 December, 3:45 pm, 3655 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Moon phase, illumination: full, 100%
Elapsed time for first beer: 5 minutes 37 seconds
3.5, Beer
3.0, Music
1.5, Other stuff
1.5, Atmosphere
9.5 Total
Time to hit the Strip and explore. Hurricane Sue wanted to see holiday display at the skylit Bellagio atrium, but of course my main priority was scouting for best place to drink. By parking at MGM Grand and taking Monorail for first time, we were able to avoid bumper to bumper traffic on Las Vegas Boulevard. Using a crowded pedestrian overpass, we eventually flowed into the fancy lobby and over to required sightseeing. Then promptly reversed back for some beer!
A convenient elevator in Paris Casino took us up to a spacious bar and table area overlooking the main avenue, directly across from Bellagio. First beer, Bitburger German Pils, tasted excellent. Lively music played at a satisfying volume, with songs I mostly liked. Sue ordered a Kona Big Wave. We were in a French-themed luxury hotel, drinking beers from Germany, and Hawaii? That’s Vegas for you, along with a 540-foot Eiffel Tower above nearby.
An overhead heating panel was too much for Sue, even in the open air, but Andy the barback offered to have the manager turn it off. Much better. With hospitality and initiative like that, this young man will go far around here. Second beer, Modern Times—Orderville, Hazy IPA. Despite ideal surroundings, tasted a little flat, not quite as good as in microbreweries. No coasters, either.
Thick polished marble countertop looked great, especially without video poker machines. At around $15 a beer, I suppose they don’t need them. TVs mounted high above, and I easily forgot about them, superb. What really topped off the evening as we were about to leave, was the famous Bellagio fountain show, all lit up in early evening darkness. Usually the maximum score for ‘Atmosphere’ is 1.0 but for such a spectacular world-famous attraction, timed just right, I will make an exception. While walking around before and after, I even received compliments from strangers about my hat with purple feather. This could have been our best experience so far on this multi-year odyssey, but I could not give it a 10. Unfortunately, they did not have a ‘Happy Hour,’ but close enough.
Nevada Brew Works
Date, time, place: 1 December, 2:05 pm, 1327 S. Main St.
Moon phase, illumination: waning gibbous, 80%
Elapsed time for first beer: 2 minutes 55 seconds
3.0, Beer
2.0, Music
1.5, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
7.5 Total
Stopped in on a windy sunny Friday afternoon. First tried their Czech Pilsner, pretty good. Hurricane Sue liked the Golden Blonde. Just to be sure, I sipped some, too. Low key mood music, not bad, not great, volume too low. Shiny glass-top bar over light and dark wooden horizontal boards. Shelves of liquor bottles and beer taps made for a nice display, with two TVs mounted above. Only one off to the corner would be sufficient, leaving room for maybe posters instead.
Colorful chalkboards displayed available beers, easily updated, practical, interesting, and a reminder of school. I studied their choices just as carefully and chose Auckland Hazy IPA, pretty good, could be better. Minimal interaction with Garrett, the bartender. Maybe it was our own fault. After asking if they brewed their own beer, he pointed right behind us to a large space of beer vats behind big windows. That was not the smartest question to ask, although how could they rightfully be using foreign names? Anyway, did not want to further bother the bartender by asking about Happy Hour. Did not see one offered, so will assume accordingly.
Finishing my IPA, plus sips of Sue’s beer, led to conversation with a newly arrived patron, named George, a not so young gentlemen from Ottawa, who regaled us with tales of Thailand backpacking in the 1980s and stays in Dubai, where he met a Saudi Arabian airline pilot who liked to secretly drink and ‘meet’ women. George was in town to meet other friends from Ottawa, capital of Canada, taking a needed break from that harsh cold climate, already freezing temperatures and average lows expected below 10 degrees Fahrenheit in the upcoming months. Sounds like not their last visit here! And a big reminder of why I also like living here.
North 5th Brewing Company
Date, time, place: 17 November, 3:45 pm, 60 W. Mayflower Ave.
Moon phase, illumination: waxing crescent, 20%
Elapsed time for first beer: 1 minute 25 seconds
3.5, Beer
2.5, Music
2.0, Other stuff
0.5, Atmosphere
8.5 Total
Got off to an excellent start with Haven Amber Lager. Zicke Zacke Pilsner was also first rate. Later on, after drinking water, tried the Mo’Tonka Crusher Hazy IPA. A bit disappointing, especially since I tried a few sips of Hurricane Sue’s Fierro Mexican Lager, which tasted better than my IPA. That’s just wrong. At least the friendly bartender (Paige) turned up some good music for consolation. No official ‘Happy Hour’ but close enough.
Only one TV screen in each corner, while the bar was properly dominated by a row of beer taps attached to a thick red metal tube coming down from the ceiling and splitting horizontal in both directions. I liked it. Along with a splendid polished natural wood counter. When someone named ‘Paige’ requests a copy of my book for the bar, I suppose that makes my kind of sense. I didn’t see a bookshelf, but there was a Scrabble board game box I left it on top of, which seemed appropriate for its similar enjoyment of language.
Britesmith Brewing
Date, time, place: 27 October, 3:55 pm, 5611 Main St., Williamsville, NY
Moon phase, illumination: full Hunter’s moon, 100%
Elapsed time for first beer: 37 seconds
3.5, Beer
3.0, Music
2.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
9.5 Total
Began with Briter Daze, American Pale Ale, which I really liked. Followed by Billie Haze IPA, good though not great. Two regular size TVs at each end of the bar, not too obtrusive. Polished wood surface counter, solid metal foot rail, 20 silver handled beer taps beneath four tall shiny silver vats were the main attraction, definitely my kind of place! Paul the bartender was friendly and efficient. They played contemporary rock music just loud enough for normal conversation. Not sure about a ‘Happy Hour’ but I definitely enjoyed some happy hours.
An attractive blond bartender took over for Paul. She noticed my book and we briefly discussed writing. Another patron showed up, from New Hampshire, who made his living as a popular DJ at parties. It was a challenge not to drink too much with all the alcohol involved in the normal course of his work. I then met a strong tall firefighter from Buffalo who mentioned some of his life-saving exploits, along with his pregnant companion wisely drinking only water. We hit it off so well that Alex even bought me a beer.
This place was first rate. Also had an outdoor bar, during pleasant sunny weather in the 70s. Although when I checked it out earlier, music was drowned out by weekend chatter and there were numerous bees flying around. Preferred inside better. I carefully noticed the four tall bar vats had separate temperature readings, 36, 38, 41, and 39 degrees. After an intermediate glass of ice water, really liked their Britesmith IPA. I curiously observed temperature readings for the big vats were 36, 38, 40, and 38, the last two dropping by one degree each. Can’t fool me!
I shared a wood-fired pizza, which was delicious, with Alex and courteous Mhai, from the Philippines. I finished up with an Oktoberfest Marzen Lager, another excellent selection. What I also really liked about Britesmith Brewing was that even with the Buffalo Sabres on TV, they didn’t ruin the mood by sounds of the hockey game. Why is that so hard for other places to understand? With great service, great beer, wonderful company, and yes, excellent music, I thoroughly enjoyed this memorable evening.
Thirsty Beaver
Date, time, place: 21 September, 4:40 pm, 500 Madison St., Beaver Dam, WI
Moon phase, illumination: waxing crescent, 36%
Elapsed time for first beer: 1 minute, 53 seconds
3.0, Beer
2.5, Music
2.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
8.5 Total
Started with New Glarus Spotted Cow, a regional favorite, pretty good. Second and third choices were smaller 8-ounce glasses, Hazy Rabbit IPA and River West Stein. Quality beers, but maybe the country music playing reduced my satisfaction. For Happy Hour, picked a chip out of a cloth bag and received a dollar off the first beer. I met a friendly guy named Keith who works as a cook, telling an interesting story about an executive chef back in Virginia who claimed that margarine is only three molecules different from plastic. And it used to be brown until colored like butter to fool people at a cheaper price. So, this adamant boss would not allow margarine anywhere in his restaurant.
While serving us drinks, the owner/bartender wore a black T-shirt with white lettering, ‘A WET BEAVER . . . IS A HAPPY BEAVER!!!’ Must have been referring to that smiling stuffed creature up in the corner with plenty of hard wood around. This place was great. Rectangular bar seated about 20, only a couple TVs off to the side. Eventually went out back for a nice view of Beaver Dam Lake at sunset. A small enclosed pavilion featured talented singers using acoustic guitars, with spacious seating and another bar. A couple dozen easy-going patrons enjoyed the music. And, I must admit, even a cold bottle of Miller Lite tasted pretty good to finish off with.
Santa Fe Mining Company
Date, time, place: 8 September, 2:30 pm, 5021 N. Rainbow Blvd.
Moon phase, illumination: waning crescent, 38%
Elapsed time for first beer: 53 seconds!
3.0, Beer
3.0, Music
2.0, Other stuff
0.5, Atmosphere
8.5 Total
Began with reliable Stella Artois, above average, but tasted a bit flat. Not much of a draft beer selection, but Sierra Nevada Hazy Little Thing IPA was first rate. Music played at good volume with lively rock music. Typical overkill when it came to all the TVs. For a rectangular bar seating about 30, eleven large screens were crammed around above, less than three people for each one. At least the usual video poker machines only cluttered about two-thirds of the counter spaces, instead of nearly all. The friendly bartender, Robert, came over to serve us at one of the four nearby high top tables and Hurricane Sue enjoyed dancing to a few songs we selected on the jukebox. Had a good time, with this Happy Hour that started nice and early.
Brew Brothers in Tropicana
Date, time, place: 31 August, 4:05 pm, 2121 S. Casino Dr., Laughlin, NV
Moon phase, illumination: full, blue supermoon, 100%
Elapsed time for first beer: 1 minute, 24 secs
3.5, Beer
2.0, Music
2.0, Other stuff
0.5, Atmosphere
8.0 Total
Started off with a cold glass pint of Leinenkugel Summer Shandy, a Weiss beer with lemonade flavor. Pretty good. Music played loud enough but not much to my liking, more popular with young Black generation. I am not young, and not Black, like almost everyone in this casino. However, did not let that stop me from sampling a series of 4-ounce beer flights, starting with Brew Brothers Laughlin, a lighter beer brewed in Vegas. Tasted okay, but not great. Next three IPAs were all fantastic and I was totally satisfied, Hop Valley’s Viva Hop Hazy, and their Pineapple Stash House Hazy, followed by Big Dog’s Dirty Dog, with an extra lift so good for the soul in this often troubled world.
Solid shiny black granite bar counter, with no video poker machines, and a sturdy comfortable brass foot rail. Four large TVs though, side by side above from my viewpoint, four other ones on opposite side, one more above side of bar facing out at entrance, plus eight more in the corner above the entrance. Way too many, but I was usually was able to take my eyes off them for pleasing sight of sixteen colorful tap handles, times four, spread out in two pairs over lengthy middle bar area.
Bartender at first not very sociable, even though I was about the only person there. Young bartenders Cameron and Jose showed up later on and provided some interesting conversation. I forgot to inquire if they had an official ‘Happy Hour’ but close enough. And the Glenn’s Smoked Brisket Sandwich, with fries, absolutely delicious.
Crown & Anchor British Pub
Date, time, place: 24 August, 4:30 pm, 4755 W. Spring Mountain Rd.
Moon phase, illumination: first quarter, 53%
Elapsed time for first beer: 1 minute, 43 secs
3.5, Beer
3.0, Music
2.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
9.5 Total
Received a warm welcome by the bartender, Art, who quickly served our drinks in cold glass mugs with coasters. I had a Harp Lager, then Carlsberg. Adequate, but average. After a prudent glass of ice water and enjoying the house specialty chicken tenders, a bottle of Elysian Space Dust IPA tasted excellent, as well as the Kona Golden Ale for Hurricane Sue, which I took a few sips of. Adding to our satisfaction, 70s and 80s music played continually at good volume, while single TV screens on each wall were not that obtrusive. Miniature British flags were strung along the ceiling, along with small white Christmas-type lights, and two wooden posts from the bar counter up to ceiling were decorated with unique eye-catching sticker designs.
Cozy little place, a three-sided bar with enough seating for about twenty people. The countertops were mostly filled with video poker machines, but all right, this is Vegas. But I did find a corner spot without one though, with proper space to place my book. I met an interesting patron named Craig, a former high school English teacher now working on his PhD in Education at UNLV. I don’t often encounter intellectual conversations during this Happy Hour Odyssey, but talking with him, and a group of other smart people who gathered later, made this visit especially satisfying.
Echo & Rig Steakhouse
Date, time, place: 11 August, 3:15 pm, 440 S. Rampart Blvd, Tivoli Village
Moon phase, illumination: waning crescent, 21%
Elapsed time for first beer: 11 minutes, 58 secs
1.0, Beer
0.5, Music
2.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
4.5 Total
Setting my book on the bar led to immediate interest by the woman next to me named Amanda, a published poet and PhD, whose thesis involved setting up an exhibit at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, on the life and works of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. I often get the feeling of a cultural wasteland around here, no matter how many bars I go to, but someone like Amanda revealed not always the case. We also discussed libraries, along with highly questionable state of affairs in the local public schools.
It was an encouraging and pleasantly intellectual conversation. However, Hurricane Sue got her wine but the bartender disappeared for over ten minutes until I could choose my drink, a Bell’s Two Hearted IPA, which was cold, though tasted flat. Combined with background music barely audible in this fancy place, we had no other choice than to flee. Especially disappointing, since the most recent Las Vegas Weekly cover story about Happy Hours first brought this place to my attention. But with their emphasis far more on food than music, I sure got fooled. You can have a good Happy Hour without gobbling on grub; but you can’t have a good Happy Hour without beer AND music. Got it? Fortunately, we found suitable refuge in nearby PKWY Tavern.
Edward Teach Brewery
Date, time, place: 31 July, 4:40 pm, 604 N. 4th St., Wilmington, NC
Moon phase, illumination: waxing gibbous, 95%
Elapsed time for first beer: 4 minutes, 3 secs
3.0, Beer
2.0, Music
2.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
8.0 Total
Started off with Pistol Proof German Lager, decent taste, but not great. Then had Devil’s Son IPA, much more to my liking, in this spacious venue with the door open for some pleasant afternoon air. The bar stretched in a gradual arc with seats for about two dozen people and mostly full, with two sets of beer taps. A chatty young couple provided minor drama. After the female flirted for ten minutes or so, then her boyfriend took a seat on other side. That prior guy was suddenly odd man out--proving yet again how deceitful women can be. Stick to beer, skip the fear.
I don’t know if the first male bartender and the one after were having a rough day, but they spoke only bare minimum to provide my drinks. I still tipped them, of course, but expected at least a little perfunctory interaction. Maybe one of their girlfriends brought in a screaming love child for more support payments, I don’t know. Fortunately, a young man named Dan sitting next to me struck up a good conversation about hard rock bands. He had interesting solar system tattoos all up and down his left arm. He also told me that according to North Carolina state law, ‘Happy Hours’ were not permitted. I could never live in such an oppressive state! So maybe that explains bartenders’ surly disposition?
In this refurbished older building downtown, not one TV visible in the bar area. See? It can be done. I later discovered a projection screen upstairs, where it belonged. On the way out, took a closer look at a US map, and seven international ones too, beneath the words ‘Show us where you’re from board.’ Dozens of red pins marked locations from around the world and throughout the country. Another great idea, that I have not seen elsewhere.
Trattoria Reggiano
Date, time, place: 12 July, 4:20 pm, 2020 Park Centre Dr.
Moon phase, illumination: waning crescent, 27%
Elapsed time for first beer: 1 minutes, 45 secs
2.5, Beer
2.0, Music
1.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
6.5 Total
First choice, Peroni, nice and cold on a hot day in Summerlin, yet just an average draft. Fancy shiny white marble counter and I also liked the marble foot rail. Music at acceptable volume, but not many songs I liked. TVs on side walls, no factor. Mostly a dining room, with small bar area. I never realized this before, but I kind of expect a bartender not to disappear half the time serving other guests elsewhere. Made it seem like we were an extra bother, leaving no time for any casual small talk, which I also prefer.
When I asked about bottled beers in the fridge, I was told they were not on Happy Hour, almost like being guarded from unauthorized use. Then I asked about the rubber ducky tap handle selection, and was told not available either, leaving me with exactly two other choices. Halfway through my Stella Artois, I noticed another male patron with a glass of appealing beer poured from a bottle which I could not read the label of. I am not worthy. Good cold glasses to drink from, but no coasters and female bartender not too friendly. An Italian restaurant is probably not the best place to find great beer, but had to check out just in case, all part of our ongoing odyssey.
Beaver Street Brewery
Date, time, place: 28 June, 3:10 pm, 11 S. Beaver St. #1, Flagstaff, AZ
Moon phase, illumination: waxing gibbous, 71%
Elapsed time for first beer: 3 minutes, 48 secs
3.5, Beer
2.5, Music
1.5, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
8.5 Total
After a long drive from Colorado, we walked around in Flagstaff to consider three breweries in close proximity, Lumber Yard, Mother Road Brewing Company, and Beaver Street Brewery, which enticed us in with $2 off on draft beers during Happy Hour, 2:30 to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Sue chose the Lager Del Sol, while I was in the mood for Railroad Red, probably named after nearby tracks. The music was a little low compared to talkative people in nearby booths. After they left, I could better hear a variety of pleasing rock music. Excellent hard wood polished bar counter, with high seat wood chairs for about a dozen persons. I liked the foot rail made from a section of railway track. I forget what Sue ordered to eat, but I had the happy hour beef taco. It was okay, smaller size than I thought.
BSB used well-designed coasters for their freshly brewed beers. Impressive. Conductor IPA was my second choice, a quality product though too much amber aftertaste for me. I took a long sip of Sue’s second Lager Del Sol, a first-rate golden ale and actually liked hers better. We had breakfast in Colorado, lunch in New Mexico, stopped for beers here in Arizona, and continued later for wings and more beer in Kingman. Then back to Nevada, after driving over 900 miles, while slowing down for accidents in New Mexico and Arizona, which forced traffic on the right shoulder due to a semitruck flipped sideways across both lanes. Despite all obstacles, traveling from before sunrise to after sunset, that, my friends, was a good full day, especially finding satisfying beers along the way.
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
Date, time, place: 27 June, 4:55 pm, 7605 N. Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO
Moon phase, illumination: waxing gibbous, 68%
Elapsed time for first beer: 5 minutes, 17 secs
3.0, Beer
1.0, Music
1.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
6.0 Total
Started off with Cryotechnic Spectacular New Zealand Pale Ale, fresh and first rate, tasted pretty good. Sue happy with her beer, too, Ankle Buster Blonde, although five minutes to receive them took longer than usual. My second selection was Bonita, Bonita Hoppy Pale Ale, excellent subtle flavors, liked it better than first choice. Nice solid glass mugs, but had to use plain napkins for coasters. Just doesn’t seem right. I liked the music, but merely background sound compared to all the kitchen and customer noise. Should be other way around. Why do so many places not understand this? And yes, this results in beer not tasting as well, either.
Polished marble bar counter, wide beer selection, big windows to look outside on a pleasant sunny evening. Only three TVs mounted high above the bar, each in a different direction, not too annoying. Sue and I both agreed the bison burger and fries tasted great. They have a Happy Hour from 3 to 6 pm. Could have been better, but we had a good time.
Starr Brothers Brewing Co.
Date, time, place: 23 June, 5:40 pm, 5700 San Antonio Drive Northeast, Suite B1, Albuquerque, NM
Moon phase, illumination: waxing crescent, 23%
Elapsed time for first beer: 2 minutes, 38 secs
3.0, Beer
0.5, Music
1.5, Other stuff
0.5, Atmosphere
5.5 Total
Stopped in after a long drive from Nevada. My Starrphire German Pilsner tasted pretty good, while Sue was satisfied with Live Wire Light Lager, which I later tasted too. One big problem, however. Could not hear music, and with all the kids seated at nearby tables or playing around, almost felt like I was at a grade school cafeteria. Had several good conversations with other patrons though, which somewhat made up for it. Although, why did lunch at a KFC in Gallup have good songs playing at a better volume than here? That’s just wrong. Some things I will never understand. Xan (pronounced ‘Zan’) did a great job. Especially when she brought me a final 12-ounce Starr Struck American IPA. One more thing about bars I notice. There is so much stupid crap on TV—and people watch it.
Beer Zombies
Date, time, place: 9 June, 4:20 pm, 2010 Festival Plaza Dr, Ste. 130
Moon phase, illumination: waning gibbous, 65%
Elapsed time for first beer: 2 minutes, 26 secs
3.0, Beer
2.0, Music
2.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
8.0 Total
On a beautiful warm sunny afternoon, we stopped in to this distinctive establishment in downtown Summerlin. Happy Hour is 3-6 pm, Monday to Thursday. Unfortunately, this was Friday. But we didn’t let that stop us from ordering MT Pils for Sue, and Vegas As Fuck for me. Nice small place, but Underground Hip Hop music not really my thing, which greatly diminished satisfaction with first two beers, trying Zombie Duck Hunter next, with a slight amber aftertaste.
I enjoyed the Disco Ninja IPA more, especially since the female bartender, Paris, must have read my mind and switched to a lively pop music channel. The other bartender, Blair, graciously took pictures of us. I experienced beer jealousy, though, when another patron ordered a delicious-looking medium body NAC NAC IPA, which Paris set down on the bar right beside me. As music more to my liking continued to play, and we were within walking distance of dinner, I indulged in a 5-ounce portion of that beer, also. Glad I did, first rate, tasted great.
Hop Nuts Brewing
Date, time, place: 1 June, 4:50 pm, 430 S. Rampart Blvd. #190
Moon phase, illumination: waxing gibbous, 91%
Elapsed time for first beer: 2 minutes, 12 secs
3.5, Beer
2.0, Music
2.0, Other stuff
0.5, Atmosphere
8.0 Total
What I first liked about this place was a bar counter made from marble without any annoying video poker machines. The friendly female bartender allowed Hurricane Sue to try several samples until finding one she liked. Life is too short to drink the wrong beer. Since they were out of Golden Ale, Sue accepted the Spring Fling Pale Ale. I enjoyed 18b Pale Ale, followed by one fine Hopathon IPA. All beers were first rate and music good, but volume too low. Which means beer didn’t taste as well as it should. Not many patrons, so the mood was a little too subdued. An adjacent outdoor patio with several tables looked tempting, but we stayed sheltered safe and satisfied inside the bar, away from nearby traffic noise.
Tenaya Creek Brewery
Date, time, place: 1 April, 1:05 pm, 831 W. Bonanza Rd.
Moon phase, illumination: waxing gibbous, 80%
Elapsed time for first beer: 1 minute, 51 secs
4.0, Beer
2.5, Music
2.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
9.5 Total
To celebrate the one-year anniversary of Bird’s-eye & Beyond, Sue and I came to the right place. Especially since today I became a famous writer. April Fools! But we did have one of the most well-known authors in Vegas join us, Brian Rouff. I started with Tenaya Creek’s Local 702 Pale Ale, delivered in record time, and then Hop Ride IPA. Both were among many outstanding choices brewed on the premises, including Sue’s favorite, the Pilsner. Lively music at good volume made them taste even better. After some other friends met us, the limo arrived, for a ride out to Red Rock Canyon Overlook on a beautiful spring afternoon. This was also location for the climactic scene in Heartbreak Epiphanies And Justified Lust.
We returned to our balloon and cupcakes at Tenaya Creek Brewery, but a Final Four NCAA basketball game was on TV, with sound, during Happy Hour! Which explains why my Aviators Ale did not taste so good, even after moving to the elevated back room with a good view through glass windows of the production floor with large shiny vats. Appealing music played at this spacious area and my fault for not going there directly, but damage to my taste buds from annoying commercials was already done. If not for that, this would have been a perfect 10. In order to avoid same potential problem next year, I suggest they simply delay the game until after we’re finished. Priorities in this peevish world can sure be all messed up, with ‘March Madness’ just one example.
BrewDog Las Vegas
Date, time, place: 24 March, 3:20 pm, 3767 S. Las Vegas Blvd
Moon phase, illumination: waxing crescent, 10%
Elapsed time for first beer: 5 minutes, 8 secs
3.0, Beer
1.5, Music
1.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
6.5 Total
Did not see any sign of this place on the crowded Strip sidewalk until walking up to a BrewDog stand selling beers, adjacent to a glass door entrance. Hurricane Sue and I took an elevator to the second floor, opening up to a huge space filled with tables. We continued inside to a stairway leading up to an equally large third floor area, getting seated by a hostess to the bar. So far so good. The courteous bartender offered me samples of their two pale ales. I chose Shifteeze, and was very pleased. The music was too low to begin with, and promptly got switched for start of a college basketball game. Not so good. My second beer was the Stone Buenaveza lager, a quality choice. But beer in general just doesn’t taste as good without pleasant lively music.
I overheard talking from two guys on my left about movie production and strip clubs. In the course of drinking and conversing with Sue plus the woman on her right side, I deliberately placed my book within easy viewing distance of the men beside me, but no reaction. What did I have to do? Smack one over the head with it? If someone sat down next to me at a bar and flagrantly put down a book, I can guarantee I would ask about it. Almost like some people don’t even care about writing. Combined with a bartender overwhelmed by a constant surge of drink orders from waitresses for nearby tables, including mixed drinks, my outgoing conversational ability, minimal to begin with, was not very enhanced, even after those two beers, plus generous sips of Sue’s excellent selection, the Lost Lager.
As evident from being charged full price, online mention of a Happy Hour proved unfounded. Sue and I departed our assigned location and explored the outdoor area, with a spectacular rooftop view of the Strip during a sunny late afternoon. The bar there did have good music playing, but found out too late damn it, along with three chatty male visitors. They seemed uninterested in literary fiction but under more favorable circumstances I would have found out for sure, without having to smack anyone over the head first.
The Oasis Soi Cowboy
Date, time, place: 3 March, 5:30 pm; 4, 19-4/20, Khlong Toei, Bangkok
Moon phase, illumination: waxing gibbous, 87%
Elapsed time for first beer: 3 minutes, 57 secs
3.5, Beer
2.0, Music
2.0, Other stuff
0.5, Atmosphere
8.0 Total
In this distant locale, first choice was a German Federbrau on draft, a pale lager style beer in a glass mug. First rate, no complaint. Second selection that caught my attention, Beer Lao, in a bottle. Very nice. Two beers are usually enough, but not usually in Bangkok either. Since taking the subway and no need to worry about driving, on left side of the road, I next tried the Asahi, a rice lager from Japan. Smooth golden ale with a pleasant aftertaste. Cheewit dee mak (life very good).
Hurricane Sue and I previously rejected several other bars in this party district due to lack of music, since things didn’t pick up until around 8 p.m. At our age, we like to start early and finish early. When going far enough inside at The Oasis, away from street noises, we could hear oldies and classic rock music, but barely loud enough. The staff was friendly, especially our waitress named Bee. We even met another server who was from up north in Thailand close to where Sue was born, in this country she had not been back to in over 50 years. But she was still able to fluently converse with everyone in her native language.
We talked with interesting patrons. Bee told us the owners were British, which explained three different soccer shows on TVs. Sad, look away. Strings of national flags displayed from the ceiling were a nice feature, but could not overcome my dislike for a large TV dominating the bar, flanked by two others, and even more on the opposite walls. Hurricane Sue was happy with reliable Stella Artois and Thai Singha. Things almost went sideways on our way back when Sue stopped in to dance with some friendly ladies at a place with live music. She bought them a round at first, then I bought another, after Sue was ready to leave and before any serious repercussions to our sightseeing plans next morning. Good thing she was half-ways sensible, or I might have stayed all night.
House of Blues Las Vegas Mandalay Bay Resort Casino
Date, time, place: 16 February, 3:40 pm, 3950 S. Las Vegas Blvd.
Moon phase, illumination: waning crescent, 25%
Elapsed time for first beer: 4 minutes, 14 secs
3.0, Beer
3.0, Music
0.5, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
7.5 Total
First tried Golden Road Ride 10 Hop Hazy IPA, from a very limited selection on draft. Enjoyable, but I’ve had better from names that actually fit on the tap handle. Bottle of Kona Golden Ale next, poured in a glass. Tasted great, but familiar. Music played loudly with songs well-suited for enjoying drinks. Only interacted briefly with bartenders and with no other patrons. Bar situated by entrance to a dining area and adjacent to pedestrian traffic through the gaming floor. By sitting at far left, TVs not in view, so I was glad about that and did not have to deduct from the Atmosphere score. Just before paying the tab, I learned there was no longer a ‘Happy Hour.’ For future reference, Hurricane Sue and I located a nearby Irish pub and verified they do have one, which we will return to in the future.
Vice Versa, Vdara Hotel & Spa
Date, time, place: 19 January, 3:00 pm, 2600 W. Harmon Ave.
Moon phase, illumination: waning crescent, 8%
Elapsed time for first beer: 4 minutes, 20 secs
3.5, Beer
3.0, Music
2.0, Other stuff
1.0, Atmosphere
9.5 Total
Good beer selection in cold bottles, though can only give highest score to draft beers preferably brewed locally. Enjoyable music was at perfect volume, without a single song I disliked. Despite being busy, one of the bartenders was especially friendly and provided excellent service. Hurricane Sue and I also met several other interesting persons. One friendly middle-aged man was here for the World of Concrete trade show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. In addition to latest products, techniques, and technology, masons from all over competed to see who could lay most bricks in one hour. Just as I suspected, they could build an entire skyscraper in less time than it took to write my book. Throw in a couple freeway overpasses, too. Although not using lasers like in modern construction, I do have a pretty good thesaurus. And as much meticulous production goes into my efforts as does theirs.
The mid-sized bar had no video poker in the way, only two TV screens, one above each end, and a pleasant view of the outdoor lounge, hotel entrance, and high-rise buildings beyond. We talked with one well-dressed patron who retired four years ago at 52 from a lucrative career as an engineer and lawyer. He was still single and frequently living it up on the Strip at favorite bars. The couple next to him asked about my book sitting on the counter, after already showing it to the bartender. So, I enjoyed the rare chance to talk about my writing. They seemed interested, or maybe it was just the alcohol.
Another couple from Atlanta showed up, before going down to Fremont Street, where Sue deals blackjack at Binion’s. After the guy mentioned being a chiropractor, I somehow referred to a therapeutic ‘flesh-hanging’ scene in Heartbreak Epiphanies And Justified Lust. The woman cut me off with revulsion and that was the end of our conversation. I will try remembering not to bring that up again. At any rate, Sue and I had a wonderful, certainly worthwhile time. This place did not have an actual Happy Hour, but when out exploring must keep an open mind for best places to find.