June 28, 2004:
There has been a list floating around in my head for years now
that I call my Top Five favorite bars. The list changes now and then, some long time
favorites go downhill and drop off the list, I move across country and discover a new
place that climbs onto the list. Following is the current list, I guess. For now.
( Following descriptions are preliminary.
More complete ones to come. ) 1. John Steven Ltd.
Fells Point, Baltimore, MD
This place has been at the top of the list for several years
now, everything about it just plain works. Steamed shrimp, mussels, good music, great
draft beers, nice atmosphere, waterfront location. Perfect.
2. Dubliner Pub
Old Market, Omaha, Nebraska
On the list for 14 years and counting, this Irish pub is
located in the basement of a building in the trendy (well, as trendy as it gets) Old
Market area of Omaha. Good live bands on weekends, 100 different beers to chose from,
lots of places to stand. 3. The Nest Fayette, Ohio
My home town. The first bar I ever visited. Still good, it
never changes. 4. Nallen's Irish Pub
Denver, Colorado
Another great Irish pub. Authentic, small, great people.
5. xx Bar
xx, Colorado
open for consideration.
December 7, 2004: These are former Top Five
favorite bars that have gone downhill over time and dropped off the list. Changes
in personnel, a gradual decline in atmosphere, an increase in "idiot" customers,
things like that all take their toll and bars go "downhill". Some can return to
being good places, while some never get any better. 1. Mirage Sports Bar
Littleton, Colorado
Smoky. More to come on this place.
This long time number one bar has fallen on hard times the
past decade, it is no longer the hot spot in Fells Point that it used to be. For a
place that considers itself an Irish Bar, it has very few Irish bands anymore.
Good live music, at times. Other times not so good music. Lately has been geting
better with improved quality of bands, but not as good as it was.
2. Cat's Eye Pub Fells
Point, Baltimore, MD