Today's Reason To Drink

I hate drinking alone, but blogging alone is even worse. Where are all my faithful commenters? Am I talking to myself here? Don't you have anything to say? Bitches!

My Top 5 Albums of 2007

(Photo: Uh Huh Her. Photo by Clea Duvall)

1) Rilo Kiley: Under the Black Light — I was awestruck by this group’s fourth release. Pop music today is gross, I thought. Predictable. Over-produced. Robotic. Until … Rilo Kiley showed me what they discovered under a black light — fresh, appealing lyrics in bed with funky, raw beats and a naughty spanking from Amy Lewis’ mesmerizing, unrefined vocals. Turn off the radio and give your ears this much-needed respite from the same old, same old.

2) Uh Huh Her: I See Red — It’s a sad day when bands break up. It’s a happy day when disbanded band members find other disbanded band members and learn how to make sweet, sweet music once again. As is the case with this group, which formed when Camila Grey (of Mellowdrone) met up with … uh huh, her … Leisha Hailey (of The Murmurs). Although neither had frontman experience — Grey played bass and dabbled in production (Dr. Dre, Kelly Osbourne) and Hailey has been on a five-year music hiatus doing time on the boob tube (as Alice in “The L Word”) — both have effortlessly stepped up front and center with this electro-pop EP. It’s edgy without being loud. Surreal without being cryptic.

3) Ryan Adams: Easy Tiger — He’s an asshole, no doubt. But that doesn’t mean he can’t make great music. Adams defies music-industry rules, molds and etiquette. He always has. I’ve got friends who are still bitter over his overly short stint closing out this year’s Non-Comm. Of course they didn’t bother to fork over some dough for his make-up show a few months later, which was amazing, being that most of the playlist came from Easy Tiger.

4) The Fervor: Bleeder — I’m gonna put this out there: The Fervor is Louisville’s version of Rilo Kiley. Which is neither a knock nor a surprise that both are on my Top 5 list. Bold female vocals (courtesy of Natalie Felker), innovative melodies and solid subject matter make for a refreshing 10-song drag from an inhaler. Loosen it up. (BTW: LEO music editor Mat Herron plays the drums in this band, but that didn’t influence my pick, I swear. But the drumming is quite good.)

5) Bruce Springsteen: Magic — Remember when music was just music? No bling. No frontin’. No celebrity. Just music. Pure and simple music. Bruce Springsteen does.

My Top 5 Films of 2007

(Photo: Christina Ricci and Samuel L. Jackson in "Black Snake Moan")

1) Black Snake Moan — Forget church or therapy — one way to cure someone of their demons is to chain them to your radiator and play ’em the blues. Sam Jackson and Christina Ricci rise to the top in this raw, gritty, sweaty film.

2) Lars & the Real Girl — A moving but very weird story of human compassion at its finest. So what if our adorable Ryan Gosling totes around a blow-up doll and calls it his girlfriend? Are you going to ridicule or play along? The small town in this story chooses to play along … and they were better people for it.

3) Knocked Up — Izzy gots some comedy chops, who knew? Judd Apatow, apparently. Sex with strangers, accidental pregnancies, loser friends … we’ve all been there, right? Apatow took the most stressful situations in “Knocked Up” and magic-wanded them into complete comic genius. I wonder what would happen if he ever hooked up with Sarah Silverman. It’d be some crazy shit.

4) Year of the Dog — Molly Shannon puts aside her Catholic school girl antics and does a real fine job at bringing the lonesome, apethetic Peggy to life. You can’t help but feel sorry for her after she loses her dog Pencil, the only friend she had in her sorry life. This film proves that Molly is Rhoda no more. She’s got the Mary chops, indeed.

5) Waitress — The quirky characters and delightful, effortless storytelling by Adrienne Shelly made script-writing seem easy as pie. If only it was.

Today's Reason To Drink

I saw myself in the mirror today from the side angle. Holy chocolate balls! Who is that person? It can't be me ... can it?

It is you, you fat bastard. Now get to the gym and lay off the beer!

Gin & Soda, this is Sara.
Sara, this is Gin & Soda.

Today's Reason To Drink

Don't stop now! The holidays are still chugging along. Keep your liver in tip-top shape for New Year's Eve.

Today's Reason To Drink

Merry Christmas, you old Building & Loan!

Cheers!

Today's Reason To Drink

You're with your relatives ... do you really need a reason today?

Smoke em if you got em

A judge just overturned the smoking ban. It's back to stinky clothes and shit-hacked lungs.

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071221/NEWS01/71221014

Today's Reason To Drink

Holiday vacation is so close I can smell it. Just a few more hours.

One early New Year's Resolution: No more eating food at the Back Door. Tastes so good going down, but definitely not a party the next day. Ouch, bitches! Think of it like a bar-food mullet: Party in the front; bad, bad business in the back.

Today's Reason To Drink

Jimmy's On The River has closed its doors forever. It's a sad, sad day when a bar closes. It really was never the same since it opened last year under new management. I hear that the folks from The Menu (in New Albany) are looking to buy it, perhaps make it a more upscale place. It has one of the best views in town. Can't beat that outside deck facing the Ohio and overlooking the Louisville skyline.

I've had some great memories at that place. Remember the $1 beers just about every day? Remember when bands would play upstairs and the whole floor would shake? Remember their buffalo chicken tenders on top of tortilla chips? Remember the River Frog? Memories ...

Bar Belle Column from 12/19/07 LEO

The Bar Belle
BY SARA HAVENS
My Christmas list

Much like my resilient liver, my letters to Santa keep bouncing back. So I’m just going to publish it here and hope he reads LEO, at least every other week that is. Roger Baylor can fend for himself — may he get a lump of hops in his stocking (that’s a good thing, right?).

Dear Santa,

LEO Bar Belle here. Let’s make this quick and painless. Enjoyed our time together last year … but still on those damned antibiotics! Hope all is well. Here’s what I want:

•Bottle of Woodford Reserve

•Trip to Ireland

•Cure for hangovers

•12-pack of Miller Lite (the water in my house is awful)

•Free year-round City Scoot service

•My own reserved table/area/shrine at the following establishments: Dundee Tavern, The Back Door, Headliners, Old Hickory, Wick’s, Norm’s, Gerstle’s, Jimmy’s, Rich O’s and the Tropical Isle (in New Orleans)

•The recipe for those delicious cheese fries at Cahoots

•Low beer prices

•For PBR not to be hip

•A decent ventilation system for the Pour Haus

•For Louisville’s bar-hopping public to put down the karaoke mic and embrace the talented musicians and bands we take for granted

•For peace on earth and a truce between O’Shea’s/Flanagan’s/Brendan’s and Maker’s Mark

•For beer snobs and swill chuggers to play together in a sandbox

•For Starbucks to sell Jagerbombs (“Buckbombs”?)

•6-pack of Zima (hey, it was my first!)

•For friends and strangers to buy me drinks*

•Crispier hot wings

•Non-cancer-causing cigarettes

•More tippers and less bitchers

•More bars in more places

*LEO does not advise its readers to buy Sara drinks. Her friends, however, should pony up.

Share your own wish list with her at shavens@leoweekly.com, or post something dirty on her blog at www.leoweekly.com

Today's Reason To Drink

Candy.

I just had some chocolate a coworker brought in, and it sent shivers through my body. I had to hold on to my chair. Even needed a cigarette afterwards (only kidding, since it's been more than a year since I quit). Maybe a cigar.

My favorites are Twix, Whatchamacallit, Score and Starburst. And Magic Shell. Every bowl of ice cream needs Magic Shell.

Today's Reason To Drink

Hmmm ... what shall it be?

May Whitney Houston stay sober in 2008! I can feel a strong comeback. She just needs to realize that the greatest love of all is inside of her.

I believe that children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way ... to the bar.

Today's Reason To Drink

Beef jerky has wreaked havoc on my internal software. Abort!

File not found.

Today's Reason To Drink

This movie is going to be sooooo great! This short clip will get me through the long, cold, sunless winter. Can't wait for summer 2008!

Today's Reason To Drink

Real headline: "Ike beats Tina to death"

RIP: Ike Turner, 1931-2007

Invisible Line

Recently, my line between Happy Buzz and Completely Drunk has disappeared. Where has it gone? One minute I'm content and happy and carefree, and the next I've got a beer bottle or lamp shade on my head. WTF? I want to be the brooding, hip, quiet cat in the corner of the bar -- listening, taking it all in, talking about politics and important stuff like Oprah and Iraq. But instead, I'm the fool. Loud, clumsy, the center of attention. Sputtering things about dead TV characters and "The Hills." Anything but cool.

How can I get my line back? I don't want to cross it, but when you can't see it, how do you know how close you are to it? Do I need a black light to find it? Is it invisible like The Predator until I shoot at it and it bleeds all over the place?

Help me find my line!

Today's Reason To Drink

Holidays are fucking stressful.

Today's Reason To Drink

It's currently 71 degrees on Dec. 11, 2007. And you say there's no such thing as Global Warming.

Happy Holidays!

It took me all weekend, but I finally got my tree up.

Today's Reason To Drink

Learned some hard lessons this weekend that I shant go into in this space. Oh - I can tell you one of them: I will never bartend a Steelers game again. In fact, their rowdy and rude fans have turned me against the Steel City team. Go Bengals!

Bar Belle from 12/05/07 LEO

The Bar Belle
BY SARA HAVENS

Wet yourself

Do you know what today is? Oh, it’s your mom’s birthday … well, besides that? It’s the 74th anniversary of the day Prohibition was repealed! Yep, on Dec. 5, 1933, the sexy 21st Amendment went into effect, making it legal again to drink yourself silly and hook up with strangers. Can you believe our country was dry for 13 long years? Everybody knows dryness leads to chafing. How did people manage to get along? What did they do on the weekends or during NASCAR races? How did they do keg stands or play Asshole? Who let the dogs out?

I think tonight would be a great night to grab a drink with friends and reflect upon such an historic event in our sordid history. Go a little overboard … it’s probably your civic duty to do so. Your mother will approve.

(If you’re interested, this Friday the Filson Historical Society is hosting a bourbon tasting and lecture by bourbon historian Michael Veach, who will discuss how the P-word affected local distillers. Details are at www.filsonhistorical.org.)

Goodbye O’Malley’s, hello City Block

On the count of three, say O’Malley’s one last time. 1 … 2 … 3 … O’MALLEY’S! OK, now say hello to City Block, the new name for the nightclub complex that houses Coyote’s, Vinnie’s, List and more. The announcement was made at a press conference last Wednesday. No beer was served. Although they were light on details, what we know is this: The almost-20-year-old, 60,000-square-foot venue will get a facelift by current management; popular clubs like Coyote’s and the Fox Den are staying put, which is good news for mechanical-bull and hog riders; included in the renovations will be a cabaret-type theater in one of the clubs; and it is to be referred to from here on out as City Block. The mayor said so. City Block will continue to be a top venue for touring artists on their way up (eg., The Wreckers) and down (Sir Mix-A-Lot). We’ll watch the developments with interest and try to keep you up to date as things move along.

I’m drinking with your mom tonight. Text me at shavens@leoweekly.com or jump on my blog at www.leoweekly.com

Today's Reason To Drink

The Muckrakers are playing a gig in town tonight at Gerstle's. Can't wait! It's been too long. 10:30 bitches!

Today's Reason To Drink

I need to have a meeting about how I can have as many meetings possible in one day.

Today's Reason To Drink

Some things in this world just don't make sense, like Jenna Bush calling her father on the Ellen Degeneres Show today.

Today's Reason To Drink

George Takei is back on Howard Stern's show this week. Hey now!

Today's Reason To Drink

It's technically holiday time. Which means your diet can go out the window ... at least until Jan. 2. So why not eat, drink and be merry from now until then? Nothing sounds better right now than a Bourbon Barrel Stout from BBC. It's better than a hug. And it won't steal the covers.

Today's Reason To Drink

Suck it!

Today's Reason To Drink

Got a new bed yesterday. I've been sleeping on a twin for ... well ... 31 years. I know, I know. I've gotten enough teasing from my friends over the years ... but never from my lovers (go figure!). It's a full size. Very comfy. I bought two pillows for it -- and now I don't know how to sleep. Do I pick a side? Sleep in the middle? Where do the pillows go if I do that?

Is this weird that I'm talking about this on my blog? It feels weird. TMI? Goodnight.

Today's Reason To Drink

Scary Spice was robbed.

Today's Reason To Drink

Misery loves company?

I was talking on the phone to a friend last night who went on and on about how miserable she was in her marriage. After about 25 minutes of ranting, she finally says to me, "So are you dating anyone? When are you going to get married? What's wrong with you?"

"Hmmm ... well, you make it seem so appealing," I say.

Click.

Today's Reason To Drink

Bah humbug. It's now officially holiday time.

Today's Reason To Drink

Shopping. Try to avoid it if you can.

I need a new bed, so I'll be venturing out into the mayham very soon. Wish me luck. And have a drink ready for me when I get home.

Tonight there's this great band at The Rud. If you don't have plans, come on by. I can't even remember what their name is, but I've been told they're amazing. See you around 9.

Today's Reason To Drink

Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm thankful for:
-friends like Laura, Courtney, Jeremy, Courtney, Matt, Kevin, Gregory, Lisa and everyone else who lets me hang around
-family like mom, dad, Doug and Gregg and family like Renah, Matthew, Lilah and Xander
-strangers like that guy sitting on the bench
-TV shows like "The Hills" and "Grey's Anatomy"
-movies like "Black Snake Moan" and "Grease 2"
-food like cheese potatoes and ice cream
-bars like Dundee and Back Door
-liquor like New Amsterdam Gin and Woodford Reserve
-beer like Bourbon Barrel Stout and Miller Lite
-musicians like the Spice Girls, Rilo Kiley, DMB and Debbie Gibson

Bar Belle from 11/21 LEO

The Bar Belle
BY SARA HAVENS

Holidays can be beerable

Holidays aren’t easy. Sometimes they’re not even fun. Sure you have the day off of work, but it often feels like you’re putting in overtime at a sweatshop owned by Kathie Lee, dealing with your family and all. I’m not sure if dealing is the right word. Coping. Existing. Trying to keep your sanity, perhaps? Holidays put the age-old questions front and center: Did I really come from these people? How did I make it out alive? Is that what I’m going to look like in 30 years?

This is where alcohol comes in mighty handy. Food is good. Great even. But is a helping of lumpy mashed potatoes worth dodging those awkward questions from cousins so far removed that you could actually legally date (… at least here in Kentucky)? Aunts and grandmas combing through your sordid past. Moms and dads bickering over every last detail. Sister-in-laws screaming at their unruly Tasmanian devils who just broke Grandpa’s new flat-screen. “Go to your room!” “One … two … you know what happens when I get to three!” “Come over here and dance for Grandma!”

All of this cacophony can be silenced, or at least brought to a reasonable level, with booze. Lots of booze. All flavors, shapes and sizes of booze. Let’s just refer to it as family therapy in a bottle.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, here’s a drinking game you can play by yourself or with any semi-sane family member you have left.

1) The first four times a family member asks you when you’re going to get married, even though you’re single and obviously didn’t bring a date to Thanksgiving, take three drinks of Grandma’s shitty gin.

2) The fifth time someone asks about marriage and/or rearing children, go to the garage with Uncle Jack’s rum and finish the bottle.

3) When your creepy cousin Billy hits on you, chug two beers.

4) When Grandma’s schizophrenic sister Middy talks to her voices, take two sips of the wine you brought and listen in.

5) When your nephews break something, including their own bones, smile and take four pulls of bourbon.

6) The sixth time someone asks about marriage, stumble to the corner tavern and make yourself at home.

Contact the writer at shavens@leoweekly.com or check her blog at www.leoweekly.com

Today's Reason To Drink

This is your last relative-free day before the holidays. Ya'll going out tonight? It's one of the biggest party nights of the year around here. What are the plans?

Elmo's RIP

Breaking News: Elmo's, the martini bar downtown, is closing after this weekend. I've only been a few times, but any death in the bar world is serious business to me. I hear that if you go there this weekend, it's all-you-can-drink for $20. Sounds like a challenge.

In other bar-closing news, Barret Bar is closed, as is Willow Lake Tavern. It's a sad, sad time.

You were loved.

Todays Reason To Drink

Look what I got in the mail today! Too bad we're putting the finishing touches on our Gift Guide, or I woulda added this! It's a Greatest Hits album that includes new songs! My two favorites: "Say You'll Be There" and "2 Become 1."

If I was a Spice Girl, I'd be Sporty, I guess. Maybe Ginger. Or maybe they'd just give me my own name: Barbella Spice! I like it!

So tell me what you want
What you really, really want ...

Today's Reason To Drink

I've got a pocket full of rubbers and my homeboys do, too!

Today's Reason To Drink

It got cold, bitches.

Today's Reason To Drink

I just realized that I'm a shy person. Extremely shy. Especially in awkward social settings. Which is why I think I drink a lot.

Today's Reason To Drink

Yesterday I was feeling queasy. Uneasy. Nervous. Jittery. The bad mood cloud hovered above and wouldn't dissipate. I've got nothing wrong with Tuesdays, you see. Mondays, sure. And Sundays when I'm alone with no plans or human interaction, definitely. But Tuesday? What was going on?

And then it clicked. George W. Bush was in New Albany. And that's a little too close for me and my emotional well-being. Even if we were separated by a river, his relentless, foul energy broke all boundaries and molested my soul.

I want my mommy ... but she voted for the guy ...

Today's Reason To Drink

Well, I took another pilgrimage to Hubers on Saturday for a wine tasting and to purchase more bottles for parties/presents. I had so much fun at the tasting and sitting around after snacking on cheese and more wine, that when it was time to go, I completely forgot to buy any bottles to take home. In fact, all six of us forgot to buy any. And I didn't even indulge in the ice cream this time. Balls!

Guess this means I will be making a return trip very soon.

My friends say hi ...

You gotta watch this. If you're having as bad a Monday as I am, this will cheer you up, if even for two minutes. This spelling bee champ is awesome! Watch at the end when she blurts out to Rosie, "My friends say hi!" Too funny.

Today's Reason To Drink

Remember when Garth Brooks was the thing? How weird. I remember choosing for my senior class song between Garth Brooks' "The Dance" and 10,000 Maniacs' "These Are The Days." Luckily, "These Are The Days" won out.

Today's Reason To Drink

U of L football.

Today's Reason To Drink

I had my first ever encounter with a mojito last night. It was delicious. It was potent. It was a wonderful time ... until it kicked me in the head this morning.

Bar Belle from 11/07 LEO

The Bar Belle
BY SARA HAVENS
Road trip: Huber Winery

Has beer bloated your belly? Has liquor lacerated your liver? Perhaps it’s time to take a break from the hard stuff and revisit the joys of wine.

Ahhh, wine. I love all shades of wine, even that nasty pink stuff Americans scrape off the top and bottle as White Zin. Wine buzzes are truly something to behold. Not sloppy, not crazy, but perhaps a little warm and fuzzy and giggly. I tend to stay on the cheap end of the wine spectrum, never spending more than $12 at a wine shop. So I’m certain I have a lot to learn in this department. All I know is I like drinking the stuff, and there’s a quaint spot just across the river where I can go and learn like the eager student I am. Knowledge is power.

Huber Winery in Starlight, Ind., just about a 25-minute drive from Louisville, offers seasonal wine tastings at extremely reasonable prices — and after you’re finished, you can purchase a bottle or two of your favorites and drink it right there … while you listen to music on the gift shop’s patio or people-watch pumpkin-pickers and fellow bottle-imbibers. I visited Huber’s a few weeks ago at the height of Halloween season. It was crowded, but my friends and I had no problem getting a spot at the Loft Tasting Bar. For a mere $8, you can choose eight wines off a list of about 16 … and you get to keep the glass! The wines are listed from dry (like the delicious 2005 Chambourcin) to sweet (the fall specialty Spiced Apple). And on the back of the list, for just $4 more (and, trust me, when you’re finished with the front, forking over $4 seems like nothing — hiccup), you can choose five more samples from a list of 14, including the exotic Autumn Frost and the spicy Catawba Rosé.

I left that afternoon with six bottles in hand. So basically I’m done Christmas shopping … if they can last that long at my house. One more thing to remember: Bring along a DD — the road to Huber’s is curvy. For directions, go to www.huberwinery.com.

E-mail me at shavens@leoweekly.com or post a drink on my blog at www.leoweekly.com

Today's Reason To Drink

It's easy to play sober, responsible adult on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. But on Wednesdays, it's hard to turn down happy hour. Same with Thursdays. And forget about Fridays and Saturdays ...

It's the circle of life, or rather, the circle of debauchery.

Today's Reason To Drink

No drinking till 6 on Election Day! That sucks. I could really use an after-work pint of BBC brew. Damn. Any way we can put "allow drinking while voting" on the ballots?

Today's Reason To Drink

The Patriots must be stopped! Dirty bastards.

Today's Reason To Drink

It's Friday. Why is it that you seem to have more energy and are more happy on Fridays? What if every day could be Friday? I guess that wouldn't work, because then we'd never have a weekend, just the possibility of one. Kind of like that "Free Beer Tomorrow" sign.

If you don't have any plans tonight, head down to Fourth Street Live. I never thought I'd ever utter those words in this space, but they're actually trying to do something "local." Every Friday in November they're putting on concerts by local, all-original bands. And it's free. Tonight it's The Fervor, Follow the Train and Your Black Star. I believe it starts around 7.

Here's the rest of the schedule:

November 9:
Ben Sollee & Friends
Andrea Davidson
Steven McWhirter

November 16:
The Photographic
Digby
The Invaders

November 23:
Cabin - Rock
Arnett Hollow
Paper Airplane

November 30:
Peter Searcy
The Trust
Shinerunners

Third Place!

I won third place in the Back Door's costume contest. That is truly an honor -- the competition was stiff ... until I hosed them down. Hopefully the photos will be on the flat screen behind the bar soon.

Today's Reason To Drink

What's so good about November anyway?

Today's Reason To Drink

Happy Halloween!

See you at the Back Door tonight for their competition? It's at midnight.

Bring me a Twix bar.

Today's Reason To Drink

Chuck Norris.

Today's Reason To Drink

The Golden Shower got sprayed clean at R Place. Dirty bastards!

Today's Reason To Drink

Lonely. Depressed. Hungry. Frustrated. Overwhelmed. No plans on a Friday night. Shall I go on?

Today's Reason To Drink

It's Oct. 25, duh.

Bar Belle from 10/24 LEO

The Bar Belle
BY SARA HAVENS

Trick in a box
So have you decided on a costume? The parties are this weekend and spill over to Wednesday. What are you going to be? A bare Britney? A rehab escapee a la Lohan? Michael Vick and his dogpound? Larry Birkhead and baby? A dick in a box? This year’s Halloween costumes are definitely going to be interesting, to say the least. There are plenty of sick, twisted minds out there — I certainly won’t be the only Golden Shower sprinkling the town Saturday night. Or will I?

Here’s a rundown of some of the Halloween happenings in town. Most likely your favorite watering hole will have some kind of event planned, either Saturday or Wednesday night.

Fourth Street Live — Oct. 27, 8 p.m., the annual “Hallowfest” promises more than $4,500 in prize money for various categories of best costume. The handful of bars will have the “Heaven & Hell” theme, and magician Spencer Horsman will perform a “daring” escape from two straightjackets while hanging from the glass ceiling. Mmmmkay.

St. Matthews — Oct. 27, 10 p.m., the “St. Matthews Scream” is out to merge Halloween with a pub crawl by offering up a $5 bracelet that’ll get you in all seven bars. Top prizes for costumes include a four-night stay in Vegas and plenty of cold, hard cash. Each bar will host its own contest, and the winners will move on to the finale at 60 West.

O’Malley’s Corner — Oct. 27, 7 p.m., more than $5,000 will be awarded to the most creative and original costumes. Get those wheels a-turnin’.

Baxter Avenue — Oct. 27, 10:30 p.m., Baxter’s Big 5 host individual costume contests at 11 p.m., with the top winners vying for more than $5,000 in cash and prizes.

Phoenix Hill/Jim Porter’s — Oct. 27, midnight, both sister nightclubs are giving away $4,000 in cash and prizes each. Live music, drink specials … maybe a Spice Girls reunion?

Drop me an e-mail at shavens@leoweekly.com. Free beer tomorrow on my blog, www.leoweekly.com

Today's Reason To Drink

The Oreo Chocolate Concrete at Starlight Custard in St. Matthews.

Today's Reason To Drink

Lauren's model dude was cute! What's wrong with her?

The most beautiful tree in Athens, Ohio

Roadtripped this past weekend to Athens, Ohio, where I went to college. I did feel a little old at times, but I still enjoyed the cheap prices and fall scenery. Good friends, great times, $2 Jagerbombs.

Today's Reason To Drink

If it rained beer, would you be outside right now?

Today's Reason To Drink

There's no better time than a weekend road trip.

Today's Reason To Drink

Saw Lou Diamond Phillips in "Camelot" last night. Thought "Young Guns 2" was much better.

Today's Reason To Drink

Would you be friends with your drunk self?

Today's Reason To Drink

Damn cramps.

Today's Reason To Drink

I'm never drinking again.

Also, found out that gay night at the Pink Door isn't a great spot to pick up dudes. Hmmm ...

Today's Reason To Drink

Saw their promos on MTV of all places. After a closer listen, I really like this group.

Rilo Kiley

www.myspace.com/rilokiley or www.rilokiley.com

Bar Belle from 10/10/07 LEO

The Bar Belle
BY SARA HAVENS

Chill out, Miller
What’s with this new Miller Chill? What marketing genius decided that our lives would be simpler if we didn’t have to spend the time putting lime and salt in our beer? As a Corona drinker, I can certainly understand the need for lime. But salt? Yuck. They’re certainly promoting the hell out of it — every bar I go to it’s either on special, or scantily clad gazelle girls are handing out free samples. It’s hard to turn down free beer, so I’ve endured my fair share of Miller Chill. It’s just not good.

Miller Lite is a solid choice for American beer drinkers — at 96 calories a pop, only one beer, Michelob Ultra, has fewer calories (95). It certainly has more taste than its rival, Bud Light. So why go messing with a good thing? If I want a lime in my Miller Lite, I’ll order it the old-fashioned way: the Okolona Corona.

Gin lovers unite
There’s a new gin in town, and he goes by the name of New Amsterdam. And he’s absolutely fabulous … I’ve spent several nights with him over the last month or so. But I’m willing to share. If your bar is lucky enough to stock him, don’t hesitate to give him a whirl. He’s smooth and subtle and not too piney. He’ll make you laugh, he’ll tug at your heart strings … he may even make you lose your balance. But it’s all in fun. I heard he gets around, but you can definitely find him at the Back Door (1250 Bardstown Road, 451-0659), on special now for a mere $3.25.

Off to Huber’s this weekend for the always delectable wine tasting. I predict a red-wine hangover from hell. Got any remedies? E-mail me at shavens@leoweekly.com or check out my blog at www.leoweekly.com

Today's Reason To Drink

Found out today: Even if you sell your car on Jan. 1, which I did, you still have to pay that entire year's taxes on it. Eat a dick!

Today's Reason To Drink

Might we have some fall this fall?

Today's Reason To Drink

She's kinda freaky, but I think she's a genius.

Today's Reason To Drink

It's my birthday, bitches!

Who's doing shots with me?

Today's Reason To Drink

eBay. Don't ever mix it with alcohol.

The other day I got a tennis racket with no strings delivered to my door. WTF?

Today's Reason To Drink

The Sarah Silverman Show starts tonight at 10:30pm on Comedy Central.

Today's Reason To Drink

Did you see "The Hills" last night? The new slang word for vagina is "britney." Awesome.

Today's Reason To Drink

Sweet bourbon tea.
3 of them.
Or was it 4?

Sprained my ankle.
Stained my couch.
I'll be drinking no more.

Brother love

My younger brother is visiting this weekend from San Francisco. His favorite Louisville bar: The Back Door. I've taught him well. Too well, I think.

Today's Reason To Drink

I do believe it is Woodford Man's birthday this weekend. Let me count the ways in which to celebrate. NV Tavern Sweet Tea, anyone? Deal.

Today's Reason To Drink

Grey's Anatomy starts tonight!

Bar Belle from 9/26 LEO

The Bar Belle
BY SARA HAVENS

Tight ends, tight specials

It certainly doesn’t feel like football season yet, but whatever. Area bars still offer great gameday specials while we wait for the weather to catch up with the season. Here’s my annual list of team-specific bars and their specials. As always, if you know of a place where a gaggle of, say, Dolphins fans gather, let me know about it and I’ll get the word out. There’s got to be a Lions’ bar around here, don’t ya think? Titans? What about a place for the shady Patriots?

Chicago Bears: Bluegrass Brewing Co. (3929 Shelbyville Road, 899-7070): 30-cent wings, 30-cent peel-’n’-eat shrimp, $14.99 for a pizza and pitcher of beer.

Chicago Bears: Big Dave’s Outpost (1801 Bardstown Road, 459-9142): $2.75 import drafts, $2 domestic bottles.

Cincinnati Bengals: Wick’s Pizza (973 Baxter Ave., 456-1559): $2.50 22-ounce Coors Light drafts, $2 domestic bottles, $4 for 10 wings.

Cincinnati Bengals: Brownie’s the Shed Grille & Bar (237 Whittington Pkwy., 326-9830): $12 buckets of six domestics, $1.99 margaritas, 45-cent wings.

Cleveland Browns: Benchwarmers (7325 St. Andrews Church Road, 368-1148): $1.50 domestic bottles.

Dallas Cowboys: Monkey Wrench (1025 Barret Ave., 582-2433): Various Sunday and Monday night drink specials.

Green Bay Packers: Dutch’s Tavern (3922 Shelbyville Road, 895-9004): Various Sunday and Monday night drink specials.

Indianapolis Colts: Joe’s Older Than Dirt (8131 Lagrange Road, 426-2074): $1.75 domestic bottles, 35-cent wings.

Indianapolis Colts: Tucker’s American Favorites (2441 State St., New Albany, 812-944-9999): Sundays: $1.50 domestic drafts, Mondays: $1.50 all drafts.

Minnesota Vikings: Gerstle’s Place (3801 Frankfort Ave., 899-3609): $2 domestic bottles and drafts, $2 well drinks, $1 off imports.

Pittsburgh Steelers: R Place Pub (9603 Whipps Mill Road, 425-8516): $4.25 domestic pitchers, $1.50 domestic bottles, 30-cent wings.

Pittsburgh Steelers: ZaZoo’s (102 Bauer Ave., 894-8030): Various Sunday and Monday night drink specials.

Washington Redskins: Wick’s Pizza (yes, on Baxter again): Same specials as the Bengals’ fans (above).

Drink it up — shavens@leoweekly.com

The Last Three Days' Reason To Drink

Holy shit. Where has my mind gone? I've forgotten to post on this damn blog. I'm either extremely busy, or all my drinking is finally catching up in the form of dementia. You decide.

Today's reason to drink -- Waterfront Wednesday is tonight. Great lineup. Tim Krekel, Hoots & Hellmouth and the Kim Richey Band. Let's hope the rain is done by then. Come anyway! I'll be bartending, so stop by and say hey. Give me a special wink, and I just might give you a good pour. But you didn't read that here.

Today's Reason To Drink

It's Friday, bitches!

Today's Reason To Drink

What do they say? You should never talk religion or politics at a bar? That's pretty much a good idea, but I just thought I'd pass along the following info, should anyone be interested. To each their own, remember.



HILL RALLY

Host: Team Hillary Kentucky
When: Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 5:30-7 PM

Where: Flanagan's Ale House Red Room, 934 Baxter Avenue, Louisville, KY 40204

Description: This will be the first event of supporters of Hillary Rodham Clinton for President and a gathering of those wondering who their candidate for President will be and wanting a bit of information about Hillary, those who attended earlier Team Hillary Kentucky Meetings, those who are just looking for a Good Time with other Democrats, and those of the Kentucky Democratic Candidates for election in November who wish to take advantage of this forum to address voters who want to hear from their Kentucky Candidates or their surrogates again and to offer their help to them. There will be a special message, and literature from many of the candidates.

Light hors d'oeuvres and Cash Bar. Contributions welcomed!

Today's Reason To Drink

The "Big Brother" finale is on tonight at 9. Daniele is a sure win.

LEO Readers Choice Party -- this Thursday!

You're all invited. Stop on by -- there just might be some free food and drink for your troubles.

Today's Reason to Drink

O.J. is finally behind bars.

Hey, I just said "bars." That's cool.

Today's Reason To Drink

I need the fall TV season to start soon so I can keep myself out of trouble in the evenings!

Today's Reason To Drink

Cheers to Kathy Griffin. Funny shit.

Today's Reason To Drink

Don't think we need one today.

Today's Reason To Drink

insert reason here, bar belle is taking a break

Even more notes from Liverpool ...

(photo is of Philharmonic Pub)

In the art college days, John Lennon frequented the Philharmonic Pub and Ye Cracke, two watering holes that were an easy walk from school.

My travel mates and I stopped in at both yesterday, and I tried something familiar and something new. At the Phil, I washed down my sausage and mash with a pint of Old Speckled Hen, which is readily available in the States in cans and bottles.

I may be wrong, but I do believe it is smoother and creamier on draught in England. Or maybe that’s just my taste buds playing tricks on me.

Stopping at Ye Cracke was a real treat as well. We sat in the nook where John, Stuart Sutcliffe and others often drank pints, got pissed and solved the world’s problems. There I had one of the 10 or 12 (it’s a blur now) cask ales on tap at Ye Cracke.

The one I chose was Wessex Gold, a lightly hopped and wonderfully bodied beer. This one was served near room temperature, which brought out all the flavor. And then some.

Today, my goal is to drink more stuff I have never had. And I’m please to report no American swill has crossed my lips.

Cheers again from Liverpool.

—Kevin Gibson

Today's Reason To Drink

Yes, that's right, I'm blogging on the weekend. The day has finally arrived. Bring on the 13 drinks! Hopefully my hangover will disappear after the first couple chugs. I was supposed to take it easy last night ... but ... you know how that goes. I'm going into battle with a wounded liver. May I live to see another beer.

4th Annual Gettin' Drunky in KY pub crawl

This is my final blog on my pub crawl. I'm gettin' sick of promoting it -- just want to go through with it already!

13 bars
15 minutes per drink
1 liver

Meet at Outlook Inn at 7pm

Feel free to e-mail me with any questions: shavens@leoweekly.com

Word.

Today's Reason To Drink

One more day!

More notes from Liverpool ...

Legend has it that drinking beer in England means drinking it warm, or at least at room temperature. While that tends to be true of the darker beers such as stouts and ales, the lagers are served nearly as cold here as they are stateside.

In fact, it’s gone so far as being a marketing gimmick now. Everywhere you look in Liverpool pubs, there are beer pumps trumpeting things like “Carling Extra Cold” and “Kronenbourg Special Cold.”

My travel mate said, “They’ve finally figured out that people actually like cold drinks.”

Indeed, it’s strangely warm in Liverpool, so we’ve enjoyed a number of cold beers (and some dark and warm ones, as well) to help keep the steam off.

While in West Darby, visiting the Casbah Club, we had something called Carling Special, which is a creamy pour similar to Boddington’s or Caffrey’s, not the crisp fizzy lager that the normal Carling is. Quite pleasant.

Sadly, in one pub way out in West Darby, one of my travel mates was mistakenly given a Foster’s. Good sport that he is, he drank it, but what a sad fate.

Until next time, cheers from Liverpool. —Kevin Gibson

Louisville Pub Crawl

Only 3 more days! Hope you're in training.

Here, again, are the details.

Show up at Outlook Inn at 7pm on Saturday.
T-shirts are $10, if you want one.
The Gettin' Drunky in KY pub crawl will begin at Outlook and wind its way to Bearno's Highlands — that's 13 bars.
You'll have 15 minutes per drink at each bar.
We'll have an official whistle-toting time-keeper.
That's about it.

Again, I'll be at the Back Door tonight w/ T-shirts if you want to buy them beforehand. Probably around 5-7pm.

Eat it.

-sara

Today's Reason To Drink

Fall is in the air. Watch your step.

Notes from Liverpool ...

Here's Kevin's first entry upon arriving in Liverpool. Sounds like he made it just fine and had no trouble finding beer or friends. —————————————————————————————————


The great thing about England is that every place is a pub. No, I don't mean there's a pub every place (although there is), I mean literally every place is a pub. When we got to the train station in Manchester, we saw a guy drinking a can of Grolsch beer. Naturally, we immediately followed suit with a couple of tall cans of Carling. You don't see this kind of thing in America, what with open container laws and such. Beer is just like soda over here, it seems.

Another thing you find more in England — or at least in Liverpool, England — is people buying pints for strangers. Our first night here we spent with a couple of local blokes who bought us round after round of Carlsberg lager. It's not only delicious, it's the official beer of the Liverpool football team.

But the most interesting pint of ale I had yesterday was Cain's Extra Bitter, which is brewed here in the 'Pool. It's a nicely hopped, smooth beer that isn't as bitter as the name suggests. Although my travel mates weren't too keen on it, I quite enjoyed my pint, which was hand-pulled the old-fashioned way.

Until next time, cheers from Liverpool!

—Kevin Gibson

Pub Crawl

Here's a shot from the Gettin' Drunky In KY crawl two years ago. We had quite a crew.

Here are the details for this year's walk:

Meet at: Outlook Inn, 6:30-7pm
Cost: T-shirts are $10, but you don't have to buy one to join in. Just bring enough $$ to be able to buy a drink at each bar (13 bars).


I think that's about all there is to it. If you'd like a shirt beforehand, I have them here at my desk at LEO (640 S. Fourth Street) and I'll bring some out to the Back Door Thursday for happy hour (5-7pm).

Post a message for me if you have any questions.

Today's Reason To Drink

Tolerance, my friend, tolerance.

Coming soon ...

My friend Kevin Gibson is flying off to Liverpool this afternoon. He will be sending me daily reports throughout his trip, which I will post here. He plans to compare and contrast Louisville's bar scene with Liverpool's. Oh, and I'm sure there will be mass mentions of all things Beatles.

Countdown to Gettin' Drunky in KY pub crawl

The countdown stands at 5 days. Stay tuned for details.

Today's Reason To Drink

So, did you think I died? Just took some time off to move. I hate moving. It's not until you move that you realize how much crap you actually have. Especially if you're moving to a smaller place.

Bar Belle from 8/29 LEO

Underage bliss

An ominous e-mail came across the Bar Belle news desk warning Kentucky bars that ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) will be out in force these next few weeks targeting sales to minors and focusing especially on those watering holes situated near colleges and universities. With first-offense fines starting at $1,750, you can bet area bars will abide. (And you thought smoking was the biggest issue right now.)
As a bartender, this electronic threat should have shaken my corkscrew. But instead, it brought a smile to my face as I thought back to my own experiences as an underage drinker at Ohio University.
Of course, you could get your hands on a cup or two of Natty Lite at house parties, but as a freshman, the invites were few and far between. Some girls in my dorm had older siblings who would pick us up a bottle of Smirnoff vodka — but we could never count on it when we needed it. Then there were the fakes — hard to come by and risky to use. Lucky for us, OU had one beacon of hope for the under-21 hopeless — The Greenery, or “The Cheese” as we called it, referring to the thick film of sludge that would form on your shoes.
The Cheese served everyone, regardless of age. It was here I ordered my first ever drink from an impatient bartender. I remember tepidly approaching the bar like I was a child standing on the high-dive about to jump. I had no idea what beer to order, or even if I liked beer, so I nervously scanned the room and searched my memory for the name of a popular beer — Bud Ice it was. The Greenery seemed to exist just under the law — they knew when the police were making the rounds, and bartenders would storm through and knock your drinks into trashcans. The toilets and floors were always overflowing with vomit and urine and sludge, but it never bothered us. We had dancing to do and a tolerance to start shaping. Sadly The Greenery closed during my junior year, but the memories (and scars … did I mention the long staircase up to the dance floor?) will always remain. Long live The Cheese!

For details on my upcoming pub crawl (Sept. 8), check out my blog at www.leoweekly.com

Today's Reason To Drink

Well, it's 15 pounds now that I've lost since giving up beer for a month. Crapola. I must have been drinking a shitload of beer. But I like beer. And I miss beer. I don't do well with just drinking gin or bourbon or red wine. The time-space continueum (sp?) is all messed up.

Well, maybe if I just delegate one night a week to beer, and then just stick to liquor the rest of the nights ... will that work? It's not like I drink every night. Just mostly Fridays and Saturdays ... oh, and I can't forget Thursday happy hours.

It all boils down to aging. Aging is God's way of telling us we're not special. Hmph.

Today's Reason To Drink

Why am I so afraid of bugs? Bugs can't drink beer.

Today's Reason To Drink

We're losing our interns! How the hell is the work gonna get done now? Shit.

Today's Reason To Drink

It's my friend Laura's birthday!

The bitch is still younger than me, though.

Today's Reason To Drink

My last day working at The Fair, and it's going up to 100 this afternoon. Great. I'll be shilling beer for the masses in the Q Tent. Great.

Yesterday's Reason To Drink

Stress!

Today's Reason To Drink

You can stand under my umbrella ella ella eh eh eh eh eh eh ...

Today's Reason To Drink

Went on a bar hop last Friday for "work" purposes. Really. Went to about 10 bars I've never been to before to write up a piece on each for a new publication coming out in the fall -- watch for it ... it's called UR Here. Anyway, out of the 10 or so bars, The Granville Inn was the best. I will be back. Reminded me of the bars in my college town (Athens, Ohio). Also reminded me how old I am. And reminded me that I will need to plan a trip soon back to Athens so I can forget how old I am.

Happy Birthday!

Forgot to say Happy Birthday to Madonna.

Best Album: Erotica
Best Song: "Get Into the Groove"
Best Movie: "Evita"/"A League of Their Own"

Today's Reason To Drink

Mark your calendars now --

My annual pub crawl is Saturday, Sept. 8. Read more about it in LEO -- I'll make it a "staffpick" in the Sept. 5 issue. 13 bars this year. Great shirts. Start building your tolerance.

Yesterday's Reason To Drink

No beer, no fried foods, one month -- I've lost 10 pounds!

What does this mean? I will never give up my beer. Perhaps I should delegate it to just one night -- like Friday is beer night, Saturday is wine/Jager night. Make sense?

What's a good mixed drink, besides the usual? I'm kinda getting tired of gin & tonics and bourbon & diets. Is this what drives people to drink scotch?

Today's Reason To Drink

How do I get an invite?

Posted today on PerezHilton.com:


Good ol’ Larry (Birkhead) is planning a big ol’ birthday party for little Dannilynn in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, next month.

The September 8th festivities will be held at the place where Birkhead and Anna Nicole Smith first met: Tricia Barnstable Brown’s Lousiville home, site to a very posh annual Kentucky Derby party..

Says Tricia, “Something very magical will be happening at my house the first week of September, and it will be fit for a tiny little princess.”

Dannilynn will turn one, and no doubt Birkhead will use the opportunity to likely ca$h in!

Today's Reason To Drink

It's good to be home. Endured the inflated costs of big-city bars this weekend. Glad to be back to bourbon under 5 bucks.

Today's Reason To Drink

It's hot outside, you think?

Today's Reason To Drink

Oprah.

Today's Reason To Drink

I was attacked by a bug last night -- a big, green, leggy, leaf-looking bug. I awoke to a bizarre clicking noise, and it wasn't my air conditioner. I turned on the lights, grabbed a fly swatter and saw the evil beast crawling up the curtains. I was panicked. Sweating. "Why don't I have a boyfriend for these exact occasions?!" I shouted. "Or even a dog ... fuck, I'll take a cat!"

After facing my fears and smashing the monster, I couldn't get to sleep for nearly two hours. I watched crappy TV shows ... with the lights on!

Bugs must die. Why must they invade my space?

I need a drink.

Today's Reason To Drink

I heard there are $2 Jagerbombs at Willy's tonight. Hmmm ... shall we investigate?

Bar Belle from the 8/1/07 LEO

The Bar Belle
BY SARA HAVENS

Buzz me two times
You can’t cop a buzz twice in one day. I proved that fact Friday when, on assignment, I “researched” the early-morning happenings at area third-shift bars. What I discovered I’ll share at another time. Most devastating was that I couldn’t re-coup later in the night from a pre-dawn buzz. Even with an enormous home-cooked meal at Norm’s and an afternoon nap, I couldn’t muster the desire to swill anymore. Does that mean I’m old?

A squirrelly Weasel Walk
As hundreds of eager pub-crawlers gathered Saturday night at the various St. Matthews bars participating in the annual WQMF Weasel Walk, they were met with an unfortunate, unexpected change — a $5 fee for a wristband that would essentially get you in to each of the seven establishments without paying a cover. Makes sense on paper, however, most of the bars in that area hardly ever charge covers, and the ones that do charge a fee for live music — Gerstle’s, Dutch’s — never had a problem in the past 10 years with walkers pit-stopping in for a quick brew. Shelling out dough for seven drinks, plus tip, certainly adds up. And the extra $5 only pissed people off to the extent that they skipped bars and doubled up at the next. One angered Weasel even vowed he’d skip next year’s. “It’s not these dumb shirts we’re after — that’s not why we do this,” he said on his way to Brendan’s. “It’s the challenge. The journey … hey … I love Journey!”

The QMF cronies explained that the $5 charge was a last-minute idea by the bars to offset the costs of people coming in and out of their establishment when they would usually charge a cover. They also hinted that the bars don’t care for walkers who run in for a quick stamp. Here’s a suggestion: have the card stampers stand outside of the venue. They’ll be able to satisfy the pathetic T-shirt mongers and leave room for people who don’t mind spending the money.

In my book, the Weasel Walk is merely a warm-up for the annual Gettin’ Drunky in KY/No Cover Walk (NCW) down Baxter and Bardstown Road (Sept. 8). I paid the $5. I bought drinks at each bar. I tipped. But I could also understand why so many people felt ripped off.

Did I mention the NCW is free? Stay tuned for details.

Tell me about your favorite happy hour
at shavens@leoweekly.com

Today's Reason To Drink

It disturbs me when people say Cures Light instead of Coors Light.

Today's Reason To Drink

Star Jones admits to gastric-bypass surgery. Holy cow, indeed.

Today's Reason To Drink

I'm giving up beer and fried food for a month. Have mercy on my soul.

Waterfront Wednesday!

Forget happy hour -- come out to Waterfront Park for this month's Waterfront Wednesday concert series. Tonight's lineup includes The Avett Brothers, Willy Mason and our own Peter Searcy. Nice weather, great music, strong drinks -- what more could you ask for?

I'll be bartending -- so come see me, and say, "I'd like a stiff one from the Bar Belle." :)

Things get started at 5. And it's free. Check it.

Today's Reason To Drink

If Fridays came as fast as Wednesdays, we'd all be much happier.

Today's Reason To Drink

I'm not Lindsay Lohan.

Today's Reason To Drink

R Place Pub won the bowling challenge once again! It was a tough fight, but we were victorious over Joe's Older Than Dirt. And when I say "tough," I mean one of their teams didn't show up. My average: a whopping 57. Just couldn't find my mojo, my inner Dude. But I had a fun time anyway!

R Place Pub vs. Joe's Older Than Dirt

It's on. On Saturday, Team R Place will face Team Joe's for a bowling showdown at Lyndon Lanes. Last year R Place took home the victory trophy; and this year, we (I bartend at R Place) plan to do it again. Sorry, Joe's, R Place is simply superior in every way. We're younger, faster and have better looks. We're gonna bowl strikes. We're gonna drink more than you. We're gonna have more fun than you. We're gonna hammer you. Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Let's bowl, let's bowl, let's rock and roll. Hey, come on, let's get the show on the road. We're gonna score tonight!

Today's Reason To Drink

The Martina McBride concert was amazing last night. During her encore, she sang a Journey song AND a Pat Benatar song. Unbelievable. Did she know I was in the audience?

Papa Roach Clip

I have an amusing story:

I mentioned that I had to bartend the Hinder/Papa Roach/Buckcherry concert Tuesday night. I had a stressful day at LEO, then had to run over and play liquor wench to a bunch of rock-'n'-rollers, who all looked quite young, I must say. Anyway, I grew tired of pouring vodka and cranberry after vodka and cranberry, so I said to the other bartenders, "Let's make up a drink and see if anyone will buy it." So I created the Papa Roach Clip -- made simply from rum, cranberry and ginger ale (and a "special herb" I told them). Once word got out and a sign was created, we sold PRCs so fast we just about ran out of cranberry mix. I even heard that people were asking for them at the other bar in the Gardens, and they had no clue what the person was talking about.

It was pretty funny to see how quickly a niche drink can catch on.

Today's Reason To Drink

No e-mail. What can you do?

Today's Reason To Drink

If your liver could talk, what would it say?

-"Stop torturing me, you miserable bastard!"
-"One more, please."
-"Oh no, here we go again."
-"I work more than you do."
-"Eat a dick."
-"Can you hear me now?"

Today's Reason To Drink

I gotta bartend tonight at the Hinder concert. Woo-hoo. Got any earplugs?

Dundee Challenge Results

It was rough. Seemed harder this year. Guess that's because I randomly picked a lot of strong, dark beers -- included were Rogue Dead Guy, Smithwicks, Guinness ... and some heavy but pleasant beers like Blue Moon and Stella. The only light domestic beer I got was Miller Lite, and that was No. 10, if you can believe it!

In the end, I can brag that I'm three for three on Dundee Challenges. In fact, I was the only one to finish the Challenge this year. At about seven or eight beers, the night started to unravel. Emotions were heightened, bodily functions impaired. One brave soul attempted the "chugging" method approach to the Challenge. But it soon devoured her by the eighth round. One other Challenger made it all the way to the end, half a glass left to go, but let her emotions get the best of her, and she stormed out of the bar. (Perhaps it could have been the evil bourbon sidecar she ordered at Round 7 -- big mistake, big.)

The moral: Bring nothing to the table but a desire to finish the Challenge. Emotions are for martini drinkers.

Let this be a lesson to all.

Today's Reason To Drink

"Mondays are for suckers." --Pat McGroin

Today's Reason To Drink

The Challenge is on. Stay hydrated. Eat lots.

Dundee Challenge 2007

There's going to be a rumble in the Douglass Loop area Friday night, and it's not going to be pretty. It's time for the annual Dundee Challenge 2007, appropriately held on Friday the 13th.

Here's the low-down:

Basically, between you and a friend, you have to drink each beer on tap at the Dundee Tavern (2224 Dundee Rd., 458-6637). There are 20 taps, so that breaks down to 10 beers each. Some are light (Bud Select), some are dark (Rogue Dead Guy) and some are just plain disgusting (Hefeweizen). It's not really a time competition -- you drink at your own pace -- but you MUST finish the beer in its entirety, before the bar closes (usually around 12:30 or so). Each beer is selected at random, drawn from a magic Guinness hat. And there's no trading. No skipping. No feeding it to the dog (read: your cheap friend who's not participating).

That's it. But it's tougher than it may sound. There are no prizes and no drink specials to speak of. With just your will power and mighty liver in hand, knowing that you can dominate the taps is reward enough for any man or woman.

If anybody out there wants to join in on this Challenge, just make sure you bring a partner who can drink. I'm thinking we'll begin around 6:30, hopefully in the bar part of Dundee. Leave me a comment if you'd like to join in. I dare you.

Today's Reason To Drink

It's my friend Sue's birthday! Happy 50th! Here's to another 50 more. :)

Today's Reason To Drink

Rehab.

Today's Reason To Drink

Stupid blog won't let me type into the headline space. What's up with that?

Computers -- there's a reason to drink! Home loans, banks, mortgages — there're more reasons to drink! Stress, deadlines, fat — there are your final reasons to drink!

Eat a Tick!

Today's Reason To Drink:

Only 4 days till the Dundee Challenge. Grab a partner and prepare your liver. Details to come ...

Today's Reason To Drink

Will alcohol help migraines go away? If so, I'm having a beer at lunch.

Today's Reason To Drink

Fireworks are like freaks -- they're creepy and they only come out at night.

Today's Reason To Drink

It's a holiday week. Build tolerance slow and steady.

Today's Reason To Drink

No smoking in Louisville starting Sunday. It's a sad, sad day.

Today's Reason To Drink

And I work with someone who once got busy in a Gerstle's bathroom.

Yesterday's Reason To Drink

I once got busy in a BW3 bathroom.

Today's Reason To Drink

... Dundee Tavern now has Bud Select on draft!

Yesterday's Reason To Drink

I was about to stumble upon news that would change my entire life ...

Today's Reason To Drink

Happy Hour at the Back Door, y'all. 5:30 p.m.

Today's Reason To Drink

The Four Stages of Life

Today's Reason To Drink

Cookies. Even better: cookie dough. Even better: a cookie dough blizzard made with chocolate ice cream.

Today's Reason To Drink

Mean people suck. Cellulite sucks. Mondays suck. Sucking sucks.

Today's Reason To Drink

"Without friends, no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods." —Aristotle

Today's Reason To Drink

Do not pass Go. Do not collect $200. So do two Jagerbombs followed by a Carbomb, you fools.

Today's Reason To Drink

Oh my ... where does the time go?

Let's drink to the '80s -- music, Muppets and Magic Shell.

Today's Reason To Drink

"The Sopranos" finale left a hole that I just can't fill. Cheers!

more on bourbon vs. scotch

A photo of the Scotch ambassador, Simon Brooking, and his bagpipe buddy.

I really have nothing else to say about this -- even though I said I did. Hmmm ... I did learn that the saying "whole 9 yards" comes from the fact that a kilt is 9 yards in length. Interesting.

I'll still take my bourbon over Scotch, even though they have cooler accents.

Today's Reason To Drink

Hair of the dog, my friends, hair of the dog.

Bourbon or Scotch??

So, I went to The Great Whisk(e)y Debate last night at Churchill Downs. Basically, it was a debate between two distillers about their products. I'll write more about it when I get a chance -- and probably post some pictures. It was a great evening -- and I learned a lot about scotch, which I knew little about. It definitely has its own unique taste, but not a taste I'd give my bourbon up for.

We sampled Laphroaig single-malt scotch -- and I must admit it was nasty, even though it was a free sample. It smelled like charred ass and tasted like the stuff I put on canker sores. I actually left my shot sitting on the table -- and that never happens.

Stay tuned 4 thingz I learnt ...

Today's Reason To Drink

It's LEO creative director Scott Shroering's last day. He's been with us for about seven years! It will certainly be quiet around here -- Scott tends to rant on everything from the hypocrisy of President Bush and Jessica Simpson to the perfection of Wilco and fine bourbon.

Scott, you will be missed. Cheers!

Don't mess with me!

My nephew Xander got his new summer 'do -- if you see him coming your way, run, don't walk.

I'm serious.

Today's Reason To Drink

The world's going to hell in a handbasket, and you forgot the blanket.

Today's Reason To Drink

Kathy Griffin's "My Life on the D-List" starts tonight on Bravo! Bravo! I think things get started at 9pm.

Funny shit.

Today's Reason To Drink

Nothing on TV. Great weather (if it doesn't rain). This is why decks/porches were made.

Beer Festival on Saturday!

Saturday, June 2
Fest of Ale

The beer gods are uniting for one very special event this weekend — Keg Liquors in Clarksville is holding its second annual Fest of Ale on Saturday. And the focus is on craft and import beers. Just check out these numbers: 10 breweries, two importers, three craft beer distributors and more than 100 craft and import beers. Of course, locals BBC, Cumberland and New Albanian Brewing will be there to serve up delicious adult nectar. Food will be provided by Mark’s Feed Store, Bistro New Albany and Buckhead. All told, it’s a great chance sample the sort of beer that actually makes you a better person.

Keg Liquors
617 E. Lewis and Clark Pkwy.
Clarksville
(812) 283-3988
www.kegliquors.com
$25 (adv.), $30 (door); 2-6 p.m.

Today's Reason To Drink

You're officially too old to hang out at skating rinks.
Bummer.

Today's Reason To Drink

Let's hear what you all come up with today. Leave a comment!

Today's Reason To Drink

Why is everyone is such a fucking hurry? Stay off my bumper, prick!

Today's Reason To Drink

The holiday weekend was rough. Must take break ... system malfunctioning ... file not found.

Today's Reason To Drink

Team Rosie all the way!

Beer/Liquor nutrition info

We're having technical difficulties with our Web site, so I thought I'd post you the info that ran in this week's column. I suppose there really is no way to drink healthy, but it's always kinda interesting to see the numbers on what you're drinking. I was most surprised to see that Bud Select has less calories but more alcohol than Bud Light. Interesting.

BEER (12 ounces)
Budweiser: 145 calories, 10.6 carbs, 5% alcohol
Bud Light: 110 calories, 6.6 carbs, 4.2% alcohol
Bud Select: 99 calories, 3.1 carbs, 4.3% alcohol
Miller Light: 96 calories, 3.2 carbs, 4.2% alcohol
Michelob Ultra: 95 calories, 2.6 carbs, 4.2% alcohol
Corona Light: 105 calories, 5 carbs, 4.1% alcohol
Newcastle: 140 calories, 13 carbs, 5.5% alcohol
Bass Ale: 140 calories, 13 carbs, 5.5% alcohol
Guinness: 126 calories, 10 carbs, 4% alcohol
Harp: 153 calories, 13 carbs, 5% alcohol

LIQUOR (shot)
Absolut vodka: 70 calories, 0 carbs, 43% alcohol
Tanqueray gin: 115 calories, 0 carbs, 47.3% alcohol
Jim Beam bourbon: 100 calories, 0 carbs, 40% alcohol
Bacardi rum: 96 calories, 0 carbs, 40% alcohol
Jose Cuervo tequila: 97 calories, 0 carbs, 40% alcohol
Jagermeister: 103 calories, 11 carbs, 35% alcohol

Today's Reason To Drink

Let's pretend we're in New Orleans, sitting at the Tropical Isle bar, drinking a Hand Grenade. Yummm. Yes, another please.

Today's Reason To Drink

Predictions: Jordin will win tonight. Charlie will not die.

Today's Reason To Drink

Remember -- bars can't sell alcohol till 6 p.m. tonight because it's voting day. So go vote for someone who will one day repeal this ridiculous law!

I Left My Liver In San Francisco

Finally just got to my San Fran photos of vacation. Here's the gist of the trip -- Pabst and Bourbon.

Of course, this was after I had my fill of Anchor Steam and sourdough bread.

Today's Reason To Drink

I won $92 at the track on Saturday! That makes up what I spent going out Thursday and Friday night. Karma.

Today's Reason To Drink

Alpacas are here.

Today's Reason To Drink

WB's "One Tree Hill" has been renewed for another season! Thank the heavens!

Today's Reason To Drink

If you watch "Lost" while drinking, everything makes a whole lot more sense. Really.

Today's Reason To Drink

"Always remember that I have taken more out of alcohol than alcohol has taken out of me." —Sir Winston Churchill

Today's Reason To Drink

Didn't go out Saturday night. Feels so weird and depressing. SNL wasn't as good as I'd hoped.

Today's Reason To Drink

Found out last night that diets and drinking don't really mix. Shit. Went to some fancy place on Frankfort Avenue with friends (after leaving the Back Door after two gin and sodas) and stormed out because I couldn't find anything I liked on the menu (and it was a bit pricey). Anyway, that's embarrassing. But I did find solace for a bit at Longshot Tavern. Love that place! I got a Bud Light (oops, there goes my diet) and a sidecar (Makers on the rocks) for $3.50. That's the only thing I can remember.

So sorry Courtney and Jeremy! I'm stupid.

Today's Reason To Drink

The Diet starts today. Goodbye to beer, hello to gin & soda.

Today's Reason To Drink

"Year of the Dog" -- Go see it. It's brilliant. Molly Shannon is brilliant. And she's going to host "Saturday Night Live" this week -- can't wait! Guess that means house party! Who's bringing the boxed wine?

Today's Reason To Drink

I plead temporary insanity for yesterday's post.

Today's Reason To Drink

After this crazy weekend, I'm not sure if I'll ever drink again ...

Today's Reason To Drink

The bars don't close tonight! Well, some of them, anyway.

The Time of My Life

I experienced something magical last night, and it didn't even vibrate or demand dinner. I saw the 20th anniversary showing of "Dirty Dancing" at Tinseltown. I was only 10 when the movie came out, so I never got the chance to see it in a theater. Watching it play out on the big screen was life-altering. I saw things that I've never noticed before, and I've seen this movie at least 100 times! The audience would giggle after the memorable lines, and at one point an annoying chick started speaking the dialogue with the characters. She was soon silenced.

Johnny never looked better, and Baby was as innocent and dorky as ever.

Which got me thinking about Jennifer Grey's nose job. She ruined her career by shaving off her nose. Literally. I found myself getting angry at her for this decision -- there will never be a sequel now ("Havana Nights" does not count). She looks completely different. To boil it down, she nose-fucked herself. I hope she can sleep at night.

Today's Reason To Drink

Once again, the Velcro Pygmies are in concert tonight. Don't let the rain keep you away from some serious rocking out. See you at Fourth Street Live at 8pm. And best of all, it's free, bitches!

Today's Reason To Drink

I'm going to see "Dirty Dancing" on the big screen tonight -- there are no words for this moment.

Yesterday's Reason To Drink

Vacation is over. Derby debauchery is beginning.

Today's Reason To Drink

The wonderful Velcro Pygmies are playing at the Chow Wagon tonight! See you at 8 p.m. sharp.

Today's Reason To Drink

Sourdough bread.

Today's Reason To Drink

Rosie's leaving "The View"? There goes the neighborhood!

Today's Reason To Drink

Bad weather, flight delays, celebrity sightings, $8 bloody marys ... ahhh, the tribulations of traveling.

Today's Reason To Drink

Because time is a drain on your soul.

Today's Reason To Drink

Because vacation is a mere two days away -- San Francisco, here I come!

How many beers?

So I brought in my big beer bottle today in case the design folks wanted to use it for our upcoming Nightlife Guide cover. Co-workers immediately began wondering how many beers would fit in this monster. So I headed straight to the kitchen and filled it up, bottle by bottle (with an empty one we had sitting around the office. Right now I bet you're thinking LEO must be a pretty cool place to work. It's not always the case that we have beer in the office -- we're just working hard on our Bar Guide and need a little inspiration from time to time.)

Anyway, so how many beers fit?

5¾ to be exact. I could tackle that in about an hour. :)

Today's Reason To Drink

Hmmm ... because the rain in Spain falls mainly in the plains.

Today's Reason To Drink

I've got two of them: 1) Sanjaya is out. 2) The "president" is making an appearance at my old high school in Tipp City, Ohio. My word.

Today's Reason To Drink

It's the first time it has really felt like spring. Smell for yourself.

Today's Reason To Drink

Because the Word of the Day from Dictionary.com is "toper."

toper \TOH-puhr\, noun:

One who drinks frequently or to excess.

Although he was no toper, God forbid, he took a glass of aquavit . . . .
-- Isaac Bashevis Singer, Reaches of Heaven

But there remains a core of bottom-line voters to whom the promise of tax cuts is as seductive as gin to a toper.
-- David Nyhan, "Tax cuts for all - wheee!", Boston Globe, January 21, 2000

You may walk around a bar with a big mug of beer . . . , but if you sloshed it all over a fellow toper, you'd pay the cleaning bill.
-- Randy Cohen, "At Random: Everyday Ethics", Chicago Tribune, June 10, 2003

Toper is formed from the verb tope, "to drink," originally an interjection used in proposing a toast, from Frenchtope!, "agreed!" from toper, "to cover a stake in playing at dice, to accept an offer, to agree."

Hey big spenders — $1,000 Mint Juleps!

If you know me, you know I'm cheap. I'm always looking for the best happy hour specials around town and am weary of unnecessary cover charges (when there's no band to entertain). Any drink more than $5 makes me nervous.
So here we've got the $1,000 Mint Julep to be served at this year's Derby - and I'm literally shakin' in my boots. To me, a thousand bucks is an entire vacation (I once went to Ireland for a mere $500, which included airfare, hotel and my very own tour guide). So dropping $1,000 on one drink, no matter how delicious, seems crazy. But there's good news - it's for a good cause, so if you're rich and you know it, buy one, or better yet, buy me one.
Here's the lowdown: Woodford Reserve will be selling 132 of these gold-plated gems (one for each year the Derby's been held) online starting tomorrow (April 17). It's a first-come, first-serve deal, with so many for sale, and some up for auction by Christie's. And there will be at least 10 for sale Derby Day at the Downs, if you happen to place a good bet early on and want to indulge. All proceeds go to the Thoroughbred Charities of America (TCA), which assists retired horses and disabled jockeys.
Oh, and here's the best part - the ingredients are as fancy as the price: mint from the coast of Ireland, organic sugar from Queensland, Australia, ice from the Bavarian Alps (what?!) and the delectable Woodford Reserve from Versailles, Kentucky. Makes me feel all warm and worldly inside already.
You know you want one. Go to www.woodfordreservemintjulep.com to make your bid. I can meet you in the parking lot on Derby Day if you need help drinking it.

Today's Reason To Drink

It's Monday. Do you need another reason?

Today's Reason To Drink

Because you're content in knowing that "Grease 2" was far more superior than "Grease."

Today's Reason To Drink

Because the cast of MTV's "Real World: Las Vegas" is reuniting for another season of drinking, debauchery and doin' the dirty.

Today's Reason To Drink

Your liver is at rest. Put it to work for god's sake!

Decisions

A friend just invited me to 50-cent beer night at Rick's Double T in Jeffersonville. But tonight I have to go to spin class and watch "American Idol." It's hard to turn down opportunities to drink. But I feel fat. And I can't have Sangria go on to another round in AI. So I must go to the gym and go straight home. Do not pass Bar, do not consume 200 calories.

Getting old sucks.

Today's Reason To Drink

Because your mother would approve.