Quad Cities Bars

Hero's Pub became #300 on my list Wednesday, followed by Ganzo’s Cantina and Malarkey’s at #301 and #302, respectively.  While at Malarkey’s, the bartender helped me fill in some of my blanks concerning the district (I had Frog’s and Gator’s locations switched, and Gator’s was actually the Alligator Grill), and he reminded me of the Brickhouse (now the Daiquiri Factory), which I was able to add to the list.  Also bellied up to the bar at Trattoria Tiramisu on Friday night before the Guess Who show, making it #299.  Click “The List” above to see them all. You might be thinking that I’m running out of possibilities for expanding the list, there are, by my count, 67 bars that I still haven’t been to in the Quad Cities area.  A dozen of these probably don’t need to worry about me darkening their doorstep, leaving 55.  This doesn’t include restaurants, golf courses, bowling alleys, etc. so 400 is still attainable.

I was able to add Van’s Pizza (the old Pat McGuire’s) and The Phoenix to the list on Wednesday, bringing the total to 297.  Click ‘The List’ above to see them all. Help me pad my stats!  Even though I never reckoned I’d be counting the number of bars I’ve visited in the Quad Cities, I still went to quite a few without a view to the grand sweep of history – consequently, I’ve forgotten what some of the ones were called before they changed hands, changed names, closed, etc.  Principally, I’m looking for help in recollecting the names of places in the East Village of Davenport and the District of Rock Island.  I’ve listed below what I can remember;  please help me fill in the blanks, and please correct me if you see mistakes! EAST VILLAGE Mound Street Landing > ? Grumpy’s > ? Bleyart’s > Players > Little B’s > ? DISTRICT Beer Belly’s > Big Willie McGinty’s > Jody’s > Miss Behavin’> ? Tilt > Envy > Kai’s > Chantilly 2000 > Chantilly Lace > ? Daiqu

Since the last update, I’ve added Boozie’s, Symposium Café, The Pour House, Happy Hollow, Murphy’s, and the Svithiod Club, making my new total 295.  At this rate, I should hit 300 by the Thanksgiving (click ‘The List’ above to see them all). By the nature of this blog, you may have guessed that bartenders are very important people in my life.  To me, there are three traits that make a good bartender:  Friendliness (which really is just being able to put up with me), wit, and…I was going to say ‘promptness’, then thought ‘awareness’, but really it boils down to the basic skills.  If I put an empty in the well and I’m still sitting there, that’s a clear indication that I need another.  I admit I can become a little exasperated when my bartender keeps asking if I need another, when I’m only following the rules they made up.  Much worse, however, is not asking, removing my empty, then failing to replace it. What follows is a list of my favorite bartenders of the past and present, as wel