4/23/2012 Update - Closing in on 3 years

I finally got to the Top Shelf Lounge in East Moline after 4 prior unsuccessful attempts, when I didn’t know the hours (open at 6 Thursday, Friday, and Saturday – I think 3 on Sunday).  It was a pleasant surprise – doesn’t look like much from the outside, but nice (if a bit bright) inside.  That was my only conquest since my last post, though I did get to five bars from my Pre-List List (bars I hadn’t been to since before May 2009, when I began tracking):  Creekside Inn, Jack’s Locust Street Tavern, The Gardens, Steve’s Old Time Tap, and the Hawkeye Tap. 

I was happily mistaken when I thought that the old Beer Belly’s in the district did not look like it’s next iteration would be a bar – in fact, it is called 4Play, and opened Thursday.  I tried to add it to my list on Saturday, but once again, my timing was off – they weren’t opening until 7:30.  So, with only one addition since my last post, my new total is 431.  My What’s Left list goes to 16, with the addition of 4Play, new information that there’s a bar in the Cordova Drag Strip called Zoomie’s, plus the impending openings of the Rock Island location of Bent River Brewery and the Freight House location of Front Street Brewery.

Only one addition in over three weeks?  You’d think I was slacking!  But…

I spent a week in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, where I visited some of my favorite places (Pat O’Brien’s, Tipitina’s, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, and Evelyn’s Place), plus a handful of new ones (45 Tchoup, Chartres House, The Beach, and Bar 102).  Always a great time there!  I was disappointed in Evelyn’s, though – I wrote about this place back in December 2010 when I was listing some of my favorite places around the world, or as much of it as I have seen:

A couple of blocks off Bourbon St., Evelyn’s Place is rare in that you can get a 3$ bottle of Miller Lite in the French Quarter.  When we first met Evelyn, she seemed like a colorful character;  after a few hours, she was a drunk with a bitchy attitude, and the transition was very entertaining. 

The menu at Evelyn’s is written on a chalkboard on the back wall, and consists of Red Beans and Rice, Gumbo, and a few sandwiches.  When a family of four sat down, scanned the wall,  and asked if they could order a hamburger, Evelyn looked at them like they were aliens and, in her distinct N. O. drawl, replied “Naw…ain’t got no hamburgers.  Wendy’s down the corner!”  Another patron asked for a Michelob Ultra, prompting Evelyn to ask “What are ya, fat?”  Another time when we went in, we noticed four people at a table eating gumbo.  When they left, Evelyn told us that the guy with wearing the knit cap was Dave Matthews.  “Whenever he in New Orleans he come by and have gumbo.  I’m getting my hair done tomorrow cos Greg Allman goin’ be in.” 

Last time I was in Evelyn’s was Jan, 2009, and found out that Evelyn had died.  Christine, the owner’s granddaughter (Evelyn was actually the owner’s mistress), seems like she’ll be a fitting replacement.

Sadly, Christine resumed her old job, and the woman working that night had the personality of a dial tone.

The goals I stated in my last post (450 total, 300 in the 3 years I’ve kept track) aren’t looking very attainable now.  Total is out of the question, with 19 to go and only 16 (14 open) on my What’s Left list.  300 in 3 years I have a better shot at, needing 3 in a week, but my wife’s Wednesday night bowling season is over, and that was when I able to hit the places that she was less than thrilled about going to.