03/7/2013 Update: Will this poor excuse for a winter end?

Over a month since my last post, because it’s taken me that long to add just one bar to my list.  That one was Bare Bones BBQ in Moline near the airport in Moline, and becomes # 475.  I also added Five, The restaurant on 5th Ave in Moline that later became The Brown Bottle, and is currently La Flama.  I had thought we sat at the bar once while waiting for a table, and my wife confirmed that.  My list goes to at 476.  

More winter casualties:  Stack’s in Moline is closed, but may be sold – the sign says ‘Closed for remodeling’.  The Rock Island Grape Life is now only available for private parties, and Symposium Café is closing, but another restaurant is supposed to take its place.  DaVinci’s in downtown Davenport also closed, though I was told that happened back in August.  One more bar goes on my ‘What’s Left’ list, now that I have a name (Plaza Pub) for the bar going in next to the skating rink in downtown Moline.  That list now stands at 15; unfortunately, 3 aren’t yet open.   My hope of getting to 500 by April 30 now relies heavily on restaurants and, with spring approaching, golf course clubhouses, until ‘real’ bars open.

As far as ‘real’ bars, here’s what’s on the horizon:  Bad Boy’z in Davenport, though it’s looked to be ready since Christmas, still has inexplicably not opened yet.  Just in the past couple of days I’ve seen the electric contractors van, though.  The Moline version of the Barrel House looks to be moving full speed ahead, ready to stretch the 5th Street bar zone to the west.  The ‘For Sale’ sign is down at Yeti’s in Silvis, and some work seems to be going on.  I’ve even seen some action in the Buckhorn in Bettendorf for the first time in – I don’t know, ten years?  It’s On The River was scheduled to reopen on March 1st, but it has now been pushed back to the 15th.  I’m not as excited about that as you might think:  though it’s one of my favorite bars, I still feel a little betrayed that it closed for the winter.  Maybe I shouldn’t take it personally.

If you’re keeping score at home, that’s seven (The Landing, Stack’s, La Flama, Del’s, DaVinci’s, The Little Bar, and Rubikon) closing vs. one (Legend’s Corner) opening, just in my last 4 posts; the good news is the bases are loaded with Bad Boy’z, Barrel House, and the Plaza Pub.

I’m bummed that the distributor serving the Bier Stubes no longer carries Schneiderweisse.  Dieter introduced me to it, even showed me the proper pour, and it became my favorite beer (though the alcohol content prevents me from consuming them like Miller Lite).  On the plus side, I found Franziskaner to be an adequate replacement.

Finally, I’m pleased to add Joanna of Blu Shamrock, as well as Darryl (hope I spelled the name correctly) of Le Figaro / Star Bar to my Favorite Bartender list.    

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