4/21/2014 Update: Sports Bars updated

Because of only being open Thursdays through Saturdays, knocking the Last Chance Lounge at its new location on 17th St in Rock Island (former site of Rexie’s Gourmet House and, more recently, Club 573) off my list was proving to be a difficult task.  With a free couple hours owing to my wife having a girls night at the Circa on a Friday night, I finally was able to visit, and got to see Bob and Diana, whom I had met at their old location.  Made it just in time, apparently:  they told me that Mar 31st was to be their last day. 

In addition to the Last Chance, I’m adding (with memory-tweaking help from friends), two blasts from the past, both in the Rock Island District.  Thanks to Kyle Born for reminding me of Bushwood (currently the Daiquiri Factory).  I can’t exactly recall who reminded me of The Library (now The Smoking Dog Pub), but I think that was the second bar I ever went to in the QCA; Steve’s Old Time Tap was the first.  Those three brings me up to 520.

A couple of milestones hit last month:  when we went to Governor’s on March 15, it was the 2500th time I went to a Quad CIties bar since I started tracking this almost 5 years ago.  5 days later when we went to It’s On The River marked 2800 times worldwide. 

I knocked a couple off my Pre-List list: Hooters and Bennigan’s.  That makes 396 different QC bars in the last 5 years.  I also tried to get back to The Hat, but their week long (according to the sign on their door) renovation project is stretching in to the second month.  If I’m going to hit 400 different QCA bars in 5 years (ending Apr 30), looks like I may have to return to the Dew Drop Inn and The Meat Market.

Brix in downtown Moline (I have been incorrectly calling it Brick) has put up their sign, with the motto “Get sauced”.  Still don’t know of a projected opening date, but I do know that one of my favorite bartenders, Mckenzy from Blue Iguana, will be there.

As far as new inventory on the horizon, Mahoney’s Pub in Eldridge opening early May, down the street from Al & Gerry’s - thanks to Steve Block for the intel.  Mound Street Landing in the Village of East Davenport is becoming Ubriaco Trattoria (owned by the same people as Smoking Dog Pub), and is currently closed for remodeling.  Twenty has become The Venue – I’m not sure of who owns it now; sadly, the prior owner, Mike Reddish, died in January.  Carlos O’Kelley’s in Davenport is becoming … another Mexican restaurant.  Surprise!  It will be, according to the newly posted sign, Los Portales II. Lastly, Bellasofia in Silvis is a new pizza joint open now on Avenue of the Cities in Silvis.  I know they have a craft beer selection, but not sure if it has a bar.  I aim to find out.  Assuming they do, my “What’s Left” list goes to 13.

Other bar news:

Blueport Junction is closed – again, thanks to Kyle for the heads up.

The owners of Duey’s for almost 40 years have retired, and sold to one of the former owners of Kernan’s.  It changed hands on April 1st, but no remodeling or name change is in the immediate plans.

 Augie’s on 20th had apparently secured their liquor license, but one day after I saw the Miller Lite signs in the window, they were down.  Not sure of their current status, and no post on FB since April 3rd.

I haven’t yet established why the “Martini’s” was dropped from the name at On The Rock Grille & Bar – anyone know if there has been an ownership change?

A couple slight changes in my Favorite Bartender’s list:  with the closing of Bon Air, Debbie goes from Present to Past Favorites.  Sally at Central Avenue Tap does too, as she really hasn't worked there in a while except for an occasional fill-in.  Bob rejoins the Present Favorites, as he is back at G’s Riverfront Café.

SPORTS BARS

I've updated my Favorite Upscale Bars, Favorite Dives, and Worst Dives in the last couple of posts, so now it’s time to revisit Sports Bars in the Quad Cities.  The criteria are simple:  big TV’s that you have a good view of almost wherever you sit, and good food.

Not much change from last time:  I don’t expect major sports viewing changes in the transition from Twenty to The Venue, but until I can get back there I've moved it to Honorable Mention.  Parkside’s sister bar, Riverside Grille, makes its debut at #10.  19 big screens, same great food as Parkside, but a little awkward viewing on the hanging row of televisions that bisect the floor.  Christopher D’s moves up, Rooster’s moves down, and there you have it.

The only other change was on my favorite bars where you don’t want to watch sports:  Rick & Kathy’s had moved off the list (due to the generosity of a customer that bought the bar 2 50” flats), and was replaced by Bon Air.  They are now closed, so Rosy’s Watering Hole takes its place.  Harley’s has also upgraded their televisions, but that post in the center of the octagonal bar keeps them on. 

Like my other updated lists, these are no longer in alphabetical order; this is the order I rank them in:

TOP 10 SPORTS BARS
The Doc's Inn
Silvis
Bad Boy'z
Moline
Buffalo Wild Wings
Moline
Buffalo Wild Wings
Davenport
Sport Fans
Bettendorf
Poor Boy's
Rock Island
Parkside
Moline
Christopher D's
Moline
Rookie's
Davenport
Riverside Grille
Bettendorf
Honorable Mention:
The Venue
Moline
Rooster's
Rock Island
Jersey Grille
Davenport
My favorite bars where you do not want to watch sports:
G's Riverfront Café
Port Byron
Harley's
Moline
Rosy's Watering Hole
Silvis

Next post, I’ll be able to bring you bar news from outside the USA for the first time since I started the blog!

Bars since the March 13 post ( * - new to my list):

Bad Boy'z Pizza
Bent River Brewery (RI)
Rick and Kathy's
Osaka (Davenport)
Governor's (Bettendorf)
Riley's Roadhouse
It's On The River
Red Lantern
* Buffalo Wild Wings (Saginaw)
Applebee's (Saginaw)
* Heck's Bar (Saginaw)
Bennigan's (Saginaw)
G's Riverfront Café
Kelly's
The Doc's Inn
Steel Head Tavern
Frick's Tap
P. K. Dugan's
Red Ginger
129
La Flama
Pub 1848
Blue Cat
Hooters
Blu Shamrock
Fargo
TGI Friday's Moline
Bier Stube Moline
Harley's
Gunchie's
Rudy's Cantina
Duck City Bistro
Riverside Grille
Parkside Grill
Twenty
McManus Pub
Barrel House
Las Regias
Tommy's
O'Keefe's
Duey's
Jimmie Lee's
* Last Chance Lounge
Smoking Dog Pub
RIBCo
Rooster's
Harrington's
Buffalo Wild Wings (Dav.)

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