Best Bars In America 2007

Agent 0659

Agent 0659

:mj07:
Forum Member
Dec 21, 2003
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Gym rat
WTF, I have never even heard of this place?

The Red Key
Indianapolis
You're having: A highball
You need to have rules when you drink. Like, take your hat off when you enter the bar. Don't put your feet up on the chair across from you. Don't shout, not while everyone is watching General Hospital in the failing light of a Tuesday afternoon. A bar is no more a private escape than it is an assembly of like-minded souls. A community. That's why I like the Red Key in Indianapolis, when eighty-nine-year-old Russel Settle, owner/operator/primary bartender, is working. Russ will just as soon ban you from ever coming in as he will thank you for darkening his door. Why shouldn't he? Having a drink is a choice. Serving them is, too. But drinkers like the old boot-to-the-throat routine: There is always a crowd, small, respectful, a little stimulated by the whip-cracking from the crabby old bartender.

You have to like a little discipline in the mealy heart of a dive like this, where the ancient murals are lacquered with cigarette smoke and grime, and the linoleum is so worn, there are pathways to the only three significant stops in any bar: the men's room, the jukebox, and the exit. And friend, stay on the path, or Russ will give you the boot before that highball ever meets your sorry lips.



:mj10: :mj10: :mj10:
 
ImFeklhr

ImFeklhr

Raconteur
Forum Member
Oct 3, 2005
4,585
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San Francisco
The one here in SF (Bourbon & Branch) from that list is pretty interesting.

The address and phone numbers are unlisted, and there is no sign on the front of the building. You'd never know if you passed by.

You have to make reservations online, or go with someone who has reservations.

They are going for the whole 1920's Speakeasy theme, which is a pretty cool gimmick (for a while?)

Anyway, their bourbon (their specialty) selection and drink knowledge is top notch. They don't use soda/mixer "guns" and try for a trendy clientele, but doesn't come off THAT pretentious.

A really alcohol focused bar (which isn't as much of a given as you might think).
 
smurphy

smurphy

cartographer
Channel Member
Jul 31, 2004
19,909
133
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L.A.
They only list one bar in Chicago? Something fundamentally not right about that.
 
B

bjfinste

Registered User
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Mar 14, 2001
5,462
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AZ
smurphy said:
They only list one bar in Chicago? Something fundamentally not right about that.
Click to expand...

I think it's one per state, but I only glanced over the list.

I have to say, if I had 20 guesses for a Madison bar to be on this list, the ol' Dollar wouldn't have been one of them. It's definitely unique, though.
 
smurphy

smurphy

cartographer
Channel Member
Jul 31, 2004
19,909
133
63
16
L.A.
bjfinste said:
I think it's one per state, but I only glanced over the list.

I have to say, if I had 20 guesses for a Madison bar to be on this list, the ol' Dollar wouldn't have been one of them. It's definitely unique, though.
Click to expand...
They gave LA and NY several. Chicago has far more great bars than LA in my opinion.

Strangely, I've been to that Midtown in Little Rock. It did seem pretty good.

"Any bar on The Strip" for Vegas? That's a copout.
 
Padre

Padre

Registered User
Forum Member
Mar 11, 2000
1,183
26
0
San Diego CA
It is amazing what people will pay to have a drink at a place, and call it a great time.

With little to no chance of getting laid.

So my vote for all the bible thumping, eccentrics........


my vote is any "beer bar" in Pattaya Thailand..


cheap beer, great time, and a guarantee u will get laid.

And they say America is great.....:com:
 
R

Ronnie

Registered User
Forum Member
Oct 16, 2000
7,527
35
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At the bar
Tootsies in Nashville is terrible! :142smilie One of the biggest shitholes on Broadway. It is a tourist trap from hell. Drinks are way overpriced, the bar staff is clueless when it comes to making shots. Everyone that works there is rude. The best bar in Nashville is not in the downtown district.
 
D

DIRTY Diapers

Registered User
Forum Member
Jan 13, 2005
2,670
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Indianapolis
Agent 0659 said:
WTF, I have never even heard of this place?

The Red Key
Indianapolis
You're having: A highball
You need to have rules when you drink. Like, take your hat off when you enter the bar. Don't put your feet up on the chair across from you. Don't shout, not while everyone is watching General Hospital in the failing light of a Tuesday afternoon. A bar is no more a private escape than it is an assembly of like-minded souls. A community. That's why I like the Red Key in Indianapolis, when eighty-nine-year-old Russel Settle, owner/operator/primary bartender, is working. Russ will just as soon ban you from ever coming in as he will thank you for darkening his door. Why shouldn't he? Having a drink is a choice. Serving them is, too. But drinkers like the old boot-to-the-throat routine: There is always a crowd, small, respectful, a little stimulated by the whip-cracking from the crabby old bartender.

You have to like a little discipline in the mealy heart of a dive like this, where the ancient murals are lacquered with cigarette smoke and grime, and the linoleum is so worn, there are pathways to the only three significant stops in any bar: the men's room, the jukebox, and the exit. And friend, stay on the path, or Russ will give you the boot before that highball ever meets your sorry lips.



:mj10: :mj10: :mj10:
Click to expand...

THE RED KEY????

Are you serious??? What a dump... Give me, Rock Lobster, Dill Street (Ball St.), Corby's (ND), OPT's, Bleeker St., any bar at IU, etc..
 
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