Dive Bars

[gumby]

Oddly, I've never been to the Buffet, but I have been to Boondocks and the Golden Nugget.

http://tucson.com/gallery/entertainment ... af1.html#3

[Merkin]

No Meet Rack?


Been to The Buffet and Cow Pony, not familiar with the rest.

Always been to chicken to go the Bashful Bandit.

[azgreg]

No Meet Rack?


Been to The Buffet and Cow Pony, not familiar with the rest.

Always been to chicken to go the Bashful Bandit.

A friend of mine back in college delivered pizza there and said they were always the best tippers.

[Longhorned]

Happy Jack's didn't make the list?

[Machina]

No Meet Rack?


Been to The Buffet and Cow Pony, not familiar with the rest.

Always been to chicken to go the Bashful Bandit.

Bashful Bandit was a lot of fun. Went there almost every Tuesday during my grad school days.

[Merkin]

Thanks a lot streetcar!

http://tucson.com/entertainment/blogs/c ... ?id=201408

Walk into The District Tavern around closing time Saturday night and you might just find owner Noel Chester dancing on the bar to Iggy Pop's 1977 blaster "Lust for Life."

“That’s what happens on a good night at The Tavern," Chester said Thursday.

But Saturday won't be just another good night at the downtown bar. It will be its last.

After 10 years at 260 E. Congress St., The District will have its final last call Saturday night. By Monday morning, Chester will hand over the keys to landlord Scott Stiteler and begin a new chapter that may or may not include reopening in another location.

"I feel like it is OK for me to get off the beaten track because my clientele wasn’t on the beaten track," she said of scouting a new location. "So I'm looking all over. I have an open mind; I'm thinking outside the box. And we’ll see where I land.”

Stitler, in a text message on Thursday, said he has had "many interested parties" reach out to him about the space.

"I am only interested in the space continuing as a dive bar with all of the unique character and experience that great dive bars capture," he said.

Chester has known since early last year that The District's days were numbered; Stitler told her back then that he planned to significantly increase the rent, bringing it to the current $28 a square foot from the $14 she had been paying when she exercised a five-year option on her lease in 2010, she said.

Chester has spent the past couple weeks packing up a decade of memories. She's leaving Stitler the bar, which a friend of her's built. She's donating the booths to Skrappy's Tucson Youth Collective.

On closing night Saturday, you-call-it shots — which includes any liquor at the bar — will be $3 apiece. And when the mood strikes and she's ready, Chester will jump on the bar and do that dance.

"The reason that we are here and the reason The District is here is that I have this very, very strong lust for life," she said. "And that is what’s going to happen. That will be my trade for tears.

[The Butcher]

i have been to every one of those bars except The District. Can't believe Terry and Zeke's wasn't up there.

[Daryl Zero]

I had to go to the Boondocks many a time because I had a girlfriend who played in a bluegrass band and she played there a bunch.
My bands played at Ninos and some bad places on 4th Avenue before that (Tumbles/Tumbleweeds).

[97cats]

there's a great new place called Wild Goose in my backyard that has DANGER potential

[Longhorned]

there's a great new place called Wild Goose in my backyard that has DANGER potential

You should be a regular.

[Salty]

No Meet Rack?


Been to The Buffet and Cow Pony, not familiar with the rest.

Always been to chicken to go the Bashful Bandit.

Bashful Bandit was a lot of fun. Went there almost every Tuesday during my grad school days.

I've worked there a few times and nearly have gotten stabbed three or four times.

Not a place that I would picture you at.

[UAEebs86]

Bar Rescue stress test was Thursday, reopening tonight apparently. Never been to this place - it's on Speedway near between Craycroft and Wilmot.

[CatsbyAZ]

The Daily Star does such a good job of celebrating and historicizing Tucson

[UAEebs86]

[CalStateTempe]

Bar rescue is a guilty pleasure of mine.

[Jefe]

Bar Rescue stress test was Thursday, reopening tonight apparently. Never been to this place - it's on Speedway near between Craycroft and Wilmot.

I've been a handful of times. Great beer selection and TV setup but the place was so run down and had a horrible kitchen/menu. They changed the name to The Frozen Cactus and I'll have to go check it out before they resort to their old habits like most places do after Bar Rescue

[UAEebs86]

[UAEebs86]

Bar Rescue stress test was Thursday, reopening tonight apparently. Never been to this place - it's on Speedway near between Craycroft and Wilmot.

I've been a handful of times. Great beer selection and TV setup but the place was so run down and had a horrible kitchen/menu. They changed the name to The Frozen Cactus and I'll have to go check it out before they resort to their old habits like most places do after Bar Rescue

The Bar Rescue episode is fnally being broadcast right now on Paramount Network.

[Jefe]

The Bar Rescue episode is fnally being broadcast right now on Paramount Network.

I saw it and its horrible. The owner is a child and Jon basically gave up and half-assed the remodel. No plans on going in there.

[CatsbyAZ]

Anyone ever stepped inside Nevada Smith's Saloon on Miracle Mile?

Visiting my brother this weekend, since he lives within walking distance that's where we decided to catch the Arizona basketball game. Very impressed with how much the inside atmosphere is that of an Old West bar, a lot like those you'd find in a ghost town.

For all the years I lived in Tucson, not sure how I skipped past this place without much of a notice, especially since I drove past it pretty much everyday I had class at the Pima West Campus about 15 years ago.

edit: sign inside proudly reads "Established 1981"

[Merkin]

Do all the hookers still hang out on Miracle Mile? Pretty blatant back in the 1980's.

[Jefe]

Never been but its now on my list. I wound up at the Sakura bar. No audio but great TV setup, heavy pours and not a soul in there

[wyo-cat]

Nevada Smiths used to have a shit load of oysters flown in and have $2/dozen sliders/oysters on the half shell.

Many good a time on oyster nights.

[CatsbyAZ]

Do all the hookers still hang out on Miracle Mile? Pretty blatant back in the 1980's.

If so that's all moved indoors, to TD's Showclub.

As for the rest of Miracle Mile, the last decade of gentrification and repurposing is providing a second wind beyond its glory days. There’s the Gospel Rescue Mission’s women’s shelter in the Westward Winds Lodge. But particularly impressive is the Monterey Court Motor Lodge’s open-air grill & bar with live music on weekends, along with the "artisan shopping" hosted in its array of former bedroom studios - a hair salon, tattoo parlor, beauty spa, art gallery, and second-hand fashion boutique.

I love Tucson.



https://www.montereycourtaz.com/" target="_blank

[CatsbyAZ]

Anyone ever frequented Danny's Baboquivari over on Ft. Lowell?

In town for Thanksgiving and last night was taken here by a few hometown buddies who make it their tradition to visit one of the only bars open on Thanksgiving. TVs airing Home Alone, Pool tables, juke boxes, dog friendly, no too-loud music, cheap well drinks, didn't enforce their anti-vaping policy, packed by 9PM. Pretty sure it was all locals; the group of about a dozen of us recognized face after face from their high schools days, many of whom they celebrated over having not seen in a few years.

Here's an older article from 2007; from reading its description it doesn't sound like its changed much (might be a paywall): https://tucson.com/entertainment/dining ... 7d91b.html

[scumdevils86]

I lived within a mile or so of there for 15 years and never actually went. I should've.

[Chicat]

I lived at Winterhaven for two years in college and Danny’s was my three-times a week hangout.

Unfortunately I was partially to blame for them getting busted in ‘99/00 for serving underage patrons. I was working at McMahon’s at the time and we used to get the whole serving staff to go over there after we closed. Not everyone was 21, but because me and my roommate were regulars they didn’t bother to get IDs from the 15-20 people we’d bring with us. Well, one of the bussers was like 19, got wasted, and pissed in the front parking lot in full view of traffic on Fort Lowell and of course a cop.

$5k fine for the bar. $5k fine for the bartender (which is what I really felt bad about of course). I stopped going as often after that because I felt responsible. I did though end up spending a good portion of my bachelor party there five years later. Same old place that I loved.

[dovecanyoncat]

I was working at McMahon’s at the time ......

Is that where you discovered the beef and bourbon business model?

[Chicat]

I was working at McMahon’s at the time ......

Is that where you discovered the beef and bourbon business model?

The most satisfying of business models.

[scumdevils86]

Danny's is basically next door to the former Cody's Beef and Beans

[EastCoastCat]

I am more than beef and beans…

[Jefe]

Anyone ever frequented Danny's Baboquivari over on Ft. Lowell?
In town for Thanksgiving and last night was taken here by a few hometown buddies who make it their tradition to visit one of the only bars open on Thanksgiving.

Yep I was there, left before it got nuts Did you see Kim the blonde bartender throw that guy out at the bar? I didn't see what he did but she made a huge scene.

Danny's has not changed in a long time. They rented out the bar to HBO for filming Duster a few weeks ago. Curious to see that scene when the show is released, I doubt they had to change any decor.

[CatsbyAZ]

Yep I was there, left before it got nuts Did you see Kim the blonde bartender throw that guy out at the bar? I didn't see what he did but she made a huge scene.

I knew we were in for a quite an evening night when in the bathroom, comprised of two toilets facing each other in a closet, some guy in a silver puffer jacket wondering in behind me, checked with me whether it was “ok, bro?” if this could be his corner to do coke. Sure enough, as I was leaving anyway, he was readying rolling paper.

From what I learned Kim, the boldly blonde bartender, is nothing short of a legend at Baboquivari. If the guy you saw thrown out by her was also escorted out by the bouncer, that might’ve been one of us. No sooner had our buddy walked away from the bar top without paying for the five or six Jack and Cokes he set on our table than Kim came out from behind the bar to confront our table. When I pulled out my credit card to assure her that whatever was owed would be covered, the bouncer was already joining Kim to usher my buddy out for being “too drunk,” which struck me as the standard stupor for just about anybody in Baboquivari, silver coated cokehead notwithstanding.

Later, toward last call I saw Kim cuss out another guy for being rude, which drew a long round of applause. By then, after 1AM, there were two guys in snorkeling masks taking a piss in the turning lane of Ft. Lowell while beneath the front awning the bouncers jostled apart two guys poised for a fight until a taxi took one away.

Quite a place, on Thanksgiving night no less.

[Chicat]

Miller High Life is offering Gingerbread Dive Bar kits. They even come with sticky floors (maple syrup).

$50 on High Life’s online store starting Monday.

[Jefe]

I knew we were in for a quite an evening night when in the bathroom, comprised of two toilets facing each other in a closet, some guy in a silver puffer jacket wondering in behind me, checked with me whether it was “ok, bro?” if this could be his corner to do coke. Sure enough, as I was leaving anyway, he was readying rolling paper.

lol

From what I learned Kim, the boldly blonde bartender, is nothing short of a legend at Baboquivari. If the guy you saw thrown out by her was also escorted out by the bouncer, that might’ve been one of us. No sooner had our buddy walked away from the bar top without paying for the five or six Jack and Cokes he set on our table than Kim came out from behind the bar to confront our table. When I pulled out my credit card to assure her that whatever was owed would be covered, the bouncer was already joining Kim to usher my buddy out for being “too drunk,” which struck me as the standard stupor for just about anybody in Baboquivari, silver coated cokehead notwithstanding.

Yep that's the one haha. They have a 1 strike rule and they never forget.

Later, toward last call I saw Kim cuss out another guy for being rude, which drew a long round of applause. By then, after 1AM, there were two guys in snorkeling masks taking a piss in the turning lane of Ft. Lowell while beneath the front awning the bouncers jostled apart two guys poised for a fight until a taxi took one away. Quite a place, on Thanksgiving night no less.

Glad I left when I did! Christmas night is even crazier. Its shoulder to shoulder after 10PM

[dovecanyoncat]

Mmmmm I dunno fellas, it sounds like your taste is too good to be making claims of slumming it in such a place. I've never been to Baboquivari but the Dive Bar standard pretty much says the presence of a bouncer classes up the joint too much. I mean, was the maitre d sick? Traditionally an endearing but capricious lawlessness issues from posses of impaired locals who enforce unwritten and ephemeral codes of conduct. Professional structure kinda sorta raises the tone overmuch. Now for sure, a bartender chick with swag and massive balls is a must, but why wasn't Kim in the gents gacking down rails with puffer coat dude? And there's a disappointing lack of entrepreneurial spirit at work in just tossing someone who is tardy with the bar tab. Y'all could have been extorted out of a round for the house or some appropriate honorarium.

[Chicat]

I never saw a bouncer there back when I was a patron. The Regulars kept the peace.

[UAEebs86]

Miller High Life is offering Gingerbread Dive Bar kits. They even come with sticky floors (maple syrup).

$50 on High Life’s online store starting Monday.

Does it come with The Buffalo Sweat?


"Ted Bair, owner of The Buffet since 1982, said the bar's infamous drink is The Buffalo Sweat. The traditional double-shot sized drink is made with various hard liquors and crock pot juice, topped off with a firm squeeze of the bar rag"


https://wc.arizona.edu/papers/97/150/01_8.html

[azgreg]

Anybody remember the name of that dive bar just east of campus. All I remember was it being very dark inside and they had shuffleboard tables.

[Merkin]

Miller High Life is offering Gingerbread Dive Bar kits. They even come with sticky floors (maple syrup).

$50 on High Life’s online store starting Monday.

Does it come with The Buffalo Sweat?


"Ted Bair, owner of The Buffet since 1982, said the bar's infamous drink is The Buffalo Sweat. The traditional double-shot sized drink is made with various hard liquors and crock pot juice, topped off with a firm squeeze of the bar rag"


https://wc.arizona.edu/papers/97/150/01_8.html

I can't even imagine having hot dog juice in any drink, no matter how drunk I am.

Snuck my underage son and daughter there one time with other members of my Tucson family. No issue at all.

[84Cat]

Anybody remember the name of that dive bar just east of campus. All I remember was it being very dark inside and they had shuffleboard tables.

What street?

[scumdevils86]

I haven't been to the Buffet in like 8 years. But I went like twice a week when I was 21.

[azgreg]

The Buffet, that's it. Correction, not east of campus. Remember going there on Tuesday nights.

[dovecanyoncat]

Did they call it The Buffet as in a horizontal Meat Rack?

[wyo-cat]

Anyone ever stepped inside Nevada Smith's Saloon on Miracle Mile?

Visiting my brother this weekend, since he lives within walking distance that's where we decided to catch the Arizona basketball game. Very impressed with how much the inside atmosphere is that of an Old West bar, a lot like those you'd find in a ghost town.

For all the years I lived in Tucson, not sure how I skipped past this place without much of a notice, especially since I drove past it pretty much everyday I had class at the Pima West Campus about 15 years ago.

edit: sign inside proudly reads "Established 1981"

The owner used to by like 900 fresh oyster and have them flown in from LA for Oyster Friday. $2 for a dozen on the half shell. They were some shucking fools until the ran out. Been there many times.

[CatsbyAZ]

Mmmmm I dunno fellas, it sounds like your taste is too good to be making claims of slumming it in such a place. I've never been to Baboquivari but the Dive Bar standard pretty much says the presence of a bouncer classes up the joint too much.

"Bouncer" is a glorified word for what these guys were. They were more like regulars given free drinks to check IDs at the door until about 11PM and police fights as the night went on, like the big one that happened outside the front door around 1AM.

[dovecanyoncat]

Mmmmm I dunno fellas, it sounds like your taste is too good to be making claims of slumming it in such a place. I've never been to Baboquivari but the Dive Bar standard pretty much says the presence of a bouncer classes up the joint too much.

"Bouncer" is a glorified word for what these guys were. They were more like regulars given free drinks to check IDs at the door until about 11PM and police fights as the night went on, like the big one that happened outside the front door around 1AM.

Homegrown hooligans fueled by well-drink welfare. Rules of engagement: weapons free. Now that's a party.

[CatsbyAZ]

Glad I left when I did! Christmas night is even crazier. Its shoulder to shoulder after 10PM

Please give us a report if you make it back for Christmas night. If so, looking forward to hearing about another holiday at Baboquivaris. Meawhile, my buddies and I plan to make it a Thanksgiving tradition there.

[Longhorned]

I'd never even been to Winterhaven last night. I parked next to Danny's Baboquivari and it looked awesome. I pretended like I wasn't considering sending the rest of my family to look at the Christmas lights while I went to the bar.

[CatsbyAZ]

I knew we were in for a quite an evening night when in the bathroom, comprised of two toilets facing each other in a closet, some guy in a silver puffer jacket wondering in behind me, checked with me whether it was “ok, bro?” if this could be his corner to do coke. Sure enough, as I was leaving anyway, he was readying rolling paper.

The silver puffer seen at Baboquivari, fashionable with Coke: