And Now A Break From Our Original Programming...
In my first post I said I would stray from the topics of dating from time to time and I think three dating posts is probably my limit. As much as I love to relive the highlights of my robust dating life here in Anchorage I think it's good to keep things fresh and exciting by switching the subject every once in awhile.
In that vein I think I will occasionally do a review of some of establishments here in Anchorage. I've been here for almost a year now and while I haven't seen all the nightlife (drinking is very popular in Anchorage) I've seen a pretty fair portion of the bars here.
I'll start on Muldoon - a little place known as "The Log Cabin." Now, if you're a single looking for love, or even a "meaningful one night relationship" do not come to the Cabin. If you're looking for a dive where you can shoot pool, throw some darts, and drink some Jager and Red Bull out of a mason jar then this is your place. I personally love dive bars - they're a great place to hang out, you meet interesting people (but don't take them home), they have personality, and you get a great local flavor. So many of the bars nowadays are like the suburbs - very nice, they have everything you want, but they're just cookie-cutter. One bar is like another bar is like another bar...that usually means a club, but lately I've been seeing what I call "the Applebees effect" on a host of other styles besides dance clubs - Irish bars, cocktail clubs (not dancing, but those places that specialize in martinis and other mixed drinks), and Country/Western bars, etc, etc. Maybe it's just me, but I like a place that authentic and a little more "real" than other places - The Log Cabin is that place.
First of all, it's not a new construction - in fact if you look at the very low ceilings too closely (as my mechanical engineer roommate did last night) you might be afraid the roof will fall in on you. This shouldn't be too much of a concern, however, as the roof is rumored to be made of sod you'll just have a bunch of dirt falling on you.
Secondly is the people. When you walk in there will be one of a few things you will see - people that have "lived life" at the bar (teeth optional - and, if a woman, might give you an "ass inspection" before you come in - I passed), a somewhat youngish bartender with a nice smile, or an oldish bartender with a tattoo on her shoulder that predates my birthday (my original birthday back in 1984). A note about the people - I've been told by some that a nickname for this place is "The Stabbin' Cabin," but everyone I've met in the place up to and including last night have been friendly. A witty comment, a round of drinks, and a friendly game of darts will get you far, but make no mistake - the crowd that goes to the cabin runs the gamut from nice fellows (like myself) to people that will actually stab you if you cross them - so just play nice. In fact, just last night I saw my first fight at The Cabin that required a call to the police and a dude having to probably get a few stitches (no stabbing - his jar broke on his arm during the altercation). At the end of the day, however, the Cabin is filled with the blue-collar local types that just want to relax and have a good time with friends so feel free to join is as long as you aren't a douche.
Most of the bar and surfaces have been resurfaced so many times there's probably more lacquer than wood in the place, but that's just part of the charm. There's the bar, a few tables near the bar, and a couple of side rooms where people can shoot pool or actually enjoy a fireplace. Our crowd generally goes to the back further away from the pool table and has a pretty good time listening to the classic rock and throwing darts. The servers will generally give you very good service and if they didn't have a tray would probably be one the regulars. I get the sense from The Cabin that many a regular have probably worked there for a bit and then went back to being a customer.
The drinks at the Cabin are as good or better as any else in Anchorage - they make them pretty good and strong. That's one of the things I've read (and seen) about some of the newer places with a startling lack of personality - they really skimp on the drinks. From a business standpoint this makes some sense - really be careful about measuring out your drinks and people will have to buy more drinks and you can train bartenders faster - just follow the recipe. But like any recipe the final dish will be better when someone who knows how to cook will use their gut and play with the ingredients a bit. There's nothing like having a bartender who knows, intuitively, how to mix a drink - even something as simple as a rum and coke. No measuring device can replace years of experience pouring drinks in a town that really knows how to drink.
That's what a place like The Cabin can give you - people and a place who may be a bit too weathered for the hottest club and you may not want to take home at night, but the experience and atmosphere - from the sod roof to the good drinks in the mason jars - that has real...character. Contrast that with some new places that have the atmosphere of a popped collar, weak drinks made by people hired more for bra size or a face shot than ability to make drinks, and crappy music so loud you can't hear the person next to you. Don't get me wrong - I've been to those places, I enjoy those places for what they are, but like I said at the beginning - it's like buying a house in the suburbs - all very nice, but you miss the substance. I go to The Cabin and places like it for substance and character - even if it does need a good remodeling job.
Well, I'm splitting the shift with The Jitterbean Girl today so if I want to keep this blog I better get ready to get to work...but interest in this blog is increasing and I think in the near future we'll have some guest bloggers lined up. So for all my readers outside of Alaska you'll know it's not just me - Anchorage is pretty crazy.
Well, here's to good people, not getting stabbed, and character - may it never go out of style...
AirForceKush - aka - The Arctic Fox
In that vein I think I will occasionally do a review of some of establishments here in Anchorage. I've been here for almost a year now and while I haven't seen all the nightlife (drinking is very popular in Anchorage) I've seen a pretty fair portion of the bars here.
I'll start on Muldoon - a little place known as "The Log Cabin." Now, if you're a single looking for love, or even a "meaningful one night relationship" do not come to the Cabin. If you're looking for a dive where you can shoot pool, throw some darts, and drink some Jager and Red Bull out of a mason jar then this is your place. I personally love dive bars - they're a great place to hang out, you meet interesting people (but don't take them home), they have personality, and you get a great local flavor. So many of the bars nowadays are like the suburbs - very nice, they have everything you want, but they're just cookie-cutter. One bar is like another bar is like another bar...that usually means a club, but lately I've been seeing what I call "the Applebees effect" on a host of other styles besides dance clubs - Irish bars, cocktail clubs (not dancing, but those places that specialize in martinis and other mixed drinks), and Country/Western bars, etc, etc. Maybe it's just me, but I like a place that authentic and a little more "real" than other places - The Log Cabin is that place.
First of all, it's not a new construction - in fact if you look at the very low ceilings too closely (as my mechanical engineer roommate did last night) you might be afraid the roof will fall in on you. This shouldn't be too much of a concern, however, as the roof is rumored to be made of sod you'll just have a bunch of dirt falling on you.
Secondly is the people. When you walk in there will be one of a few things you will see - people that have "lived life" at the bar (teeth optional - and, if a woman, might give you an "ass inspection" before you come in - I passed), a somewhat youngish bartender with a nice smile, or an oldish bartender with a tattoo on her shoulder that predates my birthday (my original birthday back in 1984). A note about the people - I've been told by some that a nickname for this place is "The Stabbin' Cabin," but everyone I've met in the place up to and including last night have been friendly. A witty comment, a round of drinks, and a friendly game of darts will get you far, but make no mistake - the crowd that goes to the cabin runs the gamut from nice fellows (like myself) to people that will actually stab you if you cross them - so just play nice. In fact, just last night I saw my first fight at The Cabin that required a call to the police and a dude having to probably get a few stitches (no stabbing - his jar broke on his arm during the altercation). At the end of the day, however, the Cabin is filled with the blue-collar local types that just want to relax and have a good time with friends so feel free to join is as long as you aren't a douche.
Most of the bar and surfaces have been resurfaced so many times there's probably more lacquer than wood in the place, but that's just part of the charm. There's the bar, a few tables near the bar, and a couple of side rooms where people can shoot pool or actually enjoy a fireplace. Our crowd generally goes to the back further away from the pool table and has a pretty good time listening to the classic rock and throwing darts. The servers will generally give you very good service and if they didn't have a tray would probably be one the regulars. I get the sense from The Cabin that many a regular have probably worked there for a bit and then went back to being a customer.
The drinks at the Cabin are as good or better as any else in Anchorage - they make them pretty good and strong. That's one of the things I've read (and seen) about some of the newer places with a startling lack of personality - they really skimp on the drinks. From a business standpoint this makes some sense - really be careful about measuring out your drinks and people will have to buy more drinks and you can train bartenders faster - just follow the recipe. But like any recipe the final dish will be better when someone who knows how to cook will use their gut and play with the ingredients a bit. There's nothing like having a bartender who knows, intuitively, how to mix a drink - even something as simple as a rum and coke. No measuring device can replace years of experience pouring drinks in a town that really knows how to drink.
That's what a place like The Cabin can give you - people and a place who may be a bit too weathered for the hottest club and you may not want to take home at night, but the experience and atmosphere - from the sod roof to the good drinks in the mason jars - that has real...character. Contrast that with some new places that have the atmosphere of a popped collar, weak drinks made by people hired more for bra size or a face shot than ability to make drinks, and crappy music so loud you can't hear the person next to you. Don't get me wrong - I've been to those places, I enjoy those places for what they are, but like I said at the beginning - it's like buying a house in the suburbs - all very nice, but you miss the substance. I go to The Cabin and places like it for substance and character - even if it does need a good remodeling job.
Well, I'm splitting the shift with The Jitterbean Girl today so if I want to keep this blog I better get ready to get to work...but interest in this blog is increasing and I think in the near future we'll have some guest bloggers lined up. So for all my readers outside of Alaska you'll know it's not just me - Anchorage is pretty crazy.
Well, here's to good people, not getting stabbed, and character - may it never go out of style...
AirForceKush - aka - The Arctic Fox
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