Genres

Another “genre”, if you will, of bars to include: gay and lesbian bars. Gotta hit at least one.

Brainstorm

Ever since I finally decided to start this project, and even moreso since I went public with it last night, I have been bombarded with ideas for…I guess one could call them sub-projects. Todd was instrumental in the first, and possibly most dangerous, idea: a one-night marathon. His goal would be 15 in one night. His previous record is 12 (I think?). That sounds pretty daunting and will require some mental preparation on my part, but I definitely think it’s a mountain that needs to be climbed.

Other potential sub-projects:

• Road Trips – With Todd to Texas, with Greg to Warrensburg, to New Orleans: site of my first public intoxication, or somewhere else for no reason whatsoever.
• History – New Orleans would fall into this category again, with Piper and White Kevin and Dan and Lalena to “The Bar” in St. Peters, Charlie’s on First Capital with some OG people.
• Relatives – Sitting at a bar with my Dad seems unlikely because he’s not really that guy, but it’s a possibility. If not him, perhaps some other family members: my brother Gus, my sister Ellie?
• Drinking With The Famous – This one is going to be more difficult since I am not officially starting earlier and thus getting some of this one done while in NYC, but by this I mean bellying up to a bar once frequented by the greats (Hemingway, Ftizgerald, et al).

• Chains, Strip Clubs and Sports Bars – I originally considered eschewing any and oall of these establishments, but now I think that I have to include them on some sort of limited basis. I think one full night of just drinking at the bars at strip clubs would be educational, not to mention cheaper than sitting by the stages. Same with drinking at the bar at Applebee’s. Who pays a $10 cover at Roxy’s and sits at the bar instead of soliciting lap dances? Who, after a rough day at work, decides they need a drink to relax on the way home and thinks that the best place for that is a crappy restaurant in a mall parking lot with snowshoes and street signs on the wall? The answer to both of these questions is probably “people who are not very interesting” but I am willing to challenge my prejudices.

I feel like I’ve forgotten a few. I have a few weeks to prepare still, so I will just keep brainstorming on here.

Genesis

It all begins on October 1st.

Rules (subject to change):

100 different bars will be patronized in 365 days (October 1, 2008 through September 30, 2009)

At least one drink must be ordered from, and consumed at, the bar. It must take a few moments to consume; a single shot will not count. Nor will a beer or glass of wine with a meal.

Chains, strip clubs and “sports bars” will not be considered out of bounds but will be avoided as much as possible. Special effort will be given to go mostly to true taverns, pubs, gin mills, etc. What constitutes a “true” tavern is solely up to me.

I think I need to come up with some sort of rudimentary scoring system or checklist. Perhaps points given for lack of a television, or for not carrying AB products. Will have to give this some thought.