Assgass #24: Q's

Q's Billiards
11835 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90025

Finally made it out to CE's regular hang out. For some reason I was expecting a dive joint, so was surprised to see a pack of girls in miniskirts and heels standing outside. It is not a dive. A 25-35 age white collar sports bar with a lick of club flavor, but def comfortable enough for the beater and flip flops I showed up in. I get it, "Q's" ...as in.. pool, Cues, I get it now. Yes, they have lots of pool tables, 2 floors of pool tables, many many TV screens playing different sports on each screen, and even an interactive general trivia screen. Pool tables at $12/hour during the week, free on Sundays! I'll have to go back for that. Played some ass spanking pool (literally, and NOT. figurtively), drank a lot of beer, and am now craving the very tasty bbq mushroom quesadilla I had. Bonus points-there's a Pac Man machine with an awesomely smooth joystick :D Good times. Not boring.

Assgass #21-23: Hinano's, Circle Bar, Rick's Tavern

Hinano's
15 Washington Blvd.
Venice, CA 90292

I love it. Looks like the kind of bar you might see in a movie where a bar fight breaks out. Except that it's in Venice right in front of the beach, which, is probably the only thing that prevents this place from being a true dive. Bar serves only beer, which is exactly what you'd want in this atmosphere anyway. A decent selection of all the common beers and then some. Quarter pool tables, juke box, and pinball machine, I could definitely hang out here. The floor's even covered in sawdust. yessss. Don't know why it has a Japanese sounding name.



Circle Bar
2926 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405

The opposite of Hinano's. But not nearly as obnoxious as I was expecting. This popular Main St. "Pottery Barn" bar had a pretty young (under 25), mostly white crowd on that particular night. Standard $8 drinks from a yes, circular bar, served by good looking female bartenders for the fellas. I also hear the men's room is decorated in porn. Damn the one stall bathroom! Long line forms outside after 11p, which we luckily missed. Eclectic mix of popluar songs of the last two decades play from a cd. Weak. Nice, small, open-air smoking patio decorated the same as inside-red paint, framed posters of iconic personalities. Had interesting conversations with a couple nice Israeli dudes, then ducked out before it got way too packed.


Rick's Tavern
2907 Main St.
Santa Monica, CA 90405

Feels like a classic bar turned alumni frat hangout. Had a beer, think they have a full bar. Less crowded than Circle Bar and much brighter than the picture. My pictures suck.

Assgass #20: Tantra

Tantra
3705 W Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90026

This picture could be of any bar. Another red lit, restaurant by day, lounge/club by night, Tantra is the new venue for the Pause party that use to be at the now (unfortunately) closed Star Shoes. Full bar that made my jack and coke on the stronger side, crowd and music seem to vary even at the same party. This night, the music went from silly dance music, to jiggy, to hip hop, to dancehall, to salsa and other world music in the hour and half I was there. No complaints, got some good dance on, and big ups for playing Fela Kuti. The space is nice, high celing, which makes it roomy, and places to sit (if not too crowded). No cover.

Lan's #36: O'Neill's (SF); Lan's #37: Fat Lady; Lan's #38: Cato's

Just do I don't forget. 12 to go, peoples!

Lan's #34 & #35: Blarney Stone & Kezar Pub

Blarney Stone

5625 Geary Boulevard (between 20th Ave & 21st Ave)

San Francisco, CA 94121

(415) 386-9914

After running a half marathon (PR!!) on Sunday, we thought it would be a nice way to shake out our stiff legs, celebrate a good run, and visit Donall all in one activity. So, we walked the 2.2 miles out to the neighborhood. First, we had dinner and sake at Blue Fin and then walked the two blocks over to the Blarney Stone, where Donall tends bar on Monday nights. There were only two other patrons at the bar when we showed up, which was good, cuz we got to hang out with Donall, who I don't see much these days. 2 Magner's and a sip of some nasty Chill beer that Miller is promoting and the Hubby Cab (Javi) showed up and took us home.

Kezar Pub & Restaurant

770 Stanyan Street (between Beulah St & Waller St)

San Francisco, CA 94117

(415) 386-9292

After our regular Wednesday speed workouts at the track, we went to the Kezar Pub to celebrate with my training group. There's a lot of great beer on tap here, lots of TVs to watch sporting events, and lots of other sweaty people getting drinks post-workout, game, or match. The buffalo wings are REALLY good. Skip the chili--it's really sweet for some reason.