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The clock is ticking
Thursday, May 12, 2011 - Posted by Rich Miller * The new owners of Boone’s Saloon appear to be looking at the long term because they’re certainly not concerned about the short term. They’ve been working on that place for weeks. Word was the former Statehouse hangout would open by May 1, but that date has long since passed. Warm session nights in that beer garden have truly been missed by many of us. And I just received a Facebook notice that the steakhouse in Vinegar Hill is reopening - on May 20th. That’s just 11 days before the scheduled end of session. I wish nothing but the best for the owners of both establishments. But, hurry up already, guys. * It used to be that you could find just about every session type at just a few places in Springfield. Nowadays, though, everybody has spread out. That makes my job a bit tougher because I do a lot of, um, “work” in the evenings. Actually, there’s no “um” about it. What I do in the evenings may not look like work, and some of it ain’t, but much of it is. Where have you been hanging this session? …Adding… In case you haven’t yet heard, the House just canceled Sunday’s session. The Senate is still scheduled to be in Sunday, but there’s a Democratic caucus this afternoon so we may know more when it’s over.
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- Happily Married - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 2:32 pm:
Scandals. Um, I mean Brickhouse.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 2:33 pm:
LOL. Were you at the “event” last night?
- Anonymous - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 3:00 pm:
You’d be surprised how many folks that you know were at that ‘event’.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 3:07 pm:
No, anon, I wouldn’t. I knew some who were going there.
- Trump2012 - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 3:10 pm:
Mostly D.H. Browns and occasionally J.P. Kelly’s.
- CircularFiringSquad - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 3:13 pm:
Capt Fax:
Always thinking of your energy and stamina can we suggest you pull a beer trailer to a central location ( i.e. Old State Capitol, Library- perhaps a sublease from the homeless). That was we could join you.
Then if “urban chic” is your cup of tea there is always the Butternut Hut, which according to reliable sources has been sold. Future uses TBD.
- Phillybuster - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 3:16 pm:
I deny, deny, deny that I was at that “event”.
(Boy, there are some freaky people in Springfield!)
- Phillybuster - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 3:18 pm:
Butternut Hut. Great after special “events”.
- prairiestatedem - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 3:28 pm:
Im glad you posted this Rich…Ive had a few conversations with people at the end of this session about this very subject. There is certainly a lack of excellent venues to hang at…even from 5 years ago. You can visit JP Kelly’s and the Globe just so many times. Hopefully the new owners of Boone’s have planned appropriately and will not be closed by veto session. Any word on a rebirth for top of the Hilton? Its a sad state of affairs when Bennigans is considered a “hotspot”.
- Happily Married - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 3:34 pm:
Missed the event. Scathing review today. If I had a nickel for every time I had to pick between CMW and COWL….
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Champion-Midget-Wrestling/140726182620329
- Chi guy in Spr - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 3:35 pm:
The Globe is pretty busy most nights.
- wordslinger - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 3:41 pm:
I’ve been out of Springfield for many years. But I had a sweet deal, in so many ways, at Kanes, across from the Old Capitol, back in the day. Great place, sweet bartenders.
Long gone, right? I was kicked out of most downtown Springfield — complete misunderstandings, we laughed about it later.
Bauers? Wooden Knickel? Boones? Biggies and Bubbas, and all their female medical personnel, all gone?
If Play it Again, Sams, ever comes back, I think I’m still banned. There was quite a ruckus, Dec. 3, 1984, when the Dolphins spoiled the Bears perfect season on Monday night.
Is The Sportsmans (is that right?) still there? Behind the ICE? Owned by a Cubs fan and a Cards fan,, had the logos on the roof, and one of the old dudes used to play the spoons on Friday nights for catfish dinners?
I think I’m on good paper there.
- GOP - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 3:43 pm:
Hmm did all of us miss something last night at the brickhouse downtown?
- Tired - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 3:50 pm:
I love the brick house! Half price apps till 5:30 seems to be clean and plenty of tv’s to watch baseball not the back of people’s head
- Anna K - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 4:07 pm:
Globe is where I go now. Kathleen is one of the best bartenders and VERY personable. The new owners of Boones look to be gutting it and starting new!!! Good Luck to them! Wish them the best! Also…bring the young guy back from Boones that worked Wed nights…he was a cutie!! If they bring him back I’ll bring all my single GF’s back!!!
- Lady GaGa - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 4:08 pm:
Did you guys see my pumps on American Idol last night?
- Been There - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 4:40 pm:
Globe, Celtic Mist, JP Kellys, Sangamo, Browns. Sometimes we take a ride a pick a random townie bar.
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 4:47 pm:
The obvious solution Rich is for you to tweet where you’ll be.
Trust me, the news will come to you.
- Bill - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 4:58 pm:
The no name is just no fun anymore since Lou retired. Its the Globe for me unless Miller is “working” somewhere. I can always make it across the street.
- CircularFiringSquad - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 5:05 pm:
Kanes is now The Alamo.
Bauers? Restaurant or Opera House? Both closed, but OH avail for parties
Wooden Knickel? Now Firehouse still has mildew smell
Boones? Closed for about 2 years Comeback in worksB
Biggies & Bubbas Gone and building leveled too
McShanes Closed
Sportsman’s new owners,but same m.o.
- SportShoz - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 5:23 pm:
JP Kelleys, or DH Browns for some 0402
- Cincinnatus - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 5:28 pm:
Perhaps these tavern owners know of a long special session?
- 47th Ward - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 5:36 pm:
I haven’t seen you around in a while Rich. I always used to find you “working” around town, but not so much anymore. I also rarely see you at the Capitol. Maybe my timing is off.
I almost went to the Sox Caucus event Tuesday, but figured I’d be out of place since I was still wearing a tie and hadn’t spilled anything on my suit yet.
YDD is on to something, if you tweet your location, those who want you to “work” on something will track you down. Some of us might even buy you a drink once in a while.
- Cincinnatus - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 5:44 pm:
47th,
Instead of Tweeting, I would suggest yuoz guyz use 4Square instead and friend each other.
- dupage progressive - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 6:00 pm:
LOVE the Globe’s Kathleen and don’t forget Dean, who is faithfully sitting at his “desk”, next to the phone.
Excited that Boone’s is coming back and happy to hear another restaurant is giving it a go at the vinegar hill steakhouse. What was the name of the last two places there? Used to be fun - I hope they bring back the piano.
- L.S. - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 6:06 pm:
Floyds Thirst Parlor has always been and remains the best bar in this town. The people, staff and atmosphere cannot be beat.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 6:51 pm:
47, I’m always around somewhere.
- Give Me A Break - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 7:27 pm:
This will date me, every once in a while, we would walk down 2nd to Sweede’s Butternut Hut”. As long as they knew you were not a Dem, you might live through a couple of cold ones.
- A Citizen - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 7:56 pm:
I saw Ghost out at The Mill chatting with Herman - the guy in the wheel chair. Great place.
- x ace - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 8:06 pm:
Over the hill , and below the radar, at Pier 55.
- PPHS - Thursday, May 12, 11 @ 9:02 pm:
I used to love Same Old Shalaylee. I could always find some friends in there.
- Annamaria - Friday, May 13, 11 @ 7:33 am:
This is a little off- topic, but Rich, do you know where the *old* Abe Lincoln Hotel used to be? The one from the 50s and 60s? I understand the current one was built in the 1980s. Thanks for any info.
- Louis Howe - Friday, May 13, 11 @ 7:44 am:
In the day…Play it again, Sam’s, Norb’s, Boones….Today, Saputo’s and Maldaner’s
- Way Way Down Here - Friday, May 13, 11 @ 8:15 am:
Kelly’s anymore. Delaney’s on the north side is a good place to hide.