Halloween is coming, so drink up, unless you’re a zombie and your mouth is too mangled to allow you to taste. Here is a grab bag prior to the candy — or as the door at Green Mill says, “proceed with candy” — and also about all things fall:
– Guv’s Place in North Hudson, with its bar manager who just loves the coming fest, was already well decorated for Halloween on the first week in October. It seems there were a few additional things such as even more creepy clowns added a bit later, although none were yet hanging from the balcony, but by contrast people in costume have already been out and about taking in bands. Also seen in various places around town is a new Miller Beer spokesperson on a dawn-of-the-dead type poster hawking the brew, but also showing a side of him (with his face missing) where he probably didn’t have enough of a mouth left to drink it.
– Pudge’s new “digs” also are getting very scary. The whole south side has a five-yard-wide swath that’s been added, even though its mostly plywood right now, for the code-required elevator to the being-constructed upper level, and a patio, etc. A bartender said that holes being dug under the plywood, especially, and under the street have revealed a cave leading to what appears to be an old speakeasy, complete with the finding of some old bones — hence the scary Halloween reference — even though they are believed to be animal not human.
– Across the way at Dick’s Bar and Grill, bartender Terry chimed in on his favorite costume(s) from last year, a crew of guys who came in dressed darkly like South Park characters. “Now children …”
– A Sunday night patron wearing the jersey of the recently successful quarterback named Wertz from the Philadelphia Eagles stayed out late after the football games. Why Wertz? “I’m from North Dakota,” she said. Maybe I don’t have game, but to me, that didn’t explain a lot. (Just like the Bison I saw on top of a mailbox while walking to view a party for the Badger-Buckeye game.) Speaking of which, a Village Inn bartender sported a Wisconsin jersey while on her Saturday shift, but when going out for a drink after the overtime loss was in the books, had ceremoniously removed it in favor of a tank top.
– One of those many transplants from Down South noted outside of Dick’s door that I was still wearing shorts, as I told her I will likely do until near the end of November. And yes it is cold, but since she had gotten here only a year ago from California and even then worked from home during a relatively balmy winter, she still hasn’t experienced the full 90-below-chill-factor freeze. Then I made the obligatory joke about my last name being Winter, and maybe I should go south to where she hails from, to which she replied, get this, my name is Summer!
– On the subject of fashionable women, (more in tune with the weather), the often-seen Stephanie was sporting an autumn-themed hairdo recently, with shades of red and orange and a similarly toned scarf through her locks to match. Shortly afterward, into Season’s Tavern, walked a long cool woman with a plaid dress, boasting like colors, such as those on the maple on Season’s big sign (minus the green leaves).
– A guy at the Cajun Club exited the place into the newly cold climes minus his shirt late one night. I thought that was what the dancers were supposed to do!