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Black Label
My recent blog "The Hot Pepper Steak" mentioned some of the bars on City Hall Place in the Sixties, and that's all it took for readers to flood my desk with comments about some of the popular pubs that Plattsbugh once knew.
One of the places not mentioned, however, was a spot where I sipped my first beer, albeit an illegal one. I think the Statute of Limitations is long overdue, so it's safe to tell the story. The drinking age then, of course, was 18, and a few months before my 18th birthday, I confess, my friend John (he knows who he is!) contrived a way to sneak me into Mr. Patches on Montcalm Avenue. Remember that place? John's scheme worked and with music blasting I tasted my first Black Label. I decided then and there that if this is what beer tasted like, I would never be a beer drinker. I checked the label to see if, indeed, the label said "beer" or "swamp water."
As I turned 18 the neighborhood bar on Fox Hill was the Korina, at the time owned by the Desautels. It exchanged hands through the years, passing for awhile to the Polhemus boys. The juke box and the bowling table sucked down many of my quarters, as I enjoyed time there, much to my dad's chagrin. We had a few "man-to-man" talks about my frequent visits to the Korina. We both survived the experience.
Also in the neighborhood, a few blocks away, was Brodi's, a legendary night spot, with great bands, Canadian girls and far-too-many Air Force guys for us local guys to compete with. Before I was 18, my high school buddy MIke Brodi used to make arrangements with his mom Bea, so that some of us could go in on a Sunday night for a few hours, sit at a table near the band, sip sodas and watch the festivities. That was a real treat!
Many are the North Country couples who can say they "met at Brodi's." I know a couple named John and Brenda who met there and never parted, married almost 30 years now. I know this for a fact, because I was best man at their wedding.
During my college years, especially around 1968-1969 when I was in a fraternity, we had frat parties at the Hotel Deliri on City Hall Place and at the Gran-Vue on Route 9 North.
And, finally, who can forget the days of the dancers at the Trade Winds (now Lake Side Apartments at the end of Margaret Street) and at Happy Herbies? Not that I know personally about these two places! Whatever happened to the Good Ol' Days? I'd write more, but I just got this sudden craving for a Black Label!
Comments
truly enjoy all the memories..was stationed at PAFB from 71-75...does anyone remember "Ducky" the bartender from Filions??
Posted by: bill glasscock | March 15, 2006 12:42 AM
Bars forgotten? How about Bell's Tavern? And gettin' out of town on a Friday night there was the Swingin' Turtle on Route 9 south. And I'm also surprised no one has mentioned the Yacht Club down at Dock and Coal. Just a hole in the wall, but what a hole, eh. Re: the River Run. Anyone mention the Belvedere in Saranac Lake?
Posted by: jim | March 13, 2006 4:48 PM
bars forgotten............
the r & r - bridge st.
the egg and machine shop
the royal - city hall place
wylla's
the union - margaret st.
gary's tavern
mother's
the legion - downtown
fillion's
what was the bar to the right of ma coakley's diner
on city hall place?????
downtown bowling.....
(hand set pins)
nash's lanes - durkee st.
ymca's 2 lanes
the legion's 4 lanes
beers forgotten.........
rhinegold (spelling)
shaefer
utica club
old topper
ballentine ale
baby labbatt's
the quality wines.....
ripple
boone's farm
foxy, my first beer was
at the crystal diner on oak st. before a friday night 'Y' dance.
Posted by: moose | March 12, 2006 9:46 AM
WOW!!
One of my heroes comes on and takes a shot at me. Novena's were mostly held on Sunday night and if I were to have had the opportunity to challenge the legendary "River Run" it never interfered with my spiritual aspirations.
But there were 2 eras of the "River Run" in my life, one with my father and his Huntin' Buddies and my great friend the "Flukie" as we will refer to him, or "Stevie Wonder" on his good days. Those were the days when there were Finnan's, Hi Falls, Lo Side (Roy & Edna's), Woodys', Sportsmans, Clayburg Hotel, Northern Light's, Pine Grove (Mickey's) and Nick & Verne's in Bloomingdale. If I misssed any, someone can jump in. My Dad could stop any time at any of these establishments and know somebody. Flukie & I developed some skill in billiard play learning on the old bumper pool tables. 3 places stood out. Lo Side where Edna would allow us to plug the holes of the table with towels to let us play for hours on rainy afternoons. Clayburg Hotel which had all kinds of interesting rooms and of course the Pine Grove which had the neatest bar in the Northern Adirondacks and the friendlest owners. Also, each year in Aug. and Sept. many of these same places held Clam Bakes on Sundays and all the others would close and go support the others. I remember when i couldn't go and Stevie Wonder went with my dad and his dad and he had a great time. It was on a Sunday and I probably was at Novena.
By the way when I saw "Zone Breaker" and Mike Mannix together I got really confused. I'm going to check with John Fountain to see if that is not an OXYMORON .. Bullet
Posted by: Bullet | March 11, 2006 8:03 AM
Hey Mr. Mannix, be careful who you make fun of -click my name for a memory that surely will straighten out your thinking!!
I'm getting my ruler out - shame on you...."Bullet" deserves better than that.
Posted by: "W" | March 11, 2006 8:01 AM
Another well known place which is now Bobby's Lounge on South Catherine St. In my younger days was called Dickson's, stayed that name until it became Bernie's. Also an older spot on the
south end, Charlie's Tavern where Durochers now stands, and you guys from class 68-69 what about Ma Branson's? I heard those stories from my brother Stan, which then became Joe Proctor's for a while. Of course, i never visited any of these establishments in my younger days, just heard the stories.
Posted by: Cricket | March 10, 2006 10:31 AM
Did anyone ever have a brew with the ‘Louisville Slugger’ at Joe’s Tavern; and where did that other hoop star, Terry Ladd, open his establishment? If anyone sees the shooting guard, Doc O - ask him where he filled his tank with diesel.
Speaking of films, I heard they used to have special showings above the Fire Station, did anyone ever see a flick there? I remember John (he, too, knows who he is) telling me of watching ‘Olympic Fever’ at the Stardust, but I don’t recall that there were any local athletes in the film. I think it was mostly generic, and about training and conditioning regimens for competing. I wish I had known there were cartoons at the Champlain Theatre; maybe my mother would have let me go there, and Goose wouldn’t have to feel so guilty about sneaking behind his mom’s back.
Sounds like those Gagnon boys were real rebels back in the day, it’s a wonder they turned out so well! I only hope Vi doesn’t read this blog, and if she does, my sympathy goes out to her….
Bring on the heat, (tbi)
Posted by: "W" | March 10, 2006 7:57 AM
Foxy:
You mention the Korina as a favorite spot on Fox Hill and it truly was a fun place but didn't you ever go to the 6th Ward and play darts and horseshoes? One of the real hot spots was the Friendly Tavern, before Happy Herbie's. It was a great hangout for college students in the 50's & 60's. There was always The Lido on Miller Street and of course the ever-popluar late night spot, The Rainbow and long gone establishments like Art's Place and The Chanteclair on lower Margaret Street. When some one turned 18 back then you had to go to the 4th Ward or Meron's, still two of the more popular spots. If the bars in Plattsburgh didn't cover your cravings then there was always the challenge of The River Run. How many remember taking on that challenge? I am sure that "bullet" didn't do any of that because he was busy making Novena's with Sr. Genevieve.
post 3/10.06 by "Zone Breaker"
Posted by: Michael J. Mannix | March 10, 2006 7:39 AM
Ah foxy I'm having flashbacks, Mr Patches what a spot, we used to stop there after ball games...another great spot local officials used to frequent was "The Hunt" which was in the Cumberland Hotel..then, The Monopole later the Skyline on upper cornelia. In the 70's of course there was "The Roman Gardens"and the "L&M" and more recently I hear "Mickey's" and "Meron's" is where you'll find the zebras after a hard nights work...
Another interesting topic might be the long list of establishments that made up the imfamous "River Run" which started in Plattsburgh and went up through the Loon Lake area, I'll bet ya "Tom-A-Hawk" and "Bullett" could help you on that one! It would be a great 'Fox on the Run " story too! (lotta Black Label on that trip!)
Posted by: the carver | March 10, 2006 6:53 AM
Wasn't Mr Patches a movie theater at one time? Something is telling me it was called "The Little Theater".
Posted by: Jim Murray | March 9, 2006 7:47 PM
The theatre on the corner of Protection Ave and Clinton St. was the Champlain Theatre. Every Saturday a double feature, 10 cartoons and the next chapter of the serial. My dad was the managing editor of the Press back in the 50's and I would get a pass to the movies each week.
As for the many bars in the city of Plattsburgh, well I spent a lot of time behind many of them back in the late 60's and early 70's. I put my time in working for Ma Brodi, it was a good time in P'burgh back then. Of course today is just as good just that we are older and enjoy different things.
I could go on with many stories of my days in and around the many drinking establishment in the P'burgh but enough for now.
(Foxy's note: Would love to hear some stories, Bill, about some of the most fun places to work or hang out back then.)
Posted by: Bill Carr | March 9, 2006 2:21 PM
What did Happy Herbies name change to? Not that I ever went there, but I could read the signs on the way to the College Inn.
Posted by: gcastine | March 9, 2006 12:03 PM
OH I remember that theater. I wasn't supposed to go there!!!!!! But I did!!! Champlain Theater---Oh Yes!!!----Goose
Posted by: GOOSE | March 9, 2006 6:59 AM
I remember Patches on Montcalm. Before it became a ‘Night Club/Bar’ it was the ‘Little Theatre’ and showed a lot of Western movies. After it closed as a bar it became an antique/flee market so, as an establishment, it actually grew with its clientele! There was another theatre on the corner of Protection Avenue and Clinton Street, across from Blair’s- can anyone name it? It showed primarily questionable movies, and I wasn't allowed to go there. I'll bet Bullet never went there either since he led such a sheltered life, but what about the Carver? Did you have any Ju-Ju-Bees while watching flicks back-in-the-day?
Posted by: Tom-A-Hawk | March 8, 2006 9:46 PM