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Drinks Are on Me
Thanks to people like Hector and family over at the Fourth Ward and Bobby and Bev over at Bobby's Lounge, and Grace and Jim at Meron's, the neighborhood bar is alive and well. And is there any of us "Fox Hillers" who didn't tell our wives, "Honey, I'll be right back. I'm going to THE STORE." Oh, no wonder John Ryan's place was always such a happy spot. The number of comfortable neighborhood bars has dwindled from the Sixties when they polka-dotted the city, providing places where you could find a familiar face and a cold brew.
Not to be confused with the popular restaurant-bar combos around town that can serve up steaks, chops and full dinners, the neighborhood bar is more important for the clientele than for the brews or snacks. It's the type of place where it's likely someone will greet you when you come through the door. According to Norm on "Cheers," it was a "home away from home."
Growing up on the south end of town, and with the drinking age at 18 in those days, it was mandatory that a young guy sample the various bars when he reached drinking age. To finally be able to pass through the front door instead of gaze through the front window was a sort of right of passage to manhood. The first bar I legally drank in was the Korina on Elizabeth Street. That's where I spent the night of my eighteenth birthday, with my buddies making sure my throat didn't get dry.
Right around the corner from "the K," the Store was always a good place for a nightcap. Don't be misled by the two-car parking spots in the front. There's plenty of parking in the back! And, even though the place looks tiny from the outside, it's surprisingly roomy inside. And what's with that amazing tree carving in the front yard? What year was that completed and by whom?
During the following weeks I strolled with some friends to Charlie Thompson's Sixth Ward, located where the Durocher Auto Sales car lot has extended. I remember that I tried a little tomato juice mixed in with my Black Label beer at the suggestion of an old-timer on my right. The Sixth Ward had a small wooden bar, seating maybe ten people, and, to this 18-year-old, all the customers looked like they were retired and needed a shave.
Then there was Branson's, usually a lively place with airmen of all ages, some in uniform, some not, located on U.S. Avenue. I didn't go there often, but it was always a friendly place. I'm not sure how many "locals" frequented Branson's.
All three bars were well-stocked with the usual snacks: pickled sausages, pickled eggs, beer nuts, and I'm sure that's how I shaped my habit of munching when drinking. And, if there was room, there'd be the bowling game -- remember sliding that metal disk along the wooden alley to send those plastic pins upwards? Some of us spent hours playing that game, secretly winning or losing money, or digging in our pockets for crumpled dollar bills because "I lost -- drinks are on me!"
The Korina looks to be someone's home now, and, as mentioned, the Sixth Ward gave way to a parking lot. Branson's re-opened years ago as The Louisville Slugger, Joe Proctor's place. I loved it there, renewing my high school friendship with Joe. But in the past years, though the building still stands, the tavern lights have been off. I always look, though, whenever I drive by, just in case.
As legendary as it is, I never made it to the Fourth Ward till I was well into my twenties. Same for Bernie's Lounge on South Catherine Street. That's where I met fellow Dodger fan, Jack Gerry. And Bernie. Now that site is Bobby's Lounge, an addition has been added at the back, and their great lunches have already been documented in a previous blog.
I'm not trying to say that I drank a lot in those days, but during my college years, I preferred the neighborhood bar to the bigger bars downtown. In fact, I still do! What other neighborhood bars dotted our city in the Fifties and Sixties?
Comments
Brings back great memories of my youth. I cannot believe we travelled 60 miles on a Saturday night for our special taste of America at Brodis and Filion's. Does anyone remember Bernie an afro-American with a deep voice who was a fixture at Filions ( circa 1968) His landmark expression was "Dat it is!
Posted by: Norm Stotland | August 24, 2006 9:08 PM
I remember the waiters at the Hunt Club would dump the ashtrays right on the tables. And kids drinking 7-oz Gennies on the streets in January. No one wore boots. Plattsburgh had to be the drunkest town in NY state in the 60s-70s.
Posted by: Brian | August 24, 2006 8:45 PM
I just saw your Drinks are on Me column on the local bars of Plattsburgh back in the 60s and 70s. I was in them all I am sure but no place was as great as Brodi's. As a matter of fact in the summer of 1971 I went there every night it was open (it was closed Mondays or I would've gone then as well) with my brother and some high schoool friends from Connecticut. We did not miss a single night. Randy the Cat Senecal (one of Plattsburgh's all time greatest atheletes) was with us most of the time as was Mike Dodds who loved Brodis so much he began working the door there!
The band of Dean and Dale Trombley, Johnny King, Freddy Passino and Spencer Bosworth was awesome with their top 40 s collection. No hippie stuff only good old American Rock and Roll.
It was legendary and always many friends around.
Posted by: Denis Cronin | June 2, 2006 3:37 PM
how about the brothers five in beekmantown , jackies club and margaritaville in keeseville?
Posted by: punki | May 27, 2006 6:07 PM
Wylla's...The Royal...Blair's...Red Lyon...Airport Lounge...Ball Club...
Posted by: Scott Dosztan | May 24, 2006 9:52 AM
Ah, memories, here are a few additions and answers to prior postings. The other old bartender at Brodi's was Pip Papa. Stan, you were in school with his daughter Sue. Knight Tavern on Charlotte Street would have burned very early '60's. All this talk about the South End who could forget Bell's Tavern? Anyone sit and chat with Leon Clark at the Pizzeria bar after leaving Brodi's? Travel a little out of town just past the entrance to Clinton Community College on the right was the Cadillac Club. What lady could sit on those floor cushions at the Swinging Turtle, hard to do in in a miniskirt in '74. Randy, the Lentzo family resides in Florida.
The Esquire dominated what is now Fitzpatricks, stagger around the corner to Miller Street and find (now this goes back a while) the Paradise, with a little gambling in the back over Saki. Hello, Bridge Street gave birth to the C&C, Egg and Machine Shop, College Inn, and Fillion's "Carriage Room". How many names has Mother's had from it's humble beginnings of Larkins Drug Store? Bring on the pepper steaks at BJ's or lard and eggs at Coakleys after a night cruising skid row's famous Royal, Dellari (sp?)or The Club (now that's a stunner!). What was The Crest, a/k/a Lloyds, a/k/a Gary's Tavern. Anyone out there remember a car going through the front of Frank Paro's bar on Rt. 3? Brunner's was always hopping and a fun time was had by all at West Gate South Tavern if you happened to get tossed out of the Bistro by Pat or Al! Did the bear in front of the Klondike ever have a name? Anyone remember sitting on the beach at the Dry Dock's original location? And is Mahogany Ridge and that little 'hole in the wall' on the outskirts of Wiggletown just a faded memory too. Dig deep and find the Trade Winds, now 460 Margaret Street in time followed by Bibeau's just across the road. My first slow dance was courtesy of Fran Tosh on the piano at the L & M Lounge. Memories, the fabric of a community.
(Foxy's note: Great memories, Mark. If anyone missed it, check my blog "The Hot Pepper Steak" from February 20th.)
Posted by: Mark Lambardi | May 24, 2006 4:51 AM
Hi Goose, The bar outside of Montgomery Ward was Lentzo's. It was run by two brothers. I wonder where they are now???!!!! As a musician for many years in the area I have hit them all at one time or another including the Depot.
Posted by: Randy Vaughn | May 23, 2006 9:19 AM
Foxy I remember a place called the "DEPOT" at Cumberland Head corners where HOJO was. What was the bar outside of Montgomery Wards at the Mall? I think a road trip is in order to some of these places real soon, Bro Goose
Posted by: Goose | May 22, 2006 9:28 PM
Foxy, I sure hope you are feeling better!!!
Those who remember Meron"s must remember when Glen Beaudoin and Maynard Meron tended bar. Then you had Mrs. Meron and Rita and Agnes as the two waitresses. Big John Bergman was the Bouncer and YOU DID NOT want to get John mad at you. The crowds were always large and he would open the front door and allow a certain number of people to enter. The "townies" local people could enter through the back door and women had to be escorted by the male to be at the bar.
The Knights Tavern was a very popular spot, especially by the Plattsburgh State sports teams.
Then there was the Lido's and Art's Place and the Chanteclair on Margaret Street and who could ever forget the famous Rainbow owned by Leo Girard.
Arnie's has always been a landmark in Plattsburgh and across the street there used to be a wild place called the Union Hotel.
Marking the "River Run" was always a weekend experience, starting at Finnan's Fun Farm and heading up Route three to Roy's, the Northern Lights, Clayburg Hotel, Douglass's and many more.
You can't forget an occasional trip to Dannemora at Ting's and then maybe up the mountain and a stop at the Owly Out, the Hollywood and then to the Legion in Lyon Mountain.
Ah, the North Country in the 40's, 50's 60's and early 70's. Much has changed and many have closed in recent years.
Posted by: Mike Mannix | May 22, 2006 10:25 AM
Did anyone travel the northern route to retrace the fur trade and stop in at the Anchorage, the Saxony, or ask a Canadian to dance at the Pavilion in Rouses Point? You could even wet your whistle in the afternoon at the train station while you waited for the hot night spots to open their doors. I remember a girl with a whisp of hair over her eye stalking me there one night - I think her name was Patricia.
Mr. M&M-this one's for you. tbi
(Foxy's note: Oh, the mere mention of Patricia sets my heart a-beating!)
Posted by: Tom-A-Hawk | May 21, 2006 10:24 AM
Foxy:
Well that was a nice stroll down memory lane. Bransons was one of our favorites. The pitchers of draft beer were bigger at Bransons and we often drew the KOOL AID face on them. I believe it was Pabst and they had the bowling machine. The place was usually manned by a elderly white haired lady whom we affectionately named Ma. I think the place was called Ma Branson's.
Then there was also the river run. You could start up in Clayburg and work your way down to Keeseville with many stops along the way.This was also a right of passage to manhood. Foxy do you remember Noah's Ark? That was a place I remember passing as a kid but it was gone by the time we started drinking alcohol.
It was always nice to get to know the bartenders. There was a few i can remember. Filions had two guys named Bob. Goobers had Mike "Goober", Brodi's had Mike Brodi seniior and Pip Lafountain ( what a pair ) two older guys who barely cracked a smile and put up with no BS. More than willing to talk about fishing though. I still cook fish using Mike's recipe. Then there was Crazy Ed also at Brodi's along with his brother Bear and bestfriend Bow.
Foxy during the early 70's remember the transition the Monopole went through? The ownership change and Bret Heiss bought the bar. That's when the younger people started frequenting the place. Prior to the sale the Monopole was a place where the local businessmen would go for a drink after a day of business. Then the transtion of longhaired partying youths moved in. What a history that place has.
Foxty thanks again.
Stan
(Foxy's note: Boy, Stan, sure sounds like you did some good ol' elbow-bending in those young days! Guess we all thought we would live forever!)
Posted by: Stan Scrogginns | May 20, 2006 10:58 AM
Without a doubt, "old timer" is one of the resident historians of these "fabeled joints" as well as an expert on local nicknames....those were quite the times! all quite the spots! perhaps you could fill us in with some of the famous folk who you might be likely to run into on a given night at these "local establishments."
Nicknames only please!
A few of the other local hideouts I might mention from the past would be "Mr Patches" on Montcalm, "The Hunt Room" at the Cumberland Hotel and "Roman Gardens" in the Plaza ...and more recently "Mickey's". All famous watering holes of "zebras" past and present!
Posted by: the carver | May 20, 2006 9:18 AM
Well Foxy you must be feeling better, talking about the more important things in life. A cold beer to be more specific. You are just a a few years too young to go back to the originals. Bransons was a local bar before the air base was ever here. Just north of that was "Dukes". It had a Skee-ball game which I have never seen anywhere else. Down where G&G is today was the Knight Tavern owned by the Tamer family in the 40's, later Jack Fulner and then Don Goff. Many locals found it a haven until it burned sometime in the 50's, I think? The Monopole was big at the time as was the Union and the Fife and Drum. Also on Margaret St. at the time was the Men's Bar in the Cumberland Hotel and Gabe Bouchard's "The Pub" both between Clinton and Court. The 4th Ward was always crowded. Then there was "Meron's". In the forty's and fifty's the place was jammed with college students. The place was diligently guarded and patroled by Mrs. Meron. I would imagine that 60% of the patrons have been kicked out of there for life, some 2 or 3 times. It still today is one of the more popular watering holes in town and as said in the "Cheers" song a place where everybody knows your name.
(Foxy's note: Thankfully we have "The Old Timer" to fill in some history on this one. Very interesting. I never knew about the older places you have mentioned, but sounds like you knew them pretty well! But "Skee-ball"? What in the world was Skee-ball?)
Posted by: The Old Timer | May 19, 2006 9:03 AM