BAR GUIDE
FLYING SAUCER Try as you might to resist — it’s often packed, with people you might not want to hang out with (e.g. tourists, bikers) and the dress code for the all-female wait staff is Hootersesque — the Saucer remains the mecca of beer in Central Arkansas. With a beer list that takes about five minutes to get through (including an unrivaled 75 on tap), regular appearances by brewers from around the country holding special tastings (the owner of Finch Beer out of Chicago was just in town) and a steady stream of happy hour specials, the River Market outlet of the regional chain demands regular visits from any self-respecting beer aficionado. The dark, low-slung basement doesn’t offer much in the way of atmosphere, but it can be a nice refuge from the crowds. Weekday happy hour, when it’s usually easy to get a table in the front of the bar for peoplewatching on President Clinton Avenue, is the best time to visit. For the beer lover who likes to feel like he’s accomplishing something and has $18, there’s the Saucer’s U.F.O. Club. Once you drink 300 beers (keeping track of them via a magnetic card), you get a party and a special plate with your name on it on the wall. 323 President Clinton Ave. 372-8032. Full bar. 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Mon.-Thu., 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Fri., 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sat., 11 a.m.midnight Sun. Happy hour: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Mon., 4-7 p.m. Tue.-Thu., 4-8 p.m. Fri. VINO’S Long considered a hot spot for music in the city, Vino’s is better known these days for some of the tastiest and most experimental craft brews in the state.
BRIAN CHILSON
DIAMOND BEAR After several prior attempts to move to a new location in North Little Rock fell through, Central Arkansas’s largest brewer finally found a new spot this week. Just days ago, Diamond Bear closed on a 15,000-square-foot space on 600 N. Broadway in North Little Rock. That’s more than double their current digs. The move’s still several months away. Until then, its Cross Street home is a fine place to grab a pint. There are only a couple of tables and a small bar top, but unless you happen in on a rare weekend afternoon, that’s enough space for you and a buddy or two to knock back a few of Diamond Bear’s delicious Pale Ales. Take beer to go — either in package or growler — during weekend retail hours. Better yet, take the lively brewery tour, offered at 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and then take some beer home. The tour also comes with free samples and a free Diamond Bear pint glass. 323 S. Cross St. Beer only. Noon-6 p.m. Fri.-Sun.
MIDTOWN BILLIARDS
Under the direction of brewmaster Josiah Moody, the pub has kept the quality of its old favorites high while introducing different brews for every season. Look for local ingredients such as hops, lavender and even Trinidad scorpion peppers from Dunbar Community Gardens to show up in some of Moody’s brews, as well as a growing collaboration with Loblolly Creamery for movies and beer floats in the back room every Tuesday. Or enjoy a pint and a smoke on the two-story deck and back patio. The venue still hosts local music, although not as often as in the past, but pizza by the slice, sandwiches, and massive calzones make this a perfect spot to enjoy some good food and a locally made pint — only $3.25 during happy hour. 923 W. 7th St. 375-8466. Beer and wine. 11 a.m.11 p.m. Sun.-Thu., 11 a.m.-12 a.m. Fri.-Sat. Happy hour: 4-6 p.m. daily. ALSO: CREGEEN’S Irish-themed pub with a large selection of beer on tap and bottled British beers and ales, and a menu featuring their popular fish and chips and Guinness beef stew. Sunday brunch. Draft and bottle beer of the week at $3. Live music on weekends and $5 cover on Saturdays. 301 Main St., NLR. 376-7468. Full bar. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-midnight Sun. MELLOW MUSHROOM With 40 beers on
draft and another 35 in bottle, including most all of the local and regional brews you’d want, this new, much-beloved pizza chain is poised to be a popular West Little Rock watering hole in its own right. 16103 Chenal Pkwy. 3799157. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Thu., 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. Happy hour: 3-6 p.m. Mon.-Fri. PROST The calmer, lounge-ier cousin to Willy D’s and Deep, two bars that’re connected to Prost via a hallway and stairs. With a strong beer menu and plenty of TVs. 322 President Clinton Blvd., LR 244-9550. Full bar. 4 p.m.2a.m. Tues.-Fri., 4 p.m.-1 a.m. Sat. Happy hour: 4-7 p.m. Tue.-Sat.
DIVES WE LOVE
MIDTOWN BILLARDS Midtown is waiting for you. You could make the wise choice. Call it a night and go home. After all, you said, just a few hours ago, that this wasn’t “a Midtown night.” You don’t really need one more beer. Likely no good will come of chatting up one more stranger. You’ll be in worse shape tomorrow if you stay up one more hour. You certainly don’t need to wake up smelling like Midtown. And you know, or you ought to know, that this one questionable decision — to go to Midtown — will only lead to a flurry of additional questionable decisions. You will be a fool among fools. But it is late, and the bar is closing, and you’re not ready
to go home. And you know that throughout the city, bars are closing and people are not ready to go home. And via the vagaries of liquor licensing in Little Rock, they will all come to one place. You will join them, all walks of life, all wanting a little more out of the night. Just a little more. They are your brethren. You may do something wild, or something regrettable, or something inspired. Or not. You will eat a burger, and it will be life-affirming, or at least that’s how you will remember it. 1316 Main St. 3729990. Full bar. 3 p.m.-5 a.m. daily. Happy hour: 3-8 p.m. daily. TOWN PUMP This Riverdale watering hole is a bit like a perfectly broken-in pair of jeans — familiar, comfortable, unpretentious and, in an ideal world, appropriate for all occasions. Alas, we don’t live in an ideal world, and as such you probably shouldn’t wear your faded 501s to a job interview. But unlike those jeans, the Town Pump is just right for damn near any scenario. Boys/Girls Nite Out? For sure. Post-work beer ’n’ burgers? Of course. First date? Absolutely. First anniversary? Eh ... They’ve got pretty much any reasonable beer request covered, plus a totally serviceable liquor selection, scrumptious chicken wings (and really, a good menu CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 www.arktimes.com
JUNE 27, 2013
13