Loves a Bargain

Recently a girlfriend of mine started working at Club 21, which although it may bear a similarity in name to Club 23 and yes, occasionally has go-go dancers, turns out to be a nice laid back neighborhoody joint. Miss Mugsbehindthebar.com invited us all in on a Thursday with the promise of $3 Radebergers and live music and really, who can say no to that?

Yeah 21st Street bars in general look a tad sketchy at first glance, but once we got inside it proved to be homey and relaxed, once you get past the stripper pole on the bar. Cozy tables and couches are nestled in the back and right past them the doors open into a good size patio with picnic tables and large umbrellas. We scored seats at the bar, Mugz procured darts and large steins of beer and we busied ourselves in a Guys v. Gals darts match while the band played an array of covers. Most of the tunes were songs already on my Ipod, with the exception of the rousing rendition of Margaritaville as requested by a patron.

While waiting for my turn I glanced at the chalkboard above the bar and was intrigued by the list of weekly goings-on—Club 21 has special deals for just about every day and $15 buckets of domestic beers until 9pm daily. I was particularly mesmerized by the concept of $3 pot. pancakes until Mugsy explained that they were potato. Tuesdays bring you a free buffet at 5pm and Fridays ladies drinks are $3 until 11, but we were there to rock the giant $3 Radebergers and Krusovice Dark.

I’ll be honest, there isn’t anything on the beer menu I haven’t had a million times: Staropramen, Pilsner Urquell, Franziskaner, Yuengling, and most of the other usual suspects. The Krusovice, however is something that doesn’t pop up everywhere. Club 21 has the light and dark of this Czech brew and they are worth a taste. The light pilsner won the Best Bohemian Style Pilsner Award in 2006 from the Brewer’s Association World Cup and is slightly hoppy and crisp. The dark has a nice rich flavor and both come with the added bonus of building better biceps due to the size and weight of the glassware.

Want another excuse to check out Club 21 (in case the cheap deals and darts aren’t enough incentive to get your ass over to 21st Street)? Saturday the 24th they are hosting an invite/RSVP only AbSINthe party, complete with green faeries and Absinthe served properly (and liberally). Check out their website for details on how to get down with the green.