Not too Shabby

This here is a special post... 
Magical, even.
A post about those bars and pubs that are just awesome... Just awesome enough to go back for more.

Tapped Out, located on the corner of County Line Road and McKinley (or Old US 20), is one of those bars.  Granted, Tapped Out isn't really referancing any MMA action (I've never seen any sports hype there) but a little Condescending Wonka never hurt.

Tapped Out doesn't offer a huge establishment, copious amounts of pool tables, or an over-zealous selection of drinks.  What it does offer is good times, some of the friendliest patrons and service, and a punching machine that can make or break any ego. 

You can't ever go wrong with punching machine. 

However, if you don't feel the need to fulfill some pent-up, alcohol induced need to hit something and then find out just how hard you hit it, Tapped Out does offer three billiards table, a Guitar Hero machine, and plenty of sitting room.  And don't worry, unless everyone and their distant family reads this blog post, takes it as gospel of Paul, and visits Tapped Out all at once, I've never seen Tapped Out all tapped out.  So there will be plenty of seats to go around.

The Shabby Pelican
                                                                                                         

 

Meanwhile, in no school gymnasium anywhere...

You can sit on the bleachers, below them, and now, in a third, alter-dimensional plane.  At least, that's the kind of environment you'll find at Bleachers 'The Bar' in Mishawaka.  As with any sporting event, however, it could be hard for you to find a seat.  So here at the Shabby Pelican, we once again make a time suggestion: if you're going on a Friday, show up before 10:30.

Regardless of whether or not you show up at a particularly busy time (the Olympics may have had something to do with it) Bleachers is definately one of the most extensive and entertainment oriented bars in the Elkhart/Mishawaka area.  The picture above? Oh yeah, it's not lieing: Bleachers kills two bars with one bird... Or something like that.  Walking in, it initially seems like your average, run of the mill bar: Just give it a second. 

For those of us who want something more than just the booths, tables, and mini-games offered by other bars (which Bleachers has), they offer two additional sections, completely cut off from one another: The karaokee section and the billiards section.  Both are essentially their own sections, each about as big as a small bar unto itself.  The billiards room contains 10-12 tables, excellent sitting room and the smoky atmosphere that us nicotine addicts love. Akin to the billiards room, the karaokee lounge is extensive.  Of course, it ought to be if they're holding karaokee seven days a week.

Along with this synopsis, I'm going to share an excellent site I've found: Beer Menu, a blog that lists all the beers that one might find, drink, then repeat at various locations.  While I'm more of your basic Jager-bomb(can I get an amen?), I can still appreciate that full-bodied, good-ol' fashioned brewsky.  So, give'em a visit, and also check out the impressive list of Beers at Bleacher's.   

As always, let me know what you think about Bleachers, BeerMenu.com, or just this here blog itself.

The Shabby Pelican

Hitting Rock Bottom

 Ever felt like this is the end... like you've run out of choices? Not yet, because you haven't hit Rock Bottom. 

Of course, you can't make 'rock bottom' jokes without a little Fight Club referance.  No, you don't have to give up your worldy posessions, shave your head, and spray paint giant green smiley faces anywhere (but it is suggested).

Hitting Rock Bottom on Nappanee Street- or State Road 19- in Elkhart is a great stop if you want one hell of an experiance, although we recommend you arrive before 12:30 am on a Friday... or is that Saturday?  Although seats have never been an issue whenever I've rolled into Rock Bottom, it has the tendancy to grow a bit loud, particularly on Friday: Karaokee night.  In comparison to the set-ups found in some other bars around the area, Rock Bottom supplies ample amps (see what I did there?), an impressive selection, and even a 'stage' area, set-up as one of the main attractions.

Even though Rock Bottom only supplies 2 billiards tables (tragic, I know), they do have something that is rather unique of the bars I've seen in the Elkhart area: The Rowdy Girls.  Here at the Shabby Pelican, we recommend you stand somewhere to either side of the bar, lest you get drenched in the drool of random drunk male patrons, yet another reason to show up before 12:30 in that weird time between Friday and Saturday.

So if you're looking for some karaokee, good times, and some serious eye-candy, shoot on over to Rock Bottom bar.  Definately better than the namesake.

And if you feel I missed some key points, agreed with me or didn't, or if you've had a near-life experiance, feel free to let me know in that comments section right below.

The Shabby Pelican    

 Welcome to The Shabby Pelican

Ever seen a television show that has that one bar that everyone goes to, where the laughter -or tears, depending on what show- rings loud and the good times await?  Where the atmosphere is mellow and the crowd is just right?  Where everyone knows your name?!  Well, I want to own that one bar (or pub) and call it The Shabby Pelican.  However, until such a time that I win the lottery or retire, the best way to prepare for such a venture is to see how everyone else does it.

And, since I'm such a nice guy, I've seen fit that I should share some of the discoveries that I make during my adventures into the world of the bar.  My search will be confined to those bars that reside in Elkhart (a.k.a. The C.O.E.) and Mishawaka, for which I have no catchy nickname.  I'll be giving out prices, locations, possibly interviews from the clientele, or at the very least my own personal opinion, maybe some basic music themes each bar may hold, and, of course, when and where the karaoke is. 

Should your search engine bring you here, please leave some kind of comment: feedback is what this bar review page is all about, and I'm going to need some new places to look up and check out.