Do you know what today is? Oh, it’s your mom’s birthday … well, besides that? It’s the 74th anniversary of the day Prohibition was repealed! Yep, on Dec. 5, 1933, the sexy 21st Amendment went into effect, making it legal again to drink yourself silly and hook up with strangers. Can you believe our country was dry for 13 long years? Everybody knows dryness leads to chafing. How did people manage to get along? What did they do on the weekends or during NASCAR races? How did they do keg stands or play Asshole? Who let the dogs out?
I think tonight would be a great night to grab a drink with friends and reflect upon such an historic event in our sordid history. Go a little overboard … it’s probably your civic duty to do so. Your mother will approve.
(If you’re interested, this Friday the Filson Historical Society is hosting a bourbon tasting and lecture by bourbon historian Michael Veach, who will discuss how the P-word affected local distillers. Details are at www.filsonhistorical.org.)
Goodbye O’Malley’s, hello City Block
On the count of three, say O’Malley’s one last time. 1 … 2 … 3 … O’MALLEY’S! OK, now say hello to City Block, the new name for the nightclub complex that houses Coyote’s, Vinnie’s, List and more. The announcement was made at a press conference last Wednesday. No beer was served. Although they were light on details, what we know is this: The almost-20-year-old, 60,000-square-foot venue will get a facelift by current management; popular clubs like Coyote’s and the Fox Den are staying put, which is good news for mechanical-bull and hog riders; included in the renovations will be a cabaret-type theater in one of the clubs; and it is to be referred to from here on out as City Block. The mayor said so. City Block will continue to be a top venue for touring artists on their way up (eg., The Wreckers) and down (Sir Mix-A-Lot). We’ll watch the developments with interest and try to keep you up to date as things move along.
I’m drinking with your mom tonight. Text me at shavens@leoweekly.com or jump on my blog at www.leoweekly.com
This article appears in December 4, 2007.