Bar Rumors: Beer Prices Keep Going Up

For smokers and drinkers, tough times ahead...

• The Saloon has had to shut down their smoking patio -- the one with heated seats, a fireplace and warm overhead heating -- because of the state ban on smoking. After a series of failed legal challenges, February 29th was the last day smokers could enjoy relative comfort. A week later, smokers would be huddled next to Hennepin Avenue in early-March below zero temperatures.

  The question: what to do with the structure that costs tens of thousands of dollars to build? Some have proposed turning it into a sports bar by moving pool tables out there. Another idea: create a bistro type atmosphere and upgrade the menu a bit. Add some tables and tablecloths and open up the back end for dining during the evenings -- you know, before men get buck naked in the plexiglass shower in the next room.



• Speaking of that shower, according to staff at the Saloon there will now be two showers featuring nude men showering and they'll be facing each other.


• The Minneapolis Eagle and Bolt have increased their beer prices from $3.75 to $4. I think the Saloon charges that much, maybe a bit more. You can still get 3 beers for the price of one on Fridays. It's just going to cost you $4. The Minneapolis Eagle and Bolt are also looking to hire a general manager, an assistant manager and a bookkeeper according to their weekly email.


• Lavender Magazine has a look at the Bloom's -- the soon-to-be former owners of the Gay 90s.


• 19 Bar gets a new pinball machine! Okay, it's not that exciting, except for me. They replaced that awful NasCar machine with a fantastic Family Guy one. Good times.