Gin Soaked @ the "R"

R-Bar
6000 W Charleston Blvd
Las Vegas, 89146(702) 259-0120
This will be a combo review since I’m getting tired and it’s late. The Las Vegas Weekly is a decent rag to get info on what’s happening in town. They are slaves to their ads and the masters who pay them. Who isn’t these days? Our whole country is being sold off the Chinese and we don’t mind a bit. Don’t get me wrong I love the Chinese I don’t love the backward business dealings of our country by greedy Republican’s nor the lazy Democrats who stand by waiting for 2008. I don’t love Civil liberties that are slowly being eroded in the name of National Security. I hate the state of fear this country is living in. The perpetual feeding of fear into our daily lives by news and the media at large. In many ways the Terrorists did win on Sept 11 2001, now with the release of several 9/11 related movies, we can look forward to more fire stoking. Ok I’m done! According to L.V. Weekly the R-BAR located somewhere on the west side of the 15 is a spot worth checking out. In fact they noted that after 1200 am they have to actually buzz you in. This was part of the charm.


I stroll in at about 1100 I have an hour or so to kill before I head over to Rainbow Bar and Grill via the Champagne Lounge. I have my black blazer on and my socks match. I’m ready for action. The only action I would see in my 1 hour at R-Bar is asking the waitress why they have microscopes on the liquor shelf.
The R-Bar was established…actually I don’t know I didn’t ask. The place is locals and no tourist would be caught dead here. I found out that they are not the only bar in the area that buzzes people in…they all do! National Security is at stake and with so many irresponsible people roaming around claiming to be full blooded Americans no one can take any chances. No one even noticed when I walked in. Older crowd tonight, smoking Pall Malls 100’s. Sipping on speed rack Gin and Tonics, They are in mid frenzy depositing 20’s in the poker machines. No one is playing music on the jukebox. I almost found the courage to insert a dollar in the machine and play my kind of music. No way amigo,that would have been the last thing. Las Vegans are superstitious by nature, and why not they live in a city built on luck and broken purses. Any change in a routine and I might as well kiss my ass goodbye.
Highlights
Cheap ass drinks! I paid 2.50 for a Bacardi and Coke, I followed up with a Tanqaray and Tonic, that was all Gin and no tonic. I was getting drunk and my time here was done. I quietly ran out the door and headed south!


Champagne Cafe
3557 S. Maryland Pkwy.
Las Vegas, NV
(702) 737-1699
Every once in a while you find a spot where all your life questions are answered and in most cases the answers are found at the bottom of a strong Jack and Coke. These places are dive joints with no remorse some Southerners call these places Honky Tonks. I’ve never been to a Honky Tonk but I like to think they look like Champagne Cafe….at least I hope so. For San Diego readers imagine the Night Owl in Pacific Beach only way cooler and with girls that have all their teeth. They also offer… you guessed it…Karaoke! Michael Pasko found his truth at the Night Owl one scary night many years ago, right before we hit a motorcycle at 25 mph. I found him praying in one of the dirty bathroom stalls. Jack and Coke every time!

After the menace of R-Bar Champagne Cafe was a much welcomed change of pace. The bar was packed with an assortment of people singing and carrying on. I like dark places with little in the way of light. If the bar is cleverly decorated all the better. Champagnes was just that! Dark and moody with no pretenses. Some weirdo started talking to me so much about nonsense that I bought him a drink just to leave me alone….that’s how friendly this place is! I spoke with Peter the bartender who welcomed me and introduced me to the manger of the bar John Martinez. We spoke briefly in the kitchen and he spoke of his dreams for the place. Of course the Café is perfect as it is however John also works for Bally’s so his vision will entail some work and good old fashion elbow grease. Either way Champagne’s is nice little free standing bar that attracts all sorts of people. I arrived at just the right time which if I remember correctly was about 1230 am.
“Come by anytime we’ll set you up was John
"Marty" Martinez' reply to my quick goodbye. For San Diego readers think Lancers mixed with Zombie lounge.

Highlights
Nice people and good strong drinks for cheap. You can just chill and watch people get hammered. Ill come back to this place as bull pen session before I get into the game.