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Wow.
That pretty much sums up my feeling about this wacky liquor-inspired era. Three and a half years ago (3/27/96), we wandered by a new bar on 4th street and decided to get a group of people together that night. The 168 pubnights since that one have been filled with old friends and new friends (353 to be exact), beer, vodka, scotch, and some crazy mixed drinks. The emails over the years have been wordy and clever sometimes and short and to the point at other times (and I guess long, boring, and not to the point at still other times). Nevertheless, we have made it this far. With several substitute emails from Dan, Laura, Petro, Kris, and Jay, the tradition has continued, and with the new pubnight triumvirate, the tradition should continue. Laura, Dan, and I will keep it going in Portland if you keep it going here.
The past three and a half years has brought about an incredible amount of change in our lives. We've seen pubnight relationships created and fallen apart (no examples here to protect the innocent). We've met each other's blind dates and more significant others (ditto). We've seen several marriages (Stuart & Laura, Karen & David, Athomas & Renee), and at least one birth (Matthew). We've seen people move away (Jesse, Anna, Dan, Stuart, Laura) and move to New York (lots of one-timers here). We've had Delirium Tremens (at dba), free Dewars twice (at White Horse and M&R Bar), free rum (at Mica Bar) and free rounds of kamikazis (Barrow Street and Detour), beer schnapps (Tap Room), Grandmas Apple Pie shots (Waterfront Ale House) and a strange assortment of unmemorable shots (Hell), as well as numerous rounds of beer on the house (and several infamous non-rounds on the house - Keens $404, Marriott Marquis $358 for two rounds, and of course Commonwealth Brewing ($450 + french fries)). That last sentence doesn't quite flow correctly, but then again, I'm talking to people who have spend over $34,000 on liquor in the past three and a half years.
Our web site has stayed remarkably up to date (with the big exception of the map) and contains a list of everywhere we've been (http://www.pubnight.com/previous.html). Take a look back and send us an email of your favorite memories. A look at the photos may help (http://www.pubnight.com/who.html).
For example, take a look at what Kris is wearing (and how young she looks (and how I spelled her name wrong)) at her first pubnight, number 20. Some things never change. Take a look at our haiku from pubnight 161. Can anyone (maybe Leslie) remember "Chutes & Ladders for shots" at Botanica (pubnight #24)? How about the passed-out woman at Mars Bar (#115) - no, not one of ours? And, of course the holiday pubnights at the revolving bar at the top of the Marriott Marquis (#36 & 86) and the pubnight anniversary parties at Swift (#48 & #98).
As far as I know, we've had very few liquor casualties (several people being late to work on Thursdays, several horrible rides home, and at least one puking in a cab). Any stories you'd like to share? Send them to me and I'll forward them on to the group.
Get to the point, Stuart.
Tonight, starting at 7:30pm, at Swift Hibernian Lounge, Laura and I will complete PubNight Phase One and pass the baton to the new PubNight triumvirate of Petro, Kris, & Jay. So, tell your boss that you'll be in late tomorrow, eat some healthy, non-filling food, and join us tonight. You'll find Swift at 34 East 4th Street, between Bowery & Lafayette):
http://newyork.citysearch.com/E/V/NYCNY/0010/93/86/
Laura and I will keep you up to date with our news from up north if you promise to keep us in the loop on pubnight gossip and rumor (and cab-pukings). Don't forget our big going-away party on Friday at the NYU CAT (4-8) and elsewhere (after 8). I'll plan to leave our new location on my voice mail outgoing message, so you can call (998-3380) and meet up with us on Friday night.
From the desk of pubnight phase one central, I wish you all good luck and good wishes, and I hope you'll remember this whole thing one Wednesday night in the far future - remember when you used to get these crazy emails, when you used to wander around New York looking for some random bar, and when you used to drink, talk, eat, gossip, fall in love, and drink some more. On that Wednesday night in the far future, think of us, raise your glasses and say
Cheers,
- stuart