Adam Lapierre

Beer Final

Technical Writing, Winter 2003

This piece is a guide to Bend’s bars and clubs.  It discusses human social needs and the benefits of a healthy social life.  A discussion of positive social drinking introduces a theme consistent throughout the piece; drink responsibly.  Then it offers an evaluation of 20 bars and clubs in Bend based on these characteristics: Service, cleanliness, quality, atmosphere, music and entertainment.  Descriptions of each establishment follow and include individual characteristics, addresses and phone numbers.  A top five countdown of Bend’s best bars and clubs wraps up the description section.  The piece ends by discussing the dangers of alcohol abuse, ways to avoid it and tips on how to be a responsible social drinker.   

Humans are social creatures.  We have an innate psychological need to interact with other human beings.  Friends and relationships are a vital part living a healthy, happy life.  People enjoy the security and compassion of close friends and the novelty and excitement of new ones.  An active and healthy social life lowers stress and anxiety, increases confidence and improves attitudes. (Orcott)

Humans fulfill their social tendencies in a number of ways.  In America everything from Tupperware parties to renaissance fairs provide people with opportunities to interact with others.  In the adult population social drinking, live music and dancing are popular ways of socializing.

Responsible social drinking can be quite healthy.  Biologically, “a considerable body of evidence shows that lower levels of drinking decreases the risk of death from coronary artery disease” (Oscar, n.p.).  Socially, drinking can increase “disinhibition, relaxation, and sociability.  It signals to self and others the shift from the serious mood of work or school to the more spontaneous and playful mood of evenings and weekdays” (Orcott, 389).      

Bend is growing so rapidly because of features like Mt. Bachelor, the Deschutes River and Smith Rocks.  Fun-driven people move here for recreation, school, business ventures and retirement.  Nightlife in Bend reflects the area’s laid back, outdoorsy population.  Numerous bars and clubs in town offer adult residents and visitors live music, social atmospheres, delicious food and drinks and various recreational opportunities.

The Source, Bend’s arts entertainment magazine, informs the public of local concerts, bar events and activities.  An active social scene depends on a motivated and informed public.  The Source encourages people to go out by telling readers where activities are held each week.  This special insert is a complete guide to Bend’s bar and club scene.  It offers descriptions and evaluations of individual establishments, a top five count down and responsible drinking tips; all meant to better inform readers and to encourage them to go out and have a good time. 

A group of five 21 year olds collaborated and came up with the following list as important characteristics to evaluate for each establishment:

v     Service

v     Cleanliness

v     Quality

v     Atmosphere

v     Music

v     Entertainment

The description of each location lists individual characteristics and qualities.  They are based on visits and objective observations.  They are a guide; a quick and easy reference to town’s social drinking scene. 

This chart shows on a one to ten scale individual ratings for each of the 20 evaluated establishments. 

388-4594

A Fine Note Karaoke is one of Bend’s only karaoke bars.  The air is smoky, the food is cheap and the staff is very friendly.  This bar is a good place to go with a large group of friends.  People can relax, socialize, drink and try their best with decent karaoke equipment.   

    Avemore is a smoky British style pub and grill.  Two pool tables, darts, limited seating and some video games upstairs overlook the lower bar and stage.  Live music and open-mike night on Thursdays bring in weekend crowds.  Bar specials are free pool Mondays and ladies night Wednesdays.  The bar's live music scene is definitely its best asset.  Be prepared to pay a cover of about five dollars on nights with big venues. 

Avemore Arm's Bar tender

making a Margarita.

20585 Brinson Blvd

382-4270

Good food and comfortable seating make the Black Horse a great place to have dinner.  Daily lunch and dinner specials, Tuesday night 75-cent tacos and prime rib weekend specials give customers  a variety of inexpensive choices.  The Saloon hosts live music on Friday and Saturday, open-mike on Sundays, pool tables, darts and horse shoes.  This is a clean and friendly place to eat, play games and listen to music.  Their motto is “Family, Friends & Fun”. 

1044 NW Bond

382-9242

Delicious food and award winning beers make Deschutes Brewery a popular place to have dinner.  A full service bar offers liquor and a selection of beers brewed there in the building.  Drinking on an empty stomach is a bad idea and the quiet comfortable dining atmosphere makes the Deschutes a good place to start a night of partying.  People often meet here, have something from the menu and decide where to go next.  

 Natural wood kegs for brewing.

The Domino Room hosts a lot of music events.  Also known as Mid-Town’s Rock-Roll and Rink, this large facility is good for big bands and lots of people.  If a show allows minors than no alcohol is served.  21 and over shows tend to be hip-hop and rock and always come with a cover charge.  Check for upcoming events in the Domino Room and see who is coming to town.  

530 SE 3^rd

389 8209

The Hong Kong Lunge-Bamboo Room is Bend’s only Asian bar.  Great service stands out here.  The lounge is clean, comfortable and uniquely decorated.  Music here can be interesting; sometimes it’s American hits; sometimes it’s Chinese.  The atmosphere is an interesting change.  People looking for a little change should try the Bamboo Room. 

63553 N Highway 97
389-7470

Lucky’s is a small and smokey bar in North town.  Loud music and tight seating make the bar a popular biker-style hang out.  Anyone with sensitive ears or lungs might want to stay out of Lucky’s on busy nights. 

102 NW Greenwood Ave
389-1410

 

This small, quiet tavern is connected to a laundry mat.  A person could have beer and watch a football game while doing a couple loads of laundry.  This small and friendly joint is limited because it sells only beer and takes only cash.  M and J’s is good for people looking for a quiet, low-key place to talk or play a game of pool.

25 SW Century

389-2558

Players is a hard rock bar.  Live music and dancing on the weekends draw loud energetic crowds.  A full bar serves cheap food, a dozen beers and liquor.  One pool table, a dart board and video poker offer entertainment.  This bar offers a loud and crowded atmosphere for people who want to get up and dance and be energetic. 

61160 Hwy. 97

383-7627

This cozy little pub is great for having a drink or two with close friends.  An average priced menu of basic bar foods and microbrews from the tap give customers a standard selection of.  The Southside Pub is a low-key, calm place to sit and talk. 

197 NE 3^rd St.

388-4081

Stars is Bend’s only strip club.  A minimum five-dollar cover charge and high beer prices make the club an expensive place to party.  However, Stars is a classy and commutable place to see beautiful dancers.  Free 8:00 table dances, Theater Thursdays and Football Saturdays invite customers to come and enjoy a show.

2570 NE Twin Knolls Dr # 2
383-3502

Timbers is a clean and comfortable bar in South-town.  Plenty of room and seating make timbers a less crowded place to be on weekends.  Average priced food and drinks are served with a smile here and the food is good.  Pool, speakers and video games offer a bit of entertainment.

930 NW Galveston Ave
382-48

This bar is a small and intimate place to have a beer.  Two pool tables, a juke box and video poker are the bar’s entertainment.  Monday night drink specials during football games give customers a chance for cheap drinks.  West Side serves from eight beers on tap and does not serve liquor. 

147 NW Minnesota Ave.

388-0116

The atmosphere at the Astro Lounge is its best feature.  Burgundy lights, lava lamps and candles create a dark, smooth feeling.  Jazz and low-key reggae add to the calm cosmopolitan feeling.  The upper floor of the lounge has lush leather chairs and couches.  The down stairs bar serves liquor, four beers on tap, dozens of wines and delicious appetizers.  Menu items are expensive but certainly delicious.  Beer battered onion rings are the most popular appetizer.  This bar is perfect for quiet low-key socializing and conversation.

64 SW Century Dr
541-389-1853

 

Massive log walls, beams and furniture make this bar seem more like a ski lodge.  A huge fireplace in the center heats and lights the large open bar.  Four pool tables, video games, a long arched bar and ample seating give Cascade West patrons plenty of room to socialize.  The ski lodge atmosphere brings in many of Bend’s young mountain riders.  The bar serves from 30 beers on tap and an average priced menu of appetizers and basic bar foods.

edgends is a great sports bar.  It’s big, clean and well equipped.  Four pool tables, video games, darts, a big-screen TV and a full bar upstairs overlook a bar and ample comfortable seating below.  Ledgends offers over a dozen beers on tap, good burgers and fries and friendly service.  Sports games and highlights play over TV’s scattered about and surround sound speakers play rock and rap hits.  Large crowds on weekends make the bar a great place to meet fun-going people. 

1033 NW Bond

318-8578

Progressive techno, reggae and hip hop music is a big part of The Grove’s appeal.  The bar is divided into two sections; half is the dining and seating area, half the bar, stage and dance floor.  A large fireplace separates the bar with class and warmth.  DJ’s and live groups rock the small dance floor with plenty of style.  Unique music, live plants, the fireplace, and colored lighting create a sort of urban-hippy atmosphere unique to The Grove.  The bar serves four beers on tap, liquor and a mid-priced menu.  Fish and chips is a popular snack served.  The bar’s strength is its musical connections.  Local and guest artists play from a small stage to a small and intimate dance floor.  An average cover for nights with live music is about five dollars. 

Reggae Wednesdays are always

popular.

2221 NE 3rd St
541-617-9797

Club 97 is the ultimate bar and dance club.  Three full bars surround a large dance floor equipped with intense surround sound.  “97 is Bend’s biggest and most popular club for dancing and getting action (Rivera).”  Big name bands and DJ’s entertain large crowds almost every weekend.  A definite plus to the club is the equal ratio of males to females.  A lot of young single people like to go here to dance and meet people of the opposite sex.  Four pool tables and seating overlooks the dance floor and provide dancers room to rest and talk.  Be prepared to pay a cover charge of anywhere from five to fifteen dollars; depending on the evening’s entertainment.  A lot of young single people like to go here to dance and meet people of the opposite sex.  Four pool tables and seating overlooks the dance floor and provide dancers room to rest and talk.  Be prepared to pay a cover charge of anywhere from five to fifteen dollars; depending on the evening’s entertainment.

Dancing at Club 97

Responsible social drinking is a healthy form of interaction.  Making new friends, dancing, listening to music and playing games relieve stress and help make people happy.  Of course, alcohol consumption does have a serious side.  Drunk driving, underage abuse and alcoholism are all very real problems in American society.  Light, moderate alcohol consumption can be healthy and positive.  Alcohol abuse on the other hand truly does destroy people’s lives. 

Alcohol in bars “can reduce stress; promote conviviality and pleasant feelings; and decrease tension and anxiety” (Oscar, n.p.).  However, drinking to get drunk or to escape problems is definitely not healthy social drinking.  Drinking should not be the priority of a night of partying.  People should dance, listen to good music and make new friend; not go out and get as drunk as possible.  People often drink too much and hurt or embarrass themselves.  Responsible drinkers and responsible friends should make sure that never happens. 

The following is a list of only a few basic tips that promote healthy social drinking:

P    Don’t let drinking interfere with your professional or academic performance.

P    Don’t drink more than one alcoholic beverage an hour.

P    Don’t chug beer.

P    Don’t drink to increase self-confidence.

P    Don’t drink and drive!

The best way to prevent alcohol abuse is to recognize and control personal drinking habits.  Social drinking is healthy and beneficial when done responsibly.  The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse gives a list of characteristics of a responsible social drinker:

“A social drinker:

v     Can stop drinking whenever she wants to and knows her limits. 

v     Refuses to be pressured into drinking more than she wants.

v     Respects others’ rights to choose not to drink.

v     Does not encourage or contribute to someone else’s drinking too much. 

v     Is able to refuse a drink. (Oscar, n.p.)

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© 2003, Adam Lapierre
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