In England they have a word for the bar in your neighborhood that is closest to you. Its called your "local" and while I was there I had mine. It was down the block and called, "The Grenfell Arms". It was a small pub with a few rooms to let and they served food at dinner time. I knew the bar keep and could always stay around for another after last call. It was more than a bar it was a place to talk, shoot what the British misinterpret as a game of pool, and a place for a lost soul to refuel.

Back home in GR I have the Pickwick. This is my "Cheers" the place where everybody....well at least somebody knows my name and I have been coming to the Pick since before I could legally drink. Its not what you think, I went there to get ice and pick up cooking wine for the chefs at Gaia.

This was the place where we would go to not only watch the World Series but also all major pollitical debates and happenings. I remember having the good fortune to be able to immediatly and completely drown my sorrows when bush won a second term in office back when it was Whitbread on draught.

This is the bar I will bring my son to for his first pint. It is the place you wish you frequented but can't "deal" with the lack of "variety" and for that I am glad.