Monday, April 19th, 2010—Bar 99
Day 99—Sunday, April 19th
Great Lakes Brewing Company Bar (At the Cleveland Airport)
First off, let me thank James Brennan from Port Clinton, Ohio for sending in a donation of five bucks! His stated purpose on the PayPal form was, “To your health, Marty.” Thanks James, I found out this week that people in Ohio are very nice and generous and this donation was the icing on the cake!
Okay, we’ve been to bars in the evening and we’ve been to bars in the afternoon. Now we get to go to a bar in the morning, because my flight leaves at 1:00 pm and I’m obsessive and nuts about getting to the airport early. I don’t like to be late for anything, especially for a flight. And this way, if we’ve got a couple hours to kill, baboom, we go to a bar and my work for this Sunday is over (until I get home and have to resize photos and write copy and captions). Let’s go!
Okay, we're here at gate A5, it's 10:24 on a Sunday morning and we've got two hours to kill. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?
Airport bar!
The thing I love about airport bars is that they're judgement-free zones. No one gives you attitude about ordering a beer at 10:30 on a Sunday morning. Bartender John happily serves up the first Great Lakes beers of the morning.
Cheers, let the take-off begin!
So far, it's just me at the bar, but I'm sure business will pick up. It always does at airport bars.
The only beer on tap is Great Lakes, which I was introduced to at Sean and Mary's dinner party on Friday. Here's the website: Great Lakes Brewing Company.
Finally someone else joins me at the bar. Here's Scott with his Bloody Mary. Scott was heading off to San Antonio later in the day.
Hot dogs!
Here's Matt Smith, President of RadioActive Electronics (440-632-1600.) He's a Browns fan and has this message for commentator Biff: GO BROWNS! He also told me about an antique store in Brooklyn his friend owns, check it out here: Holler and Squall.
Doug Case was holding down the end of the bar and is a business manager for The Finefrock Law Firm. in Scottsdale, Arizona. They specialize in D.U.I. cases so you may want to bookmark this website: www.finefrocklawfirm.com.
The lovely and friendly bartender Tonya served up the last drink. It's just about time to board the plane.
And here we are, all boarded up and ready to fly back to New York.
And before you know it, here comes my good friend Mr. Drink Cart!
Hmm, this is how we started out, the trip has come full circle!
And now the obligatory bathroom mirror on a plane shot. Goodnight everybody...or good morning...whatever.
Review
It’s an airport bar and the bartenders are friendly here. As with all airport bars, the mood and clientle change constantly, but also as all airport bars go, no one looks sideways at you when you order a beer at 10:30 on a Sunday morning. I like that. And I should’ve gotten a hot dog. Maybe next time.
And once again, thanks to Cleveland’s Minister of Culture, Michael Heaton for being a wonderful host and bar guide! Everybody I met at the Plain Dealer and in Cleveland were super cool, friendly and nice. I have to return before the crawl is over! Cleveland rocks!
Great Lakes Brewing Company Bar
6 References
Reader Comments (14)
Hi Matt! GO BROWNS!!! Nice airport bar - I especially like the drunk-proof wall sconces. Great Lakes is a potent brew, which is a perfect base for those long, boring flights. Thanks for taking us along on your working vacation, Marty! Cleveland rocks!
P.S. Happy to hear that THIS operator of Mr. Drink Cart didn't give you any guff. Cheers!
I love airport bars for the same reason you said! This was a great trip and like Biff said, thanks for taking us along for the ride.
Awesome Marty... We had a great bar at Seatac airport..The airport there seams so clean.. That's cool.
Glad you got home safely.
Looks like your Cleavland trip was a total success! And I'm glad that the drink cart guy was cool...the one job prerequisite for a position like that would have to be that he (or she) is not an officious little snot.
your are a mad bastard Marty..... WTF we gunna do with ya when you have to go international!!!! (oh yeah,the piss on the plane is free & dont matter wot time ya drink!!!...just a littl' heads up...maybe a little incentive...?)
My best story about Mr Drink Cart is when I came in NYC in January 2010 !
It was my first flight alone and the first time i left France... I was so scarred !
Then Mr Drink Cart asked me what i wanted to drink... I answered a tomato juice! wow hooo I was wearing a beautiful white jacket !! and badaboum... Mr Drink Cart pourred the juice on me !!!!
He was so sorry but I kept my normal smile because since I was born and if a shitty or crazy thing has to happen, it's always on me !!! hahaha
So he asked my name and came back with a gift token of 6000 points-miles for my flyingblue card !!
I can't wait to get into the plane to come back in NYC !! and see what kind of event will happen with Mr Drink Cart !! I have to wait 14 days !! WOO HOO !! :D
this was a lot of fun! airport bas are great, especially in the morning. LOL!
Beer at 1030 on a Sunday Morning sounds totally NORMAL to me! I also love airport bars because they really ARE judgement-free zones!
I had no idea there were bars that judged people for coming in for a drink, no matter what time it was. If they're open...and you're there, it's time to drink.
Yaay!!!
I agree with Gina !! YEEEAH !!!
here here Gina...as a regular patron of mine always says "YA CAN'T DRINK ALL DAY IF YA DON'T START IN THE MORNING!"
Glad to hear the airport bar treated you well. There truly is nothing finer than a few drinks before heading to 30,000 feet. The very concept of flying is surreal, and with the advent of the airport bar, flying can quickly become a spiritual experience.
BTW, love this website and love your dedication!
Cheers!
Cheers to you AirportBars.com!