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Best Neighborhood Bar
Famous Sam's
READERS' PICK: Well, there's one thing Famous Sam's has going for it that no other bar in town can claim: There's one in every neighborhood. Second only to Circle K in local ubiquity, Sam's generic approach to hometown charm seems to appeal to just about everyone. Its casual atmosphere is a cut above the typical bar scene--comfortably spacious, with ample room for music or large-scale sporting events. This is the place for Monday Night Football. In fact, each location has adopted an NFL team this year, and promises to broadcast all of that team's games throughout the season. Plentiful beer, an amazing variety of sandwiches (served with three halves rather than two), hearty burgers, and absolutely addictive wedge fries are just a few of the offerings you'll consistently find under that familiar sign. Maybe everybody doesn't know your name here; but if you make a few return visits, they soon will. READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: Bob Dobbs Bar and Grill, 2501 E. Sixth St. A REAL SCREAM: Recently expanded to accommodate the burgeoning business, Bison Witches Bar & Deli, 326 N. Fourth Ave., now boasts two rooms with loads of booths, bridged by a hopping horseshoe-shaped bar. Out back, there's more covered, picnic-style seating. Like any great neighborhood haunt, casual attitude and attire are required, as is a fair measure of patience: If you arrive during peak evening hours, you'll be hard pressed to score a table, even with the additional seating. Bison Witches also offers cheap nightly specials, a solid selection of brews and mixed drinks, and a few surprises, like a fading bottle of Chartreuse. Granted, the bottle has probably out-tenured the last five bartenders; but even so, who'd expect to find obscure, high-end aperitifs at such a delightfully no-frills watering hole? Which just goes to show ya, whatever your poison, you'll find good company here. And should you be ailing come Sunday morning, drag yourself in for the big, bad buck-fiddy Sunday Bloody Mary special. Yes, sir.
A REAL SCREAM: We regret that the cool, stylized comic
mural that used to face Stone Avenue was vandalized and had to
be painted over. The large-scale image of two men hugging was
emblematic of the friendly, gay-positive atmosphere found within
The Graduate, a long-time presence at 23 W. University
Blvd. The regular crowd here is mostly men, but women are made
to feel equally welcome--in fact, they get more respect here than
in most bars around town. This home of the Tucson Knight Owls
is a good place to shoot an afternoon game of billiards or shuffleboard,
darts or pinball. And if you're in the mood for friendly conversation
and don't feel threatened by listening to someone's life story
(or meeting someone who will listen to yours), The Graduate promises
an interesting evening.
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