Ode to a December Fremont Street Crawl.

Yes dear Posters, there will be a CRAWL on Sunday the 14th of December starting in the early afternoon and ending sometime and somewhere around the TA dinner at Roberta’s at the El Cortez.

For those who are new here on the Forum, a crawl is a little something that I do when I am in town. It is defined as a visit to some of the locals%26#39; only bars along seedy East Fremont.

Make no mistake - This is about as far from the average trip to the Las Vegas and the Strip as you can get and I strongly caution those visitors who require pampering that that this is NOT for you. Equally, if drinking in a sleazy dive bar with low life folks on or just above the street bothers you then this s NOT for you. IF you can handle the situation with an open mind and grace, and willing to put five bucks on the roach on the left being faster, then this may well be for you.

I have inserted a post below about the last crawl. Please read it and the reviews of the Western Casino and Atomic Liquors and Bunkhouse Saloon found below. Take the observations and advice offered in the reviews and the post as gospel. I also volunteer any veterans to throw in their own thoughts on the subject. …tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g45963-i10-k20764…

Background – Years ago, as the Strip grew in popularity, most of Downtown Las Vegas from the Plaza on down fell on hard times and looked a lot like this area. The creation of the entity that runs the Fremont Street Experience and the erection of the Canopy cleaned up that part of the Street. East Fremont Street from 8th Street to Las Vegas Boulevard (500 east) was once a fearsome place but the recent incorporation (as Fremont East) of Fremont Street up to 8th Street into the security zone surrounding the Canopy has made that stretch a bit safer. The remaining stretch of 3 or 4 blocks or so towards Maryland Parkway, 12th Street, has mellowed a little over the years, at least by day. By day pretty much anyone can maneuver the route IF you have your wits about you, keep moving and just say “NO Thanks” to the Soiled Doves, panhandlers, freelance pharmacists and other “$20.00 Rolex venders” along the way. It does get dicey at night as CPTGUY, Lenny 63, Loomis, Foxy and a few others can tell you. I describe a crawl after all that cheap booze hits the Crawlers. as being like herding cats.

The Crawl is not a guided tour. Everyone is responsible for their own safety. It is more like ships huddled together in a false sense of security and moving like a convoy through sub infested waters than a stroll down the Strip. You also have to buy your own drinks

Last time, the first stop was the Bunkhouse Saloon, a cowboy themed bar on 11th a little south of Fremont.

…tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g45963-d665…

The we proceeded westward toward the setting sun to the Atomic Liquors, once a watering hole of the Rat Pack, Mr. sinatra’s booth remains in place, and it’s the holder of liquor license # 000001 .

…tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g45963-d777…

Then on to the Western Casino, always a home of very low roller gaming and sundry adult mischief and yes this is where a highly prized comp is a 6 pack of beer.

…tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g45963-d91684-…

tripadvisor.com/GoListDetail-i624-Downtown_a…

Our traditional next stop was to cross 8th and make out way down to the El Cortez but that part of Fremont has cleaned up nicely that, thanks to Loomis, a lot of us are staying there at a group discount rate. This was followed by a trip to the Gold Spike but is has changed hands and has been remodeled so much that it no more qualifies as a dive than the El Cortez does.

Here is where I am having trouble and ask the Veterans to give me their thoughts. As always the list is limited to a dirty dozen or less. This is because if any more than that number hit some of the smaller places, like the Bunkhouse and Atomic, the group will overwhelm the place and that changes the very sprit of the place that we seek to experience. My problem is that when I open the list, I know that there are going to be enough repeat customers that the list is almost full already. Although I do need a few experienced hands along to keep an eye on things but I may otherwise limit it to few Veterans to help out and then open it to new folks. This seems a fair thing to do as far as the smaller places go but Veterans what are your thoughts on that?

Of course, a lot of the Veterans are going to be staying Downtown and rather than a formal crawl we could just meet here or there for a few brews. I may set up an informal POOL PARTY at the Atomic one day.

I will not set a meeting place nor open a list until after December 1, 2008.

I invite those who may be interested to post their Comments here.

Ode to a December Fremont Street Crawl.

Seems absolutely fair Chitown. There are many virgin crawlers out there whom want this experience. Godspeed to you all, I%26#39;ll be watching football :)

It is true that the spirit of these joints is easily overwhelmed by a large group.

Viva OSV

Ode to a December Fremont Street Crawl.

Chitown:

As much as I would love to go with you on this crawl, you are so correct in taking the new folk first. Let them experience this venture into the ';real'; Las Vegas. I do know if my DH does attend he is intereted in being in on this venture to the other side.

A group of us could also meet up at the Western and play some slots while waiting for you to arrive with your herd!

Or you could do a standby list of those Veteran%26#39;s who want to attend, but will let the Crawl Vigins go first, and if they don%26#39;t show, just fill in the gaps with the Veterans.

Thank you for organizing this for everyone!

Marge

Hey Foxy you and I think alike ';Crawl Virgins'; lol

:)

AT this time I think I will stand aside for now and let any newbies attend. I do like Marge%26#39;s idea of perhaps meeting up with the crowd later on at the Western, it%26#39;s certainly big enough.

I%26#39;m sure I%26#39;ll be in 1, or all of those locations mentioned for the crawl at some time on the 14th (as well as most every other day while I%26#39;m in Vegas) If time and space permits perhaps I%26#39;ll crawl along. If not I wish a pleasant adventure to those who participate.

I will be having lessons from Foxy in the sports bar, but I am sure Al will be joining you. I do hope some of the ';newbies'; take this opportunity to go along and have a great time as we did in June.

Thanks everyone for being so understanding about the problem with overwhelming the smaller places. I think we will fill the ranks with 8 Virgins and myself to watch over the Virgins and the Lady to watch over me as I watch over the Virgins, plus two other Veterans to help me “Herd the Cats”. This list will be open after December 1st.

I purpose a way to accommodate all - An “Atomic Pool Party”!

Here is how (I hope) it works - A group of Veteran Crawlers descend on the Atomic. FYI - The Atomic has 2 pool tables and according to legend Barbara Streisand once took on all comers there and kicked everyone’s butt at pool. In more recent memory, a young lady bested our own Loomis, so we have something of a history there. I purpose a set time for Veteran Crawlers to assemble at the Atomic for open play among the TA folks or the Tourists vs. the Locals, however it all shakes out. It is very important that our pool players fit themselves in with the local players and respect their territory.

The deal is that the TA pool players will already be inside the bar, doing their own thing and thus will be more or less fully integrated within the bar scene. Knowing this group, the cheap booze will be fully intregated within them by then too.

We will time it so that somewhere during their play, the Crawl wanders in from the Bunkhouse. Since the Veterans already know how to fit in at the Atomic so as to try to pass as locals and we will have come into the bar in stages, it will not be such a shock. Then after a while we can move on as a group to the Western.

Loomis, can I ask for your help organize with the Atomic Pool Party?

I do insist that the Virgin Crawlers leave with the Crawl so that they may get the benefit of the full experience by adding the Western to their portfolio of Dive Bars.

Take heart Veterans – I have been doing my research and my supply of locals’ bars for us to drink at is certainly not limited to East Fremont. There are certain other places down along Maryland Parkway and more up in North Las Vegas that I want to introduce the Veterans to. More about that later on.

My pool shooting is LAUGHABLE. Even if I went to the local tavern to practice every weekend from now until Dec, it would still be laughable. It can take me an hour of shooting alone to clear a table. --that%26#39;s not just laughable, it%26#39;s sick. (although...going to the bar every weekend...seems like a great idea right now...lol)

So I%26#39;ll either cheer our Veterans on or meet up at the Western!

REH I have no doubt that you will show up somewhere along the way.

Virins please post here if you are interested.