# Wednesday, 3/12 -- ChiDope Bar Scouting **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 28, 2003, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254 "2003-02-28T22:42:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/101 "2003-03-21T21:38:57Z")
Guilt schmilt. Pear cider! ---
**Author:** ![Judith\_Prietht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b19c9b/32.png) [@Judith\_Prietht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Judith_Prietht)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/102 "2003-03-21T21:43:04Z")
Ahhh. Pear cider. I forgot about that. Oh well, one can’t hurt me . . . see you there ---
**Author:** ![Hamlet](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hamlet/32/2818_2.png) [@Hamlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamlet)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/103 "2003-03-21T23:09:51Z")
Dear All, We regret to inform you that your son or daughter **HAMLET** is unable to attend tonights festivities. Rest assured his attendance is mandated elsewhere and is for the good of the county, state, city, and his own marriage. Sincerely, George W. Bush ---
**Author:** ![Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2003, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/104 "2003-03-21T23:38:14Z")
Well, if **Hamlet’s** not going to be there… ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/105 "2003-03-22T00:07:50Z")
Don’t be such a nelly, **Random**. Have you ever HAD a pear cider? ---
**Author:** ![Zanshin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e274bd/32.png) [@Zanshin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zanshin)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/106 "2003-03-22T00:41:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Hamlet \* > \*\*Dear All, > > We regret to inform you that your son or daughter **HAMLET** is unable to attend tonights festivities. Rest assured his attendance is mandated elsewhere and is for the good of the county, state, city, and his own marriage. > > Sincerely, > George W. Bush \*\* D’ya mean I’m gonna be all alone with all these gorgeous Chicago-type Doper wimmin? Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeexcellent. My plans have come to fruition. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/107 "2003-03-22T09:10:17Z")
Okay, I know this is gonna sound mega-lame, but could you guys help talk me up to this? I’m a Chi-area doper, and obviously a bit of a newbie, but… Well, I’m terminally shy, especially about crowds. I’d love to come and meet some of you fine people, but while that’s easy to say while I’m here safely behind a monitor and keyboard, I know I’ll panic when the actual time comes. And when I panic… I get very very quiet. I often stop talking completely, and then I get more panicky cos I figure everyone thinks I’m a weirdo for not talking… sigh. So yeah, I’d love to meet you all, but… I dunno if I can actually get myself to do it. Help! ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/108 "2003-03-22T11:50:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ArrrMatey \* > \*\*Okay, I know this is gonna sound mega-lame, but could you guys help talk me up to this? I’m a Chi-area doper, and obviously a bit of a newbie, but… Well, I’m terminally shy, especially about crowds. I’d love to come and meet some of you fine people, but while that’s easy to say while I’m here safely behind a monitor and keyboard, I know I’ll panic when the actual time comes. And when I panic… I get very very quiet. I often stop talking completely, and then I get more panicky cos I figure everyone thinks I’m a weirdo for not talking… sigh. > So yeah, I’d love to meet you all, but… I dunno if I can actually get myself to do it. Help! \*\* Wow…wow…WOW! I could have written that. I swear I’m not kidding. I’m EXACTLY the same way! It’s the reason I’ve never been to a Chi Dope Fest, even though I’ve lived in Chicago for 13 years and have read about several gatherings. I can’t talk you up to it, because I’m where you are. Sorry. I’d say we could hide in a corner and be quiet together, but I might bore the hell out of you and you might not want to be seen with me. I am a :wally 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/109 "2003-03-22T15:51:56Z")
As I appear to be the first of the delegates to wake, make a bloody mary (Mmmm… Horseradish!), and stumble to a keyboard, I’ll take a crack at a review of Black Rock. Nice place. Decent beer selection, cider on tap, friendly staff and **great** jukebox. Back room has a bar, two **Judith Prietht** -approved couches and ample space fo 40-80 people. At this point, I am contractually obligated to state that **Gundy’s** never-ending yammerings last week about Black Rock’s assets were correct, and we should have listened to her. The place is great, and I would have said so even _before_ the apple cider wet T-shirt event. Black Rock is 2-3 blocks from the Addison stop on the Brown line, and a short cab or bus ride from the Addison stops on the Blue or Red lines. (Walking from those latter stops would be a bit of a hike, but doable.) Terms are amzingly good for a non-dive bar. We were quoted packages of $20 and $25 per person for 3 hours. The $25 option includes everything (including top shelf liquor) except shots. The extra $5 gets you so much more that it isn’t even worth talking about the $20 package. 40 person minimum. After the 3 hours, the room opens to the public. Credit card holds the room, with $100 cancellation fee. Everybody else there seemed to like the place, too, but I’ll let them speak for themselves. ---
**Author:** ![porcupine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ac91a4/32.png) [@porcupine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/porcupine)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/110 "2003-03-22T15:53:27Z")
**ArrrMatey** , **Equipoise** , I don’t know if this will actually make you feel _better_ or not (it may scare you off more), but I always make a point of looking for new faces in the crowd and saying hello, and chatting for a few minutes (ask **Gundy** - I bothered her at her first ChiDope). I’m sure other dopers do the same. And there are a number of regulars who aren’t exactly big talkers [sub] **UncleBeer** [/sub] and no one has kicked them out yet. Also, there are plenty of loud obnoxious people that can be made fun of for being weirdos, so no one will even both you. 😉 So by all means, **COME**! ---
**Author:** ![Zanshin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e274bd/32.png) [@Zanshin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zanshin)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 4:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/111 "2003-03-22T16:02:45Z")
To both **Equipoise** and **ArrrMatey** (great username, BTW)… Dopers are some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met. I met some of the Chicago area dopers last year for the first time myself and was a little nervous about it… but within five minutes, we were all chattering like long-lost friends. Dopers as a whole are friendly as hell and know what it’s like to be a newb - I guarantee if you show up for a Dope event, people will work overtime to make you feel welcome! Scouting at the Black Rock was fantastic last night – the back room would work out perfectly for a ChiDope gathering. Two fireplaces, some comfy couches, a pool table, our own private bar… I think we may have found our spot, kids. ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/112 "2003-03-22T16:17:16Z")
At this point, I will simply sit back in my wet pants and nod once affirmingly. Okay, no I won’t. Cast my vote for Black Rock! I told ya I told ya I told ya! **ArrrMatey & Equipoise** : GO. I swear to you, you will not regret it. I have stated in other threads that I am extremely shy in large groups, and tend to sort of stake out a patch on the wall and smile mildly. My first Dopefest was last year’s ChiDope and I nearly talked myself out of attending that one (as I did every one before that, though I wanted to go). Even though I only really talked to a handful of people, I didn’t feel weird or uncomfortable. **Porcupine** will most certainly go out of her way to talk to you (she’s nice that way) and now that I know to look for you…so will I. Mwahahahaha. Since you’re in town, maybe you can talk **porc** into trying out one of the ChiDope Lunches again? This way you can meet a few people in a non-crowd, non-drinking environment before the big event. If nothing else you can seek me out and the three of us can sit in a corner and play tiddlywinks or something. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/113 "2003-03-22T16:21:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ArrrMatey \* > \*\*Okay, I know this is gonna sound mega-lame, but could you guys help talk me up to this? I’m a Chi-area doper, and obviously a bit of a newbie, but… Well, I’m terminally shy, especially about crowds. I’d love to come and meet some of you fine people, but while that’s easy to say while I’m here safely behind a monitor and keyboard, I know I’ll panic when the actual time comes. And when I panic… I get very very quiet. I often stop talking completely, and then I get more panicky cos I figure everyone thinks I’m a weirdo for not talking… sigh. > So yeah, I’d love to meet you all, but… I dunno if I can actually get myself to do it. Help! \*\* Don’t feel shy. Last night, I drove out to the Black Rock from the NW Suburbs. I didn’t recognize anyone, so I had a beer, bought a pack of smokes, and went home. _sigh_ ---
**Author:** ![Zanshin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e274bd/32.png) [@Zanshin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zanshin)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/114 "2003-03-22T16:27:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Mr. Cynical \* > \*\*Don’t feel shy. Last night, I drove out to the Black Rock from the NW Suburbs. I didn’t recognize anyone, so I had a beer, bought a pack of smokes, and went home. > > _sigh_ \*\* You were there, **Mr. C**? **boli** told me you were coming but I didn’t know who to look for. I’m sorry we missed you! ---
**Author:** ![MikeG](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mikeg/32/4329_2.png) [@MikeG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeG)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/115 "2003-03-22T16:31:11Z")
Damn, I wish I could have made it MrC! I’d have recognized you! I need to check out Black Rock, but I’m super broke till the 1st so it will be after then. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Cynical](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ee59a6/32.png) [@Mr.Cynical](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Cynical)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/116 "2003-03-22T16:32:22Z")
Semi-tall guy with patches of grey hair, black leather jacket, gray and black rugby shirt, standing near the bar drinking a Sierra nevada and having a smoke right about 8:45-9 PM 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Zanshin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e274bd/32.png) [@Zanshin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zanshin)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/117 "2003-03-22T16:34:38Z")
Sorry, **Mr. C** – I didn’t see you. Hopefully I can make up for it and buy you another Sierra Nevada at the next gathering. 🙂 All I can say is I was distracted by the “who’s the hottest Rolling Stone” conversation (which is much like debating who the sexiest Golden Girl is). \ ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/118 "2003-03-22T16:42:13Z")
At least we didn’t say Ron Wood. Ha ha, wood. ---
**Author:** ![Gundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Gundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gundy)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/119 "2003-03-22T16:43:51Z")
Mr. C, you should have just walked towards the back repeating “Gotcha ya!” ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2003, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254/120 "2003-03-22T17:23:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Equipoise \* > \*\*Wow…wow…WOW! I could have written that. I swear I’m not kidding. I’m EXACTLY the same way! It’s the reason I’ve never been to a Chi Dope Fest, even though I’ve lived in Chicago for 13 years and have read about several gatherings. > > I can’t talk you up to it, because I’m where you are. Sorry. I’d say we could hide in a corner and be quiet together, but I might bore the hell out of you and you might not want to be seen with me. I am a :wally 😃 \*\* Cool! We can be all quiet together. N’stuff. 😉 Well, you all talked me into it. I’ll be there with bells on. Okay, no bells, but I’ll definately wear pants! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wednesday-3-12-chidope-bar-scouting/158254.md?page=7)