International Beer Day

Welcome all you thirsty souls to another rant that will end up with somebody among you not remembering tomorrow how they got home tonight (quite a long salutation, but this is Dubai where if its not the largest, biggest, longest, thickest or largest again, it just does not matter)

Yes its another Wednesday and the enthusiasm of many is certainly running high with the thought that they will be getting high this evening. We will get to that in a short while and get all the details out as to which watering hole we will be pursuing. But for now lets make a small announcement. I, the Beerman solemnly pledge not to vomit any more words in your inbox (*conditions apply...exception to the rule are Shetty, Aria ke Daddy, Dunga and all ex girlfriends). From now on all my thoughts, announcements and proposals will be posted on my blog that I have started. Tried to call it DABOW (Discover a Bar On Wednesday). Had a good ring to it, like dubao (pronounced du-bow which in hindi means to sink, da-bow in Hindi means to pressurise...well i thought it worked very well and aptly, but someone has already taken that name on the blog site and i couldn't be bothered looking elsewhere). So instead I have to call it Discover a Bar and the link to the site is http://dicoverabar.blogspot.com/. You'll can feel free to jump on board and post comments or just be a fan...I wont mind...

A bit on the weather, dusty and suffocating out here in Dubai. I myself am suffering from the flu (which my dad attributes to the constant mention of beer), but rest assured I will be there to provide all the wholesome entertainment you guys need (could make a career out of this)

Well went ahead and posted the last two mails up there. Will get the pics up soon from last week. I already have a follower as well. So am very proud of my good start. Well the follower is keeping himself abreast of things and has done some research and found out that tonight is International Beer Day ( I know...I couldn't believe it myself, and its cool because the objective is very much similar to mine). For more on International Beer Day, you can start by looking the article up at this Indian tabloid paper. Here is the link http://www.mid-day.com/news/2009/aug/050809-Beer-Day-Bangalore-news-Indian-pub-unnoticed.htm . SO this is all the more reason that we all come together and celebrate our first known International Beer Day (I am assuming that none of you guys knew).

Too many links in this post today...

Anyways now its time to take a trip down memory lane and go back to last Wednesday and speak a little about the star of the evening...Dwight. Now after the bombardment of all those long two mails, I sort of got like maybe three replies. One was Shetty, who seemed pretty inebriated (you may have to look the word up on wikipedia) even in his mail. then there was Sangeet, who sort of trying to be revolutionary, coins in a few strong words (the whole idea of mayo being made by egg hasn't gone down too well with him), and leaves the country on holiday. And finally there was my sis who wrote in from the States wishing she could have been there on these Wednesday nights. But that's not to say that people haven't come up to me and asked to be put off the mailing list or simply asking if Dwight is "single" (Just to let all you wonderful ladies out there know...I am SINGLE), or confusing Dwight to be my alter ego. For the record, Dwight is not me and I am not Dwight and Dwight exists. Some of you have seen him in pics, some haven't. As mentioned earlier the pictures will be up soon. It is work in progress. But I like the way people have come back. The response has been good, and people are, like I mentioned, just curious to know where next.

I guess its time to address that question now as to where we gonna meet tonight. Well Timeout Dubai sent me a flyer the other day promoting the Manhattan in Mankhool, close to Bur Dubai, opposite Manazel building where part of the Emirates staff stay (The elongated address is for those who may not have their geography right, or may just not own a GPS yet...). Now am not too sure what the offers are because the link on the flyer just took me nowhere nor did the flyer itself mention anything ( I hope they were not thinking that the view of teh Manazel building was an offer we couldn't refuse). So while I kind of put my team to find out what the offers are, here is the other team coming back with a little bit of history on the Manhattan ( yes it has History...)

Well the hotel which is kinda centrally situated used to be called the Meena Plaza hotel. Never really been there (but yeah I do hang around that other building that houses the trolley dollys) but what I have heard from many, is that it used to be a sleaze joint. So to sort of shake up the image, the smart thing to do was to change the name. Anyways, the reviews on the net of the place (as per the old name) is not too promising. There are complaints of broken toilet seats, unfriendly staff and most likely than not of female escorts, who loved to just hang around the place. Going through that flyer again, this is what I got, (as per the new name and hopefully managemnet) there is a l(o)unge bar called the High Mile Club (old habits die hard, wonder if a change in the name will change the sort of clientele), then there is Murphy's sports bar, the picture of which seems devoid of anybody or any activity, they have an Indian night club and a south Indian night club (am guessing the people here are from God's own country, hence the differentiation).

My search on these bars or any sort of review has been futile I must say. I can't seem to find any posting of these joints on Timeout or anywhere on the net. But what I do know is that most of these bars did exist under the same name before Meena Plaza became Manhattan (I have a source who gives me all the info on such places).

I feel like putting on my detective hat on and going to see what these places are all about. So what say boys and girls are we up for some adventure in Dubai and for some beerstorming tonight. Dwight's gonna be there too for all those who would want to be clicked with him. If things don't work out there we can always make a beeline to the nearest tried, tasted and tested watering hole in the vicinity. Worse comes to worse we may just catch a view of the bus that picks and drops the Emirates staff as we walk away from the Manhattan.

If people are not comfortable with this arrangement and would like to be seen elsewhere with Dwight, please do forward me your suggestions and I will gladly look into it. Don't forget to view the blog and become a follower. Try replying on the blog so that it looks like there is some sort of activity there...

Till we meet people...Happy International Beer Day...

Cheers

The Beerman

BIGGLES

Gents, Shetty and the rest of you who did not turn up...

The review and the post party details are a little delayed but I was busy getting drunk last night to be inspired what to write today...But all excuses aside and without further ado, here's the story of A Wednesday...

Well it started with myself arriving a little late because i had to drop off the car and pick up a few people and also make sure that Dwight was along as well...(psst....what....they don't know who Dwight is? ok...)

So for all of you who were not present at the unveiling and introduction of Dwight, just to let all of you know, Dwight is the unofficial mascot of Discover a Bar on Wednesday nights and will have photos uploaded soon. By the way we realised that night that other than Dwight always being right, he has super powers as well. The kind of attention he got us that night, don't think anyone of you guys got me that kind of attention, but lets get to that detail later.

So after arriving late and making Royston wait for about half an hour (he used that time well to get acquainted to the friend he brought along, his new blackberry), we were still not sure where we were headed, Cactus Jack or Biggles. After a quick scan of both venues (they were practically side by side), it was unanimous that we all needed some live music and a bit of World War I memorabilia and hence Biggles is where we all bundled into. Our first agenda for the night was to take a head count we realised that it didnt matter as we were just a handful. There was Dom in his new sleeveless sweatshirt, flexing his muscles, Sangeet who was next to him, scanning the menu for something vegetarian to eat other than pop corn (I recently broke the news to him that mayo is made from eggs, so he had to give that up as well. options for him as so limited these days). Facing him was Roy who still wasn't confident enough to call for a beer, and next to him was Amit, the other Jain on the table who has done the smart choice of taking to seafood these days, and then there was me who was staring at the propeller on the ceiling that just kept going round and round and round and round...Shetty who is normally a core member of this group was absent becasue he was rebelling by revelling at another gathering at the Belgian Beer Cafe.

So with all the orders placed and the beers on the table and I having a Guinness in my hand for the first time, we cheered and drank. the Guinness did taste a bit flat but it didn't matter as the band was on, and they were pretty cool for the night. Next was to make sure that Dwight was photographed at Biggles, so I decided to place Dwight at the far end of the table with the band actually performing in the background. So as I was setting the frame with my cheap slim camera, and fiddling with the flash settings, I kinda attracted the attention of one half of the two piece band with the flash going off a couple a times. To my credit I did attract the pretty half which was also the curious and suspicious half. So a little bit of curiosity and a whole lotta suspicion brought her off the stage in the middle of her performance and walk to our table. As she neared it I can only imagine the kind of thoughts that were running through her head considering the kind of stereotypes that are portrayed by bald beer guzzling men. It could be possible that she was getting ready to use Roy's most used line, "SECURITY, get in here". But as she did approach the table, and she saw Dwight's sexy smiling face, she just couldn't resist and with a good laugh all possible stereotypes went out the window. Now the bald man was funny...I Like...

From then on the beers kept flowing, a pizza followed as well, french fries with no mayo please as well. the lady, (whose name I never got, which I am sure I will in the course of time) got us involved in friendly banter, asked about Dwight (who by then was sporting a cape over his flashy suit), invited him to sing a song on stage. She was Dwight's No.1 fan from then on. She also made sure as a true fan she got a picture taken with him. And Dwight the sport that he is signed an autographed tissue just for her. He doesn't have a phone yet, else you can only imagine the calls that he would be having to deal with. Then all of us were introduced to the game play your cards right. Simple, effective, and quite involving. One lady was a card away from picking up 1300 bucks. How she will be ruing not going with her table and calling the last card higher. But yeah good fun, the prize money rolls over to next week, so for all you greedy guzzlers, you know where to be if you feeling a little short on the moolah...

So after all the noise we made from the table and me going on stage, I somehow did attract the attention of also some organisers who deemed that I should be entitled to a Guinness which would be on the house ( i felt again that the beer was flat again but it was free and cold, so sipped it without knowing any better). So people I take this as the first success of our efforts. We managed to sway people for one free beer. Wooohooo...For the lot who don't know what i am talking about, do refer to the preview mail...where I said we would sway the world...well just people for free beers...

Well then just as we were about to call for our last drinks for the road, in walks Cyril, who is as thirsty as can be on a hot Dubai summer night. So in come his drinks, Dom by then is on Hoegaarden no. 5 and we are all feeling the need to call it a night. But me in a middle of a sermon, putting forth my views and possibly even forcing it down the throats of people present, i met with opposition from another over well opinionated man in Cyril. Well after he sucked me in the verbal duel which was really not going anywhere, I suddenly realised that the band had left, and so had the lady (didn't get her name), and most of the other people around. the waiters were just hanging around to make sure we paid before they asked us to leave.

the bill worked out to around 500 odd bucks which was pretty reasonable for the six people around. The band was pretty decent though it did seem that they were lip syncing that Britney number. But all credit to them for getting the crowd involved and keeping us in the spotlight with the friendly banter. Would really recommend it for a good evening out with select friends. Watch out for the themed nights they have going out. I think Friday nights are karaoke and Mondays may be Quiz night (don't really remember it after all the beers now....)

So well past 2 am is when we walked out drunk, stuffed, happy, smelling of smoke and not really looking forward to the day ahead. Just like the good ol days...

Watch out for more long mails and a lotta pics. Looking for suggestions for coming Wednesday. Let me hear it people...

Cheers

The Man...The Machine...The Beerman...

Gonz Beer Trivia

Guinness may be unsuitable for a vegetarian diet, as the production process involves the use of isinglass, made from fish. It is used as a fining agent for settling out suspended matter in the vat. The isinglass is retained in the floor of the vat but it is possible that minute quantities might be carried over into the beer.

It's Wednesday

All you lovely people and the rest of you at the back over there.

Hope you find this long awaited mail long enough to make all of you realise that all is well on my end and am still alive, kicking and drinking.

(cue background music)
Well as it is my inevitable endeavour, to meet people, make friends and then have a good bitch as well as discuss current affairs and also stuff that is just simply put as inane, I woke up one morning saying that I just don't do enough of this. Loneliness being my kryptonite, The Gonz had to make a decision and had to do it fast. So about a month ago on a hot summer day as I limped out of Welcare hospital (they could have offered me a wheel chair you know), I said that I had to change the world and save it from utter boredom. People needed to know that beer isn't a bad thing...People needed to experience a bit of Dubai and kinda live their life...It took me two days to come up with that objective line, but by then it was Wednesday and I took it as a sign, that this was the day when all people would know that the Gonz was also BEERMAN....Burrrrrrrrp....

(cut background music)
Well after the dramatics and all that background music, this is what we did and what we do. I and a few of us are on a mission to discover Dubai, discover things that people wouldn't have known, or some people just don't want to know. Discovery could be in a place, in a person, in conversation, in music, in interiors, in exteriors, in food, in drink, in a fart...but I tell you there is discovery...Since there was only one word that could define all the above mentioned, I call it Discover a Bar ...
clapclapclapclapclap... Thank You (bowing to the standing ovation). We do it every Wednesday, and trust me people are really look forward to it. It's the one place and one thing, where people get to be who they are, wear what they want, talk what they like and laugh like you just don't care...

So going back a few weeks, I was joined by Sangeet at the Belgian beer bar and cafe at the Crowne plaza at festival city. Joined later by my cousin Domnic and his room mate the fountain of knowledge and wikipedia master (Rajesh) Shetty. Sitting outside watching the dhows go by under the Business Bay, I said we had to do it again and so we ended up there again the following week, the same crowd with the addition of Royston and Yulrika (Sangeet still thinks she Brazilian...hahahahhaha). Royston ended up having one beer too many, and he is quite a sight with all the faces that he makes. The following week we ended up at the Seaman's Club. Yulrika didn't turn up because someone told her acting was her thing, so she was ended up standing in front of a mirror at home trying to be a Spanish. But Roy as there and so were the rest of the gang, and Augustine, the man with the membership at the Club. the following week we were at Somerset at the Movenpick hotel. We had a few new faces this time. My friend Amit, who is on holiday was present, Cyril and Leon came to the party, Roy (who could only have one beer because he couldn't lift his head because of a stiff neck...seriously ), Sangeet, and myself...

And now we come to today...in case you didn't realise, it's WEDNESDAY....woooohooooo... So here is a publicly personal invite and a recap to all of you to come and join us this evening and be a part of "Discover a Bar Nights". My dream here is to be able to able to swing enough of a crowd so that people realise that we who wear shorts, who have hairy legs and hate wearing shoes while sipping beers still warrant to be able to walk into any hotel, bar or restaurant and have our credit cards accepted for business (it really simple and logical, but then again this is Dubai, where logic is as rare as Gold Flake cigarettes). That way we will ensure that no one gets turned away, and that maybe down the line we could all be entitled to free beers one day...I want to be the most powerful beer-drinking man, Dubai has ever seen. I have a dream.....

Anyways...after my devious plan to take over the world of Dubai, here is what is happening and this is the most important paragraph of this mail. so pay good attention to detail here...Tonight the plan is to go to the Millennium Airport Hotel and walk into either Cactus Jack (recommended to me because of good drink offers, music and a DJ) or Biggles (read in Time Out Dubai that its reasonably priced and pub grub is good and it features flying memorabilia from World War II). So come one, come all, bring your wife or bring your partner, or bring both. Get the husband, get that hot chick you fancy, get the guy next door, your boss, your subordinate, your colleague, or that hot chick you fancy (being subtle is not my forte), your brother, your sister, your folks, parents, or that hot chick you fancy (yes...again...). Get just about anybody who enjoys beer, conversation and lots of laughs. Well we plan to get there by around 9 - 9:30 pm. There aren't going to be any reservations. Just walk in by your drink and enjoy the night...Will see you guys there.

Till then have an aweosme day people.

Cheers

Ryan a.ka. Mr G a.k.a the Gonz a.k.a Kabira a.k.a the future most powerful beer-drinking man in Dubai

PS - Bring cash and come...and spread the word...