I spent two or three years working in Fort Wayne and I have a soft spot for the place. Once I discovered that the Fort actually has a downtown - with pubs! - I started to enjoy myself. In most aspects of life I could be considered a lazy bum, but I do take my pub crawling seriously. After some googling and yahoo-mapping I discovered that there were several potential watering holes within walking distance of my little downtown crash-pad.

The first joint I tried was the promisingly named 412 Club which is located 3 blocks up the hill from my place at 412 E Washington Blvd. (412 - geddit), close to the corner of Lafayette and E. Washington. AKA. The "Four-tweezy". Don't ask me why.

At first glance the place seemed kind of small, just an old wooden bar with a few booths to one side. Once you walk in and look around you realize that its an optical illusion. The more you look the bigger it gets. Dirtymac often stares intently at "Little Dirty" hoping for the same effect.

The bar is actually a horse shoe which winds round into a whole 'nother area with a bunch of tables. Look to the left past the bar and you see that the room opens up beyond into a space big enough for some live entertainment - which is exactly what it is used for. Or darts on slower nights.

So, after gazing around the other side of the horseshoe bar we now turn our attention to the main bar area. The bar itself is just the kind of edifice upon which I like to park my elbows. Tasteful formica. Old and lived in - much like myself. There are fixed bar stools along the entire length which are backless but have big round naugahyde cushions ideal for my big round butt. The jury is still out on fixed bar stools.

The Tardis effect continues; there is more to the main bar area. As the bar ends another room opens up and, glory be, there is a pool table. Now there are few passtimes Dirtymac likes more than thrashing the local yokels at billiards. So this was a pleasant surprise. There is also a cd jukebox and a quick flip through reveals a decent selection of tunes - for others to squander their money on of course. At the far end of the pool room there is a cash machine and a handy back door leading to the parking lot, which could come in useful after antagonizing the aforementioned yokels with witty taunts after cleaning their clocks.

So. Let's belly up to the bar and grab a beer. First of all, timing is everything. The thing about fixed bar stools is that if they're all full you've got nowhere to park yourself. If you walk in on a moderately busy night your choice is to stand around like a spare prick at a wedding, or sit in a booth by yourself like the loser you undoubtedly are.

Lets assume there is an open spot. Much better. Service is fast and friendly and there are usually two bar tenders on duty. Grand strapping wenches they are too. Grrrr! Good selection of the amber nectar and, if I remember right, they have "specials" on certain nights. Import long necks for two bucks a pop is alright in my book.

Dirtymac enjoys the 412 Club.