Saturday, May 1st, 2010—Bar 111
Day 111—Friday, April 30th, 2010
Club Foot
Alright, I’ve had a great time here in Chicago! Simon’s Tavern was a blast and I had a great time seeing John Williams over at WGN and being interviewed by him. Hopefully they'‘ll be a podcast I can post soon. Thanks to John, his producer Beth and all the great people at WGN!
Okay, “Boris” was the one that threw this name into the ring and everyone from Chicago wholeheartedly agreed that my last night on the midwestern jaunt of the crawl should be spent at Club Foot in the Ukranian Village of the city. Is that the perfect name or what? So put on your special foot gear and let’s hop over to Club Foot!
The day started out early for me as I went over to WGN Radio to be interviewed by John Williams. It's been over 16 years since I wormed my way onto his show, this should be fun!
Jacquia and Stacie greeted me at the reception area and happily agreed to pose for a photo. Okay, I begged them to, but after a few minutes, they relented.
Beth, the producer of the show led me into the studo and showed me where to sit.
The interview went great and it was lots of fun to catch up with John. One Peoria boy makes good and one, well, he's just going to 365 bars and seeing what happens. Thanks to John and everybody at WGN! Tons of funs!
I worked up quite an appetite, so imagine how thrilled I was to learn that right across the street is the legendary Billy Goat Tavern. The one that inspired the John Belushi "Cheesboigah, Cheeps, no fries," skit.
The line is long...
But it moves fast.
Is that Dan Aykroyd behind the grill?
Cheeseboigah, cheeseboigah! It was delicious!
Okay, on to tonight's main attraction, Club Foot!
Holy Guacomole, this place looks perfect!
Bartender Laurie serves up a cold beer as I try to soak up the atmosphere.
Aaron beat me to the bar and is already working on a drink. If you're doing you're math you'll remember Aaron from last night and that he drums with the uber-cool band, The Joans.
It's The Handcuffs plus "Boris!" From left: Chloe F. Orwell, "Boris", the 365 in-house artist and Brad Elvis.
And here "Boris" unveils the 365 Bars T-Shirt he designed. They will be available next week, stay tuned! Great work, Daddio!
Here's Abby and Mike, two other former Peorians in the bar.
And here's the entire Abby party, troublemakers one and all!
Just some of the dolls and pop culture knick-knacks on disply at Club Foot.
Here's Juliet, Falshunee (if I spelled your name wrong, feel free to call me a dumbass in the comments, Falshunee, my note's were a little garbled) and Angela. There was a rumor going around that Angela had an ax outside, I don't know how that got started. (Inside joke people.)
And here I am in the middle of the lovely Juliet and Angela doing my best Gomer Pyle impersonation.
You could spend a week in here and not see everything.
Signed Devo memorabilia.
Carolynn and Kyle flash the 365 111 sign.
Great stuff at Club Foot!
T.J. Kati and Craig were hanging out in the back near this cool Cheap Trick poster.
Brad Elvis points to an early poster of one of his first bands, Screams.
That's Brad on the left. Years later, Legs McNeil would add a "Please" to this title and write a best-selling book!
There's a pool table in the back room.
Here's Stephanie and J.P. J.P. is part of Bloodshot Records and is a fan of the 365 site, in fact she knew who I was which was very cool!
Here's Brian and Sam, it was Sam's birthday, Happy Birthday, Sam! Brian is part of Chicago Bike Polo, check it out here: Chicago Bike Polo.
Here's Club Foot owner, Chuck posing in front of one of his favorite displays.
I call this, The Handcuffs minus Ellis. From left, Emily Togni, Chloe F. Orwell and Brad Elvis.
Speaking of the Handcuffs, they're going to be playing live at the Abbey, Saturday, May 15th. Go see them and send me a picture of the show. Okay, I have to fly out early, so I'm hitting the road, goodnight everybody!
Review
Club Foot has been a neighborhood favorite in this neighborhood for 14 years now. If you’re a pop culture fan, prepare to be assaulted on all levels as you enter. Vintage dolls, punk rock pictures and posters and assorted kitschy clap-traps housed behind glassed casings line the walls. Forget the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame, this is the real deal. DJ’s spin tunes ranging from rockabilly to punk rock to new wave to various indie bands, there’s a pool table in the back and a pinball machine up front. Who could want for anything more?
There’s a full bar at Club Foot with a good selection of bottled and draft beers and most beers and drinks are under five bucks. There’s a few TV’s, but who wants to watch them when there is so much to look at on the walls and the glass booths. Call to ask about polka night or just stop by for a great time in an attitude-free and fun zone.
Thanks to all of you who met me in Chicago, it was lots of fun and great to see old friends and make new ones on the crawl. Now, it’s back to New Yawk City! Cheers and beers!
Club Foot
1824 W Augusta Blvd (Between Ashland and Damen) Chicago, Illinois
773-489-0379
11 References
Reader Comments (16)
Thanks, Marty! It was so good to meet you and Boris. :) And, what luck it was that I ran into you that night!
great job on the shirts Boris!!!....wouldnt mind a pup out of Lauries shirt too, that shirt just cracks me up....
Club Foot rules! Love that place and I agree with fitzy, great job on the shirt Boris. When are they available?
The shirts look AMAZING!
wish i could have been there:(
hope you drank a beer for me:)
hope your trip home was safe:)
I want that shirt Laurie is wearing !!!
wow, wgn, billy goat tavern and club foot. a triple threat today, love it!
Hey, that's me! Nice to meet you.
Nice to meet you too Craig.
A fun time had by all.
Wished you could have stuck around for IPO Saturday night at The Abbey.
Another evening of 3/4 Handcuffs as Ellis was there and Emily was not.
Great evening both nights with friends.
T Shirt already washed to excellent results.
Glad you made it back home safe and sound.
(steer clear of those parked smoking vans too will you?)
Since we're all talking about shirts here, I'd like to give a shout-out to Chuck. Keep Austin Weird!! Club Foot looks like an awesome place and I'm sorry I missed it. Next time I'm in Chicago (hopefully soon), I'll have to stop in for a beer or six. And I'll be sure to bring cash!
Glad you had such a great bar tour, Marty! And, "Boris," great work! Can't wait to get my hands on one of those shirts! Although I suppose that means I'm going to have to put down one of these beers....
Biff, let me know whenever you get back here (message me on Facecrack), and I'll definitely head to the 'Foot with you. We can get a group together again. I love that place--I can't believe I waited so long to go back!!
It was great hanging out with Claire, too. I dropped her off at her new place--near Andersonville, I think she'll love it! Speaking of love, I love the T-shirts...those are the best, I can't wait to get one myself...
Marty, our offices use to be in Tribune Tower/WGN Building up until a year ago...I could have bumped into you going in or out!
Looks like I missed a mess 'o' fun! Aaron, give me a heads up for next time!
Marty, sorry I missed you! A big next time on that, too!
Just like Ahnold, I'll be back Angie and I hope you can make the next Chi-town bar crawl!
I'll be there Marty...you can count on that!!
Hope it's soon :o)
What an amazingly cool bar Club Foot is!! I love the fascinating memorabilia displayed throughout.
I am so glad that you had the opportunity to see Boris and Cloe and Brad. The Handcuffs are a fantastic band and I am hoping that they will make a tour stop in my state sometime soon.
Great choice Marty and it looks like a super-fun place!! I am so glad that you went there.
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