Hot town, summer in the city

I've been out on the town three times now in Tucson. The first excursion was in February when my Dad and I decided to try a local bar named Plush. Now right off the bat with a name like that I was skeptical. But nothing could prepare me for the shirtless midget with a scarf yelling every curse word and sexual position possible into the microphone (he wasn't really a midget, just a small guy). He seemed like a sad attempt at being a Jim Morrison type figure and another testament that our generation has very few original ideas and lots of bad imitations. The "band" which consisted of 2 guys on electric keyboards who were moving around like they were being electrocuted on stage did not help the matters at all. The crowd consisted of kids in thick rimmed glasses, t-shirts with obscure or meaningless sayings, lots of converse shoes and 2 girls in tutu's. After getting a Jack and Coke I was instructed to drink it quick. That was all the encouragement I needed, so I finished and we left.

The next outing was more recent, to a cowboy bar named Maverick's. I've never been to a country and western bar and was actually pretty intrigued. The band seemed to be secondary to the dancing action, which totally differs from my normal bar experience where dancing is secondary and lots of motionless kids watch the band. After every song, everyone would clear the dance floor and once the band started get up and dance again. It was quite the odd ritual. The highlight of the night was the Freddie Mercury cowboy (that's twice I've seen him on this trip!) wearing the tightest jeans ever and dancing with every lady in the place. From 20-80, he danced with them all and none of them refused. Everyone seemed to be there to dance and it didn't matter with who. It was pretty fun and if I had more time I'd have stayed longer (but probably still wouldn't have danced unless a 40 year old woman asked me).

The third time was to The Shelter, named one of the 100 best bars in the world (so my Dad tells me). I don't know who made this list but I am guessing it is some guy that has never left Tucson. The place was the size of a small apartment with lots of 30 and 40 somethings rocking out to the Boogie Nights soundtrack. The music was good, I won't argue that, but for 100 best bars in the world I guess I was expecting a little more, like Dirk Diggler doing Transformers covers in person. I don't think anyone is going to get that reference but I don't care you uncultured heathens. 

New pictures from Salt Lake City, Vegas, Grand Canyon and the Colossal Cave in Arizona.