Sorry it took me so darn long to write this. The inspiration was just not there, which clearly proves that I had waayyyy too little to drink on “I” night. But don’t be alarmed…we had a darn good time.

Started at Ibiza restaurant (which, as we all know, does not count as it is a restaurant first, not a bar), and had a nice meal outside on their patio. Then of course we moved over to the Ibiza Lounge, and the insaneness and imbibing began. And continued indefinitely.

Of course, every table in that place is marked “reserved” but we sat our cute butts down anyway. REBELS! And, swear to God, we saw the Houston version of the “Housewives of Orange County.” And orange they were. Too much spray-on tan. And too much bleached blondeness. At 40+, this is not a good look (please remind us of this when we turn 40) and start talking about going blonde). To their credit, they had young strapping studs and copious bubbly. Had we less morals, we might have tried to make friends.

We danced and drank and danced some more. And met fun people, that all wanted to be a part of the Alphabet Bar Game. We know, we’re super cool. Accept it. Or at least let us have our delusions.

Frank, Julie, Jess & Carla

It seems almost wrong to follow up our claims of coolness with the reminder that we’re going to geek out all night tomorrow (8/1) at Joystix, playing as many 80’s arcade games that we can. Oh, the irony!

People! We are almost a third of the way through the alphabet! Have you joined us for the experience? For the adventure, the bragging rights? Here’s your chance, with great advance notice.

“I” – We’re headed to Ibiza Lounge this Saturday, 7/26. You may be thinking “But wait! Ibiza is a restaurant! That’s against the alphabet bar game rules!” And you’d be so very clever to think that. Ibiza is a restaurant, and we will start there at 7:30 – to EAT (oh, and maybe have some wine). Then, we will move next door, to Ibiza Lounge, to drink! Owned by the same people, the Lounge is a nice swanky bar with groovy DJ’d music and yummy drinks in pretty glasses. We’re goin’ classy, people. So, join us for dinner, or just for the bar part. Either way, it’s gonna be great.

“J” - It’s the letter we’ve all been waiting for…we’re headed to Joystix. For $15, you get to play unlimited arcade games ALL NIGHT LONG. And did I mention they serve drinks? And the cocktail waitress brings your drink to you, so your game of Pac-Man is uninterrupted??? How great is that! Just like Vegas, except you won’t lose any money. Or be deprived of windows. Or be hit on by cigar-chomping, married middle-aged men from Nebraska, in town for a used car sales convention. We’ll be there Friday, 8/1, 8:30 pm.

See you there!

To celebrate the letter “H,” the group went to Howl at the Moon.

And oh, boy, did we howl. Loudly, off-key, and at the top of our lungs. After a few shots (especially the whipped cream topped syringe of blueberry goodness) we sounded MUCH better. But even we drew the line at the middle-aged white guy trying to (sort of?) rap “Baby Got Back.” You don’t mess with Sir Mix-A-Lot. It’s a criminal offense, in at least 32 states. But, we did rock out to “Summer of 69,” “Rocket Man,” and Carla taught us the words and movements to some song involving a tree, branches, twigs, and birds. Apparently, this is the new “Macarena” for the kiddos.

Read the phrase on the mirror!

Julie generously sponsored the $10 phrase on the big mirror (see picture.) Oh, yeah, we’re cool all right. Even though we were the only ones there not getting married, celebrating a birthday or an anniversary. The place was chock-full of bachelorette parties. Gentlemen, if you’re looking for a gaggle of drunk girls, this is your mecca. I promise you.

Can’t wait to see what “I” and “J” have in store.  Stay tuned…

The Howlers

Lovely readers, it is time. Bring on the hokie-ness, the hooligans, the hullabaloo. Yep, we’re headed for dueling pianos at Howl at the Moon.

Let me just say the last time I went to a piano bar, my very drunk bride-to-be friend was throwing condoms off of her bachelorette veil at every guy in the place. She’s ridiculously shy.

So, anything could happen.

We’ll be there at 8:30, this Saturday night, 7/19. Comment below if we should expect you…we’ll try to get a count for a table. Oh, yeah, cover is $7.

Melody, Jess, Kim, & Carla

I have a confession. The last time I tried to do this game, I quit early. Way early. I think, in fact, I made it through “E”. Sissy girl.

But last night, we did “G” right, and there ain’t no signs of slowing down! We sampled the lovely draft beers at the Gingerman (I give the new Skinny Dip 3 out of 5 stars), giggled, and enjoyed the warm (and slightly damp) breeze that flowed through the joint. We also had two friends join us for the first time on the Alphabet Journey. And it won’t be their last.

Here’s where we need help: suggestions on “J” and “I” bars. We have some in mind, and they’ll work, but we need more selection. Leave your suggestions in the comments below. And if you haven’t shown up yet, get your cute behind out, stat!

The Alphabet of Bars is moving along…already on “G!” Your gifted, gregarious, and giggly hosts will be out Thursday, 7/17, at the Gingerman, in the Rice Village. We’ll be there by 6:15ish. Come out and sample one of their over 120 beers on tap.

They have a new draft beer called the Skinny Dip that is supposed to be the perfect summer drink. Come take a dip with us!

Oh, yeah. We did “F” well. We celebrated not only a fun letter, but the fascinating, frisky, funny, festive, forty-ish, one-year older Frank. We feted him, drank, ate the always yummy Star Pizza, and ate cupcakes in the form of a fish.

Julie couldn’t stop talking about fish lips and wanting to get her mouth all over them. Amy took the prize for the dirtiest “F” word (rhymes with ratio), and Marco the German surprised us all with his late appearance.

Almost a quarter of the way through the Alphabet, and we’re going strong, and having a great time!

Carla & Jess at Fedora - the proof!

So. Um. Yeah…Tuesday was a school night? So I thought even though we were doing two bars, it would be sorta low-key? Oh, Jessica. You should have known better.

We started at Davenport with a martini apiece and fun friend Ginny. They have an awesome drink menu. Chris, our bartender, just plain rocked. She helped Carla on her quest to find the perfect pink drink for the upcoming Young Survival Coalition gala. And in the process, we discovered Tequila Rose. And Pink vodka. And happily lost a more than a few brain cells. Oh, and met a guy who wants to film this whole adventure. Swears he’s legit. We told him maybe, but our clothes were staying on, dammit.

Jess, Ginny, and Carla

Then we moved to Ernie’s on Banks. Lost a Ginny, but gained a Frank. Met another rockin’ bartender, Jeff, or “Turtle” as his regulars call him. We didn’t ask for the explanation. Just beer. And more beer. Oh, and some fries. Which were quite yummy. Ernie’s is a cool little bar, we’ll be back.

Carla & Jess at "E"

Don’t forget – Thursday is “F”. We’re celebrating a fun letter and the fabulous Frank, who will be another year older.

Hey! We’re officially in the thick of this thing and many of you still have not joined us for a letter. Before we start calling you names (sissy, schmo, mamas boy, ninny, simpleton, pantywaist, etc), there is still time to redeem yourselves. And next week it is. You’ll have no excuse. The holiday will be over, and your vacations, big plans, and killer hangovers will be a distant memory.

The Deets:

Tuesday, 7/8: “D” and “E” night! We start at 6:15 at Davenport, at 2117 Richmond. Cool loungy vibe with yummy martinis. We’ll move on to Ernie’s on Banks, a fun casual sports bar to extend the fun. And celebrate all things “E.”

Thursday, 7/10: “F” night! We’re celebrating the letter “F” and Carla’s man Frank’s birthday! Again, 6:15ish at Fedora Lounge, at 2726 Bissonnet. Bring the fun.

See y’all there! xoxo

So, we’re home from “C” night at Continental Club. And it was good. We helped support various organizations that support getting people to vote.

VOTE already, people. Early and often. Why is this difficult?

Small but firm soapbox aside, we did “C”, heard some catchy zydeco, and met lots of cool Houston democrats, including several running for office. Then went to Tacos-a-Gogo. Which totally doesn’t start with “c” but the tacos were really yummy.

Was slightly different than “B” night in that we really wanted to use words like “coochie,” “crack,” and “crimping iron” but somehow they never came up in mixed company, dammit. We’ll try better at “D.”