Drinking with the Rough Riders

Ok so I know I said we didn't try the tequila at Mi Tierra, but that's really bec. we were holding out for afternoon cocktails at the Menger Bar. mengerhotel.com The bar is part of the historic hotel built adjacent to the Alamo in 1859. I would definitely recommend heading over late afternoon and exploring the hotel a little. It's really quite gorgeous, especially in the lobby, and quite easy to imagine all the history it must hold. And the bar is certainly no exception. After passing by the tobacco room (yes, it's old school Texas) we found our way to bar. It's extremely dimly lit, floor to ceiling dark wood and a distinct smell of whiskey and cigars. Actually when we first walked in it was so dark and appeared so old that when I saw only men at the bar I began to fear women weren't even allowed. No worries, the bartender was a woman, Brooke. And man, if you're lucky enough to stop in for a drink on her shift you'll get some pretty damn good stories. Tradition behind the Menger bar is that Teddy Roosevelt recruited his rough riders there. And along with Roosevelt there were numerous authors, athletes and stars who used to frequent the place. The minute you walk in you can definitely imagine Teddy saddling up to the bar or Mae West holding her own in a bar full of men. Brooke has been serving up drinks at the Menger for around 15 years or more. She had us cracking up over her stories of pilots conventions in town or packs of military men; essentially any large group of males where her chances of getting them drunk and getting a date was higher. haha She also has some "stalkers" as she fondly refers to the men who visit her frequently. We were lucky enough to meet one of them, William. He looked like a homeless santa claus when he walked in. Brooke told us he used to be a famous Mexican radio dj in San Antonio. And I want to say he was one of the first in town to have his own Mexican radio show. William happily obliged us and started quoting old promos he used to say on his show. And you know, he's still got it. But as he told us "the man" started to mess with him and he wanted nothing to do with the man so he quit his show. I have no idea what he does now, other than visit Brooke at the bar drinking his afternoon Tecates. But it taught me a lesson I learn over and over again, never ever judge a book by it's cover. You never know what kind of an amazing person or story lurks beneath a surface that might suggest otherwise.