union

Precinct's fine outside beer garden ---soon to shut for the season!

saturday night we decided to visit Bull McCabe's (after several falsely open attempts). It is the site of the revered Tir Na N'Og, Irish pub extraordinaire. Much like the renovation of Plough & Stars, I had my reservations, but much the same, I am still a fan. Dark & small, as a pub ought to be, with pleasant locals, good beer & enjoyable music (although Saturday's Bryan Adamesque crooner was not to my palate). After a fine stout, Skye & I dodged through the pedestrian maze of Union Square's construction site, past the Asian supermarket & down into Precinct for a pint.

Precinct is the newer 'general pub' owned by the Independent folks & serves up a great pint plus good pub fare & has a function room where ManRay II was with it's own hidden bar. Saturday at Precinct seemed to be 'douche-night' however, and the cap-crowd dominated, although for tradition's sake there was a smattering of lesbians as well and some Indie band in the back. We slinked back to the surface & into the Independent, greeted by Lane & Amy. Upon entrance, it was a River Gods crowd of familiar faces with a dj set, called "a Stefan's hit list" by a few, but enjoyable (of course!). The mood was warm, happy & bustling...and Skye & crept home to welcoming cats....

last weekend of Summer...day 2

Hell Yeah!
Skye ponders cycling...


beer in hand, bike shadow


Saturday, the wife & I awoke to run errands for later's festivities and yet had plenty of time to wander into Union Square & one of it's constant weekend festivals that occur after the lovely Farmer's Market has moved along. Those markets bring a wonderful source of great farm-raised organic fare to gritty Somerville. We've had some amazing heirloom tomatoes & great pork thus far, in addition to other vegetables & bread. This past Saturday's festival was one Urban Fair, which is a catch-all for those times when they're less specific (like the Underground Arts Fest, Urban Gourmet, Fluff Festival &c.). There were dozens of tables selling everything from custom sex-oriented homewares to used records & toys, home-made jewelry (Lisa, where were you?), food and music galore. Skye & I wandered about, settling downstairs behind the garage-country band, in Precint. This pub is owned by its neighbor, the Independent, and serves to fill the void felt by many when Tir N'Og shuttered. Needless to say, it has front pub that has been re-worked in dark, clean wood & hip closes & booths for intimacy. Since the place was formerly a heavily lesbian-frequented joint (& outlet for ManRay's scene), the owners were aware that it couldn't just cater to Irish hippies, so it has a pub-dungeon-lounge feel to it and winds cavernously about to other rooms. In fact, later that night the DNC had an Obama fundraiser in the back room (with it's own bar). Precint also has 2 outside seating areas below the sidewalk level, and for now, as well as a great outdoor section that extends into the Square's plaza. Skye & I had a pint or two & walked in the bright afternoon down to the lovely Wine & Cheese Cask to pick up more 'provisions' for the evening....