So there’s a saying, “Oh, how the mighty have fallen.” Well, we are mighty and we fell. Hard. The unfortunate chain of events in Berkeley, California, with the Cougs, made even the most stoic fan hang his head, and I did. But all is not lost. Now, more than ever, we need to hear those wonderful words from a barkeep that makes everything instantly better: “What’ll it be?”

So where does one find this booze-slinging magician when you feel like being in a hole? Why, a hole-in-the-wall bar, of course. Dive bars have always been a quiet staple for ladies and gents to hang their heads, or to stop by for a quick one on their lunch break. Simply head downtown and take a left on Grand at Main Street, and you’ll find a few all in a row.

What was once known as The Sports Page, The Next Page, which now doesn’t seem to have a name as there’s no sign above the door, is where you’ll find the perfect place. Sitting at 165 S. Grand Ave., you’ll find the recipe for what a lonely dive bar should be: bar, stools and booze. The taps pour some good beer, including the Pacific Northwest staple, Mac and Jack’s.

The bar seems to be a husk of some great project that stopped halfway through, and that just adds to the decor. You know it has potential to be a rousing place to catch a game, but deep down enjoy the 25-person-or-less capacity. Mary Tucci, behind the bar, makes a mean Moscow Mule, as well. It’s a local place that’s small and only has one TV, but you don’t go there to watch a game. You go there to chat, make friends and lifelong drinking companions.

Leave there and head south to My Office. Now I know what you’re thinking: My Office is a sports bar; and you’d be right. But, take away all the tables, the juke box and high definition TVs, and you have a hole-in-the-wall bar. Which is pretty much what you get if you go there on a Monday night. It’s quiet, save for the tiny TV playing Game 3 of the American League Championship Series (Astros lost, by the way) and you can enjoy a drink in reverent peace.

Great conversation with the barkeeps who don’t back down from a cocktail challenge, patrons who order Wild Turkey neat and, quite frankly, some pretty good Mac and Cheese bites make this a great place to drink when you don’t want a crowd. Leave the game day weekends to Stubblefields or The Coug, and make My Office the place for professionals (Booze Hounds).

Now then, as for events coming up. Since wine is awesome and Washington has plenty of it, the “Blended Learning” wine tasting and meet and greet, will be held tomorrow from 4 – 8 p.m. at the Brelsford WSU Visitors Center. It’s five bucks, and you get a glass and a coupon for $5 off a bottle of wine. That’s awesome.

Also, Dad’s Weekend is fast approaching. That being said, what better way to say thanks to Dad than by taking him to the infamous Beef and Brews, which is $25 for beef and three beer tickets at the Ensminger Pavilion. More updates to come.

It’s time to rally. The Cougs are coming home this weekend and we have some ground to take back. We WILL be a top-10 team again. That said, be safe, my friends and bottoms up.

Chris West is a sophomore viticulture and enology major from Plano, Texas. He can be contacted at [email protected].