It’s been a draining past couple of days. I’ve hardly gotten any sleep, my favorite hang-outs were converted into trashy watering holes and my parking spot…don’t even get me started on my parking spot.
I feel like I have been waiting for this day to come for years, but, in reality, it has only been about four days. As I write, it is the first official day that motorcycles, mostly of the Harley-Davidson variety, are en route to wherever they came from.
Truth be told, I purposely stayed away from the debauchery that I knew would be taking place this past long weekend. Harley Fest forced me to put in extra hours at the night-job (and I am so glad it did) so I don’t have any of my own stories from the weekend to tell you. Sorry ‘bout that.
But, if you want to hear what many of my friends did this past weekend in conjunction with Harley Fest and the reasons why I decided to keep it classy with old movies and a couple of bottles of Chardonnay in the apartment, keep reading.
“It was nasty, like I don’t even know if I can give you details…it was that nasty,” said one of my more conservative compadres.
She was talking about the crowd that dotted Locust Street on Sunday. Apparently, indecent exposure was welcome anywhere and anytime during the fest.
You would think biker women would use this 105th anniversary to flaunt their leather lingerie, right? It’s a huge milestone and deserves a lot more than just the plain lace teddy from Victoria’s Secret. But those biker babes were one step ahead of everyone else. Why wear leather lingerie when you can wear nothing at all?
Yes, it’s true. I heard Brady Street wasn’t anything short of a nudist colony come bar time on Saturday. Leather chaps were the huge trend of the weekend and they were paired beautifully with leather boots and skin: lots and lots of skin.
Sure, it was 80 degrees and yes, leather and Harley-Davidson go hand in hand. But I couldn’t help but wonder: What would William Harley and Arthur Davidson have thought about their iconic motorcycle image 105 years later?
Well, after doing some research I found out that the men were both 21 years-old when they first drew plans for a motor-powered bicycle 105 years ago. That being said, I think it’s safe to say that they might’ve been okay with the nakedness. They were 21-year-old men, after all.
Another part of Harley Fest that so many people took advantage of were the concerts. The Boss, Black Crows, Foo Fighters and Peter Frampton were just some of the headliners.
Despite the raucous revving of the engines and the clip-clop of real-live spurs on our city’s sidewalks, many of my friends said that they met people from all over the country. One said they met someone who flew in from Japan just to celebrate the anniversary and another mentioned that three men drove four days and nights from Western Canada to be here.
Talk about true love.
How many men do you know who would travel – on a motorcycle no less – over 3,000 miles to celebrate your anniversary? Yeah, that’s what I thought. I guess guys who ride Harley’s and wear the maximum amount of leather can be decent or at least pretty romantic, right? Maybe I should’ve gone out after all.
But alas, they are gone and we are now free to park, party and sleep soundly.
Below are some fun things to do now that the streets are once again filled with cars and oh yeah, college students.
Monday – Friday: 4 p.m. -6 p.m. @ Hooligan’s (2017 E. North Ave.)
Happy Hour has never tasted so good. Pull up a stool and shell out not a lot of dough for $2 tap beers, $3 micro brews, $4 imports, $2.75 bottles of select beers and $4.50 rail cocktails. Don’t forget their sinful Happy Hour menu where all appetizers are $2.99 until 6 p.m., too.
Sunday September 7: 3 p.m.- 2 a.m. @ Balzac (1716 N. Arlington Pl.)
Get “Elegantly Wasted” tonight as selected bottles and glass pours of wine are ½ off. Not a Sunday drinker? Join them Monday-Friday for the same special from 3 -7 p.m.
Monday September 8: 3 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Hi-Hat (1701 N. Arlington Pl.)
Get a $1 Bag of Beer at Hi-Hat. You won’t know what you get and they don’t want to hear your whining if you don’t like it. In the words of the bartender I spoke to, “Just drink it and shut up. It’s a dollar!”
Wednesday September 10: 8 p.m. – midnight @ Tequila Rita’s (1131 N. Water St.)
Sometimes, there is no better cure for the mid-week blues than a hard-hitting Long Island Ice Tea. Tequila Rita’s has you covered this Wednesday by giving them away! Well, not really you still have to pay $2 but that’s almost free, right? They are also offering up $2 house margaritas, on the rocks of course!
Thursday September 11: 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. @ Decibel (1905 E. North Ave.)
It’s Ladies Night tonight and Decibel plans on taking care of everyone. Two free martini’s for the ladies and no cover all night long. Gentlemen, start your engines!
