San Francisco Richmond ReView posted: " A Shot of Salvation By Deno Gellepes The Nags Head January is now a tough month to round up a drinking buddy. For good reason; a lot of folks are partaking in "Dry January" and abstaining from alcohol for a full month due to, uh, ov" Richmond Review/Sunset Beacon
January is now a tough month to round up a drinking buddy. For good reason; a lot of folks are partaking in "Dry January" and abstaining from alcohol for a full month due to, uh, over-exerting themselves during the holiday season.
While I would never discourage somebody from taking care of their body, this job calls for me to partake in what's considered, "Damp January" – even if it means going solo.
So, there I was again, staring down the depths of another stiff gin and tonic, eyes burning red and howling at the moon; it was a three-day weekend with no work the next morning. Why does it feel so good to be out drinking gin and tonics, when you'd normally be in bed, prepping all your excuses to your boss for the week ahead while staring away at the clock?
I'll tell you why: It's because when Michelle, the owner and operator of The Nags Head at 5350 Geary Blvd., pours you a stiff one, the gin can dye the grey right out of your hair. For one beautiful moment, you're free from the boss and can tilt your head back and rip into any air guitar solo you can dream of. For me, that was Chuck Berry's "Let It Rock" riff, but in reality, I was drowned out by the overhead speakers blasting Miley Cyrus on Alice 90.3.9 FM. I guess we're never too far away from the boss; thanks Michelle! You can't win 'em all, and, looking around the bar, I could tell that was the same mantra all of my fellow drinkers were thinking as well.
If you didn't know any better, walking up Geary from 17th toward 18th Avenue, under the shade of large, bustling sidewalk trees, you'd think you were somewhere like downtown Sacramento or Chico. Then you see "The Nags Head," a sign with a beautiful horse (nag), and the unique Dutch-Door entrance, and suddenly, you're in a divey pub in England or Scotland. It's only the constant hum of cars on Geary that reminds you you're still in San Francisco.
The Nags Head opens its doors at 6 p.m. every day, without fail, 365 days a year. It's not a day drinkers paradise, but it's consistently a welcoming neighborhood bar at the beginning or end of the night.
Their selection includes six beers on tap, a variety of bottled options and a broad range of liquors. Michelle, who has been at the helm for over 30 years, can mix up just about anything, though most folks here tend to stick to beers, shots and straightforward cocktails.
Despite having a couple of well-angled TVs, the Nags Head isn't known as a sports bar. It's more of a community watering hole, catering kindly to all walks of life in the neighborhood. I've seen lawyers, consultants, construction workers and off-duty nurses enjoying their time here without judgment. People will stay late, or simply pop in for a quick drink – like a vodka soda while waiting for a burger at Joe's, or a beer and a shot during a break from tattoo work nearby, or my favorite, when I once saw a mom crush two quick Jameson shots before picking up a pizza across the street and hustling back to her kid's birthday party. Cheers to all the moms out there!
As for me and my party, my wife texted me soon after I ordered my third gin and tonic to remind me that my "free" Monday would be spent with my in-laws, and, well, with that, the free ride was over for me!
So, whether you're enjoying a three-day weekend, waiting for a to-go order at Gaspares, or just need to unwind for a bit, I suggest stopping by The Nags Head. Grab a strong drink from Michelle, forget about the traffic and noise outside for a while, and just let loose ... at least until that 9 a.m. whistle blows again.
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