boobs, a bull, LP's and arm wrestling.

why haven't we thought of this earlier?

at least the music is cool.

How horribly tacky. I thought that the area was trying to go upscale. Yikes.

I think that the place is going to be so impossible to ignore that it will only be a good thing for Kelley Square and the surrounding neighborhood. Green Island and The Canal District are becoming drinking central and my hope is that when folks go into that shining beacon of alcoholism and poor behavior that when they are disgusted by it and walk out in a huff the surrounding bars can capitalize. I hope that the surrounding bars are going to be ready for it. It's going to draw a lot of people to the area and if one of them is disgusted by The Salty Dog yet is someone that enjoys a drink or two a few nights a week then hopefully one of the 30 to 40 other drinking establishments in the area can land them as a regular customer. That's what I hope.

What is does nothing for unfortunately is Worcester's opinion and image of bars and drinking establishments as places awful and terrible things happen. Awful and terrible things will happen there. No doubt.

You can almost smell the shame and regret that place will be responsible for.

And who shot this promo? I can't see a damn thing in it.

I think it's a great idea. It will be a giant asshat magnet, drawing them all to one place so that you don't have to deal with them in other establishments. Sort of like a bug zapper.

I wonder if the Union Station garage will remedy the parking at all. I wonder if people will actually walk more than 12 feet to where they are going to after they park.

I wonder.

Used to be you could always find a spot in the lot across from the Dive. Not so much anymore? That can only be seen as a good thing. People are coming out.

Maybe people will start splitting cabs to the Canal District on Fridays and Saturdays.

I actually hailed a cab last Saturday night for the first time in Worcester. It was a little surreal.

Proud to say that I immediately clicked on their "BOOBS" section, perused the pictures and opened up the one that shows a girl holding herself together sans bra with huge underage sharpie "X's" on her hands.....

What I thought was funny was that they have all these pictures up like this is to be expected because this is what's happening. However, we're not open yet so.... It might not actually happen. But hey, boobs, beer, and the pursuit of more boobs and beer. I don't see what everyone doesn't like about this.....

Again, I am all for this place. I kind of see the Canal District turning into a drinking destination and if and when this all peaks out if there are 50 or 60 bars in the area I would hope that there are 20 or 30 different kinds of bars. The area could use a couple more flat out good friggin bars though (edited to say that I don't consider the Salty Dog a good bar, not even close, just something that will add to the variety and vibrancy of the neighborhood). 3 out of 30 is not a good ratio. Bars in the Canal District/Green Island that don't annoy the hell out of me, out of the ones I have been in:

The Dive (4 stars!)
The Tara
The Lucky Dog (would be 4 stars if it was just a bar)
Block 5
The Greyhound (4 stars!)
The Vernon
Nick's (4 stars!)
The White Eagle

These places put me on edge for one reason or another:

Creegan's
Blackstone Tap
Bar None
Jose Murphy's (which is totally fine during the day)
The Center
The Banner
Emerald Isle (even when my friends are bartending)
3 G's
Canal

Everywhere else I haven't been in yet.

Yeah, sarcasm aside, I'm sure a place like this would be a gateway for all sorts of douchebaggery! Bikers as well as orange looking people that try to look tough. I'll probably keep my distance - whatever distance it is from the Dive!

I know an ex-bartender from the Horseshoe who lives in Clinton.. he says a lot of bars have closed down and they no longer hold the distinction...

I am definitely an elitist prick but nowhere in my post did I state or imply "everyone".

Sounds about right. I bet you without reading that I could even tell you what neighborhood the term originated in.

Not every one wants to tap their toes to the latest Cat Power record at Ralph's. Sometimes you want more of a club/party atmosphere. I think it's great that The Salty Dog is opening up. Will I hang out there every weekend? No, but it's something new. Something mindless--drinking, dare I say, a Bud Light checking out some 22 yr old on a mechanic bull...watching a game on a 97" TV instead of watching it on a 13" trying to listen over some conversation about some obscure shitty indie band...
It's geared towards a demo of people much like The Dog is geared towards a certain crowd and Nick's as well...

when i think worcester, i think 'needs more springfield'

Of all people, I never thought I would be typing this, and I mean it sincerely. Can't we all just get along?

Can't all the motorheads, sporto's, and dweebs just get along?

What makes this place so great?

The whorish taste (brilliant btw) in my mouth reminds me of all of the hard work we've done here. For anyone who spends time here that "taste" is long gone. For the rest of us who have ridden the 14 year Dive Bar wave it's kind of still there, but again serves as a great reminder of our efforts. I couldn't be more proud of The Dive and what it's evolved into.

As for what makes this place so great? Everyone who comes here will give you a different answer. For me it's being able to outlet my passion for craft beer and have it be appreciated. As the expansion of The Dive continues with our 2600sq ft outdoor beer garden (opening in one week) and true smoke house BBQ kitchen (Sept) we are all looking forward to further reducing that old connection between The Dive of days past and present.

Our sister location Armsby Abbey is about to open as well as Crust (our Artisan Bakery/Cheese shop). Neither of these ventures would be possible without the amazing success of The Dive Bar's reincarnation. So obviously it's being enjoyed by many.

Now with that being said, The Salty Dog in my opinion, is a great addition to Kelly Square. I think it echoes brilliantly the tone already being set by many of the establishments in that area. The bigger that drinking arena becomes the better!

Oh and Keith, seeing as I've basically already thread jacked and pimped Crust and The Armsby Abbey, tomorrows cask is BBC Lost Sailor!

Well obviously you are a pretentious fascist. :)

I, personally, am not a fan of the Dive Bar. I don't care about specialized beers and when I go there to see my friends play it's ALWAYS a chore to try to figure out what to drink. Plus there is no wine. And why did they cover up the troth?

On another rant, Naragansett sucks balls and for ANY bar to charge more than $2.00 for it is a fucking crime.

Yeah, if you are interested in different bars, it's great, but my initial comment is that "I, ME, LOUIE, PERSONALLY" do not care for the Dive Bar. Just a personal preference.

I may certainly be a "Nick's guy", but I also love the Tara, the Grayhound, The White Eagles, Vernon, Emerald Isle, and other places in that area.

What??? Where did you hear this?

Ouch Gabe!

as for the places you named as loving... I'm 100% with you on Nicks and the Dive. both for different reasons but they are equally entertaining to me.

Just to chime in on the license issue....There is no cap. Anyone with $2900, a clear criminal record (well, no felonies) and a business plan (no matter how ridiculous) will get a license.

PLEASE, PLEASE, FUCKING PLEASE TELL ME "YES" THAT THIS SALTY DOG WILL HAVE A MIDGET THAT WALKS AROUND THE PLACE ALL NIGHT.

Mardi Gras is on line one and has something it wants to talk to you about.

It's true Gabe, want a liquor license?
I can get you one by noon tomorrow, along with a toe with the polish on it.

This was a witty response, but I stand by my statement. My self respect is worth more than $.07 of plastic beads. I'd say it might even be more than that. Now if you've got cold hard cash and no camera...maybe we can work something out.

I totally agree, but they're not going to go in there if they don't intend to go a little wild for the night.

yup, I stand corrected. I just called City Hall's License Commission and they do have Liquor Licenses still available.

note: However only for bars.. If you are looking to open up a package store you are shit out of luck. She said that they havent had those available for the past 15 years.. guess that kind of explains why if your in holden you can purchase beer at a Mobil, but Worcester does not have them available.. although, the Brattle Street Market/Pizza Joint sells alcohol, so I am willing to bet there's a grey area, such as how package stores were allowed to open on Sundays if they were close to the NH border.'

actually, KJ Baarons had a license prior... They used to be on Main Street in one of the buildings for the longest time.

If you want to open an off premise establishment (liquor store) all you have to do buy an existing license from someone who currently has one. You can then move that license anywhere you want, providing you get approval from the ABCC and apparently, Bob Largess.

Prepare to be spanked!

Last night I heard that Spanking Customers is one of the job requirements for the servers at Salty Dog. So now I wonder, why they didn't set up shop over by Hurricanes or Platinum Club or somewhere on Route 20?

any news on this place?