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The first thing I order when I go into Katie O'Leary's Beef and Brew is a glass of pink lemonade. It may seem strange to go into a pub and order something so light, but it is too early in the day for my usual rum-and-coke, and I don't drink beer. The waitress asks if I'd like to sit at a table, and gestures toward the round slabs of polished wood. I seat myself in a comfortable wooden chair that is luxuriously padded with leather, or something like it. CNN plays on the big screen TV in front of me, and coincidentally the anchorman is saying that beer prices are on the rise. He approximates that the price hike will equate to an extra 50 cents per 6 pack.
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I must say, I'm impressed with the immediate atmosphere. The wood fixtures are polished to a shine, and the iron hanging lanterns gives the room an "old world" feel. The walls are covered with various Irish paraphenalia (except the tartan horseshoe and thistles strike me as more "Scottish" than Irish) and Guiness is conveniently on tap. The large streetside windows let in a lot of natural light, and through a glass door I can see a cozy patio with iron tables and chairs, closed in by an iron gate.
Lunch at Katie's is always good, though i don't understand why fries aren't included in the price of the meal. During this time of day, business men in suits bring their laptops to enjoy a noon-time nip and free wireless internet.
I just wish i could say the same for the nightlife. My last experience with Katie's evening crowd made me less than satisfied with their ability to control the more overtly drunk patrons, and somebody kept filling the jukebox with Coldplay. (By the way, i don't remember seeing this jukebox on my latest excursion. I believe it must have either been moved or completely replaced by pulltab machines.)
The bandstage is small, but I've seen smaller. Apparently, if you want to perform a show there, you have to provide your own PA setup. I asked the waitress about the bands that usually play there. She says a local band called Frankie's Boys play quite a bit, as well as Side FX, which will be playing their street dance this Saturday.
I've never been to a Katie O'Learys' "street dance", but i hear they're a lot of fun. All of 2nd Ave. NE is closed off for an outdoor fest of music, food, and strong beverages. This celebration is happening again on Saturday, August 29th from 8pm to midnight.
It also looks like there will be a few more events to compete for your Bar-time this weekend.
Barden's Bar is having Texas Hold-Em Poker on Friday the 28th at 6:30PM, and the band Bad Habits will be playing at P.J.'s Tavern at 9:00PM...this means that come Saturday night,
The spotlight is all on Katie O'Leary's.
Apart from these extravagent street shows, Katie's seems to offer little else by way of entertainment. There is a missing element of comradery between the owners, staff, and patrons that prevents the atmosphere from being as comfortable and fun as one would expect an Irish pub should be, and the lack of well advertised drink specials tend to drive customers elsewhere, particularly the younger, college-age crowd.
My bottom line is this: Katie O'Leary's Beef and Brew is a great place for lunch. Their burgers are top notch, and I am addicted to the Pink Lemonade.
The general nightlife, however, still leaves something to be desired. If Katie's can deflate itself and keep going in the direction that their street dances are leading them toward, then we may have something to look forward to.
Waseca Entertainment Review is written by Jenny Hughes. She can be reached at thejuniperjourney@hotmail.com.
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