Off to the Lodge for Presidents Day!

The “rain, rain and more rain” forecast for the three-day-weekend kinda ruined my plans to go out of town. Dissatisfied with my assumed fate of having a mellow weekend at home watching black-and-white movies, trying out new recipes with the veggies I got in my Farm Fresh to You box and scrubbing my shower with bleach – I came up with a great idea of how to enjoy this rainy Presidents Day weekend.

I started thinking about good old George Washington and Honest Abe, and wondered how they would’ve spent their birthdays back in the day. They’d probably be chopping down cherry trees, freeing slaves and hunting for wild boar. Picturing G.W. (with a big gun and his cute, white tights) shooting a wild animal must have done it for me. That’s when I decided to spend an all-American Presidents Day weekend tracking down the best hunting-lodges in the city.

Perhaps the fact that I lived out of the country for the past eight years has made me extra Americana upon my recent return. Nothing sounds better to me right now than deep-fried food, cheap beer, strong whiskey and deer antler chandeliers. In memory of our forefathers, here are a few places I recommend to check out:

Buckshot is a great lodge-style bar (unless you’re a vegetarian). The walls are literally covered in animal heads and kitschy décor, including antique skateboards and those red Coors stained-glass lamps that hang over the pool table. They have $3 drafts and $4 well-drinks until 9pm everyday, and a DJ that plays soul music on the weekends. The “brew-skeeball” and the incredible comfort food are what make Buckshot stand apart from other bars of its kind. Chef Mike wears a cowboy hat and makes a mean $8 three-cheese mac & cheese (with Cheddar, Pepper Jack and Bleu cheeses sprinkled with bacon!), the $5 buttermilk onion-rings and homemade corn-dogs melt in your mouth, and the $7 chicken fried bacon dipped in Maple syrup is seriously the best thing I’ve ever eaten. Ask the bartender for an Ike Turner, but don’t be surprised when you get a shot of Hennessy and a slap in the face.

Bloodhound boasts a similar hunting-vibe style with a classy twist. Named after its signature cocktail (which is Hangar 1, Campari and grapefruit), Bloodhound offers an array of serious concoctions for $9 bucks a pop.  The wooden interior is rustic, yet chic, with long tables great for large groups and unusual artwork to ponder over after a few too many shots of Jack. You’ll find me in the corner playing endless rounds of Buck Hunt, that video game that lets you shoot poor, helpless deer with a life-size rifle! Boom!

Bigfoot Lodge makes you feel like you just stepped into a real log cabin in the woods. The small cocktail lounge is cozy and intimate, especially if you are standing next to the larger-than-life statue of Bigfoot in the back. Stay warm and dry, sipping on campy drinks such as a Toasted Marshmallow, a Girl Scout Cookie, or the infamous Sasquatch (known to “stomp your ass” with its mix of Wild Turkey, ginger brandy, ginger ale and a dash of bitters). Don’t miss Happy Hour for cheap drink specials from 3pm-7pm. Be sure to tip with one dollar bills and pennies – to make our Presidents proud!