Independent

So, here I am in sunny Florida. Staying at my friend Sara's, driving around in her VW while she's at work, sodomy bunny guiding the way

What? I didn't name the bunny.

Anyway, things are good. Weather is good. Etc. Etc.

Last night after dinner we stopped by our favorite pub, The Independent. The Independent is cool in that it has all these crazy yummy beers from Belgium and the like, the place doesn't get too crowded, has a fun style and the bartenders are really nice. We drank a beer called Triple Carmeliet, made by the nuns of that order I believe as there was a picture of chicks in habits reaping in the barley or something on the front.

It's a fun place because it's pretty much populated and bartended by a bunch of locals. Put this bar in any other city and it would be beersnobby, but here in St. Pete the bartenders offer suggestions without describing the beer down to every element, you can bring your dog in with you, you can smoke if you want to. It's hip without being hipster, special without being snobby. Here are some photos from a few months ago when I was there

and check out what the beer fridge looks like

and the people. My friend Sara and some librarian chick. We know she's a librarian because, get this: People talk to each other here! I love her pose.

I don't know the dude on the left.

John K. Colleen the bartender called him and told him to come down just to tell us the story about why he cannot drink wine or champagne (don't mix John K with a $75 steak, a wine tasting, and the Sri Lankan embassy).

Some nice dude originally from Egypt.

Ralphie (some nice dude originally from New Jersey.)

Other random people

So now you get the vibe of the bar.

Last night it was not crowded and Sara and I were chatting with Kyle the bartender about sea kyaking, the Florida Keys, and him getting robbed in the Bahamas when two chicks of the South Tampa ilk come walking in. Most of you don't know what that means, but I kid you not, most women in South Tampa look, talk, and dress like Tara Reid.

Yes I can hear the collective "HOT" from my readership but when you go to an event there and there are 500 Tara Reids and all the guys look like extras from The O.C. and everyone is talking about American Idol it's rather disturbing.

Anyway, the two girls come in and the following conversation ensures:

Kyle the nice bartender: What can I get you ladies?

Chick #1: Um...I'll have a wine.

Kyle: Well, we have just a few but they're pretty good, what kind do you like?

Chick #1: Um..maybe I'll get some beer. Do you have Miller Lite?

(Sara snorts beer, I pull out my blackberry to get this down for future reference. Yes, we're snickering but I said the bartenders were snicker-free not us. heh.)

Kyle: No, I'm sorry. We mostly have specialty beers. What kind of beers do you like and I can recommend one for you?

Chick #2: Are you the owner?? (big smiles)

Kyle: No, he just left.

Chick #2: (disappointed, stops sticking out her chest so much) Hi, I'm Kaitlin.

Chick #1: Hi I'm Krissy.

Kaitlin: We just had sushi next door.

Kyle: Oh yeah?

Kaitlin: Yeah, normally we don't go drinking on a Sunday night (gives me and Sara THE EYE. We smirk and take big gulps of our non-Miller Lite) but we didn't go out last night cuz we were soooo hungover from Friday.

Kyle: Heh (hands them their beers)

Krissy: OMG, this glass is so cute!