Of all the diving we have done recently, this bar was by far and away the deepest dive yet. We probably needed to de-compress to avoid the bends on this one, but we got the bends anyway. What a surprise this bar turned out to be. The exterior was very dark, no sign proclaimed the presence of a bar here, just a large Bud Light sign in the window and a rather harsh spotlight outside that did almost nothing to illuminate the parking lot. We found the bars address online and no one seemed to know where it was, none of us had ever been there and no one was sure the joint even existed. Upon arriving, I looked at my dive partner and asked if he was ready for such an experience, he nodded and we shored up our confidence and plunged into the unknown.

This place is dark, and seedy and smells bad. The folks are there to drink cheap liquor and have a good time at any cost. There is a large “U” shaped bar that greets you as soon as you walk in with the ends extending back to a well stocked back bar and coolers full of beer. The bartender was a woman, she was nice and compentent, and served a decent drink but I would not call it an “honest” shot, maybe a “mostly honest shot”. It hardly mattered though since I was driving and it was late enough in the evening to be winding down some. We ordered drinks and looked around to take in the atmosphere. There were some loud couples and a good mix of men and women. The bar was doing a fairly brisk business at 11PM on a Saturday night. There was a table of lesbian women not far from us, as evidenced by the attire and attitude. They were cool though and added a bit of the exotic to the crowd assembled. No one seemed to mind.

It was Karaoke night, some of the singers were really bad, others were trying hard and sounded passable. One of our gang decided he would take a turn at the mic. He did this immediately after I indicated we were going to short time this place, so all I could do at that point was order another drink and continue the people watching. There were men and women, playing that age old game of chase, but I would not consider this place a “meat market”. Although, perhaps management wanted to perpetuate the idea of available nookie because my coaster was a proud advertisement for Trojan brand condoms. Did they sell them at the bar? Was I supposed to run down the street to get a pack? I am not sure what the angle was but right there in front of me each time I set my drink down was a cardboard coaster emblazoned with the Trojan logo.

Eeveryone seemed to know each other on some level and while I felt sure there was danger in the air, it wasnt directed at me or my crew. I was about half way through my second drink when all hell broke loose at Mulligans bar.

My friend the Karaoke singer was up, the opening strains of  Journeys classic rock epic “Don’t Stop Believing” came blaring through the PA. Well what can I say, this guy nailed it and was the consumate showman. After only a few seconds into the song, he was working the crowd, getting hugs from chicks and mostly hamming it up for the customers. His sense of

showmanship was infectious, walking into the drinkers, sharing the mic and all the while singing in key. At the songs peak he flipped up his t shirt to expose a large shiny belt buckle in the shape of a dollar sign and encrusted with rhinestones, like something Snoop Dog would wear. This brought the house down with appluase and cheers. By the end of the song the entire bar was singing along, cat calling, and having a blast. Myself included. He finished up and came back to his seat beside me at the bar, instantly, a drink appeared in front of him, someone had bought the man a drink in honor of his performance.  I couldn’t help myself but to congratulate him on his show. I know it was nothing if not pure ham, but what a great time. Of course he had to do it again and his next selection was even nuttier. He decided to karaoke “Bitch” by Meridith Brooks. Nothing like seeing a grown man call himself a bitch and actually get on his knees when the appropriate line in the song came up. Once again the crowd was on its feet with glee.

We finished up and left soon after that experience, there was nothing else to see or do at Mulligans, nothing could top our guy singing karaoke like a pro. I probably wouldn’t be a regular at Mulligans, too smelly and dark with a slightly evil vibe, but that night we had a blast and I could be persuaded to return, if only for Karaoke night.

Ratings (scale of one to five)

Dive rating:5

Drink Quality: 3

Atmosphere: 2

Cleanliness: 3

Picking up a “date”: 4

Scenery:3