The Chart Online

Local businesses promise good deals, drinks
By Josh Ray

Diversions Editor

What are you doing this weekend?

The million-dollar question. Almost everyone is either asking this question or getting asked it at least four dozen times on Friday. With people trying to plan their nights, dates, parties and trips, everyone wants to see what their friends will be up to. So, what are you doing?

Usually to that question, people around here laugh and say, "What is there to do around here? It is Joplin after all." Does it have to be that way? Whether you realize it or not, there are actually some things going on in Joplin almost everyone can attend. Granted, some of them are best for the 21 and up crowd, but hey, for you young ones out there, you can find something to do, also. Read on dear reader, and see what I found for you to do this weekend.

First of all, you must think about what you actually want to do this weekend. Do you want to see a band? Go dancing? Play pool? Or just hang out with your friends and drink the spirits? Granted, if you just want to sit at home and suck your thumb, I can t help you. But for anything else, just decide what you want, and I ll supply the details.

For people of all ages, The Kitchen Pass is the place to go. While it only has one pool table, the place is filled on Friday and Saturday nights with live music and the smell of food. The business offers a full-service menu to the hungry, and to the thirsty? Well, you can take advantage of the drink specials for the night. If you are of legal drinking age, you are even allowed out on the patio, away from the younger generation. Friday, The Kitchen Pass will host the 32nd Street Band from 6-9 p.m., and then Carolyn Wonderland at 10 p.m. On Saturday night, the rock band Groove Kings will perform.

If you re looking for something different from rock and cover bands, there is always The Green Room. While it also only offers a few pool tables, it does serve alcohol. Sorry kids, but the Room is only open to those who are 21 and up. Every Thursday night it offers music, and also has poetry readings and other forms of entertainment. Check it out if you re looking for a new place to relax.

Also for those of legal age, there is always the Red Lion. It s a cocktail lounge and offers numerous nights of fun and drunken revelry. Guys, it s a good place to see chicks. Girls, it s a good place to get money and get noticed. The Lion offers a wet T-shirt contest every Wednesday night, as well as ladies night and a beer trough on the same night. And, for those of you who like to sing, even if you can t, karaoke is always on Thursday night. So, down some beer and make a fool of yourself! As for Fridays, their is always something new going on. Saturday nights are again ladies night, and a college ID will get you in free.

And then there s The Brickhouse. You might have seen its fliers around campus, but if you haven t, I ll fill you in. Happy Hour (that s all you re really concerned about, isn t it?) is from 4:30-10 p.m. Saturday nights are student ID night, so grab it and go. But, what I found most interesting about this place is that on Sept. 21 and 28, The House is sponsoring a Beach Party. The ad says everyone who comes in beach gear will get a lay. But wait, hold on a minute before you grab your trunks and run out the door (please remember to put them on though, the ad does say "in beach gear" not out of it). There s one more place I d like to tell you about.

And that s Geppetto s Pizzeria. This is the only place I looked at that isn t on Main Street. But why a pizza shop? Well, for one, they do sell beer. Yeah, that perked your attention. And two, they do have a live band out there every now and then. The band is called Pinewood Derby. The next time a band will be playing at the restaurant is October 2, so set your calendar. But here s what sets the Pizzeria apart from all the other places that house live bands. Geppetto s runs a buffet from 6-9 p.m. on Monday through Thursday. Can t get much better than that, can you? OK, maybe if you have a cool swimsuit, but that s a big chance, right?

That s all I have for now in the line of places to go. I hope I ve given you at least a couple of ideas to either hang out at, drink at, or go to pick up chicks, or guys (whichever you prefer) at. If not, you re a lost cause. Go rent a movie and just stay home. You ll have more fun like that anyway.