Handlebarrio #3

April, 7th 2006

han­dle­bar \’han­dél­bär\ n (1887) : a straight or bent bar with a handle at each end.

With Bike Winter(1) slipping away the din of the birds (and frogs!) in their Spring heat has rousted us from our long, cold slumber. We've been busy, friends, and here is our progress report. Now sure, it's been a while since we've rapped with ya, but we're sure you'll forgive us.

** GUMBALLHEAD RELEASE **
The Handlebar was one of the first few bars in Chicago to host Three Floyd's fantabulous Summer brew, Gumballhead so it's only fitting that we should play host to the 2006 Gumballhead Release. This Saturday, April 8th at 3pm, the season's first kegs of Gumballhead(2) will be tapped. Come on out and enjoy a pint (or two, or..) and see what all the fuss is about. The brewers from Three Floyds will be on­hand to share their creation. Rob Syers & Mark Fischer, co-creators of the Gumballhead comic strip(3) (from which the beer gets its name) will also be present with lots of Gummy stuff. We issued a press release about this a while ago(4).

** THREE YEARS! **
The Handlebar keeps on truckin' (errr, bikin') and has just rolled over the three year mark on the old chronometer. We're calling this The Year Of The Tricycle. Thanks to everyone who supported us over the last few years – we couldn't have done it without you. We're not sure what we're going to do about the next anniversary, four years/four wheels just seems a bit... wrong somehow. Fortunately, we've got plenty of time to figure it out.

** PATIO OVERHAUL **
After three years on the old back patio, we decided it was time to throw a little love towards the back yard. What started as a modest endeavor to 'spruce up' the beer garden quickly snowballed into a project of large proportions. After it's complete you, gentle reader, will be able to bask on our new (professionally laid!) patio under the shade of a new gazebo (the “hut”) and enjoy Summer sips of the beverage of your choice. Progress!

** HANDLEBAR SHIRTS **
For all you HBar fans out there who missed out on last Summer's chance to own what may very well be the coolest tee­shirt in Chicago, we'll have another load available starting this weekend. And, before you ask, the answer is “Yes, we'll have Women's specific shirts available as well”. Can't forget the Cycling Sisters(5) now, can we?

** CBF HAPPY HOUR **
The popular CBF Happy Hour, now in it's second year, has been moved to the First Wednesday of every month. All CBF members(6) get a free chili­cheese quesadilla and as well as $3 Goose Island pints (available every Wednesday). Come on out and get your CBF on. Bikes, beer, free food? What's not to love? What? Not a member? Sign up today and tell them you were referred by the Handlebar. That about wraps up this episode friends, stay tuned for the next. Though we'll hopefully see you at the HBar before that comes along.

Handlebar is located at 2311 W. North Ave.
773­-384-­9546 http://www.handlebarchicago.com/
We open at 4pm weekdays and 10am for weekend brunch

Links:
(1) Bike Winter! ­­ http://www.bikewinter.org/
(2) Gumballhead Beer ­­ http://threefloyds.com/dspGumballhead.html
(3) Gumballhead appears (semi­)regularly in the Chicago Reader. ­­ http://gumballhead.com/
(4) Press release ­­ http://handlebarchicago.com/more/GHRE
(5) Cycling Sisters – http://www.cyclingsisters.org/
(6) Chicagoland Bicycle Federation ­­ http://www.biketraffic.org

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http://www.handlebarchicago.com/