by Debbi | Apr 14, 2007 | Stories
This was an amusing entry into the Sandbar door notebook, written by David, about David.
As of 12:00 David is now old. 33 years old. David is now old enough to realize that being trashed on your birthday is not all it is cracked up to be therefore all the guys that came in being his 21st birthday got the wisdom of David’s past experiences and got cut off. Later his 2 sisters thanked David. David gave him some juice to hold the guy over and also a piece of pizza that he had bought.
—David
P.S. By the way in 33 years of wisdom David can still not spell….
by Debbi | Apr 12, 2007 | People
Dave’s birthday is today!! And did I have a surprise for him….
Awhile back, we were shopping at our favorite local hardware store, Cottin’s, and noticed they had a new t-shirt. They print up a new t-shirt every couple of years, and we have most of them. The latest version had a fun caricature-type drawing of 
Tom, the owner’s, face. Apparently his wife Linda and the staff had done it as a surprise.
Fast forward a couple months and I was trying to come up with something fun for Dave’s birthday. I saw that shirt in the laundry basket- yes, unfolded, for at least a week- and started thinking about something similar. Our Sandbar logo has a cool tiki mask underneath an arched "Sandbar." Dave’s been at The Sandbar so long, he’s kind of like the face of the place…so I asked our resident artist if he could draw Dave’s face for me. No dice, he doesn’t do faces. So I scanned the design from the Cottin’s t-shirt, found a couple of good full front face pictures of Dave, and emailed them off to our friend Missi, of Grandstand Sportswear and Glassware.
A few days later I had a proof of a new, and funny, Sandbar logo- with Dave’s face front and center. After just a tiny bit of tweaking we were ready to go. I ordered 144 pint glasses for the Thursday night Bahama Mama specials and 60 t-shirts of assorted sizes. Surely our family and friends would want one, and perhaps a few random customers would as well.
Missi was awesome helping me coordinate this- Dave had called her to order more pint glasses just before I called. He was supposed to pick up his order yesterday, so I was planning to pick mine up today so for sure wouldn’t run into each other. I called Dave this afternoon to see where he was and ask about switching vehicles 
(six boxes of pint glasses and a giant box of shirts won’t fit in a little Prelude!), and of all places, he was at Grandstand! Missi called me right after he left, laughing about our near-miss. I told Dave a white lie about why I needed his Jimmy, we swapped vehicles, and off I went to Grandstand to pick up my birthday surprise.
Coleen helped plan the second part of the surprise- after I got off work and confirmed Dave wasn’t at the bar, I headed down there. We unloaded the boxes, restocked the pint glasses that had just been restocked, and even sold a few.
I headed home to hang out with Dave- it’s his birthday after all!- and then told him I was going to the bar with him at 9 to have a drink with him, since he still had to work. I got there before him, proudly wearing my new shirt and drinking from a new glass when he arrived. I think he was surprised and thrilled with what I hope was a tribute to him on his birthday.
If you’d like to have your very own limited-edition pint or t-shirt complete with Dave’s likeness, hurry in before they’re gone. The pints are $3, and the shirts are $10.
by Debbi | Apr 11, 2007 | Drinking Rules, People, Stories
I don’t know what I was thinking when I posted the blog about Brother Pants the other day- I should have waited until today, his birthday, to post it!!
Anyway, today is Pants’ birthday- HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I’m sure he’ll make an appearance at The Sandbar sometime tonight…
Dave and Pants usually celebrate their birthdays together, because Dave’s birthday is tomorrow. We’ve had some fun parties through the years. A few years ago, Michelle came up with a great idea- we took several different pictures of each of the guys and printed them onto square labels to make stickers. We handed out stickers at the bar all night, so everyone who came in was covered in stickers with funny pictures of Dave and Ju…er, Pants.
Another year, the guys were getting interested in screenprinting t-shirts. And, they had both become internet-ordained ministers that year (another story, another day). We came up with a fun design for the front of the shirts that said "Party With The Preachers," and the back of the shirt had a top 10 list:
The Reverend’s Drinking Commandments.
1. If you fall off the bar, fall forward so you don’t break any bottles.
2. Drop your pants at least once during the evening.
3. Don’t do "the Worm" unless you’re young, sober, and on carpet.
4. Make funny faces in every picture.
5. If your sled is headed for a tree, jump off.
6. Keep cheese balls around for cheap entertainment.
7. Insist that others do shots with you all night.
8. Watch out for the bushes when riding your bike.
9. Steal cameras and take excessive amounts of cleavage shots.
10. Tip your bartenders. If the doorman kicks you out, they’ll let you back in.
Hang around, who knows what will transpire tonight when these guys hit the town….
by Debbi | Apr 7, 2007 | People
If you’re a regular reader, or if you pay any attention to the comments left on the blog, you’ve probably noticed "Brother Pants." Just who is this guy? Well, I’m certainly not going to ruin the mystique and reveal his identity. But you can learn more about him in this post.
When did you work at The Sandbar and for how long? Well, I’m not really an official employee, although I have helped with numerous building projects, paintings, and promotions. I don’t really consider it "work" so much as a great time with good friends. {Brother Pants is responsible for most of the paintings around the bar- in the back room, the women’s bathroom, and upstairs. }
How did you get the job? Oh I’m sure someone had to sleep with someone else up the company ladder. That’s usually how these things come about. {Actually, he just hung around so much that we just gave him work to do. Since he did a pretty good job, we kept finding more things for him to do.}
What are you doing now? Right now I’m filling out this questionnaire. I run a picture frame shop as a living though.
Last time you were at The Sandbar? Saturday night, or would it be Sunday morning) at 5:00 a.m. Some of the most interesting conversations and antics happen after the door is locked. {Brother Pants often sticks around after closing time and helps the guys clean, stock, mop and take out the trash.}
Favorite job besides The Sandbar? Back when I was a Vegas showgirl. The outfits were to die for and the respect I got was boundless. And I was a cook once.
Favorite drink to drink? Matt makes a great Colorado Bulldog.
Favorite drink to make? I am great at twisting the cap off a bottle of Bud Light.
Most embarassing moment at the bar? I don’t get embarrassed. {Actually I don’t think I’ve ever seen Brother Pants embarrassed. And, he had more to say on this question but it’s unfit for printing. Go figure.}
Favorite memory at the bar? The time I saw the image of Mother Mary in the foam of a pint of Guinness, right before I slurped it down. I think that was me. And it could have been a shamrock. What was the question again?
Favorite song on the jukebox? Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey. Good sing-along-song.
Song you never want to hear again? I hate that Ride a Horse Cowboy drivel and every person that knows the words.
Favorite bar dancing song? I like Shake Your Tailfeathers ‘cuz ya get to wiggle your bottom.
How many dollars do you have on the wall? I haven’t personally put any up but my name is on a dozen or so. The way those dollar bills migrate around the bar, I hardly know anymore.
Longest you’ve waited in line? Maybe a half hour. If there’s a line, I just pop over to Henry’s for a beverage. The lines usually don’t last that long anyway.
What was The Sandbar like when you worked there? That place has always been fun. First time I went in there- 10 years ago??- I thought it was a gay bar. Then I realized all of Key West looks like that. It’s the people who work there that make it awesome.
Any hobbies? I compose operas and usurp small nations on the weekends. And this one time, at band camp…..
5 Random Facts About Brother Pants
- I’m actually 17 feet tall, I just slouch a lot.
- My middle name isn’t Gerald.
- I constantly underestimate the power of love in the world.
- I can fluently speak 18 languages but only in English.
- This is the first time I’ve ever successfully counted to five.
So…there you have it. A few facts about Brother Pants. You just never know what you can believe from that boy. And who knows which of these ramblings are true or not true. We just let him talk.
by Debbi | Apr 5, 2007 | Cool Stuff
Awhile back I posted about the Big Brothers Big Sisters fundraiser, Bowl For Kids’ Sake, and the Sandbar’s bowling team.
At the event, my friend and teammate Aña (look at me, with my Spanish typewriter character skills on display!) showed up with the coolest t-shirt. It was a haiku, but a completely random haiku that really made no sense at all, but fit the syllable requirements and therefore was a haiku.
We thought it would be funny to make up Sandbar haikus and so we came up with a couple that night.
Here’s mine:
I love The Sandbar.
I drink lots of fruity drinks.
I dance on the bar.
Haikus are fun. All you have to is make three sentences- the first one has five syllables; the second has seven; and the third has five. No rhyming necessary. It’s poetry that anyone can write.
Got any Sandbar haikus?
by Debbi | Apr 4, 2007 | Stories
Two youngsters approached the door. Youngster #1 says “this guy here is my twin brother, but he left his driver’s license in Chicago. Here’s my license, though. And obviously we’re the same age.”
I take the license and while I agreed that Youngster #1 looks a lot like Youngster #2, neither youngster looked anything at all like the 26 year old pictured on the driver’s license.
Access denied.
—–Scotty Mac
by Debbi | Apr 3, 2007 | Stories
Our current hurricane video is my favorite. Mostly because we filmed it ourselves with a handheld Sony camcorder, instead of going to a fancy news studio where we’re all uncomfortable. My favorite part is the segment with the rubber chicken. I’ve seen this video a million times and I still crack up at that part. A rubber chicken will definitely be incorporated into future hurricane videos.
One of the things we added to the end of this video was a clip of the dance steps, performed by our very own Heather. Now everyone can learn the Sandbar dance and follow along during the hurricane!
In the near future we’ll be working on a new hurricane video. Some of the previous characters will make an appearance; other characters will be new. But you can be assured that the new video will be funny.
by Debbi | Apr 1, 2007 | People
Mike is an old friend of Dave’s who also worked at The Sandbar. Through the years I’ve heard lots of stories about the antics of these guys, and I finally got to meet the famous Mike a few years ago. He was in town this past weekend for a wedding and was able to meet up with some old Sandbar friends.
When did you work at The Sandbar and for how long? 1994-95
How did you get the job? David Johanning was my roommate.
What are you doing now? I live in Chicago and I’m an account manager for Ricoh.
Last time you were at The Sandbar? Homecoming 2005
Favorite job (besides The Sandbar)? None compare. {awwww, thanks Mike!}
Favorite drink to drink? Back then- beer. Now- a good Scotch.
Favorite drink to make? A great Bloody Mary.
Any specialty drinks you call your own? No, I just stole from everyone else.
Most embarrassing moment at the bar? Dressing up like David’s girlfriend for Halloween {that one is definitely another story for this blog- it’s hilarious} and Kevin busting me out publicly for my crush on a fellow Sandbar employee. {note- he didn’t tell me who this mystery employee was….}
Favorite memory at the bar? Censored- the names and actions have been concealed to protect the "not so innocent." Second favorite memory- the Sandbar road trip to Colorado for the Buffett concert via North American TransPOtation, with the psycho bus driver, and planes, trains, and automobiles to get home. Whatever happened to that lawsuit?
Favorite song on the jukebox? Less than two weeks ago, I got a call from two past Sandbar employees. The message was "ooga chaka!" So I guess "Hooked on a Feeling."
Song you never want to hear again? It’s been long enough, I can take any of them again.
Favorite bar dancing song? Shake Your Tailfeathers.
How many dollars do you have on the wall? 6. I know that’s pretty weak, I feel shame.
Longest you’ve waited in line? Maybe 5 minutes- or right after the fire marshals left.
What was The Sandbar like when you worked there? Tuesday’s "Dollar Anything" was still new, and it seemed like everyone who worked there hung out even when they weren’t working or drinking at the bar. Hope that still goes on. If current employees are enjoying Sunrise Club or Sunday Dinner nights, I think that would be pretty cool.
Any hobbies? Golf, and recently…excessive drinking in March after the Jayhawks’ early exits from the tournament. I’m hoping to give that one up soon.
Random facts about you we’d be surprised to know?
- I make a great Bloody Mary but I don’t like to drink them.
- I have never drank a Sandbar Bahama Mama.
Mike’s comments brought back lots of memories for Dave and with that, lots of ideas for future posts. It’s always fun to hear stories about The Sandbar from "back in the day," and see what’s different or the same today.
by Debbi | Mar 30, 2007 | Stories
So what exactly is the Sandbar Hurricane?
It’s a 5-10 minute long extravaganza at The Sandbar that happens every night at 10 p.m., featuring mermaids, wind, rain, lightning, music, and dancing. It’s different from anything else you will experience.
A mermaid is selected from the crowd, dons the mermaid costume, and steps up on the bar to read the poem:
Jimmy, Jimmy, my love of the sea
I miss you, I miss you, please come visit me.
My love for you will never pass;
No matter how long these hurricanes last.
I will wait for you at The Sandbar each night,
And believe that one evening, our hearts will unite.
After the hurricane is called in, the emergency newscast begins. Sandbar employees and friends created the video announcing to Lawrence that a hurricane is coming. Once the newscast finishes, the storm begins- sending wind, rain, and napkins all throughout the bar. After the storm is over, everyone hops on the bar or the bench to dance; our inaugural Hurricane dance was to a modified version of "Copacabana," recreated with lyrics suited to The Sandbar.
We normally have two or three mermaid costumes on hand, so more than one person can be the mermaid. And it’s not always a female. We’ve had plenty of "mer-men" stand on the bar as well, and they have just as much fun. It’s a great way to recognize the birthday girl (or boy), bachelorette, or any other member of your group. The mermaid also receives a souvenir shot glass from The Sandbar to keep as a treasure.
Extra hurricanes are run sometimes on the weekends at 4 p.m. or 7 p.m., or depending on the whim of whoever is working at the time. Hurricanes can also be purchased at any time for $25.
by Debbi | Mar 29, 2007 | Stories
Working the door at The Sandbar can be lots of things- really busy, fun, boring, or awful, depending on who you ask and what night they work.
One of the hardest parts of the job is checking id’s at the door. The Sandbar has had a fairly sophisticated system for quite some time now- a video camera rigged by the door captures everyone who comes inside, and the same camera system is also used to film every driver’s license. A separate machine is used to scan the magnetic strip on the license and read the birthdate. The age of the license-holder appears on a screen. The door guy also visually checks the license, comparing the picture to the person and looking for anything suspicious. Many times a potential customer is asked for another form of identification. If you can’t tell, we’re pretty serious at The Sandbar about following the law.
Several years ago, we started keeping a notebook by the door. The purpose of the notebook was so that the door guy/girl, or any other employee, could use it to record anything that was noteworthy. A way to keep track of how many fake id’s were turned away; people who tried to pull the "I know the owner" line; people who were too drunk and got cut off by the bartenders; anything sort of "out of the ordinary."
The notebook evolved into sort of a diary of The Sandbar. Funny stories were recorded with each writer trying to top the last one. We were surprised to discover that many of the employees were rather gifted storytellers.
We thought it might be fun to post some of those stories here to share with the world, or at least our (small) population of readers. We’re currently sorting through the pile of notebooks and compiling some of the best, funniest, most outrageous stories that have been told about The Sandbar, it’s employees, and it’s customers. You never know who might turn up in one of these stories.
So, be sure to come back for our first installment of "Door Diaries."
