Happy Independence Day...

[Zardoz]

On a Texas history related note, has anyone been to the Menger Hotel across (the alley?) from the Alamo? I'm hoping to make it to their bar and have a drink, as it was there that Teddy Roosevelt opened a recruiting office for the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry in 1898.

T.

I've stayed there before, an actress I know was appearing in Les Misérables at the Majestic, and they put the cast up there. Kind of pricey, but a very nice place!
If you go to the Alamo, there's no excuse not to check out the Menger, it's only like 200 feet away! Get there before 2 pm and you can have a nice brunch before your drink.

[Jack Daw]

On a Texas history related note, has anyone been to the Menger Hotel across (the alley?) from the Alamo? I'm hoping to make it to their bar and have a drink, as it was there that Teddy Roosevelt opened a recruiting office for the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry in 1898.

T.

I've been to that bar on two or three occasions, but I have not stayed in the hotel. I've read several bios on TR. He is, no doubt, my favorite president of all time.

[macwilkin]

I've been to that bar on two or three occasions, but I have not stayed in the hotel. I've read several bios on TR. He is, no doubt, my favorite president of all time.

***, although for me it technically a tie between TR and Herbert Hoover, a native son of Iowa.

My daughter was born one day too early to be an "Alamo baby", but her birthday saint is St. Piran, the patron saint of Cornwall.


T.

[Irish Jack O'Brian]

On a Texas history related note, has anyone been to the Menger Hotel across (the alley?) from the Alamo? I'm hoping to make it to their bar and have a drink, as it was there that Teddy Roosevelt opened a recruiting office for the 1st US Volunteer Cavalry in 1898.

T.

The Menger Bar

[Kiltboy]

The Menger Bar

Been there, done that, many, many times. Great historic hotel. If staying there, get the biggest room you can afford, on an upper floor. They are old rooms, and the upper floor rooms have great high ceilings. Some rooms on the south side can be small. Valet the car, as downtown parking is extremely limited. Keep an eye out for ghosts.

The Menger bar is always a place to stop, drink and smoke. They allow (and almost encourage) cigar smoking. Smoke shop is on the opposite side of the hotel. Extremely good air circulation within. Not only did Teddy Rosevelt drink there, Carry Nation took her infamous axe to that bar as well. Single malt selection is limited. But you'll find something

[macwilkin]

Been there, done that, many, many times. Great historic hotel. If staying there, get the biggest room you can afford, on an upper floor. They are old rooms, and the upper floor rooms have great high ceilings. Some rooms on the south side can be small. Valet the car, as downtown parking is extremely limited. Keep an eye out for ghosts.

The Menger bar is always a place to stop, drink and smoke. They allow (and almost encourage) cigar smoking. Smoke shop is on the opposite side of the hotel. Extremely good air circulation within. Not only did Teddy Rosevelt drink there, Carry Nation took her infamous axe to that bar as well. Single malt selection is limited. But you'll find something

It certainly sounds like my sort of place to stay, but I imagine we'll be passing through Bexar on our way to the coast. I will have a drink there, but it will be a Cuba Libre, in honor of Teddy and the Rough Riders!

T.

[DougC]

Happy birthday, Texas! My office is a block from the Alamo and, today, I was sitting at my desk typing when I heard bagpipes!