Mission Mission

The age-old dilemma.  You show up at Zeitgeist famished and order one of their delicious burgers.  You do the time and wait the requisite 10-15 minutes while anxiously downing a beer, your mouth salivating from the aroma emanating from the grill and your ears perking up every time the cook shouts another name across the yard (or wait–I guess they don’t do that anymore?).

Finally, the moment of truth arrives, and just as you sit down back at your table ready to devour that poor defenseless hamburger, your hear that familiar siren song, “Tamales, tamales!”  But damn, you just got a burger!  What to do, what to do?

The Zeigeist Tamale Burger.  That’s what you do.  An unholy alliance of beef, bun, masa, pork, and Tapatio.  Take that KFC Double-Down!

Apparently a change is coming at . . . The  . . . um . . . Elbo . . . uh . . . I’m really thirsty for some reason.

We’re a little late to the game, but last week Amnesia removed their classic old red sign in favor of a spiffy new one.  Looks like they’re finally moving forward with that whole nautically-themed rennovation that was alluded to a few months ago.

So, how does everyone feel about it?  I for one can’t wait until they start installing the portholes.  One question though:  What are those ellipses supposed to imply?

Illuminated at night

Before

[New Sign Daytime Photo by joachimsf]

[Old Sign Photo by battyward]

Previously:

Amnesia Going Nautical

One of a few weirdos watching you do your business and laughing all the time.

I’m assuming this is done with the bar owner’s blessing, if not cash. If you don’t want your bathroom ending up a crazy mess like every other men’s room in the area it might be a good idea to hire a street artist to create a trippy space for people to check out during their alone time. As you see above, there are still tags, but nothing like there could be.

Are there other examples of street art/graffiti done with the owner’s permission that improved a space or acted as a deterrent to more graffiti?

One failed effort that comes to mind is the piece that was allowed to cover the outside of The Rite Spot, but with immediate complaints from the old school patrons (and apparent dislike by the staff) they painted the whole thing over sky blue. Now it’s just hated by confused birds.

Carlos managed to snap some unencumbered photos of his friends while at Zeitgeist yesterday.  Did they get tossed out by the notoriously fickle security dudes?

Find out for yourself.

Previously:

ZEIT GEID

SFGate: Mission Bartenders Are A Bunch Of Meanies

Live Above Zeitgeist!

The crowd at The Phoenix was energized. US lost in the end, much to the dismay of most. We had to wait till two people left to get in, max capacity and all. About 45 people watched from the street.

Choice quotes:

“Yeah, well we have nukes and they don’t.”

“Fuck Ghana-rrhea!”

Not really making me want to align myself with the US fans.

Either way I went home to listen to the Yankees game.

It took long enough, but Landon Donovan finally punched through and scored the winning goal of the Battle of Algiers, setting the Phoenix into a frenzy and (of course) leading its patrons into the obligatory USA USA chants.

Although we couldn’t get close enough to the bar to attempt to order the scrumptious famous Irish Breakfast (how can you go wrong with blood sausage?), their spicy bloody marys more than sufficed and sustained us through this tense match.

Check the video below to see the place going OFF as the final whistle blows:

Previously:

Homemade McMuffin World Cup at the Phonebooth

After a bullet found its way into a cop’s foot this weekend. It’s unclear to what extent their suspension shuts them down. Differing reports.

Despite the fact that the US team is getting shelled by Slovenia to the tune of a seemingly insurmountable 2-0 score, we can take solace in the FREE homemade McMuffins paired with potently spicy bloody marys at neighborhood stalwart the Phonebooth. Assembled with either veggie, ham, or bacon in addition to eggs and melted cheddar, they provide welcome sustenance at this ungodly early hour. A great place to catch future morning games as well!

Also USA team, I realize the Eastern Bloc has enjoyed a considerable resurgence into relevancy in recent years, come on, this is Slovenia! Let’s take it!

If you go to Zeitgeist right now the front door is blocked off and the new entrance is on the Valencia side of the patio. According to the doorman they had to make some upgrades or repairs which cast light on a few other code violations and now the whole place is getting a facelift. It seems the biggest changes are the removal of the porta potties with the addition of actual bathrooms over in the far (Southeast) corner of the outdoor area, and that the bar will now be open to the outside, so you can order from the deck under the overhang. I wasn’t sure if the original entrance would be restored or if we’ll be strolling directly onto the patio from the street for good.

It sounds like the overall flow of the space will be different, but that it won’t have much effect on the atmosphere that we all love to hate. People will still come by looking to have a nice chat with the bartender while they mix up their Harvey Wallbanger and end up running home in a tizzy to get on Yelp and write about wishing there was a way to give a bar no stars. Which is exactly, I assume, how we all want it.

Anyway, here’s a bonus bar doodle: