The stretch of floor at McShane’s Bar and Grill that connects the tables in the back to the bar can’t be more than 25 or 30 feet long. Even on the busiest nights, there’s plenty of room to move — it’s not like the claustrophobic thoroughfare from the front door to the patio at Max’s or the shoulder-to-shoulder cluster at Taylor’s on Wednesday evenings.
But when you’re sitting on an adult-sized tricycle, that stretch of floor can seem a mile long.
That’s right: McShane’s has adult tricycles. And every Tuesday night at 10 p.m., the furniture is cleared out and customers race around the bar for a shot at $25 and free drinks.
Signup sheets sit on a table to the right of the front door and registration starts at 9 p.m. Once a customer signs up, he or she also fills out a waiver — these trike races are serious business. As soon as 10 p.m. rolls around, employees round up the volunteers and position them at the starting line. Women race first followed by the men. Two or three racers zoom around the bar at once. Winner advances to the next round. And so it goes until there are two left. The male and female champions then compete for the grand prize.
Tim Lawlor and Jennifer Aleshire work for So Delicious Dairy Free and usually head to McShane’s when their boss is in town.
“The trike races are what we love about it,” Lawlor said. “To have a whole bar cheer for you as you race around — it’s a unique thing you don’t find anywhere else.”
On this particular evening, Lawlor and Aleshire competed for the top prize. Lawlor edged out a win, but both say it’s not about who wins or loses.
“It’s energizing and competitive,” said Aleshire, director of research of development for So Delicious. “It doesn’t matter who wins. It’s fun. It’s anybody’s game.”
Although much of the building’s first floor is cleared out for the races, the second floor provides the perfect perch for spectators.
Although McShane’s location is a bit inconvenient — it’s nestled on a small road across the highway from Lane Community College — the atmosphere and trike races are well worth the trip. So are the nachos.
There was a time when Thursday nights and the first and third Saturdays of each month were wacky staples in the downtown party scene. The now-shuttered John Henry’s once played host to ‘80s Night — music from arguably the best decade was spun all night long — and G.L.A.M. Night, where a drag show punctuated the evening and kitschy music blared as bar patrons paraded on stage and showed the crowd their moves. Since the bar’s closing, both events have had to find new homes.
G.L.A.M. fans can now head to Luckey’s Club on the first Friday of each month to get their fill. Entrance to the event runs $5 and although there’s no raised stage to dance on at Luckey’s, patrons enjoy two shows rather than one.
Head to the other side of town in the Whiteaker neighborhood and you’ll find John Henry’s other legacy — Blairally Vintage Arcade has taken on hosting duties for ‘80s night. Every Friday beginning at 9 p.m., The Church of the ‘80s begins. It’s $3 to get in and the bevy of pinball machines are a perfect accompaniment to the retro tunes.
On Mondays, a quick walk to Sam Bond’s Garage yields yet another off-beat night-time staple: BINGO night with Tom and Scott. Prizes for the event include free food and drinks in addition to the occasional garage sale find (It’s not uncommon to win a 20-year-old copy of Monopoly or Scrabble).
There you have it. The next time you’re planning your week and looking for an alternative to $1 beers, it might be worth considering any of these opportunities for shenanigans.