Put-in-Bay?

[jlb1705]

Looks like my girlfriend and I are going up to Put-in-Bay/Cedar Point for Memorial Day weekend. Neither of us have ever been to Put-in-Bay, and I'm wondering if there's anything I should absolutely make sure I do there.

Any suggestions from people who are familiar with the place? What are the best restaurants/bars?

 

[Hubbard]

This last summer I was in Put-in-bay for the first time for a bachelor party and I had no idea what to expect. Let me tell you, what I remember, I had a blast! The night life was pretty fun simply because along the "strip", their are a bunch of different bars each with a different theme to them. The Beer Barrel Saloon was probably my favorite bar because of the live band, atmosphere (It has the Worlds Longest Bar), people and size (it's a big place). But bar hopping was fun too and not having to drive to get back to the hotel was also really good. I wish I was feeling better the next day to do some sight-seeing but alas that is different story. Here's a snip-it: Bars close around 1:30, but I somehow left before that, don't know where I went or how I got there, but found my way to the hotel at 4am, soaked and grass-stained.

As for things you should do, DEFINITELY go to the winery, very good wine.

 

[CleveBucks]

Be prepared for:

1. Very expensive beer
2. Divorced 40-somethings looking to score
3. A big hangover

 

[coxew]

I went about five years ago and must say I was a bit disappointed. Maybe I was expecting too much from everything I had heard about it, but much like going to a Buffett concert, way overrated, IMO.

 

[matz2]

The place is pretty fun, but it is fucking dirty as hell.

As far as things to do, go to the World's Longest Bar and check out Pat Dailey. If you like Jimmy Buffett, you will like Dailey. Also, go to the restaurant on the water. I think it is called the Pier as you walk down a long pier to get to it. Try the lobster bisque...hmmm lobster bisque.

If you aren't staying on the island, make sure you get to the boat early. I think the last boat leaves at midnight, so I would plan on getting there around 11:00-11:15 to avoid the madhouse leaving the island.

 

[TheMightyQuinn]

Dont take the expensive boat. Get the cheap one that takes you to the wrong side of the island. Then go the airport bar, there is always a 40 something looking to score, its hilarious. Plus you're a litttle closer to the winery if I'm not mistaken.

 

[BuckeyeRyn]

The winery is a must!!!

 

[jcfiesta]

Pat Dailey sucks.

Roundhouse is the best bar. Check out Maddog in the afternoon, guy is a solo act w/ guitar and is a comedian. Avoid Pat Dailey at all cost. The Boardwalk is the place to enjoy lunch, must try the peel and eat shrimp and Lobster Bisque. Mr. Ed's next to the Beer Barrel has done some remodeling..very impressive. I think they are putting in a huge outdoor bar/pool - I wouldn't suggest wading in the piss filled water but would be worth checking out. When leaving the Boardwalk, walk away from the square and check out the private club/marina. Some very impressive boats.

Be prepared to have plenty of idiots hit on your girl friend - unless she's fat and ugly...then only a few will attempt to ride.

Where are you staying?

edit: bring some beers on the ferry ride over, it will save you some cash as they aren't cheap on the island - a couple of the ferrys allow drinking. Buckets at the Roundhouse have to be $30?

 

[BuckBackHome]

I believe the only thing to do on the island is drink. At least that is the only thing I ever did there.

 

[BrutuStrength]

...Also, go to the restaurant on the water. I think it is called the Pier as you walk down a long pier to get to it. Try the lobster bisque...

FYI, that restaurant is called the Boardwalk, and yes, the lobster bisque is pretty good. I almost always get a bowl when I visit there.

The only "must do" that I can think of, is to go to several of the bars. The Beer Barrel, as previously mentioned, has the world's longest bar, and you should watch Pat Dailey if he's playing that evening. During the afternoon, we usually go see Mad Dog over at the Round House and order a few buckets of beer. It's the smallest bar, but often has the best afternoon atmosphere. You might also want to order a pizza at Frosty's. It's not the best pizza, and like most everything else on the Island it's a bit pricey, but it's another fun stop that regulars like to visit.

PIB can be a lot of fun, but make sure that you don't walk around the street with any open containers, or you'll be slapped with a fine in excess of $125. That makes for a very expensive beer.

If you don't ride over on the Jet Express (aka the pricey ferry boat) then you will arrive on the back side of the island. Then you'll need to catch a bus (only a $1 - $2 per person) to get to the main area. If you enjoy walking, then you can save the bus fare and hike the 1.5 miles or so (it's longer than it seems, trust me). Also, the cheap ferry (Miller Boat Line) has their last boats leave the island around 8:30 or so, so it's not the best choice for people that want to party later.

One thing my wife and I did with one of my brothers that was pretty fun, we took a tour of the island on Segues (the two-wheel balancing scooter thingys) and that was cool. It was also expensive ($60 or $90 a person), but we all agreed it was worth doing at least once. It was a great way to see the island, especially if you've never been there before. You can also rent golfcarts to explore the island on your own.

 

[jcfiesta]

If you eat the Frostys Pizza make sure you are drunk and starved because it is cardboard with a topping of cheese. If you'd like the Best Pizza on the Island check out Cameo Pizza, it changed locations but I think it is above the Islander Inn.

Brutus, you enjoyed Pat D? Pat might be the only act I've seen at the Beer Barrell where the dance floor can be empty.

www.put-in-bay.com

 

[exhawg]

I went there for a bachelor party a few years ago (day of the first NCSt game) and it was a blast from what I can remember. That was their New Years or something like that so there were boobs for beads everywhere. If you want to get drunk I would recommend taking some alcohol with you since it is expensive. I drank a whole flask of rum before we went out and ended up near blackout by the end of the night. All I remember is proposing to a 6'2" hottie that had fake OSU tattoos on her nipples, and making out with two chicks at the same time.

 

[BrutuStrength]

Brutus, you enjoyed Pat D? Pat might be the only act I've seen at the Beer Barrell where the dance floor can be empty.

Yep, I am huge Pat Dailey fan. I have most of his CDs, and got some friends of mine from Delaware (the state) hooked on him as well. For anyone who hasn't heard Pat before, just know that he's known much more for his humor than his musical talents. It may be more appropriate to classify him as a "performer" rather than a "singer." That being said, I enjoy his songs as I think they are really funny. And while there may be some times when the dance floor is a bit lame, I've also seen times where he had everyone in the place on their feet. IMHO, he's worth the $4 cover charge if he's playing while your there.

For full disclosure, I am a big fan of PIB in general. I used to work for the Jet Express (ferry boat) the first 4 or 5 years of it's existence, since I lived in Port Clinton at the time. I have been all over the island, even done all of the little things like going to the crystal caves, Perry's monument, the winery, etc. One of my fellow crew members for a year or 2 is one of Pat Dailey's sons.

 

[BrutuStrength]

Brutus, how'd you like working with Weber and Lamb?

I think I might need more help with names, like first names, or cities where they were from. It was 10-15 years ago, and we had annual turnover. I can remember a couple of people that I went to HS with: Pope, Lance (I think he's running the company now), Jim (can't remember his last name), Gaydosh, and Ohlemacher.

There were also some guys from Fremont: Rick (he still works there as a firstmate), Peewee, Joe (can't remember his last name).

Overall it was a pretty fun job, especially when I worked crew for the Arrow (it was the big old boat that had a bar on board before they got their 2nd and 3rd jet boats).

I think the cover to PD was $8 or $12 last time I went. He was very bitter as someone requested a Buffet song.

Well then the cover has certainly gone up. Still should be a fun time though.

 

[Piney]

Maybe I will run into you as I will be there that weekend as me and my group of friends go to PIB twice a year. Plus throw in that it will be my last weekend before I get married and I plan on getting trashed! As a group we always rent a house and bring tons of alcohol as we normally get liquored up before we take the taxi to the downtown area.

Really depends on what you are looking for. If you are looking to get drunk there are plenty of bars and wineries to hit. You can head to "downtown" to the main bar area and just go barhopping. I wish I could tell you what else is there but there are only 3 reasons I go to the Islands

#1 - Get Drunk
#2 - Drunk Horny Half-Naked Women
#3 - Get Drunk!

About food I just love going to MossBacks which is near the Boardwalk Restaraunt (the one with the long pier). Basically if you are not into seafood Mossbacks is better than the Boardwalk. And jcfiesta is right about Frostys... it is cardboard with ketchup and cheese. Horrible crap but when you are trashed to the hilt it hits the spot.