The Sandbar...Home of the Indoor Hurricane!

What Happens During the Hurricane?

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.

Nights at The Door

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." 

Sandbar VIP Night at the Movies!

This Friday, March 30, is a special event at the Crystal Plaza Theater in Ottawa.

All of our Sandbar friends are invited to the premiere of "Wild Hogs" as well as a pre-film party.  If you would like to attend, just request a VIP pass from the wonderful bartenders at The Sandbar (Lawrence or Ottawa) or The Lodge of Baldwin City. 

The event begins at 6:15 p.m. at the Crystal Plaza, where you will be escorted to the "Back Stage" of the theater.  We'll have a pre-party sponsored by The Sandbar of Ottawa. 

If you haven't been to the Crystal Plaza yet, it's worth the drive to Ottawa.  This is a grand old theater that has been restored by Peach and Ted along with their business partners.  It has sparkling crystal chandeliers in the lobby, beautiful (and comfortable!) sofas, and two screens.  Movie Dave, who you may remember from Hillcrest/Dickinson theaters here in Lawrence, is the manager.  Something unique about this theater, though, is the "Back Stage."  A neat little room behind the two movie theaters, it's a great gathering spot.  It has a stage and also a balcony area.  We've had several parties back there already and it's great fun. 

So come on out this Friday to check out the "Back Stage," the new Crystal Plaza Theater, and the new movie "Wild Hogs!"

Cool Heather

Fridays just wouldn't be the same without Heather.  The after-work shift on Friday has been Heather's since she started working there, 7 or 8 years ago.  Lots of folks around town know Heather since she grew up in Lawrence and her parents still live here.  Here are some fun facts about Heather.  And, today is Heather's birthday!

How did you get the job at The Sandbar?  My friend Joanna was a bartender there and working on her PhD at the time.  She had a fellowship for the summer and I filled in for her at the bar for a few months.  I took to it and the bar took to me and I'm still here all these years later.

What other jobs do you have or have you had?  I've parked cars at the Kansas Speedway; worked for the Chamber of Commerce; worked in the mental health industry, and worked at a movie theater back in high school {her first boss was Movie Dave!!!}.  My day job and career are in human resources.

Favorite job besides The Sandbar?  That's tough, since The Sandbar is my favorite job- where else do you get paid to have fun and dance on the bar?

Favorite drink to drink?  Vodka Press

Favorite drink to make?  A classic martini, there is just something about all the ritual that goes into that I like.

Any specialty drinks?  I had a time where I was naming my shot creations after shoes, but then somebody renamed my Black Boot the Black Boob. {I remember the Pink Sandal!}  After that I tried Muppet names.  I think my best specialty drink is the Sun King named after a horse I bet on in the Kentucky Derby a few years ago.

Favorite memory at the bar? I was working one Friday night and there was a big group of people standing and staring out the windows.  I couldn't tell if something was going on outside but we were busy so I figured I would look into it later.  About 30 minutes later a young couple came into the bar. I carded both of them, and when the young woman handed me her ID, the crowd by the window started cheering.  Turns out, it was her 21st birthday and her whole family was waiting for her to come in.  Her mom went up to her, gave her a big hug, and said "Congratulations, honey, now you can use your real one."  The Sandbar was the hardest place to get into with a fake ID and she had been dying to come in when she became legal.  The whole thing was very sweet.

Favorite jukebox song?  I have a whole CD of favorites, Cool Heather's Music!

Song you never want to hear again?  Muskrat Love by Captain and Tenille.

How many dollars do you have on the wall? Just one and it was my very first tip.

Favorite bar dancing song?  Hands down it has got to be the Car Wash.

Favorite Sandbar float?  I really loved the Grease car.

Longest you've ever waited in line?  One hour.

Hobbies?  I love reading and can talk your arm off about movies.

Favorite quotes?  I have two.  "Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission" by Eleanor Roosevelt and "Laughter is the sun that drives the winter from the human face" by Victor Hugo.

Favorite music? While it makes Phil quite insane, I do have a deep love for disco.

5 Random Things About Heather

• I'm deathly afraid of grasshoppers
• I believe the Sandbar ghost exists
• I'm older than I look
• I've read the majority of the "classics" in literature
• Every year I throw my own personal Oscar party and watch the whole shindig from red carpet pre-party all the way to post-party wrapup in my pj's with delicious junk food, some of which I only eat on that big night.

Heather says "you can always tell a quality human being by how much they like The Sandbar." 

More LJW Space

Some random guy wrote a letter to the editor of the Lawrence Journal-World that mentioned The Sandbar!

Here is the letter:

Thank you to everyone who made the Lawrence St. Patty’s Day Parade a fun and successful occasion. History was made again as the Sandbar entry was the first float in this parade’s duration to have a men’s and women’s bathroom on board. Lucky, too, because it was a loooong parade!

Isn't that cool?  You can see the letter on the LJW website here. 

What in the world will we do next year to top this float? 

Where Are They Now- Kay

Kay was an employee at The Sandbar long before my time, but fortunately she pops into the bar enough that she's still a familiar face.

When did you work at The Sandbar and for how long?  Started in March 1993 for two years.

How did you get the job? I asked Peach with a Bahama Mama in hand "Hey Peach, when I turn 21 can I get a job here?"  Needless to say, she screamed a bit that I wasn't yet of age. I started the job the next week.  {if any of you reading this are underage, please know that The Sandbar is very serious about not allowing anyone under 21 in the bar.}

What are you doing now? I'm the bar manager of a live theatre and I sell health insurance.

Last time you were at The Sandbar? Rarely now, but most recently in February for a post-bachelorette party.

Favorite job (besides The Sandbar)?  Limo driver or theatre bar manager.

Favorite drink to drink? Wine. {I'm guessing that she didn't develop this taste at The Sandbar...}

Favorite drink to make? Wine.

Any specialty drinks? Wine for Kay.  {noticing a theme here?? get the girl some wine! it's no wonder we don't see her at The Sandbar much- we're not exactly known for our wine selection}.

Favorite song on the jukebox? "Take It Back" by Jimmy Buffett

How many dollars do you have on the wall? I used to have three, and a post card of me posing on the beach, and at least two dozen other photos.  I think there are two left.  Old school doesn't always last.  But the yellow and red plastic Sandbar sign that we stole, ahem, acquired in the Keys is still there! {note to Kay...I'm pretty sure there are more than just two pictures of you on the wall...but they've been moved around quite a bit in previous years.}

Longest you've waited in line? I quit when I was asked to wait in line.

What was The Sandbar like when you worked there?  Fun, easy, new, and fresh.  Still stunk a little though.

Another 30 Seconds

And here's another installment of video footage from our favorite day of the year.

Mexi-Cans Wednesdays

Drumrollllllllll, please....

The Sandbar would like to announce our new Wednesday special, Mexi-Cans!!

Wednesdays at The Sandbar will feature $2.00 cans of Modelo and Tecate.  We'll still have the fabulous free chips and salsa provided by our friends up the street, La Familia Cafe and Cantina. 

Sombreros will be available for wear and purchase, and free fun is always provided by our Wednesday night crew- Morgan, Blair, and John.  Stop in some Wednesday after work and enjoy the warm weather, our open windows, and our new Mexi-Cans!

30 Seconds of Float Fun

If you haven't noticed, we have a new fascination with Youtube....

Brother Pants jumped off our float a couple times in North Lawrence to run ahead and videotape the boat as it sailed by. 

Here is a great clip of the Showboat, rocking along to Proud Mary.

Isn't it amazing how synchronized and coordinated everyone is??!!??

A selection of the best St. Patrick's Day pictures taken by Michelle, Justin, Tierney, and others have been posted in the St. Patrick's Day album on the right side of the page.

Enjoy! And if you have any pictures of our float, the parade, or inside The Sandbar after the parade, we'd love to see them!

The Best Part of the Float

It was brought to my attention by my peanut gallery that I failed to mention the best part of the float, or at least the most unique part of the float.

Have you ever seen a parade float that actually had a bathroom on board? And not only a bathroom....but separate men's and women's, with sheets separating them for privacy? Only on the Sandbar float would you find something so strange. 

Last year, like every year really, we lined up soooo early and ended up waiting and waiting for the parade to start.  Of course as soon as we were very far from the house, it seemed like everyone had to use the restroom.  A few people ran all the way back to our house to use the facilities.  Leah, however, the "runaway bride,"  marched right up to the house on Mass Street that we were parked in front of and asked the residents, who were hanging out on the porch, if she could use theirs.  They didn't mind, and those of us on the float thought it was hilarious.

Our on-board bathroom actually did get used, too.