Mango Mike’s, Alexandria VA

What can I say about Mango’s that half of all my Facebook buddies don’t already know?  I can’t really describe one real experience I’ve had there and if I had to describe every single detail, it would probably cover a 30 volume encyclopedia set.  Who wants to read all that junk anyways???  Shit, I wouldn’t!!!  Additionally, it would not be fair for me to blog about this place in the future since it’s definitely one of my most beloved watering holes.

This place is where I first learned to drink.  Don’t get me wrong.  I started drinking before I was 21, but it was here that I learned to socialize at a bar instead of a house party where things were very delinquent and crazy.  Not only did I learn to drink here, but many of my close friends (ya know who you are) and many other Alexandrians, Alexandria-agoen’s?? ??? (fuck it, you know what I mean) learned to drink.  I can honestly say that I’ve had some of my funniest memories during my twenties here; I’ve also had some really shitty times here too.  When you become a regular at a bar, you become friends or least for the most part, close to the staff.  Relationships develop and eventually, the staff knows exactly what you like and a little something in your life.  I find if pretty cool that these people take interest in their customers.   This was ‘my version’ of Cheers.

I remember the days when I first started hittin’ this joint.  It would always be the same group of us going on Thursdays.  Back in 2002 or 2003 (I forget), Thursdays nights was just another night at the bar, but to the select group I chilled with, it was our night; the night in which we started off the weekend.  Thursdays soon started to pick up with more and more Latinos showing up.  I’m not sure how Latin Thursday nights came about, but it just happened.  We also attended Friday and Saturday nights, but it was something about Thursday nights that drove me there.  Lines would eventually form on this particular day with waits that could as long as 45 minutes (common seriously, lines???  This ain’t DC!!!).  Yeah, you had to pay after 10 in get in, but to me, it was cool.  It was actually one of the few exceptions I made.  Why you ask?  Well, first it was to be with my boyz/the Guy/the Rat and a few others.  Second, there was a bunch of BAD-ASS HOT girls wearing close to nothing (in the summer and sometimes in the winter) and I always had to holla!!  I had to get my game one!!  Third, our group or whatever you call it, developed a pretty cool relationship with the staff.  We felt welcomed!  They saw us and they new it was over!!  Shit, good luck getting that same feeling in some lame-ass DC Club.  Anyways, that’s how we started our weekend and the way we partied that night, it’s like we partied an entire 3-day weekend in one night.   Arrive at 10ish or so, then stay till close.  Another great thing is you also get to know some of regulars and eventually develop relationships with them.  Sometimes they would last, sometimes it would not.  As the crowd changed over the years, so did our group.  I remember it was usually 5 to 6 us.  But because of domestic disputes, people getting married and blah blah blah some lame shit, the number shrunk.  We also included one or two new faces, who have also come and gone.  I think outta the original OG’s (hehehe…gansta) only 3 stallions remain.

Over the years, our presence slowly diminished.  There’s been instances where the group would attend 4 times a week (Wednesday thru Saturday), and sometimes just once a week.  On other occasions, we would drop by obliterated after attending a DC United match just sneak a in few more drinks before last call.   Now, we’re lucky if we come by once a month.  The group was growing up.  We all got serious jobs and reality slowly sneaked up on us (Fuckin’sucks!).  There was a point where I didn’t attend for almost a year, cuz of an educational obligation.  But what can I say??  When any of us need a place to drink locally, it’s usually the Mangs (as we called it).   It is what I refer to as “our bar by default.”

Alright, this bar has a little something for errbody!!   Not long ago,I think on a Thursday, I attended a happy hour with a Uber-cool chica friend and to my liking, 2 dollar Coronas till 7pm (Fuck yeah)!!!   Additionally, we had their kick-ass wings with two dollars off.  So what do we do???  We start pounding them Coronas and fill our bellies till 7.  Some other nights they have 2 dollar Millers and Coronas till 9 on Tuesdays.  FUCK!!! How’d I miss that?? Shit!!!   Anyways, if I could hit up more happy hours, it would definitely be at da Mangs.  Unfortunately, I work to far to make it on time.  The staff is cool as hell, the drinks are moderately priced (I mean, when you go late at night or when happy hour is not taking place) and they actually have kick =).  When serving beers, they actually serve them in actual 16 pint glasses!!  So more booze for the buck!!!  The food is great; can’t go wrong with anything.  Jerk and Miami wings are my usual and during the summer you can chill out on the deck with real sand and palm trees!!!  But like I said earlier, half of my Facebook buddies and Alexandria know what I’m talking about.  If you live outta the area, try it out.  Oh, yeah during party nights, the bouncers are actually pretty cool guys. They actually know who I am!!!  Also, they do a pretty good job of keeping all the assholes outside.

I will do my best to keep this blog update every couple or so days with more of my previous and current happy hour/night life experiences.  Stay tuned till’ next time!!!