After extensive research conducted by spending a considerable amount of hours at many local establishments both along the famed Water Street as well as the antiquated downtown stretch, I have learned many things about those who choose between the two. I was not always the sharpest observer during these times, but let’s just say I was always seeing through the same liquid lens that draws so many of us to these Eau Claire watering holes. Let’s get started.
Actually before we start, here’s some advice. If you haven’t learned by now, there are good and bad aspects to everything in this world. If you are unaware of this you might want to peek outside of the womb for a moment. A purely angelic outlook on life is great if you have reached transcendence atop a mountain of peace and solitude. If you see only red and are completely void of positivity, you are going to do wonders in your Norwegian death metal band-I wish you the best. But if you’re like most people and are somewhere in the middle of those then you’re going to do a lot better during your time here. Keep in mind the fact that chaos and order do exist but so does something in the middle. Find the point of balance.
I’m going to begin with the bad stuff. She-Nannigans. Guys what the hell. A sweaty, sardine-packed, dancing zoo filled with riled-up students filling themselves with a sticky colorful liquid that turns sixes to eights, arguments to fights, and strangers to mates-yeah that’s going to work out. What I hear most people say about this place is, “We went to Shenans last night? Why would we do something like that?” This is followed by dismal faces falling into regretful palms. I’m led to the conclusion that Shenans is a place that people either go to when they are blackout drunk or it’s the last place someone has been right before they blackout. Let’s let this regret paint a picture of Shenans with two thumbs down.
Speaking of vomit on the floor, (well now we are), the vomit on the floor of Shenanigans is largely made up of the affordable yet filling burritos sold at El Patio (now Burrito Express). How’s that for a transition? I believe these burritos save lives. You can find $6 in your couch and under your dryer to bring to this establishment in exchange for a delicious burrito just shy of the size Chipotle roles up. What this means is at any point of your night on Water Street you almost always have the ability to increase your sobriety by an approximate 20 percent. For all the momentum students put towards getting to the fast-forward button of their night, a burrito from El Patio just might save you some heat in the near to late future. That is unless you go to Shenans, then you just might spill that $6 on the dance floor before or after the burrito is eaten.
There’s a lot to be said of Water Street and an equal amount to be said about the downtown area. I could fill a book with my stories and together I'm sure we could fill a dozen libraries. Next week I will discuss the downtown scene, why you should be there, why you shouldn’t, and just what the hell all these metal statues mean.
