Getting Railed

Last weekend, we decided to bite the bullet and inconvenience ourselves with light-rail construction to visit one of our favorite central Phoenix standbys, the George & Dragon. (Click here for more photos.) With a decent crowd filling the pub, it was obvious that we weren't the only ones ready to take Central Avenue back. The place may not have been as packed as it used to be before dirt piles, stray nails, and bottomless pits bombarded its front yard, but there were enough dedicated drinkers to make it a decent night.

Folks were casual as they cuddled up in booths, shot pool, and threw darts on this low-key Saturday night. No sparkly high heels or shiny shirts for this crowd — it was all cotton T-shirts and jeans, just the way we like it. Weezer's Blue Album was belching from the speakers, and it reminded us of days past (way back in the '90s) when we spent endless hours at Scottsdale's Video Round-up, like every true Zonie teenager did. Only this time, we didn't have to booze it in the parking lot.