<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by WEEKENDALKI:
Do you know Chris Fowler? We had many a drunken night together. he is a good guy.
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Worked with fowler at espn since we were there at the same time (and speaking of fowler – supposedly he married some swimsuit model – way to go chris)
True story: first off – just a little news here about CT. they have “blue laws” – meaning alcohol can only be purchased during certain hours. Last call is 12:45A every night but fri and sat nights (1:45A).
So one summer night during the week, sports center ended around midnight-ish. After the post-production meeting – we decided to go the bar just down the street from espn. It was about 2 miles south of espn. The place was called “hall of fame” – but everyone at espn called it “hall of shame.” Even though there is a radisson ac**** the street from espn (and EVERYONE who has to fly to espn for work stays at this place) “hall” was our place for drinks.
So around 12:15A we head out. I guess I was the first to get there. I go to open the front door – and it is closed. They are locked up for the night. But just because they were locked up for the night didn’t mean they were closed. It was a secret kept among espn employees that just because the place was closed – didn’t mean they were CLOSED!
So I knock on the back door. There was someone still inside because I heard them ask who was there. I told them “espn.” Sure enough, the door opened up and I was let in. I told them a bunch of us were coming down to get some drinks. Sure enough, within the next 10 minutes, more people show up. The guys at the place (there were 2 bartenders left) asked if any on-air talent was coming by. We told them “yes” and soon gary miller and chris fowler show up.
In all there were about 10 of us from espn there. I am about 99% certain the bartenders had done almost all of their closing work for the night – cash count and had the place cleaned up and all. But the bartenders were game – and next thing you know they are pouring drinks like it is water. True to his reputation – gary miller was drinking like a fish (you have no idea how many times he called in “sick” to work – and most of us knew it was because he was shit faced drunk – one time chris berman had to stay late and cover for miller – and to say “boomer” was pisssssssssssed would be a huge understatement). So was fowler who was putting them away to no end.
The bartenders were not only pouring the drinks – but joining us in the shots and all. We had the run of the whole place and they opened up the foosball table for us and went into the back room and brought out bags of chips and all for us to snack on. I don’t recall playing for a single drink – but I did leave them a nice tip – something I’m sure everyone else did.
I was the FIRST person to leave – and that was at 3A. from what I was told most people stuck around until at least 4A getting sloshed and all (fyi – drinking and gambling at espn are the 2 most popular “sports” there). You have no clue how much trouble this place – and probably all of us – would have gotten in if the cops had found out and “busted” in. thankfully that never happened. My guess is this place could have lost its liquor license – for a period of time (week – maybe). But I gotta tell ya – that was one of the “funnest” times I had there and one I won’t forget.
I went back to Bristol in 1994 when they had the nhl draft in hartford – and found out this place was no longer there (geez – wonder why?) and something else was in its place.