Sure the Sox's amazing postseason is old news now, but it's never too soon to start planning postseason celebrations for next year ... or 2090.
Orleans: Martinis and Martinez during ALCS Game 2
There's not much to be said about Orleans that you haven't already heard from your friend who looks down on drinking Guinness at The Burren and loves to believe that there can be a classy place for college students to hang out at in Davis Square.
Orleans has big comfortable couches, a gigantic television and fabulous martinis.
The five people that had ventured out that Wednesday to see Pedro pitch Game 2 of the ALCS in New York had already grabbed the good couch seats, so my friends and I huddled at the one end of the available couch to see the TV.
I ordered a Flirtini, which was pricey (eight bucks!) but delicious (cost the last time the Sox won in 1918: $0.58). The bar food wasn't bad; I had the ironic Yankee pannini which seemed pre-made and only a slight step up from its Hotung equivalent.
The downside to being in a refined setting was me feeling obliged to politely discuss Jason Varitek's batting average and impending free agency when I really wanted to scream "KICK HIS ASS, TEK!!" as A-Rod came to the plate.
The Sox lost that night and I was out $30 (in 1918: $2.18).
Bertuccis: Unlimited rolls and rioting during ALCS Game 7
We couldn't get into any bars down at Fenway, so we headed for the nearest place with beers and a TV in Kenmore Square, which happened to be Bertuccis. It didn't seem like the ideal place to watch what was going to be the historic game that sent the Sox to the World Series, but it ended up being a great time.
Two thoughts on the night: You're thinking "Yankees suck!!" but I'm talking "unlimited rolls." The rolls kept coming through the 7th inning, when the bar got too crowded for the waitress to move.
We had Sam Adams Octoberfest and a small margharita pizza (today: $9.99; in 1918: $0.79).
The crowd was fun, the seating was plentiful, and we were right there for the post-game celebrations in Kenmore. The experience was worth every penny of the $20 (plus cab to escape the riots) I spent.
Mike's Restaurant: Red October and cheap beer during World Series Game 4
We had been waiting for this night for 86 years. But we were also determined not to wait in line at any of the bars in Davis. So, we headed to Mike's Restaurant to grab a slice of pizza, have a few $0.99 beers, and watch the game on the big screen.
Mike's Home Brew is on tap for $0.99 (in 1918: $0.11) per 12-oz. cup, although I would recommend splurging on the $1.50 cup which basically equals a normal sized beer. Closer to water than alcohol, Mike's Home Brew nonetheless got the job done. The pizza was around $2 a slice and it was pretty good.
Most importantly, the crowd was an eclectic mix of Somerville locals of varying ages having a great time. One Cardinals fan was seated in the corner wearing a Pujols jersey, and was rumored to have taken the same seat during the ALCS to root for the Yankees.
Mike's cheap beer and pizza, along with the boisterous crowd, created a near-perfect World Series experience for my friends and I. Besides, what could be better than the sweet taste of long-awaited glory? (Cost, no matter the year: invaluable.)
