by Debbi | Dec 19, 2011 | Christmas, Downtown, Events, Good Things, Newsworthy
We had a great time at SantaCon 2011!
This is the second year we've participated in SantaCon Lawrence. What is it? In a nutshell, a pub crawl of Santas parading around downtown Lawrence. Santas were also encouraged to bring non-perishable food donations to be donated to Just Food, the local food bank.
The Santas (and some elves) gathered here around 2 p.m. last Saturday. A reporter and photographer from the Lawrence Journal-World stopped by to talk to Santas and take pictures, and after about an hour the party moved on.
The Santa parade traveled through Sunflower Bike Shop and headed south on Mass Street, with Santas handing out candy canes to children and waving at passersby. The tour included the Granada, a detour to Pyramid Pizza for non-alcoholic sustenance, the Replay Lounge (where a few Santas did the Car Wash on stage, and Dave was interviewed by Channel 6), the Red Lyon, and then back north.
A few Santas stopped for cupcakes at Cupcake Construction Company; others detoured through the Pig. The group came back together at the Bottleneck and ended the evening at Henry's on 8th.
Here are a few links:
Red and White and Christmas All Over (LJ World article)
On the Street: Why Did You Participate in SantaCon (LJ World)
Slide Show about SantaCon (LJ World)
Great group shot outside the Sandbar by John Clayton
by Debbi | Dec 18, 2011 | Christmas, Sandbar Stuff
We've got new pint glasses for the holidays! This design is on one side of the glass and our logo's on the other side:
This design idea was submitted by Chris way back in August. Way to plan ahead, Chris, we need to do more of that!
We loved it, of course. Pints are available for $3 each, and they make great gifts for the Sandbar fan in your life! You can also bring your pint glass in on Thursdays for $2.50 tropical drinks.
by Debbi | Dec 15, 2011 | Christmas
'Tis the season…to find creative ways to use your Sandbar drink toys!
Every year, we have good intentions of decorating a Christmas tree with Sandbar trinkets and donating it to the Festival of Trees auction that benefits The Shelter. And every year, we forget about it until it's too late to get one done.
But we have lots of customers who are either poor college students or just really, really love our toys- and they decorate their own trees with ducks, beads and other tropical drink paraphernalia, and sometimes they share those pictures with us.
Here's one from Twitter follower @wbloomie:
We particularly love the creativity of this one- not only did she hang toys on the tree, but she actually used the toys to strategically create a face.
And here's another one, also from a Twitter follower, @hilaryferguson:
Do you decorate a tree with Sandbar drink toys? We'd love to see it! You can tweet it to @thesandbar, post it on our Facebook page, or email it to us at sandbar@thesandbar.com. Happy holidays!
by Debbi | Dec 13, 2011 | Christmas
It's time for our third annual "Twelve Days of Sandbar Christmas Gifts" post!
Each day, we offer you a new suggestion for a tropical-themed holiday gift. Come back each day for a new idea, or look back at our gifts for 2010 and 2009.
Day 1: Tropical Christmas Tree Shirt
We've all seen the silly Christmas-themed shirts and sweaters. You might even have one in your closet (and your mom definitely does). But we bet you don't have a shirt with a Christmas palm tree on it.
Day 2: Vintage Hula Girl Lamp
This one is cool: a vintage hula girl lamp, complete with actual hula dancing! This lamp was featured in the Adam Sandler movie 50 First Dates. A unique gift for the hula lover on your list! There's even a holiday sale in case you need to buy two of them.
Day 3: Drillblender
Because everybody needs a portable blender, and this one is fun: the Boatblender drill bit attaches to your cordless drill, so you can blend the perfect drink wherever you go! Assuming you carry your cordless drill with you, that is.
Day 4: Tropical Tiki Planters
For the gardener in your life, may we suggest these tropical tiki planters! Two different sizes are available, and you can plant tropical plants in them and pretend you're in the islands.
Day 5: Parrot Bottle Opener
We know you like to drink, so a bottle opener is a must-have for any home bar. Why not have a little fun with your bottle opener and choose this parrot-themed one?
Day 6: Goldfish Ice Bucket
If you're looking for a slightly classier, more upscale gift, check out this goldfish mini ice bucket. It would look great at your pool party or even an indoor beach-themed party. You don't even have to use it for ice; you could put anything in it.
Day 7: Beach Bum Santa Blanket
Cold? Check out this blanket that depicts tropical Santa lounging on the beach instead of delivering presents in the snow.
Day 8: Homemade Beach Theme Christmas Wreaths
I don't think you can actually buy these, but they're pretty cool: homemade wreaths with a beach theme! There's an anchor-shaped wreath, seashell wreaths and wreaths with mermaids. Very fun for the DIY-er!
Day 9: Pirate Santa Christmas Ornament
Love pirates? We do. And we love this blown glass Pirate Santa Christmas tree ornament!
Day 10: Shark Oven Mitt
If someone on your gift list likes to cook, how about this shark oven mitt? It's perfect for the kitchen! It's designed to look like the shark is eating your arm.
Day 11: Mermaid Divas
If you've got someone on your list who loves mermaids, check out these mermaid diva dolls. There are several different varieties and they're very fancy!
Day 12: Air Swimmers
This just might be one of the coolest gifts we've found this year: remote-controlled flying clownfish and sharks. Someone at the Sandbar *might* be getting one for Christmas this year…
by Debbi | Nov 30, 2011 | Christmas, Downtown, Events, Good Things, Pub Crawl
SantaCon 2011 is coming to town!
Last year we participated in the inaugural SantaCon in downtown Lawrence, and we're excited to be part of this event again this year!
What is SantaCon? “SantaCon is a mass gathering of people dressed in Santa Claus costumes parading publicly on streets and in bars in cities around the world. The focus is on spontaneity and creativity, while having a good time and spreading cheer and goodwill," according to Wikipedia.
SantaCon Lawrence also incorporates a bit of charity: a food drive to benefit Just Food, the local food bank.
Here's the details for this year's extravaganza:
- When: Saturday, Dec. 17
- Time: 2 p.m.
- Where: Starts at the Sandbar and travels to downtown Lawrence bars
Food donations will be accepted at the Sandbar all day on Dec. 17, so even if you can't participate in SantaCon you can still donate non-perishable food.
Be sure to find a Santa costume! Check out Fun & Games or the Antique Mall in downtown Lawrence for suits or accessories. Or, be creative and make your own!
For more information about SantaCon Lawrence, including the rules, visit the website. You can also like the SantaCon Lawrence Facebook page or RSVP to the event on Facebook.
by Debbi | Jan 4, 2011 | Christmas, KU Basketball, People
Since I publicly committed to blogging daily here during January, and since I've kind of run out of things to write about (for now), I put out a plea to the staff. I sent them a list of random questions and begged them to answer them so I could profile them here.
Danny was the first (and so far the only) one to answer me.
Way back in 2007, we profiled Danny for the first time. A lot of things change in three years…and some things don't.
How long you have you worked here? Since May 2005
What's your favorite drink to drink? Jameson+rocks
What's your favorite drink to make? I think I make a mean margarita. (He does. And I would know.)
Most unusual drink request? Calimocho…red wine and cola equal parts…shockingly enough I already knew how to make it because of a guy I met in the climbing club at KU who was from Spain. The lady that ordered it was equally shocked that I didn't need any clarification.
Favorite memory at the bar: I worked a SLOW Tuesday and Bill Self made an appearance. While he was there he bought 2 bottles of Miller Lite and tipped me $20 for each one. If only everyone tipped that way!
Tell us a funny story from the bar: Sandbar Christmas party 2009…Hayley gave me a wedgie, and when I feigned that I was going to retaliate, she yelled for help…Joe, who was behind the bar, quickly responded by spraying me in the face…..with Sprite. I was still sticky when I woke up the next morning. Good times.
Other things Danny does when not working at the Sandbar: Nursing school, running, fundraising like a bat out of hell for MS (http://main.nationalmssociety.org/site/TR?px=3998975&fr_id=16072&pg=personal), pretend musician for $ellout!
What's your favorite jukebox song? Van Morrison – Cleanin' Windows
What's the song you never want to hear again? Disney, Save a Horse…
Thanks Danny! And here's a picture from the aforementioned 2009 Christmas party:
What staff member do you want to learn about next?
