Patio One - The Nurse with Amazing Arms

Patio One: Central Park Bar

It was a Saturday at 4 p.m. I was meeting someone from an app, just a friendship thing. We had been talking for two weeks and originally planned to walk Pogo by the lake, but it was cold. I told her about 13 Patios, and we decided to meet at a patio... it was an enclosed porch, but close enough.

I always forget how insane Chicago traffic is. It took her over an hour to get here. While I waited, Pogo and I talked with the people at the bar. Central Park Bar is one of my favorite spots, dogs are welcome until 8 p.m., and everyone wants to hear Pogo’s story. One day, I hope we walk in and they yell, “Pogo!” like Norm from Cheers.

Cocktails

The bar itself is in a building that was built in the 1940's. There are a few tables and the bar inside and fire pits and picnic tables out back . You can bring food in. The drinks are great, the crowd’s friendly, and the bathrooms are clean. It's a vibe I like. Once, I met a girl from Bumble BFF there and we were suddenly surrounded by furries, all petting Pogo. Picture a six-foot-tall cat petting my little pit bull, that’s another story.

I started with a Bee’s Knees, gin, lemon, honey. It was created in Paris in 1921. I like to think about people over 100 years ago celebrating with the same drink, raising their glasses to celebrate or remember someone special. Kelsey had a spicy tequila with soda water. I haven’t had tequila since 1998. When I think of it, I think of vomit and Snoop Dog, so I steer clear.

Kelsey was very cool, easily one of the best people I’ve met from an app. Getting to know her was tricky at first because people kept interrupting to pet Pogo. We met Jason, who showed us photos of his pit bull. Then a husky and his family stopped by. Three girls had been eyeing Pogo the whole time and finally came over. She loved it. I loved it too. It’s good for her to know kindness from strangers.

Patio Two: Avondale Tap

After drinks, we dropped Pogo off at my place and tried to get dinner at the Chicago Diner, she’s a vegetarian and I had heard good things. Parking was impossible. We watched a guy try to wedge his Lexus into a spot, backing into a signpost over and over without any concern.

We ended up at Avondale Tap and split an Impossible Burger with sweet potato tots, which are so good! I had a gin and cranberry, she stuck with spicy tequila. The vibe there is laid-back, the staff is phenomenal, and the patio is one of my favorites. I don't go there for the drinks.

Time Flew

Over five hours, we talked about everything from nursing school (she put herself through it), car repair (she can replace alternators and struts), fitness (she lifts six days a week and she has the arms I want), and kids. I said “gross” when she said she likes babies, evidently that's not the response most people have.

I asked Kelsey for her best Chicago tip. “Always check the real feel, not just the temperature.” Good advice and without her even realizing, so appropriate for for this blog.

It was one of those conversations where you look at your watch and hours have passed. I got home and smiled as I fell asleep. Maybe one day we'll rebuild a Chevelle, or she will and I will hand her the tools.

Connection matters. And that night, I got to know an incredible human.

PS. I was so excited that I forgot to take a pic of our drinks or our food. I think that's a sign that it was a great evening.