Arap’s Old Gun Shop

Araps calls itself an “Eatin’ Drinkin’ Darts” bar. Well they got that right. It’s more of a lounge style bar that probably functioned as an honest to god restaurant once, though apparently it began its life as a gun shop of all things. Now, it looks about 30 years past its prime and in full on dive bar mode. We investigated further…

Drinkability:

The alcohol selection was pretty pathetic, though they did have PBR on tap for those hipsters looking for the ultimate in irony. Otherwise it was standard taps with an odd choice like Blue Moon thrown in. The hard stuff was relegated to a smattering of bar standards only with a couple of flavored vodkas thrown in, and I do mean a couple only. No real top shelf offerings, this is a true “beer and shot” place. The bartender was friendly and helpful, though we ordered no frills drinks as I felt that trying to order a Manhattan or anything more complicated than a gimlet would have resulted in a shrug. The drinks were VERY reasonably priced.

Bar Ambiance:

This was a place that celebrated its diveyness. Dimly lit, the bar was otherwise in almost every way purely functional as a drinking establishment. They did have a couple of flat screen TVs but it’s not a sports bar at all, just pure unadulterated dive.

Patrons:

It was a mixed crowd and an innocuous one at that, but people looking would find a pretty decent 50/50 split in the genders. Patrons were generally friendly but really didn’t stand out in any way, and we didn’t engage them much as we mostly just played darts. It has a reputation for being friendly though.

Entertainment:

Lots to do here; aside from the obvious eatin, drinkin, and dartin’ (they provide darts if you need them), they also had a poker table going, a pool table, Big Buck Hunter (to really get your red neck on) and some video game I couldn’t identify way in the back. Apparently they occasionally do karaoke, though no bands or DJ nights of any kind and occasionally beer pong. Ugh. It should be mentioned that their darts area has 4 dart boards and is well lit.

Intangibles:

It has a good sized parking lot and apparently $1.00 tacos. The bathrooms were only mildly nauseating and thanks to beer pong Fridays, it should generally be avoided on Fridays. Being on Broadway and near Hampden, its easy to get to and from and there are lots of eateries near by, but it would be a bit of a walk to get to someplace decent. It is nearish to the Aussie Pub though so if you by some tragic mistake started there, you could correct it in a hurry.

Overall:

No mixology or pretentious bullshit here, just a dive with lots of activities if just drinking yourself into oblivion isn’t what you’re after. This is the kind of place that the hipsters seem to infect by the dozens except due to location, it’s just not “cool”, which is a good thing generally. This bar isn’t trying to be anything its not and is exactly what it says: An Eatin’ drinkin’ darts place.