Ranking My Favorite Bars, Crappy Politics and All

My favorite beer is Yuengling and my favorite bar in Washington is Russia House. Bad combo for a Democrat, right? I mean, honestly, it doesn't bode well for you when you know that your favorite beer hates unions and Democrats, and when the owner actually put his money behind our second-place President. It almost makes me want to boycott, even though I generally don't believe in boycotts over politics (unless the situation is very serious). I'll definitely give Russia House a pass though- just being Russian isn't bad.

It's about the time of year where I should do my annual favorite bar's list. It's not scientific, and it's frankly not even claiming to be all-inclusive- I do most of my drinking here in Easton. Even so, I have a list in mind, and I'm going to run with it. Here is my top five.

1. College Hill Tavern- Easton, PA- So this is practically my home bar. Located a couple of blocks from Lafayette College, and a short ride from my house, it's convenient. It's not the dive it used to be, but the trade off is that the food is really good now. Of course the bar where the bartenders know my name and what i'm ordering when I walk in is going to be #1. 
2. Russia House- Washington, DC- Ok, it's pricey. Past that, it's awesome. I had a Ukrainian lager last week, and it was really awesome. The bartenders are legitimately from the old Soviet bloc, and the food is good- but expensive. Obviously, they have an incredible array of vodkas to drink.
3. OBT- Bethlehem, PA- This place has changed owners many times, but who doesn't love the dive bar by their college? It's hard to not love the OBT now, with it's nice outside patio in the Summer, and spacious inside, complete with Beirut (Beer Pong) tables. I do miss the days of $2 pitchers (when I was in college), or when the exterior of the bar wasn't finished, to save tax money.
4. Cafe 210 West- State College, PA- Any bar located on College Avenue in State College is going to be awesome. This one is just my personal favorite. I love the patio, and the beer is pretty cheap. I've only ever been there on game weekends, so it's particularly awesome, and crowded. I like crowded if i'm going out to drink.
5. Bob and Barbara's- Philadelphia, PA- There are two basic reasons this is on the list. The first is that you can find a "regular" crowd there during weekdays, in my experience, which is how you know a bar is awesome. The second reason is "the special." The shots of Jameson and PBR pounders come in threes, and they were $9. Simply put, for a place on South Street in Philadelphia to be that cheap means it's a place I need to go.