This time, the drink is Four Loko, a 12 percent alcohol/caffeine boosted energy drink that comes in a 24-ounce can and tastes somewhat like crushed-up Flintstones vitamins and antifreeze. While there are certainly an infinite number of ways for college kids to get drunk, this seems to be the one of the moment, and because of that and our film-everything youth culture, there are tons of YouTube videos of people passed out from drinking the stuff. Oh, and some media sources have seemingly piled on by including Four Loko in reports of run-of-the-mill DUI-related accidents, like this report in the Star (originally from The Arizona Republic):

Mesa police say an "extremely intoxicated" teenager smashed her SUV into a tree Sunday morning after reportedly playing "beer pong" with the caffeinated alcoholic beverage Four Loko.

[...]

Police say Cummins failed to stop her SUV at an intersection, jumped a curb, hit a tree in a residential front yard and finally came to rest against a house.

[...]

Four Loko contains 12 percent alcohol - 24 proof - and is sold in 23.5-once cans and is banned in some states.

Was the beverage the problem for Ms. Cummins? Not really; it could have just have easily been a Canadian Club whiskey and lemon eegee's bender that led her to drive irresponsibility, but that wouldn't play into an existing weak story arc. And that arc seems to be working, as Sen. Charles Schumer, who clearly should have better things to do, is moving to ban the drink and other caffeine/booze combos nationwide, a move that five states have already made.

Wouldn't it be easier just to let the fad run its course? In a few months, no one will likely care about Four Loko anymore, because they'll realize it has a terrible taste, and there are far easier ways to get drunk.

Until then, tonight I'm going to get a Four Loko at the local Quik Mart and toast to freedom. I'll probably pour most of the can out, but the symbolic gesture will have been made.

Photo by JamesKM03, Flickr

Empire Pizza and Pub has received its liquor license and can now properly fulfill the “pub” portion of its name. The restaurant is situated in a narrow space at 137 E. Congress St. and serves East Coast-style pizza, salads and sandwiches until 10 p.m. on weeknights and 3 a.m. on weekends.

The menu is here.

Gabrielle Giffords worked a brief shift—heavy on the hand-shaking—yesterday at the Trident Grill, as reported by KMSB Fox 11 (home of the Entertainment Searchlight, featuring someone from the Weekly and the always charming Lou Raguse). The first pour they show looks like a good one, but the one near the end of the clip seems like a potential do-over.

Nintz adds: That wasn't Giffords' only stint working around CD8 over the weekend. She also dished out gelato at Frost on Saturday and bused tabled at the Good Egg on Sunday. The unorthodox campaign stunts went largely ignored by the media, with the exception of the above news story on Fox 11.

Todd Brinkman, who heads up the resort's beverage program, was obviously proud of his beds of chocolate mint, cinnamon basil, dill, sage and other herbs at a media dinner held at the resort last night. I had a pisco sour infused with cinnamon basil, and although the drink was free (an ingredient that obviously enhances a drink's flavor) I would've gladly paid top dollar for it.

Ah yes, Rhino Pub—The bar at 1118 E. Sixth St. that closed some years back only to reopen as Belushe’s, Victory Bar and, most recently, Gooch’s Grill.

And now, all these years later, it’s Rhino Pub again. Steve Ketchum, the new owner, even found the original six-foot wooden rhinoceros mascot and put back in its rightful spot near the stairway.

Ketchum has also lengthened the bar, increased the number of seats and made it easier to see the 10 televisions from elsewhere in the restaurant. The menu has been pared down to pub-grub basics like burgers, brats, Italian sausages and a megaton of appetizers.

“We’ve also got the best wings in Tucson,” Ketchum said, before explaining that he deep-fries them before giving them the once-over on the char broiler. I’m not sure if that actually makes them the best in town, but you have to give it to a guy who has that much pride in his hot wings.

The upstairs is being converted into the Rhino Express, a café that will serve all varieties of coffee drinks, smoothies and pastries. It will also have an energy drink and juice bar when completed.

Ketchum is also working on fixing up and covering the patio, which he expects to have completed by later this year.

Right now, there are 19 beers on tap and a full bar. Happy hour goes down daily from 4 to 6 p.m. Karaoke takes place on Tuesday and Thursday, and the doors open at 10 a.m. on Sundays for sports action and specials on Bloody Marys and wings.

Call 867-8123 for more information.

A brewing expert from Brew Your Own Brew demonstrates how to make homemade beer from 4 to 6 p.m., tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 25, in the market at Maynards Market and Kitchen. The tasting following the demonstration will feature Lagunitas IPA, Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Odell Brewing 90 Shilling. Admission is $10.

Maynards also hosts a wine-tasting benefit for Second Street School from 4 to 6 p.m. tomorrow. Wines from around the globe, paired appetizers and live music will cost you $25. This event takes place on the patio, and RSVP is requested. E-mail [email protected], or call 327-2124 to RSVP.

Visit Maynards website for more information.

• Tony Abou-Ganim

Hotel Congress and the Tucson Culinary Festival have just announced a cocktail class with Abou-Ganim next month. It’s $50 and includes a copy of Abou-Ganim’s newish book, The Modern Mixologist.

Tickets aren’t on sale yet, but there’s a good chance this one will sell out, as most events associated with the Tucson Culinary Festival typically do.

More information here.

Micah Blatt hopes the combined bar and art gallery he’s opening on Fourth Avenue will put a little bit of money in the pockets of local artists.

Mr. Head’s Art Gallery and Bar is a joint venture between Blatt and his father, David Blatt. It will fill a vacant space and patio that stretches from 509 N. Fourth Ave. to the younger Blatt’s other business, Fathead Glass, at 513 N. Fourth Ave.

Blatt said he turned glassblowing into a living by starting Fathead Glass four years ago. Now he wants to help other artists do the same through the new bar and gallery.

He won’t take a commission on artwork sold there, and he’s designing it so art in all mediums can be showcased. He'll also hold regular art walks to help draw attention to other downtown galleries.

“The inspiration for doing the bar was to give other artists a chance to make a living doing what they love,” says Blatt. “The business plan was built around building a fail-safe art gallery.”

Mr. Head's will feature a 40-foot, curvaceous glass bar that will double as a display case. The walls will be lined with art by local artists, and televisions will allow for screenings of locally produced films.

Blatt says Mr. Head's will also have the largest food selection on Fourth Avenue, although it doesn’t even have a kitchen. He's worked out deals to serve items from Chocolate Iguana, Lindy’s on Fourth, Magpies Pizza, Delectables and World Wide Wrappers. Patrons will order at the bar, and a runner will put the order in, pick it up and deliver it.

As for the bar: Expect 20 beers on tap, beer and wine.

Blatt said he's also renovating the patio area and fixing up the surrounding landscaping.

Mr. Head’s is expected to open in November.

The Geeks Who Drink bring a weekly pub quiz night to Club Congress starting on Tuesday, Sept. 28. It's bar trivia, but with a sharp edge and great prizes. You can find more details here.

Athens on Fourth Avenue offers some very nice deals during its new Hellenic Happy Hour from 3 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday.

We stopped in Monday and have to say that it’s one of our new favorites. The food is incredible; the drinks are great; and there is something incredibly charming about that old building. It’s almost like eating at a friend's house, only with great service and awesome Greek music.

Plus, how can you go wrong with $3 hummus, imported beers and shots of ouzo?

Check out the happy hour menu here.