A Sip And A Thought: The Corner Pub’s ‘Moscow Mule’

CONROE, TX -- I know where I will be each November 9th, on the anniversary of The Fall of the Berlin Wall, remembering my dealings with the Russians at their checkpoints between West Germany and West Berlin, and even a tussle or two in East Berlin itself. My lips are sealed. I had stopped by one of downtown Conroe’s theaters to talk with a young actress that is performing in a show, but found she was a little too busy to speak with, so I lingered in Historic Downtown Conroe’s Switch a bit. I walked to the courthouse square, at Main and Simonton, then remembered a conversation I had with Joyce Pool, owner of The Corner Pub, located at the intersection of North Main and Simonton Streets. “Drop by anytime,” she said. I had met Joyce at a concert of the Conroe Symphony Orchestra. Well now was that time. I couldn’t turn tail and had nothing to show for in driving all the way from Montgomery to Conroe, a trip so long that I got lost three times in consulting my Key-Map.

The Corner Pub is a no-nonsense bar of moderately-tough ‘Bob Ross’ fanboy bar-goers who will tickle you with kindness. This east side bar caters to the working man, while just down the street at the west side bar, they serve the legal professionals, and if ever a Tony and Maria situation happens to come out of it, I know the exact title of the musical I’m gonna write. Since TCP doesn’t have a kitchen, patrons are encouraged to bring in food, to match with their drink selections at the bar. And it just so happens that ‘Dragon Bowl C,’ is located right next door ready to fulfill your Asian Cuisine needs. Amazingly, TCP is family friendly until 9pm, afterwards it's 21 years and older. That’s around the time the music kicks up, which is entertaining in itself with open-mic night, with bands on the weekend. The place bristles with potential singing stars who are looking to improve their acts, while secretly hoping that someone who has the potential to change their lives is in the audience.

I entered, looked around, and thought, “No self-respecting socialist would go here,” because not one table or chair matches in the entire place. And since I loath sameness, I happily took a seat at the bar. The bartender, Lauren Robertson, who wasn’t that busy yet, voiced an air of familiarity with my facade, and being a guy who happens to write Food & Drink columns, I wasn’t at all surprised. She then named off someone who I had never heard of before. “Yes, you’re right, we do have a common likeness, in fact one of my coffee group members mentioned that fact just last week.” We had a good laugh. So I veered left and right, thinking I hadn’t had anything with Vodka in a while. I looked down at the menu and saw ‘Moscow Mule,’ and promptly ordered. It brought back some memories of my days when I was 20-22, giving tours to American civilians who worked for the U.S. Army and Air Force, and wanted to experience East and West Berlin. I would drive them through East Germany, where I met Russian soldiers, exchanged salutes and presented the identification cards and documents. I’d get the tourists to West Berlin, then later the East, which is like Capitalism versus a worthless Planned Economy.

The Moscow Mule is actually an American design, birthed by overstocks of Smirnoff Vodka, Ginger Beer, and the ever present lime wedge. It’s kinda like a comedy of errors that leads to a good thing. Like ‘The Battle of Midway,’ or a marriage. The Mule is actually served in a copper cup, so you now know the original color of The Statue of Liberty. I inquired if it can be smoked. “No,” said Lauren. “We don’t smoke or put in mint or rosemary,” which is part of TCP’s no-nonsense motto. Which is fine by me, I’ll go with house rules.

The Mule comes packed with ice, and garnished with the lime. It’s insulated by the cup. The vodka is friendly, light and refreshing, with a citrus feel at the end. It almost felt like a cool crisp non-alcoholic tart punch as it pooled. It can be medicinal in a non-medicinally way. If you are planning on being sick (like a head-cold, or respiratory infection), make a b-line for The Corner Pub, and you will get that rush to keep the bacteria and viruses at bay. lol. After sitting for a short period, the Mule takes on a character change. It’s nothing to do with being watered down, or dipping too quickly into the brilliance of the mixture. But the ginger beer, which is alcoholic, and not an ale, begins to make its presence known. The citrus waxes, while the ginger wanes. Perhaps ginger beer weighs more on the periodic table than vodka, but the transformation is apparent and welcomed. The key is to keep continually stirring the drink, to maintain the prime consistency. And before you finish, the citrus ending returns.

The Corner Pub closes at 2am, and is where the bartenders (and other service industry types), as well as musicians from other bars and restaurants come after hours to get together after a night’s work and converse. The original owner Rodney Pool, a.k.a. ‘The Godfather of Downtown Conroe,’ is so-called because he raised the city center from the ashes with his endeavor to bring life back to the area after the clock struck five. The one television is set to the ‘Bob Ross Channel,’ so you probably won’t be seeing any sports there anytime soon, and with the art gallery across the street, you may see an occasional artist ordering a ‘Happy Bob Ross’ cocktail.

The Open-Mic night starts on Tuesday at 9pm. They have different hosts on Tuesday nights, and there is no shortage of musicians who want to impress. Between those interested in what’s going on at the stage, there may be a few couples lip-locked to show their seriousness about each other. You may see a teal haired woman with her dog. The popular Joe Hill, will play his harmonica, and will sing with Katie Abbasu, who is just starting out in the open-mic game. Then there is Megan Davies and Josh Brown, a couple who drive from Katy for the experience. Brown is well versed in guitar and singing, but Davies, who has a promising voice, is brave enough to sing a song she only learned that afternoon. She is a diamond in the rough, and I say ‘follow your dream.’

In the next week or two, I’ll give you the low-down on ‘Dragon Bowl C,’ the little hole in the wall eatery next to The Corner Pub, that has prevented more instances with the law than you can count on ten millipede’s toes.

Alcohol Disclaimer: This column is intended for entertainment purposes only. Please drink responsibly, not just for yourself, but for others around you.

The Corner Pub is located at 302 Main St. in Conroe. Their website is: thecornerpubinconroe.com

Ruben can be reached at: ruben@montgomerycountynews.net