Jeremy G.
Yelp
I've only been here once, but it was an experience unlike anything else.
It was Oct 26, 2018, and the Red Sox were playing the Dodgers in Game 3 of the World Series. I'm a Giants fan and don't live in Chicagee, but I was visiting my friend Sammy who lives in town and is a Red Sox fan from Worcester. We knew that Tripoli was a Boston bar. Go Sox.
We arrive 30 minutes before first pitch and every seat inside the bar was already taken, so we position ourselves at one of the few remaining tables on the back patio. They have a projector TV set up and the sound on, so it's a great spot.
We order beers and wings and settle in. There's a guy lingering near our table who maybe wants to sit down, so we invite him to our table. He responds, "Nah, I like to stand hee-ahh, I can watch the game and still keep an eye on the back gate, make sure no one sneaks in ov-ahh the fence." Turns out his name is Dino (from Framingham) and he's one of the owners. We start chatting with Dino who runs a few bars in Chicagee. He gives us the story of Tripoli. Turns out he had no intention of Tripoli becoming a Boston bar, but he put up one little 'Go Red Sox' sign in the window during their 2004 playoff run, and things just happened. Now it's THE place in Chicagee to watch the Boston teams.
The game starts, and I remember the first batter (was Mookie leading off?) had like a ten pitch at bat. He K'd, but it was a long AB. The next guy had a long AB too. I said, "We're in for a six-hour game." Dino replied, "if this game hits 2am, I'll fire up the grill and make everyone burgers."
The game rolls on, and we're loving the back patio. The crowd is into it, the game is tense, the beers are flowing, and so is the conversation. At some point, Sammy starts doing his bit where he pretends that the Dodgers closer Kenley Janson is really Kendall Jenner. Every time they cut to Janson, he goes "She's the worst pitcher on the team!" And I say something like, "Now Sam, you may feel her social media content is hit or miss, but you gotta admit her slider has some late break and she hides it pretty well." Dino is loving it. He's drinking Bud Lights and chiming in with the banter. Meanwhile, I haven't stopped reminding Dino of his 2am promise. Because this game is dragging on at a snail's pace.
Around the 4th inning our friend Shane joins us and we switch from beers to highballs. Dino is still big fans of me and Sammy, but immediately takes a comedic dislike to Shane. Shane has a beard and a typical male haircut, but nevertheless Dino insists on calling him "Miss." Maybe it's a little derivative of our Janson/Jenner thing, but still, the absurdity of confusing Shane for a woman made me laugh. Eventually, Sammy and I start correcting Dino: "Uh, actually Dino it's 'Mrs.' not 'Miss.'"
The game drags on and the drinks won't quit. Eventually Dino buys us a round of Jaeger shots. Then some Jameson. Then another round (but not for "the lady," because she's had enough). The Dodgers are up 1-0 heading into the 8th, but the Sox tie it up 1-1 when they get a run off Janson/Jenner, much to our delight. Eventually, the ninth inning rolls around and the game is still tied. We've already passed the 4-hour mark, but Dino is still more than two hours from his burger promise.
At some point Shane heads home and we switch from highballs back to beers. Midnight strikes and the game is still tied 1-1in extra innings. Apparently, there's a curfew on the patio and Dino is forced to cut the projector and usher everyone inside. The bar is still nearly full, but enough people have rolled home by this point that everyone who was watching at the back patio is able to squeeze indoors.
The Sox score a run in the 13th inning, but the Dodgers get one back, and it's 2-2 going to the 14th. It's still 2-2 going to the 15th. Then the 16th. Sure enough, we hit 2am: closing time for Tripoli.
Who could've seen this coming? Dino and the staff need to give everyone the boot. "There's a 4am bar down the street!" they yell to the crowd as they usher us out. Sammy and I are heading to the door too (rules are rules, after all), when Dino grabs us. "You two ain't going any-wheeahh!" He pulls us back into the bar and sits us on a couple barstools. The crowd leaves. But Sammy and I do not. To his word, Dino fixes us up a couple of burgers. Then he sits at the bar with us, cracking Bud Lights as the staff closes up around us.
Well, as all good things, the game comes to an end when the Dodgers push across a run in the bottom of the 18th. Poor Dino needs to work at his other bar at 7am. He's not even going to bed, he says. Sammy and I catch a cab back home and sleep through the hangover. What a gosh-darn night. Will never forget it.
In conclusion: Dino, if you're there, can you please add Schlitz cocktails to the menu? It's a can of Schlitz served with whipped cream and a cherry on top. The perfect drink to celebrate a Sox win, or if you're just winding down a 9-hour ballgame with the boys.
