Alcock's Memories

Do you have a story you would like to share about Alcocks?  Did you meet the love of your life, your future ex-spouse, make great friends, meet some interesting characters, celebrate a momentous occasion, spend the  evening dancing on the bar, have the time of your life, couldn't believe what you saw, etc????  Send your story or stories for the
Alcock's Memories Page to 411swells@sbcglobal.net
I've known Frank and "Alcock's" since 1987, and worked for Frank often during the years of 1988-1992 and frequented there as well while not working until I moved from Chicago in 1997. I have worked Golf Outings, Charity Events, St. Patrick's Day, I bartended, I sold shots (while using the ghost buster contraption formerly used by Char).

I was one of the first ever coat-check girls, and had to run the coat check with poker chips with numbers on them and charge a 1.00 per coat, we had to put a board over the pool table and close it off on Fridays and it pissed off all the avid "yea right" Friday Pool Players, they eventually got over it. One time, while working the coat check, a man (scam artist) short changed me, I felt terrible, and I cried because he got 20.00 of the coat check $ and Frank consoled me, what did I know I was very young and naive...not the case anymore!

Another memory.... one time I came in to visit Frank after a "Hawks" game and I was on on a first date with a guy whom I would never go on 2nd date with, so , I purposely was a bitch to him, he ended up leaving me (I deserved it) , and Frank gave me money for a cab (I lived in Itasca at the time.)

I co-hosted a party with partner in crime at the time Tim Drover in 1995 the party theme was "come get Jacked and Go Nuts" 1st annual, I had the privilege of I attending Frank and Jill's wedding with Tim Brogan (where is Tim Brogan????, I miss golfing and drinking with him.)

I preformed drunk cartwheels for various patrons, sports figures (Van Horne) and friends, I danced on the bar too many times to count and once I fell off and almost crashed into the bottles and Frank caught me..."Thanks Frank"

This is where it all started..... My friends from working at Nordic Hills Golf Course with and I used to attend Alcocks after watching the 3rd of July fireworks numerous years before I was even legal (sorry, Police officers), I have also had the pleasure and got to pre-party at Alcock's before various sporting events,

Also, because I worked for Frank, hooked up a former boyfriend of mine with a job at the Merc because of the "regulars" whom I used to chat , serve, and joke around with all the time , I never married him but, I believe he wouldn't be where he is today without my help and the Alcocks regulars.

There are sooo many more great memories for me but, the best part of all of these is FRANK, FRANK, FRANK!!!!! We ALL love you and CONGRATS on your upcoming 25th Anniversary!! I can not wait to see EVERYONE!!!

Sincerely,

Patty Roach (Cooper)

 

One of my favorite things about Alcock's is never having to buy Rolling Stones CD'S or videos, all I have to do is go to the bar. Thanks to Alcock's I met a new friend in Scott, which is great, because if I ever want to know what's wrong with the world and how to fix it I can just ask him. My favorite memories of Alcock's will always be all the good times I had with my best friend Rick Gola. Of course meeting all the lovely girls that have worked there in the past and work there now is the icing on the cake.

Tim

 

I feel like it can't be true how many people I have met their spouse at Alcock's. Throw my name in the hat. The Friday before the 9/11 make up game, My wife and a friend rolled into Alcock's, After meeting again during the actual game, and a LOAD of cocktails later...

Chalk up another one...NEXT!!

Erich

I'll start with having meet my ex-wife - or should I say Frank having Tiffany go talk to me on my birthday and then both of us consummating our relationship that night in 1986. We hung out at the pinball machine and proceeded to have a few drinks and then... No, we did not use the RED COUCH up in the office, but if that RED COUCH could talk ... some unbelievable stories, ones that are very X rated. That RED COUCH saw more Strange than even Frank in the 80's.

How about every Thursday during the football season (1984-87 seasons) when the Bears would show up and all of the boys would ... Maybe I can't tell that story yet.

The time some guy in a wheel chair punched me below the belt and a major brawl erupted - Craig would know that better than me - I was maybe a tad drunk.

Tito, Dee Ellen, Jill and me driving down to open Alcock's on Super Bowl Sunday when the Bears won in January 86', in Tito's little truck - it was 10 below that Sunday

When Joe "won" the raffle for Springsteen tickets in Cleveland and both of us going.

Having after-hours parties - something that probably doesn't happen any more - we would know it was time to go home when the sun came up.

Then there was Donna Park - only Bruce, Jim and Joe could appreciate this, even though just me and Bruce were out there with "Donna" that first night.

Craig and I working 12 hours every St. Pats day. The great waitress' of the 80's - Liz, Soliel, Char and the #1 money maker - Julie. Remember people - we used to gross eight thousand on Friday nights with 80's prices - and we were giving away the house! That was with hardly any female bartenders - the line-up was Craig, Sue, Jim, Tito, Dave, Butch, Dee Ellen and me, with a few appearances from Jill, Ricky and Tim. I'm probably forgetting a few people but that was the main group from 84' to 90'. I almost forgot the great security of Matt, Mike, Joe and the almighty Jack Tobin.

You might wonder why Frank's name is not mentioned in any of these comments above - that's because he was the MAN! Back then - no gray hair, healthy and the best owner a business has ever had. No one was more important in drawing people in, getting things done and making sure everybody was doing the right thing (besides me). He knew everyone and everyone knew Frank - I mean every where we would go in the 80's Frank knew someone and we would always get in free, drink cheap, eat cheap and party all night long! From sporting events, concerts, bars, etc.

I'll give my tribute to Frank at another time, but to me, this was Alcock's when it first started. Maybe you can use some of this, maybe not - the rest of the stuff I have is too X rated.
Thanks for the memories,
Karl

 
My memory is suspect, no doubt due in great part to the drug induced coma we often refer to as "the '80s". I clearly remember Frank taking a group of us to see the place right after he closed on the property. It was one of the few times I was there completely sober and, once exposed to Alcock's "pre-Martello", I was left stupefied...and in need of a drink! Yet, Frank managed to turn that dump into one of the best bars ever, with fabulous music on the jukebox, terrific photos on the walls, great clientele and enough character to make it "pure Martello."

For it was here, at Alcock's in the winter of 1985, that Cindi  and I sat at the bar, our confidence obviously enhanced by the vodka, and hatched the idea for our Girls Night Christmas Card, which was a big hit with all our male friends.
Diane

Not only did I meet my husband in Alcocks 10 years ago on March 6th, I also had my TV debut. Remember the Bud Light Spot Light commercial. Tim Crilly, Clay Geskey and I were chosen for the ad. So after going to Alcocks for many of the 25 years it paid off. Too many good times to list! Play the tape!

Jeanne

 

 

 Ok. So here's my story of meeting Tony at Alcocks. It was Thursday, November 6, 1997, and I was working my usual Thursday night shift. (Hey, Liz, were you working that night???) I was sick of dating, so I wasn't dating anyone at the time, I had just gotten back from South Beach, where I had just completely injured my foot by falling in a hot tub (WHOLE other story) so I was limping, and one of our patrons that night, not to mention any names ... SCOTT KANE ... just finished telling me I was looking very BUTCH. Needless to say, my mood was not that good this particular night. When into the bar walks a guy I had never seen before. He caught my eye and I have never been the same. Now let me tell you, my rule of being a bartender has been to NEVER, (did I say never?) date anyone that I've met while bartending. We started talking and I was completely smitten (does anyone even say that word anymore?!). He asked me for my number at the end of the night, and of course I played "hard to get". HA! So he gave me his. Something hit me over the head, and I ended up giving him my number. We ended up having our first date at Ursula's bar ... the "Leopard Lounge", and a year and a half later we were married. It will be 10 years in July. I can honestly say, and this is not for Tony's benefit (!!!), that in the 15 years that I have worked for Alcocks, I have never been "smitten" with anybody else. If it wasn't for Alcocks, I don't know where I would be right now, and I wouldn't have my BEAUTIFUL daughter Sarah! So, THANK YOU Alcock's and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!! I wish you 25 more wonderful years! (Hey, can I bartend the 50th Anniversary!!??)

.....Jennifer

 

Our favorite memory is having our First Anniversary Party at Al's in 1997. After all we spent many a night getting to know each other at Al's. Sue was my party planner, Liz was my waitress and Jennifer was my bartendress. Do you believe it's been 12 years? We got married at City Hall on a Friday. Celebrated at Alcocks after work. Instead of a reception we had a 1st Year Anniversary Party. Frank--as always, thanks for a good time!!!

Scott & Annie
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