111 for 1

Probably the only existing image of the short-lived, homemade, 
campground bar. Valdez, AK; Summer, 1991.

One fish-less day in Valdez, when work was slow, some campsite entrepreneurs whipped up a homemade bar out of pallets and scrap plywood.

They bought a bunch of cheap beer, a few bottles of whiskey, and a big can of loose leaf tobacco; then announced the following offer to everybody on the campground (and passing tourists):

One beer, One shot, One cigarette - One Dollar!

What a great deal!  Everybody was so happy.

There was no proper shot glass, but huge shots were being poured into an awkward plastic vessel which I think was the cap from a can of spray-on deodorant or shaving cream.

They wouldn't roll your cigarette for you, you had to roll your own; but at that price, nobody cared. Some people just ignored the cigarette and considered one beer and one shot for one dollar a bargain in itself. It was fun for the few hours it lasted until the police put an end to it.

After the bar was shut down, we tore it apart and burned it on a bonfire. The above photo is probably the only evidence of its existence.

[Originally posted on I'm Nacho Steppinstone, Apr. 15, 2004]