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- Address:
- 874 E. University Blvd., Tucson, AZ, 85719
- Phone:
- 520-623-7507
- Overall User Rating:
-
(0 ratings)
- Hours:
- Sun.-Thu. 11 a.m.-1 a.m. (food until 10:30 p.m.), Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-2 a.m. (food until 11:30 p.m.)
- Official Web Site:
- http://www.frogandfirkin.com/
Anyone walking down University Boulevard near campus cannot avoid the commotion of Frog & Firkin, no matter what time of day. Whether you notice it because the misters on the patio seem to follow you all the way down the street, or because there is a group of 20 guys screaming at the large, flat-screen TV (expecting the Cardinals players to actually hear what they’re saying), this English-style pub is no doubt an attention seeker and getter.
Its reputation for being a UA favorite probably started because of its incredible location (just a couple of blocks from Main Gate) and energetic atmosphere. During lunchtime on the weekdays, you can expect to find your favorite professor, as it’s packed with UA faculty and staff. However, come sundown, this place is filled with students, working adults and basically anyone who is ready to enjoy a cold beer.
Setup: The best feature is seen right as you walk up: the good-sized front patio. It has an array of different-sized picnic tables, and the servers are ready to move them around to accommodate any size party. The huge, outdoor flat-screen can be seen from virtually any seat. When there's live music, bands set up near the main door so that they're also visible from anywhere on the patio.
Once you’ve walked up the two steps to the main door, you're welcomed into a small, cozy bar and eating area. To the left are friendly bartenders, standing in front of a huge selection of draft beers and liquors.
Across from the bar is a pool table that takes up much of the room. Around the pool table are high-top tables for two and plenty of televisions.
The back room is a bit smaller but includes bigger tables and décor of old beer advertisements. Like most bars, neon signs are prevalent, but the focus is more on the antique decorations. This second room is usually pretty empty and seems to lack the energy that is so strong everywhere else in the bar.
Food: Past the pool table in the front room, you can see into the kitchen, where cooks are running around making their delicious, thick-crust pizza ($4.75 a slice) and famous “Frog Bites” appetizer, a sliced baguette with garlic, pesto and mozzarella ($7.25). The variety of food allows even the pickiest of eaters to find something without breaking the bank. Most meals here are under $10 and range from salads topped with their original sun-dried tomato and feta dressing to the juicy, 1/3-pound “Firkin Burger” ($7).
Entertainment: In addition to the loud speakers giving the play-by-play of NFL and UA games, the Frog offers live music Wednesday nights through the weekend. The same local groups—playing rock, country and more—appear regularly and, on busy Fridays and Saturdays, a full band is sure to be rocking out on the side fence neighboring No Anchovies.
On quieter nights, slip some quarters into the jukebox, so you have a soundtrack for your darts game.
Libations: The drink specials here seem to be never-ending. No matter what day of the week, there always seems to be a way to get what you want for some sort of deal. On most nights, imported beers run about $3 (bottles and drafts) while well drinks are about a dollar more. On Sundays, you can enjoy the game with a $6.95 Coors Light pitcher or, if you can prove you work in the restaurant industry, they’ll give you $3 you-call-its.
If one of the 26 drafts doesn’t speak to you, order one of the nearly 60 bottled beers from all over the world. Belgium, China, Australia, wherever you want a taste of, this place has it.
Service: The young, well-trained staff is superior to most bars in Tucson. Don’t expect to wait a long time to place an order or get your check, as these people are on top of their tables. At the bar, there are always enough bartenders based on how busy it is and they move quickly. All staff members are friendly and visibly hardworking.
Bottom line: If you’re looking for a place to go for game day or to simply grab a beer after work with your friends, this place caters to you. Its large food menu could stand on its own and makes this place more than just a bar hangout.
The selection of beers is huge and, with cheap prices and an overwhelming list of specials, and you can go to the Frog multiple times a week without worrying about making your rent at the end of the month.
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