It’s always tough seeing other people live out your dreams.
Sometimes there’s nothing better after a long day at work than pouring yourself a nice drink. My go-to is an old fashioned, but I’ve been known to make a number of different cocktails (like a Pineapple Margarita) to cap off the day.
And thanks to this guy on Instagram named Joe Hayhoe (real name?), I’ll never be able to actually enjoy any of those drinks I make.
That’s because this guy took drinking-at-home to the next level. They say comparison is the thief of joy, and I rarely ever get affected by stuff I see online. But this guy just so happened to create something in his own home that’s so cool, I’ll never be able to get it out of my mind.
Before I saw the video that I’ve got linked below, this is the list I would have provided if you would have asked for a “Best Way To Utilize a Basement” power ranking:
5) Home Gym
4) Pool Table with other various games
3) Sports Bar with multiple TVs
2) Golf Simulator
1) Home Theater Set Up
File that away. It’ll come up again later.
As I’ve alluded to a couple of times already, a man in Des Moines, Iowa shook up that power ranking by building his very own, secret speakeasy in his basement. He named it “The Blind Pig,” which was actually an alternative name (along with “blind tiger”) for illicit, alcohol-selling establishments during the Prohibition Era in the 1920s and early 1930s. These places were often hidden and unidentifiable, and were only known about through word of mouth.
In the modern day, you’ll find a number of them throughout bigger cities, even though alcohol sales is free game and speakeasies are no longer necessary. But the hidden bars still bring about a certain charm that makes them popular… especially if they are located in your very own basement.
And when you are always in charge of the bar music, and you choose to fire up Tyler Childers’ “I Swear (To God)” on vinyl to set the mood, life doesn’t really get any better:
That’s such a damn vibe.
Alright, so after seeing that, I have no choice but to update my “Best Uses for A Basement” power ranking:
5) Pool Table with other various games
4) Sports Bar with Multiple TVs
3) Golf Simulator
2) Home Theater Set Up
1) Secret Speakeasy Bar (with Tyler Childers on vinyl)
Get that exercise room out of here (it was previously number five on the list). Why bench press in your basement when you can do 12 ounce curls in the privacy of your very own speakeasy? And having Tyler Childers on vinyl is a deal breaker. If you don’t, then the speakeasy falls to maybe three or four on the power ranking.
If you are interested in seeing more of “The Blind Pig Basement Pub,” you are in luck. Joe Hayhoe (still not sure if that’s a real name or not) recently posted a video giving a full tour of his unique basement speakeasy. Talk about an investment that gives instant equity. And for the tour? A little Zach Bryan on the vinyl.
Good clean livin’.
