Forum Favourites - Hangouts & Haunts

You're welcome! Always happy to "help". Actually there's no reason you need to feel compelled to add them all. But, as I said, we love each of these places and couldn't seem to narrow it down...much. Yes, there were more.

 

You are on it, @Octoberon! You're a good researcher. And thanks for correcting some of my misnaming and misspelling errors.

Answers to your questions...

The Motor Palace Mercantile doesn't sell motorcycles but does sell some motorcycle-related items like Schott jackets (probably the most expensive thing they sell). I have photos and stories about this place in the thread "The Meteor Crater Ride + More Kicks on Route 66". And if you go there, ask to get a tour of the back room from Brian. That's where all the super cool bikes are along with amazing old posters, helmets, leathers, and more.
https://www.thetriumphforum.com/threads/the-meteor-crater-ride-more-kicks-on-route-66.30040/

The Serious Texas BBQ joint in Durango, CO is the one I'd like you to add is the one on the south along the Animas River. That place and also The Holler (Madrid, NM) are included in my ride trip thread from last summer "Adventures in the American Southwest".
https://www.thetriumphforum.com/thr...les-8-days-7-friends-10-national-parks.29137/

You're correct that Moto Sonora should be Motosonora Brewing Co. I reported on this awesome place awhile back in "The Trifecta of B's: Bikes, Beer, and Bow-Wows". They have Bike Night on Mondays.
https://www.thetriumphforum.com/threads/the-trifecta-of-bs-bikes-beer-and-bow-wows.27129/

Cafe Roka in Bisbee, AZ is referenced along with a couple pics in "Riding Into the Christmas Spirit, Old Bisbee Style" from this past Christmas season.
https://www.thetriumphforum.com/threads/riding-into-the-christmas-spirit-old-bisbee-style.30564/

Ah, Nicols West--a very cool place in Congress, AZ which is actually considered somewhat of a ghost town these days. I've never included this place in a forum thread because I haven't been there since I joined the forum. I've been there once by car and once by bike when we were on our way to the Laughlin River Run. It's one of those places that you can't really believe is where it is (read "out on the boonies") because it's quite upscale in a small-town sort of way.

I've not included the Hideaway Grill in any ride reports here on the forum, either. But this place is an iconic Arizona biker hangout. I was last there in April of 2019 for Arizona Bike Week, an event that hasn't happened since, (no) thanks to Covid. Evidently they're gonna try to make it happen again this year but I've not seen anything advertising the Cave Creek festivities that happen in conjunction with the larger event. Cave Creek is just north of Scottsdale (the Phoenix area). If it does happen, we'll try to ride up and I'll definitely post a report. It's a super fun event in a beautiful part of the Phoenix metro area (far north end). But the Hideaway is pretty much a hoppin' place, rally or not.

Finally, Sparky's. This unique restaurant is in the little town of Hatch, New Mexico, which is known far and wide for their green chilis. You can actually smell roasted green chilis as you ride into town. This was our first restaurant stop on our trip to Sturgis in August of 2019. I posted photos of Sparky's in one of the first threads I ever posted: "Sturgis Trip on My (non) Triumph".
https://www.thetriumphforum.com/threads/sturgis-trip-on-my-non-triumph.20572/

Ok, that might have been TMI. But you asked. Thanks again for doing the map, Saul! I appreciate the time and effort and energy you're putting into it.

 

Ok then, I've had a "strong" word. If you're not Sir @Octoberon next new year, give me a call.

 

Ok I'll withdraw your knighthood. You are ungrateful.

 

@Octoberon
Wow, Saul, this map is SO cool! And I am well and thoroughly impressed with your IT skills. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into this fun resource. I just e-mailed the link to Mr. Sandi and he will love it, too.

Now we just need to get a few contributions from the other side of the world from the likes of @capt and @Dartplayer. The map is looking a bit empty down there.

 

That looks like a great place, @Octoberon. Love the ambience (although there don't seem to be many people...) It seems like lots of craft breweries have cool bars attached to them these days. And a big step up from a six-pack of Bud Light on the couch.

 

Great work @Octoberon, enjoyed sorting through some of @Sandi T points
I have many on my NZ trips galleries
https://www.thetriumphforum.com/gallery/albums/trips-in-nz-2018-2019.613/
https://www.thetriumphforum.com/gallery/albums/trips-in-nz-2020.825/
but favourite haunts:
Muddy Waters Irish Bar
P2CW+G9M Mercer

Bayview Hotel
V7RW+8H Kaiaua

Puhoi Pub
FMQ6+45 Puhoi
Mangawhai Tavern
VHGJ+F3 Mangawhai
Parua Bay Tavern
6FG2+VP Parua Bay

Murphys Law Irish Bar
VXX2+MJ Auckland
Swashbucklers
5Q42+FPM Auckland

Coroglen Tavern
3MGR+GF Coroglen
Kopu Station Hotel
RH89+9X Kopu

 

I knew you'd come through with a nice healthy list for the map, @Dartplayer!

 

It's looking great @Octoberon - top effort!!!

 

Great photos, @Bikerman! But geez, now we're gonna have to go back to Sturgis since we didn't hit up Keystone. Heck, we didn't even know about it when we were there! I'll look it up on the map. We stayed in Lead and spent most of our time in Deadwood or Sturgis or riding Spearfish Canyon.

I have heard of that Ace Cafe in Orlando and would love to go there, too. But it's over 2,000 miles from Tucson and that's taking a straight shot across the southern U.S. on Interstate 10. Ugh. Perhaps one day if we fly to Florida we'll build in a visit to the Ace Cafe into our vacation plans. But it's just as likely that we'll make a trip to the UK and see the one there.

Thanks for the recommendations. And those enticing photos!