By Mike Brewer

Some guys join fraternities, some join the Elks,some just join the neighborhood tavern. Either way,fraternal behavior leads the way. And that is how I ended up as a fan of the Poco Loco tavern on the south side of Speedway just before Alvernon.

Tending bar at the “Poke” as it was affectionately known,was my first job fresh out of the Marine Corps in 1969. I actually tended bar during the day and attended the U of A at night.  The owner was a jar-head, Joe McGuire, who also owned the Poco Loco North in Flagstaff. The loyals would often head north in ski season, and return with some, well….adventuresome tales of imbibing and other ribald activity. The Catholic boy in me put a governor on those trips. Yet I did manage to tag along on the infamous Poco Loco Aquatic Club excursions for tubing down the Gila River. How we survived those days must be from the pure grace of God, as risk taking was the daily menu.

I will testify however that the social network at the Poco Loco was remarkably tight. Many of us, mature and wise old men are still pals to this day.

Thursday nights was a known commodity at the Poke as few ever missed the Dusty Chaps perform as regularly and religiously as a local pastor. I always used to quip about the attendance on Thursday’s being close to a Religious event. And since the Greek root of the word Church, just means “people,” I guess we were literally going to Church! Be assured there were many confessions too!

To this day I have never known of a neighborhood tavern that exhibited such a broad demographic base of  customers. University Professors and Fireman all gathered for the dancing and incredible Foosball Tournaments.  I do recall that us Poco Loco clanners were pretty dominant in this most aerobic of all sports.  Our primary competition was the Bay Horse, Grant Road Tavern and the Green Dolphin. Hard to imagine, but those four taverns  covered most all of the College students in those days.

One striking feature of our hobnobbing in the early 70′s at the Poke, was that a ton of us were Vietnam Veterans fresh home from the war, but not a one of us ever spoke of the Nam. We were so mute, that some of those men only recently shared with each other that they had served in Vietnam.  Now that is repression squared!

Memories of Tucson would not be complete without a nod to the glory days at the Poco Loco. And do remember our beloved University of Arizona was founded by four guys in a Tavern!