If Dave Briglio’s Illinois experience were set to music, it’d start a little something like this:
A long, long time ago
I can still remember how that music used to make me smile
And I knew if I had my chance that I could make those people dance
And maybe they’d be happy for a while
At Briglio’s adult beverage establishment of choice — O’Malley’s — the Don McLean classic was the unofficial anthem.
“I recall one of our crew betting us that ‘American Pie’ would not play at midnight — and by the look in his eye, we figured it was a losing bet. He then pulled out the CD, and at midnight they had to play the 45 record.
“That CD was like the holy grail displayed in their apartment for the next two years.
“We were in the mug club. During my last year, I won quarter beers for life, which also included filling that big mug for 50 cents — for as long as the card survived. I was the envy of all my friends. I still have that card now — since I laminated it to endure all the spilled beer.”
Another favorite stop in Briglio’s day: the White Horse Inn.
“They decided to draw more people with 10-cent wings. So we started with a few of us from the lacrosse club, and then it grew to 10-plus each Tuesday with the routine of: whoever gets there first, get two tables and order 100 wings, the max they’d let you order.
“And we’d do that until they ran out — and probably spent $6 each.
“Such a good life.”
