Spring in For a Drink or Two at Spring Lounge

With giants like and as neighbors in the same shopping plaza, the smaller business in the corner storefront tends to get overlooked.

“It’s funny because a lot of people don’t even know we’re here,” said Jan Lane, bartender at , 5722 14^th St. W.

But enough patrons have found the Spring to keep it going for more than three decades. The bar has been in its current location for roughly half that time. Inexpensive drinks (“We basically have the cheapest prices in town,” Lane said), a friendly atmosphere where trouble rarely occurs (Marcy, the nighttime bartender won’t put up with it, Lane warned,) and three happy hours per day keep them coming back for more.

The Spring doesn’t have a kitchen, so it’s smoke friendly, but one can often find a meal or snack on the weekends. Lane said she’ll bring in complimentary grub on any given Saturday, while the owners have been known to stop by with snacks for the Sunday crowd. “It’s a family-oriented atmosphere,” Lane said.

The Spring opens early: 9 a.m. seven days a week, and the good times start with happy hour until 11 a.m. The second happy hour is 3-7 p.m. and the third is for the late, late crowd. Check with the bartender pulling the graveyard shift. The Spring stays open until 2:30 a.m. every morning.

Domestic beers go from $2.85 to $2.35 during happy hour and double shots from $5.25 to $3.75. Drafts are always $1.85, and Natural Light is always $1.35. The Spring also serves liquor and wine. Whiskey and beer are the popular drinks with the older crowd during the daytime, although the younger adults love the shots, Lane said.

Three double-door coolers underneath a giant, neon Budweiser sign and behind the bar counter contain an abundant beer selection, including all the popular domestics, Guinness, Fosters, Dos Equis, Sam Adams, Icehouse, Heineken, Beck’s, Aspen Edge, Twisted Tea and a variety of Smirnoff Ices. The bar also sells cigarettes at a pricey $6.75 per pack.

The U-shaped bar counter in the center of the establishment seats about 15 in cushioned seats. Several tables along the wood-paneled wall offer more seating. The bar stays mostly dim except for a small area in the north corner, where the sun shines brightly on a couple tables used by patrons sipping on beer and reading the Saturday morning paper.

A pool table, dart boards and video games are available, along with a few television sets and a juke box. There’s a small stage in back for karaoke, which starts around 9 p.m. every Saturday.

IF YOU GO:

The Spring Lounge, 5722 14th St. W., is open from 9 a.m. until 2:30 a.m. seven days a week. Every year it closes for vacation during the last week in July.