Everybody has that bar that they call home. For me, there were three of them that I spent much of my college time at. Only one of them is still around with The Cedar and Tanner’s closing, and that’s The Field House, the subject of our latest bar stop. So many memories have been made (and forgotten) at the bar located at 3825 E. 17th St. right across the street from Wichita State University. I’ve probably been there more times than I attended class. Now that life is different for me with family, I don’t make it out there much but try to make it out there when I can.

The Field House is home to the place where I started playing competitive darts. It’s the first bar I stepped into as a legal drinking age adult without the need for a fake I.D. It’s the place I could go to without worrying about being surrounded by pretentious people. When friends are in town, it’s a meeting place for us to catch up. The Field House is even the place where Megan and I first met for drinks many years ago.

Some people might try to take their first date to a swanky place for drinks, not me. I like to set the tone of who I am and The Field House speaks to that and the type of vibe I like. What you see is what you get, nothing fancy about it and no need to sugarcoat it. Enjoy the moment.

I’ve been going there for so long that I can usually walk in and see at least one or two people I know. If I don’t, it doesn’t matter because the patrons there all carry the same “we’re just here to chill and relax” attitude. It certainly helps that the drinks are cheap which is a rarity for a bar north of Kellogg.

Anything you want in a dive bar is at your disposal; plenty of seating, and endless array of beer and alcohol, a dartboard, a covered patio, pool table, jukebox, foosball table and more. The ceilings are lined with pitchers that have been decorated. I used to have one there 20+ years ago, but I’m 99% sure it’s gone.

If you love darts, they usually have dart tournaments every Wednesday.

And if you EVER have a bad day, The Field House is there to help get your mind off things.

Only thing left to be said is the owners do it right. They have taken care of their patrons and I think any regular would agree.

If you’ve never been, The Field House is located at 3825 E. 17th St. They are open seven days a week with regular hours of 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. except for Sunday when they close at midnight. For more, check out their Facebook.