My Favorite Bar...For People-Watching in the Summer

Coeur d'Alene's Sherman Avenue in the summertime is primo for people-watching, and the Moose Lounge puts you front and center, making it my favorite local hangout, especially on Wednesday nights when trivia master Josiah Drewien holds court for a dozen or so local teams of Jeopardy wannabes (like myself). The swag is usually pretty crappy, but the waitstaff and friendly banter from other teams more than make up for it. And with the Moose's mostly functional loudspeaker, you can sit indoors or out and still play the game. Or not. Situated at the corner of Sherman and 4th, you'll hear every motorcycle and hot rod revving, and have plenty to gawk at from several patio tables outside, or inside the Moose, along their floor-to-ceiling windows and roll-up garage door. Pool tables next door, a new menu of French bread pizzas and a frosty glass of whatever's on tap complete the bill for a perfect summer evening in the Lake City. In the winter, though the people-watching opportunities are somewhat muted, this is still a great place for getting one through the blahs until summer rolls around again.