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The Bar Thread: The Symposion
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Take your pooch to the pub. It’s allowed at the Symposion.
The Symposion is located at 2801 Fletcher, just off 27th and Fairview.
The bar has been open for 32 years and its original drink menu reads: “In ancient Greece, social enjoyment was divided into two phases called the diepnon, or dining time, and the symposion, or drinking-together time. The symposion later moved from peoples’ homes to a local gathering place where friends met for pleasurable camaraderie and entertainment characterized by drinking, music, discussions and games. With that move, the world’s first tavern came into rowdy existence . and they called it the symposion.”
The Symposion is a gathering place for having a few drinks and being merry amongst others who have the same ambition. But, allowing dogs into the bar essentially happened by accident.
Owner Victor Cocotis brought his dog regularly to the bar and when one of the bartenders asked if she could bring her dogs in he said yes.
Later, a patron saw three dogs in the bar and asked if she could also bring her dogs in and before he knew it there were six dogs in the bar.
Since then, The Symposion has been known as a dog-friendly bar.
“A lot of people have dogs and a lot of people like their dogs and they like to go somewhere with them,” owner Victor Cocotis said. “However, if you’re going to bring your dog to The Symposion it’s important that the dog is well mannered.”
The goal of the bar is to “have a place for people to come in and have a beverage and enjoy themselves. It’s a place different from downtown where you’re shoulder to shoulder and you have to worry about someone bumping into you and spilling your drink. It’s mellow here,” Cocotis said.
Upon entering The Symposion there is an atmosphere with several windows to keep a bright environment, a wooden bar with padded edging portraying its lengthy stay in Boise, two pool tables and an Internet jukebox.
Seating consists of bar stools with the small backing that only fit into the middle of your back, a variety of different types of seating and tables, and the standard alcohol neon signs, mirrors and posters.
The drink specials at The Symposion run Sunday-Thursday.
On Sunday there’s $1 domestics drafts. On Monday there’s $3 Metaxa. Metaxa is an aged Greek brandy which goes best with a sip of 7 Up as a chaser to enhance the flavor.
There are $1 PBR bottles available on Tuesdays. Wednesdays there are $4.50 chili bombs which are made out of Crown Royale and Red Bull, and on Fridays there are $4.50 tang bombs made from Absolut Mandarin, a splash of orange juice and Red Bull.
Instead of a happy hour The Symposion offers a “war on gas prices hour” from 1-4 p.m. everyday. During these hours all drinks are half off.
On Sundays and Tuesdays there are dollar beer specials all day. All day and everyday there are $2.50 well drinks, $2.50 domestic drafts, $2 domestic bottles and $6 pitchers.
The Symposion also has holiday festivities. This St. Patrick’s day it will feature a potluck gathering where The Symposion will have free corn beef sandwiches along with whatever the regulars and newcomers bring.
If you’re looking to find a reasonably priced bar and bring your favorite four-legged friend, The Symposion is the bar for you.
MAT LA RUE
Lead Culture Writer
