If you’re in the market for membership to a new coaster club that doesn’t take itself too serious, look no further than Buzzed Bars, a joint venture between The Drunk Riders Podcast & Coasters and Brews. The good news is, even if you don’t drink, you’re still more than welcome to join!
Buzzed Bars made its debut on the coaster club scene in April 2021, and has already been designated as an “official” coaster club for Holiwood Nights, Holiday World’s annual event for coaster enthusiasts, taking place in June. For podcasting trio Marcus, Mike, and Marc of The Drunk Riders, it’s an exciting time, noting that Buzzed Bars has been in the back of their mind for quite some time.
“When we were all a part of CoasterForce, we had seen and interacted with several different coaster groups out there, but never really felt compelled to join for a variety of reasons,” recalled Marcus. “Once we started our podcast, we realized that there were a lot of people like us, who hadn’t joined a coaster club for one reason or another. That’s when we started to think that it might be a good option.”
To say our #elstumble was a success was an understatement. The amount of fun we had can’t be measured and that’s not even counting the creds. And after checking in and taking all the precautions, we can confirm no positive cases of COVID-19. Can you have a better event? ❤️🤘 pic.twitter.com/uCubTyqqhN
— The Drunk Riders Podcast (@TheDrunkRiders) March 2, 2021
It was after The Drunk Riders’ first-ever meet-up event, “El Stumble En Texas,” held in Texas earlier this year when the idea really gained traction.
“Our fanbase, while we’re certainly not the biggest fan base by any stretch of the imagination, are very dedicated. We had 30 people signed up for our first meet-up, before the snowstorms hit Texas,” Marcus continued. “I think we all felt, in tandem, after that first trip, after being part of a ‘group’ for years as part of CoasterForce, but they didn’t have an official group, it was time to start something like that, and after a few discussions, we decided to pull the trigger.”
So I must congratulate @coastersnbrews as they won a best of 3 pong tournament at @KentuckyKingdom and their amazing #KTTK2020 event. Props to CNB for two great games and @midwaymayhemfan for being a great partner. pic.twitter.com/vemLKthpw3
— The Drunk Riders Podcast (@TheDrunkRiders) August 30, 2020
The Drunk Riders linked up with another theme park content channel with similar interest, Coasters and Brews, following their legendary beer pong matchup at last year’s Keys to the Kingdom event at Kentucky Kingdom. What started as a twitter exchange blossomed into a friendship, and now a partnership in the new venture.
“The Drunk Riders and Coasters and Brews are so similar,” Marc said. “We knew that if we were going to go through with creating a club, we needed to do it with them. The first time we talked with them about it was during the Stumble in Texas, and they were immediately on board.”
“The second it was mentioned, they jumped right in,” continued Mike. “We didn’t even have a name yet or a timeline, but they said Gabby would come up with a logo and were so pumped up. The first time we actually met in person was tailgating in the parking lot at SeaWorld, and once we got about two hours in, we knew it was the right decision.”
So since Fiesta Texas is closed, we're… getting cultured? #Remember pic.twitter.com/AvOxhwYPiH
— The Drunk Riders Podcast (@TheDrunkRiders) February 21, 2021
While alcohol consumption is hinted at, in both groups’ names, as well as the name Buzzed Bars itself, it’s important to note that even if you don’t drink, you’re still welcome to join the club. Think of drinking as an additional common interest beyond coasters for the club’s members.
“One of the first questions I got when we started the club was ‘Oh, I’d be interested, but I don’t drink. Can I still join?'” said Mike. “Absolutely. It’s not a requirement, it’s just a common interest we all have. We absolutely love going to parks, but the better time for us when we do a meet up is after the park when we go for a drink or out for dinner.
“We don’t need to sit around and talk about ‘is a coaster a giga or not?’ for three straight days while we’re at a park, he continued. “We can, but we don’t need to. The real word there is community. We all like coasters, but what else do we like? What’s a better combination than going to a park and going to a brewery afterward? That’s what got us into it.”
Here is the shirt you will receive by joining Buzzed Bars! Designed by our very own @gabbykaulitz001 who absolutely CRUSHED this design! pic.twitter.com/nM0KnNuVGW
— Buzzed Bars Coaster Club (@BuzzedBars) May 1, 2021
Annual membership for the Buzzed Bars Coaster Club is $25, which includes a high-quality membership card, as well as a Buzzed Bars t-shirt. If you join before May 15, 2021, your membership will be valid through the end of June 2022 (good for two Holiwood Nights.) Buzzed Bars are not out to make a profit, and any profit made will go back to improve the overall club. According to The Drunk Riders, membership is perfect for those who are looking for a little more camraderie out of their coaster club membership.
“Our target age demographic is probably 21-40. That’s where we all kind of fall in, and we realize what we’re looking for and what a lot of people in that age range are looking for,” Mike said. “If you start that way and then have organic friendships come out of it, that’s what we’re looking for. We’re different than other coaster clubs because we’re never going to try to be something that we’re not, as people.”
“Being around people you know and like is the easiest part of this community,” added Marcus. “I’ve always felt, especially with some other groups and bigger clubs, you just kind of feel ‘out of the loop.’ That was a common thing that I’ve heard. I’ve seen it on our discord, and people who came to Texas told us like they felt they didn’t have a real ‘place’ within bigger clubs. Those groups cater to everyone, but to be part of our group, you’ve gotta be a little bit ‘different,’ which we unabashedly are. We will always be ourselves, without fail, whether it’s in person, or on our podcast.”
Have you signed up for #VirginiaIsForStumbles yet? Why not! We are going to have a fantastic time with @BuschGardensVA and @KingsDominionVA on June 12-13. Coasters are only part of the fun! https://t.co/QF7Xu9aXH3 pic.twitter.com/LycSzgIfPz
— The Drunk Riders Podcast (@TheDrunkRiders) March 29, 2021
Following the group’s “official” debut at Holiwood Nights on June 4-5, The Drunk Riders will host their second meet-up event, Virginia is for Stumbles, the following weekend. Beyond those events, Buzzed Bars notes there are many other events on the horizon, featuring both The Drunk Riders and Coasters and Brews, sometimes together, and sometimes independently of one another.
Memberships are starting roll in, and the community is beginning to grow for Buzzed Bars, and The Drunk Riders are very excited for the future.
“A lot of coaster groups out there are definitely not ‘us,’ that’s something we pride ourselves on, we’re not like the rest of the coaster community by any stretch of the imagination,” Marcus said in conclusion. “This group is intended to be not like the other groups. It’s different for sure. Just like the podcast. We wanted to be different and wanted to have fun, and that’s what we’re going to do with Buzzed Bars.
For more information, be sure to visit the Buzzed Bars website, and follow them on social media: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram. You can also follow The Drunk Riders on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and Coasters and Brews on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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