ram·ble

/ˈrambəl/

verb

1. 1.
   walk for pleasure, typically without a definite route.

It’s not just a verb, folks! Get to know the ins and outs of The Rambling Root: the who, what, when, where, and why.

We’ll start from the top – or the side. Ramble into the parking lot beside their building, 101 Fairmont Avenue. Drive on through it or drive around the building to park in the back. (It’s much roomier, in my personal parking opinion.) Then, make sure they’re open: 4-10 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 12-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The Drinks

Ramble on inside to see the plentiful options of tried and true West Virginian craft beer. You’ll see only a couple from outside the state, but that’s because they measure up. 

Ask anyone behind the bar what would best suit your taste buds. Try a sip. Like it? Get it. But if not, there is beer-a-plenty with some decadent alternatives, including non-alcoholic beer. Try honey wine, also known as mead, from the local meadery, Mountain Dragon Mazery. Get a glass of MonValley Vineyards wine, made right up the road in White Hall. Be extra hippie healthy with a kombucha. Have a springtime cider or juice. 

Can’t make a decision? There’s always soda on tap. 

The Food

Order at the bar, right next to the huge menu chalkboard. The daily and weekly specials are posted there. Some past options have included pork tacos (highly recommended), ostrich burgers (always a must), plus Cubans and Reubens. There is also a menu online with items that are always offered. Beer cheese fries, house burger, beet, and goat cheese salad have never failed me. Check it out beforehand or right then and there with their handy dandy wifi. 

Seating options galore! Choose from the lower level. Check their Facebook for live music events there. Don’t worry; you’re not far from the beer! A separate bar is there for your liquid needs. 

Upper-level seating keeps you close to the food. Outside seating keeps you close to the fresh air. With springtime and summer, there’s live music outside. It’s also puppy-dog friendly! (Remember to always have your dog on a leash. Staff and patrons will probably ask to pet him or her, so be prepared to make new friends!)

When should you go? Sillipint Saturday is arguably the best day of the week. What’s it mean? Purchase a cute Sillipint, and it’s half-price pints of anything on draft from 4-6 p.m. every Saturday! 

The Fun

However, Trivia Tuesday is a perfectly acceptable day to have fun and win while doing it. Hosted by Heavy B Production Bar Pub Trivia at 7 p.m., you can get a headstart with one free answer online each week. Come with a team of your own (eight people, give or take), or come with no team at all and join the bar team! First place gets a $25 gift card; second place gets a $15 gift card, and third place gets a pitcher of beer. BTW, the only way to ever get a pitcher of beer is to come in third place at trivia. It’s the coveted spot of the locals. 

Buuuuuut… Game Nights on Thursdays is another great day to go to the Root, too! Start as soon as they open at 4 p.m. and play into the night (or until 10 p.m., when they close). Video games and board games are provided, but you’re welcome to bring some. Come play MarioKart, Kotra, Settlers of Catan, Exploding Kittens, Yahtzee, and the dreaded Oregon Trail. Everyone who comes gets to roll the 30-sided die. There are 29 taps, and you get half off whatever tap you happen to roll. If you roll a 30, get half off whatever beer on tap you want! 

The Club

Once you decide you love The Rambling Root so much that you want to repeatedly return, you should probably join the Mug Club. Stop by to sign up and pay $50 for the year for discounts on draft beer and bottles! Plus, there are exclusive potlucks four times a year where you can meet and eat with your Mug Club friends. You’ll also be gifted a mug (that stays there waiting for you to come back and get a drink) and a cool leather cup sleeve.

When you do decide you’ve overstayed your welcome – impossible! – take your dishes to the dish bins near the soda fountain, to the right of the register. 

As the good people of The Rambling Root like to say, ramble on and stay rooted.