Testing My "Be Content With Two" Theory

A little past midseason, on a past largely extolling the non-Astros virtues of this baseball season, I wrote the following:

"I will forever live by my mantra of "I only want to win twice." Granted, there is some arrogance is asking to win a second time. Many fans never seen the team win the one time. But contrast my contentness of where the Astros have been vs. my constant incoherent, dawdling and dreading around the post-2006 career Peyton Manning"

Well, after my Astros threw away a World Series appearance by not being able to win one single home game in a 7-game series, getting blown out shamefully in Game 6-7 at home - well, let's just say I'm putting that theory very much to the test.

But weirdly, I think my reaction to that loss is only more reinforced by living through that and, in the end, not really caring. Would I have prefered them not get embarassed - well of course I would have. But I got my two. I still have those two. And of course, I can still fall back on the "Seven Straight Years" of it all. Also, if we win too much, then we become even more the Patriots - and I don't like that. I don't like the inherent arrogance that comes with that, even if person to person there isn't too much arrogance.

The Astros are more akin to my Devils growing up - good every year, won our share of titles (three Cups, though only two I actually remember), but also good enough to get beat enough that there were some scars. And I think that's the amazing dichotomy of this Astros run. They're just always there, but for a team that is always there, they have some curious, sullen losses.

For a quick recap:

= They lost an ALCS 1-4 in 2018 despite out-hitting Boston, but they couldn't string together hits for their life. They also lost all three home games after splitting the first two in Boston

= They lost a World Series in 2019, just like they did this past ALCS, where the road team won every game. Unlike 2023 when they were blown out of Game 6-7, in 2019 they actually led both games through five innings, but late homers from starters probably left in too long did them in (also not scoring more than 1 run in the first five innings of Game 7 when they got guys on every inning...)

= They lost a World Series in 2021 to an 88-win Braves team, including getting shutout in game 6 at home in an elimination game, a game where they literally never really threatened.

= Overall, they are 2-3 in Game 7s, winning their first two in 2017, but losing 2019 WS, 2020 ALCS, 2023 ALCS

But how could I attack that team. Forgot about the myriad successes that I'll state shortly, but even within that litany of losing, there's a lot of incredible moments and challenging narratives. For instance, those two series where the road team won every game - while of course we should criticize Houston for blowing the first two games at Home, and even more be critical of them losing the last two at home, but also shouldn't we too credit them for having the mental reserve to go on the road and win three straight when the opponent has a huge edge. 

The micro-example of this we just saw - with Altuve's incredible home run to cap the game 5 rally. That was poise, that was experience, that was all of that rolled into one play. Is that lessened by then them collapsing the next two games?

My other go-to for this is their other Game 7 loss - the 2020 ALCS, where they lost pretty meekly in Game 7 to a much better (for that season) Rays team, but should we not remember that they crawled back from a 0-3 hole, including a stirring walk-off win in Game 4?

And of course, let's get to the opposite side of things - wherein in this same stretch:

= Let's get this out of the way first, they've won two World Series!

= They've gone an unconsciable 13-1 at home in the ALDS (of course, the one loss being this year when they end the season a dreadful 40-47....)

= After getting pummeled for 6 home runs in the band-box that is Citizen's Bank last year in Game 3 of the World Series, they responded by winning the next two games in Philadelphia, including throwing the second no-hitter in World Series history

= Similarly in the 2021 ALCS, after falling behind 2-1 to Boston, including a 12-3 loss in Game 3, they responded by winning the next three 9-2 (after being down 2-1 after seven), 9-1 and 5-0, with a 2-hitter of Boston in the clincher

= In the 2019 ALCS, they went to Yankee Stadium, the place they lost all three games in teh 2017 ALCS, and won Game 3-4 to take a 3-1 lead

= Oh yeah, and did I mention that they won two freaking World Series!

The plusses of the ledger are so far and away ahead of the minuses in this equation. And in the end that's what I'll continue to be happy about. In these seven years, they've reached the ALCS each time. They've also then gone 4-3 (so above .500) in those ALCS's, and then 2-2 in the subsequent World Series. While sure I guess this is not some all time run, I don't care - it is more than enough for a long damn time. As I mentioned in my "Seven Straight Years" post, combine this with their 2004-05 NLCS appearances, they've made the LCS nine times in the last 20 years - the most in baseball (let's just not talk about the nine years of 2006-2014).

Baseball is a great game and it isn't meant to be dominated by teams that string off World Series titles. That happened a lot in the pre-Free Agency days, but since the 70s, we had the Big Red Machine (two straight), the Reggie Jackson A's (three straight), the early-90s Jays (two straight) and then the Dynasty Yankees (three straight). That's teh extent of teams to win consecutive championships. My Astros probably won't join that list, but they gave me two, they gave me a bunch of other amazing memories. Yes, some awful ones as well, but at the end the good ones outweigh the bad, I got my two titles to celebrate, and we may still not be done.

NFL 2023: Week 8 Power Rankings & The Rest

Tier I - The QB Race Duo

32.) Carolina Panthers  =  0-6  (112-186)
31.) Arizona Cardinals  =  1-6  (127-182)

As I'll always note until / if they leave this lowest tier, the Panthers don't have their first round pick. Anyway, their psycho finance bro owner David Tepper probably would just keep riding with Bryce anyway. The Panthers are not very good. The Cardinals aren't either, but have played reasonably well week to week. There's a long trend of teams that no one thinks are good entering the season, being frisky during some early season games that they still end up losing, and then starting to fall into being as bad as we all thought. I think there's a chance that happens to this Cardinals team - with the good news being Jonathan Gannon seems like a good head coach.

Tier II - The "Yeah, They're Just Not Good" Trio

30.) New York Giants  =  2-5  (85-174)

29.) Chicago Bears  =  2-5  (158-188)
28.) Denver Broncos  =  2-5  (148-217)

So seven weeks into the season, we have just two teams with less than two losses, but also jsut two teams with less than two wins. There's a lot of muk between 2-5 and 5-2, but these three have set themselves apart - ironically though all three won last week. The Giants still have a pathetic point differential, and we are seemingly a couple weeks away from a really weird situation when they have to decide between Taylor and Jones. The Bears of course may face the same, somehow, with Fields and Bagent. If anything, Bagent has just remarkably better pocket presence relative to Fields. For the Broncos, no QB controversy of course, but there's also no real signs of life with teh Wilson offense. The defense has been OK now for three straight games but you still have to wonder when that crater falls off again as they continue to cut useful players.

Tier III - The "Muddled Mess of Pretenders" Quinto

27.) Washington Commanders  =  3-4  (140-190)

26.) Tennessee Titans  =  2-4  (104-117)
25.) Las Vegas Raiders  =  3-4  (112-161)

24.) New England Patriots  =  2-5  (101-177)

23.) Green Bay Packers  =  2-4  (130-132)

Yeah, this is what I meant by "the muk". The Commanders basically can't get the offense and defense to play well the same week. Aside from a blowout loss to the Bills, they've generally kept games close, but alternate losing 28-35 type games, and 7-14 type games. For the Titans, if Tannehill is hurt this is going to fall off the rails. For the Raiders, they still haven't scored 20 points - Adams will likely just lose it at some point, and of course Year 2 McDaniels is a ticking time bomb. Nice win for the Patriots, and that's three straight "not awful" games by Mac Jones, but the level of talent on that team is just not there to win enough to realistically get back into it. For the Packers, that was a dreadful loss - not sure why I honestly have them ranked ahead of the other four here. The offense looks so slow and short with Love. The defense has talent but can't carry them yet.

Tier IV - The "Semi Interesting Spoilers" Trio

22.) Indianapolis Colts  =  3-4  (178-191

21.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers  =  3-3  (103-104)
20.) New Orleans Saints  =  3-4  (133-127)

None of these teams are very good, but all seem incapable of losing boring games. The Colts offense is the only one in the league to score 20+ points every week. They lit up the Browns down to down but Minshew is just not good enough and is way too high-risk to keep the floor high enough. Honestly, similarly Mayfield with the Bucs, which of course have a great defense being let down by their offense for a second straight year. For the Saints, Carr needs to push the field more. Of course, that's basically been his issue his whole career, but its more pointed now. 

Tier V - The "LA Blues" Duo

19.) Los Angeles Chargers  =  2-4  (144-155)

18.) Los Angeles Rams  =  3-4  (155-141)

It's time to just honestly re-assess this whole LA thing. The NFL picked the Rams and Chargers to move there, two teams that didn't ahve the greatest fanbases in their own cities. Now every home game in LA is basically a road game - something that gets heightened when it was Dallas last Monday or the Steelers this week. The Chargers are just not playing to their level, specifically the OL and the DL - the DL is basically way more name recognition than anything else. For the Rams, taht was a tough loss. They are playing with great guile and scheme over talent - specifically on defense, and it just doesn't last up enough over 60 minutes.

Tier VI - The "Wild Card Fodder, in theory" Quadro

17.) New York Jets  =  3-3  (113-119)

16.) Pittsburgh Steelers  =  4-2  (103-127)
15.) Houston Texans  =  3-3  (135-113)
14.) Atlanta Falcons  =  4-3  (115-133)

The Jets are hanging in there, with Wilson playing slightly better and the defense still playing well. I just worry that Wilson won't be able to keep up even his level of play so far. The Steelers are somehow 4-2 with a -24 point differential, but I actually think of any in this group they have the most upward momentum. The offense had to play better than its woeful drive to drive results over the first four games, and we're seeing that now - specifically the Pockets to Pickett connection. The Falcons I guess are more than Wild Card fodder, given someone has to win the NFC South. What's impressed me about them is the consistent above-average play on defense. For the Texans, more than even CJ Stroud's great performance to date, is the state of that defense, which Demeco Ryans has turned around so quickly. They are a really well coached unit and some of the recent draft picks that were mostly seen as non-successes due to injury more than anything else, have really come aroudn. 

Tier VII - The "The Worst is Behind Us" Duo

13.) Minnesota Vikings  =  3-4  (151-152)
12.) Cincinnati Bengals  =  3-3  (100-127)

The Vikings started 1-4, the Bengals 1-3, both with pretty sullen losses and a whole lot of questions. The Vikings and Bengals have both come back to life. Now, teh Bengals are technically still last in the division, but Burrow is looking healthier and the defense playing better. For the Vikings - at some poitn I guess Jefferson will return, but even then Mattison's recent strong play is a great sign. Cousins is playing at a truly great level. I don't know if either will end up in the playoffs, particularly the Vikings with four losses already, but what were seemingly lost, disastrous seasons have really come back to life.

Tier VIII - The "High Variance Good Teams" Quadro

11.) Cleveland Browns  =  4-2  (134-115)
10.) Seattle Seahawks  =  4-2  (144-118)
9.) Dallas Cowboys  =  4-2  (154-100)
8.) Detroit Lions  =  5-2  (174-151)

As we get four teams that at their best have looked incredible, and at their worst have looked useless. The Browns have to hope that their defensive porousness (Myles Garrett brilliance aside) is a random one week blip rather than the start of a sustained lower level of play than their initial incredible level. The Seahawks offense has now struggled two straight weeks, but their defense has been able to make up for that donwswing quite well - but against non-Cardinals type teams it may not work as much. For the Cowboys, not sure if the bye came at the best time after a big win following the disaster that was their loss to the 49ers. But they have such a high ceiling given just the top flight talent and strong OL play this year. Finally for the Lions, yeah that was awful. That was rough. But it may just be one week against one of the best teams playing at their very best. I'll trust the 20 prior games that show the Lions to be a very good team. They need to protect Goff better, have to.

Tier IX - The "NFC East Race" Duo

7.) Miami Dolphins  =  5-2  (240-187)

6.) Buffalo Bills  =  4-3  (198-118)

Speaking of high variance teams. The Dolphins have seen their offense limited and slowed against the only two good teams they've played. But Hill is still just so unplayable, and the DL showed some signs of life against one of the league's better OLs in Philly. For the Bills - what to say? The past two years, most of their losses have been razor thin and flukey. But these last two, against both the Jags in London and now this game against the Pats, they just got outplayed. Now, there's enough talent that both were close losses. The worry is the defense just won't have the same floor performance with the injury losses this year that will be just tough to overcome. The offensive ceiling is still super high. They still remain one of the more efficient offense in aggregate - but it just seems bad.

Tier X - The "Best 2-Loss Teams" Trio

5.) Jacksonville Jaguars  =  5-2  (173-146)

4.) San Francisco 49ers  =  5-2  (201-109)

3.) Baltimore Ravens  =  5-2  (171-97)

It may look weird having the Jags here, but they've quietly won four straight games without too much bluster, have Trevor Lawrence getting back to his performance level from later half of last year, and the defense has really settled in. Still too many fumbles and the like but that screams to me as more randomness than anything lasting. For the 49ers, two straight losses is a bit alarming, but both on the road, both close games, and a spate of turnovers that likely won't recur. I still believe, basically. For the Ravens, the team that should be 7-0. The fact their losses are to the Colts and Steelers is quite disturbing, but man if the receivers hold onto the ball, they are incredible. The defense is so good at generating pressure. The younger guys that needed to step up have very much done so.

Tier XI - The "Are Super Bowl Rematches Fun?"

2.) Philadelphia Eagles  =  6-1  (186-141)
1.) Kansas City Chiefs  =  6-1  (178-105)

So, in all likelihood we don;t get a rematch, but it is funny that quietly these are the last 1-loss teams left, and both won 31-17 in impressive fashion. For teh Eagles, that was their most complete performacne in all phases - from Hurts being his most controlled this year, to the DL dominating a great offense all day. The secondary also played well (aside from random Hill craziness). For the Chiefs, Mahomes had his best game, but really that defense has shown over six games that they are just excellent. They're healthy, the young guys are all playing well, and Spags is on his bag 100%. Just a dominant unit - this is what the NFL always feared: Mahomes with a great defense. Injuries and the vagaries of defensive performance can always set things astride as we go, but right now they're the best team in the league, or at the very least the most dependable week to week.

Looking Ahead to Next Week's Games

16.) Chicago Bears (2-5)  @  Los Angeles Chargers (2-4)  (SNF - NBC)

15.) Houston Texans (3-3)  @  Carolina Panthers (0-6)  (1:00 - FOX)

14.) Baltimore Ravens (5-2)  @  Arizona Cardinals (1-6)  (4:25 - CBS)

13.) New York Jets (3-3)  @  New York Giants (2-5)  (1:00 - CBS)
12.) Philadelphia Eagles (6-1)  @  Washington Commanders (3-4)  (1:00 - FOX)
11.) Kansas City Chiefs (6-1)  @  Denver Broncos (2-5)  (4:25 - CBS)
10.) Atlanta Falcons (4-3)  @  Tennessee Titans (2-4)  (1:00 - CBS)

9.) New Orleans Saints (3-4)  @  Indianapolis Colts (3-4)  (1:00 - FOX)

8.) Las Vegas Raiders (2-5)  @  Detroit Lions (5-2)  (MNF - ESPN)

7.) Minnesota Vikings (3-4)  @  Green Bay Packers (2-4)  (1:00 - FOX)

6.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-3)  @  Buffalo Bills (4-2)  (TNF - Prime)

5.) New England Patriots (2-5)  @  Miami Dolphins (5-2)  (1:00 - CBS)

4.) Los Angeles Rams (3-4)  @  Dallas Cowboys (4-2)  (1:00 - FOX)
3.) Jacksonville Jaguars (5-2)  @  Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)  (1:00 - CBS)

2.) Cleveland Browns (4-2)  @  Seattle Seahawks (4-2)  (4:05 - FOX)

1.) Cincinnati Bengals (3-3)  @  San Francisco 49ers (5-2)  (4:25 - CBS)

NFL 2023: Week 7 Power Rankings & The Rest

Tier I - The Caleb Williams Race Quadro

32.) Carolina Panthers  =  0-6  (112-186)

31.) Chicago Bears  =  1-5  (128-176)

30.) Arizona Cardinals  =  1-5  (117-162)
29.) New York Giants  =  1-5  (71-167)

It's weird putting the Panthers in the Caleb Williams picture because they don't have their first round pick. it is an interesting thought exercise whether had they gone 3-14 or something and ended up with the top pick if they cut bait on Bryce Young in favor of the guy everyone thinks is a generational prospect. For the other three, they are all in the race for if not Williams than Drake Maye. The Bears I have to think would make that switch, same with the Cardinals where they probably do give up on Kyler if the alternative is what seems like a more sure thing. The Giants are the most hilariously sad one because of the contract they just gave Daniel Jones. That the team seemed to have far more life with Tyrod Taylor is not a good sign at all for Danny Dimes.

Tier II - The Life Comes At You Fast Duo

28.) Denver Broncos  =  1-5  (129-200)

27.) New England Patriots  =  1-5  (72-152)

I thought the Broncos would be decent with Sean Payton being able to revive something from Russell Wilson. I thought the Patriots would be the worst team in the AFC East, but at least hover around .500. Right now both teams are dreadful, and it is only that remaining reputational slant that has me not putting them in that bottom category - that said both would be wise to tank if they could well and truly. Wilson is toast. Mac Jones may be better than he's showing but you have to think that New England environment is just not conducive to his success.

Tier III - The Not Very Good Quadro

26.) Tennessee Titans  =  2-4  (104-117)

25.) Minnesota Vikings  =  2-4  (129-135)

24.) Las Vegas Raiders  =  3-3  (100-131)
23.) Indianapolis Colts  =  3-3  (140-152)

The Titans and Vikings are both two games under .500, but arguably better than many of the myriad 3-3 teams that are higher in seed. But I'm dropping the Titans due to the uncertainty around Ryan Tannehill (though I get a bit interested to see Will Levis), and for the Vikings with the seeming chance that Justin Jefferson just shuts it down for the season to rest up for a massive free agent contract. For the Raiders, their wins are super unimpressive, and the offenses ceiling seems to be 20 points. The defense has probably done better than anyone would have expected but that offensive performance is unsustainable long term. For the Colts, Mishew showed what he is in that game. The one thing he can't really do is turn it over and he was dreadful in that regard. I also do wonder what the idea was in not running Jonathan Taylor more in that last game.

Tier IV - The Wild Card Aspirations Quadro

22.) Atlanta Falcons  =  3-3  (99-120)

21.) Washington Commanders  =  3-3  (133-176)

20.) Green Bay Packers  =  2-3  (113-113)

19.) Pittsburgh Steelers  =  3-2  (79-110)

This ridiculous amount of three-win (or in the Packers case 2-3) teams is really hard to sift through. I'm sure there always is this muddled mess six weeks in, and over time you would think the records become a bit more polarized. The Falcons are a scheme heavy team whose scheme seems not to favor its best players. I doubt Ridder can play worse, but you watch that game and start to understand why they just run it all the time. For the Commanders, it was nice seeing the defense finally get back to a decent level. Howell still takes way too many sacks. For the Packers, they have a soft schedule coming out of the bye so it will be interested to see if they can take advantage of that. For the Steelers, for the second straight year they have a dreadful scoring differential and good record. While I can't imagine that totally lasts, I do believe in their upside more so than the other three teams, mainly since that defense has started to play better in recent weeks.

Tier V - The Defense Can Maybe Save Us Duo

18.) New York Jets  =  3-3  (113-119)

17.) Houston Texans  =  3-3  (135-113)

The Jets being 3-3 against that schedule is a miracle. Less so when you consider Josh Allen truly just handed them a game, and Jalen Hurts did much teh same, but still had they gone 3-3 against teh same schedule with Aaron Rodgers at QB, I wouldn't have been shocked. Quietly the offense has been passable in recent weeks, with even Wilson showing a lot more poise. He just has to stay in the pocket more. For the Texans, Stroud has been amazing, but the real story is Demeco Ryans turning that defense around this quickly. Many great defensive coaches often take a year to get their types of players and what-not (see Saleh's first Jets season compared to his second), but Ryans took some amount of talent available and has upskilled them immediately.

Tier VI - The Treading Water Trio

16.) Los Angeles Chargers  =  2-3  (127-124)

15.) New Orleans Saints  =  3-3  (109-96)
14.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers  =  3-2  (90-88)

The Chargers should be better than this, but at some point some of the issues have to be pointed at Herbert. Maybe he's not healthy, but he missed way, way too many throws against Dallas and still checks down way too much with a new offense he's directing. For the Saints, their upside is still probably higher than any team in that division but the offense just looks lost at times. I find it weird saying they have the best upside in the NFC South and then having the Bucs ranked ahead of them, but to me the Bucs represent the single best unit in the division with their defense which remains excellent.

Tier VII - The Lively Wild Card Lifers Quadro

13.) Cincinnati Bengals  =  3-3  (100-127)
12.) Los Angeles Rams  =  3-3  (138-117)
11.) Seattle Seahawks  =  3-2  (124-108)
10.) Cleveland Browns  =  3-2  (95-77)

The Bengals are back to .500, and things may continue to trend upwards, but all the excitement about Burrow's strong game in Arizona had to be cooled a bit. That offense still has so little dynamism to it. Good think though the defense has maintained being a fringe top-10 unit again. For the Rams, Stafford just looks so solid, so healthy. I thought they had this type upside if he was healthy, and with Kupp back and healthy it really is a nice little offense. For the Seahawks, that was a frustrating loss, but losing by 4 to a good team on the road isn't all that shameful. Geno remains on a now year-and-a-half heater. For the Browns, that defense is just tremendous - they just abused the 49ers lineman the entire game and the coverage unit is strong as well. I honestly don't even care if Watson doesn't improve - given he's a monster, I'm perfectly fine with him just continuing to suck - but even that probably doesn't tank this team.

Tier VIII - The I Want To Believe More Trio

9.) Jacksonville Jaguars  =  4-2  (142-122)

8.) Dallas Cowboys  =  4-2  (154-100)

7.) Baltimore Ravens  =  4-2  (133-91) 

The Jags are now quietly 4-2, with a defense that has stayed dynamic, and Lawrence has looked better each week. They have to limit the dumb turnovers they still too often have, but Lawrence has done a good job getting Zay Jones and Christian Kirk more and more involved. The Cowboys needed that win, though still it is (not surprising) ridiculous with how many penalties and stupid mistakes they make. Dak is still excellent and it was good to see signs of life with Brandin Cooks after a slow start for him. The defense has stabilized a bit after losing Diggs, with Daron Bland really taking a step up in his game. The Ravens should be 5-1 - in reality they should be 6-0. Much like the Bills that I'll get to, no team loses more games they absolutely should win. The biggest culprit seems to be a shockingly poor track record in the red zone. 

Tier IX - The Just Plain Good Teams Trio

6.) Philadelphia Eagles  =  5-1  (155-124)

5.) Detroit Lions  =  5-1  (168-113)

4.) Miami Dolphins  =  5-1  (223-156)

The Eagles probably needed that loss - they clearly were just lackadaisically running through this season at 5-0, without playing anything near their best. They needed that wake up call. I'm also a bit surprised how quiet Devonta Smith has been this season. In the end though, this is still a great team that nearly won that game despite the four turnovers. For the Lions, more than even the offense, it has been shocking how good the defense has been so far. Great in the secondary and even the secondary pass rushers beyond Hutchinson have started to make more of an impact. The Dolphins showed a lot to me not flinching for a second when falling down 14-0. Now, a better team than Carolina probably doesn't collapse that easily, but still aside from one bad half against Buffalo (and parts of that New England game) this offense has been exceptional, even with some injuries.

Tier X - The Enjoyable Enigma Uno

3.) Buffalo Bills  =  4-2  (173-89)

That was a scary game but the Bills pulled it out. Was comforted to see the defense play that well. Yes, they've not played well for two straight games now, but I still believe in them. Every underlying number would have them be one of the better teams in the league. The run game has picked up the last few games (Jacksonville game excepted). Gabe Davis is starting to play better. Sue me, I still believe even if they're starting to be way too scattershot, reminding me of the 2021 team that went 11-6 despite being on the metrics the best team in the NFL.

Tier XI - The Most Trustworthy Teams Duo

2.) Kansas City Chiefs  =  5-1  (147-88)

1.) San Francisco 49ers  =  5-1  (184-87)

The 49ers won't surprise. Of course I'm worried about the CMC and Deebo injuries but this is me pinning hope that it isn't too serious with either. That defense remains tremendous, and in the end I think Purdy is a very good QB, and one bad game against the league's best defense doesn't change that. For the Chiefs, quietly they have the league's longest winning streak and are very much in that Ravens camp of "they easily should be 6-0" with their loss being the 1-pt opener against Detroit where if not for ten different drops they would have won. They just don't lose games they aren't supposed to, which will set them up for their normal 13-4 type season, a clear path to the #1 seed and off we go.

Looking Ahead to Next Week's Games

Byes: Cincinnati Bengals (3-3), Dallas Cowboys (4-2), Tennessee Titans (2-4), New York Jets (3-3), Carolina Panthers (0-6), Houston Texans (3-3)

13.) Las Vegas Raiders (3-3)  @  Chicago Bears (1-5)  (1:00 - FOX)

12.) Washington Commanders (3-3)  @  New York Giants (1-5)  (1:00 - CBS)

11.) Green Bay Packers (2-3)  @  Denver Broncos (1-5)  (4:25 - CBS)
10.) Arizona Cardinals (1-5)  @  Seattle Seahawks (3-2)  (4:05 - FOX)

I call it "Mega 1-5 Sunday" as we get four games featuring 1-5 teams, and none against particularly high-caliber competition that can give anything too interesting on the other side. This is actually one of the better slates to date, but there is a good amount of slop with these four games. For the Bears, putting it last given the uncertainty around Fields. For the Giants, similar with their QB uncertainty. For the Broncos and Cardinals, at least they generally keep games interesting.

9.) Buffalo Bills (4-2)  @  New England Patriots (1-5)  (1:00 - CBS)

I call it "Can we start digging the grave?" Sunday, as the Bills have a chance to really bury the Patriots, at home no less. They're already basically done for this season, but we've seen a 1-5 team make the playoffs as recently as 2015 (Cheifs, who went 10-0 to close the season...), but never a 1-6 team. The Bills also get the chance against the team that dominated them for so long. Yes, I'm sure some of that catharsis was already released with that memorable 47-17 playoff win, but I'm sure the Buffalo fans are happy to release some more.

8.) Pittsburgh Steelers (3-2)  @  Los Angeles Rams (3-3)  (4:05 - FOX)

7.) Cleveland Browns (3-2)  @  Indianapolis Colts (3-3)  (1:00 - CBS)

6.) Atlanta Falcons (3-3)  @  Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2)  (1:00 - FOX) 

I call it "Can we please get some separation?" Sunday, as we get three games with the muddled mess of 2-3 / 3-3 / 3-2 teams. The Rams get another chance to stake their claim as the comeback team of the year. The Browns, probably without Watson again, get to further flex their defensive muscles with a unit worth the price of admission by itself. For the Bucs and Falcons, sue me but I have a weird infatuation with this ludicrous division that is somehow seemingly worse than last year when an 8-9 Bucs team won it.

5.) San Francisco 49ers (5-1)  @  Minnesota Vikings (2-4)  (MNF - ESPN)

4.) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-2)  @  New Orleans Saints (3-3)  (TNF - Prime) 

I call it "Live Home Dogs..." Monday and Thursday, as we get two of the better teams in the league going on the road on primetime to play teams that have good enough upsides to absolutely give a scare. Maybe I would think differently if the 49ers were more healthy, but if McCaffrey is out (which seems likely as I write this on Tuesday), that game is far more fascinating. For the Saints, they have the type of defense that can make a (potentially gimpy) Lawrence struggle as well. As always, figure one of these games are close, and the other has the better team just dominating.

3.) Los Angeles Chargers (2-3)  @  Kansas City Chiefs (5-1)  (4:25 - CBS)

I call it "Can the Chiefs basically clinch again" Sunday, as the Chiefs get a chance to basically put the division away (barring Mahomes getting hurt or something) by starting out 6-1, 3.5 games up on what we would think their biggest competitor to be. That said, these two have generally played fun, thrilling games in recent years, filled with Kelce OT TDs and pick-sixes and the like. The Chiefs have generally won them, but if the Chargers want to get on the right track, winning this one would be an amazing start.

2.) Detroit Lions (5-1)  @  Baltimore Ravens (4-2)  (1:00 - FOX)

I call it "NFC vs. AFC, Pt. 1" as we get a game between one of the best NFC teams and one of the best AFC teams. There's been a weird dynamic between the two. Everyone coming into the season was figuring the AFC to be far better, but in early weeks the NFC won most of the inter-conference matchups. Last week flipped that completely, with the Eagles and 49ers both losing to middling AFC teams. Here we get a good AFC team. This should just be a fun game between two of the more entertaining teams in the league, though a role reversal with teh Ravens being maddening at times, and the Lions being stably very good every week.

1.) Miami Dolphins (5-1)  @  Philadelphia Eagles (5-1)  (SNF - NBC)

I call it "This is what SNF is made for" Sunday, as we just get a beauty at the end of the night. The Dolphins are the most fun team to watch so far, but their schedule has been hilariously soft - with the exception of the Bills game where they got hammered. Here they start a far tougher stretch with teh Eagles in Philadelphia, off of a loss, with what I'm sure will be an intense crowd (that may be on a high with teh Phillies potentially either already in or clinching a World Series spot that day...). Just a great matchup. The Dolphins offense vs the Philly DL. Seeing if the Hurts offense can get back on track. A night game in one of the best stadium atmospheres at night. Now, SNF has a habit of having these seemingly good games turn into a 38-14 win for the home team, but let's dream shall we.

Seven Straight Years

When the Astros started this streak, I was on my first project at a new job, traveling to San Ramon, California, each week, the second rung from the bottom of the totem pole. Where we stand now, six years later, with the Astros returning to a 7th straight ALCS, I am two (or three) rungs from the top. A lot else has changed in my life, from owning an apartment, to living through a pandemic to so much else. It's hard to put into words what it is like seeing them back there again.

The Astros are not there because they are lucky. They are not back because they "know how to win", or "are clutch" or any of that nonsense people used to espouse about the Patriots. They are there because they are really good, have remained really good, and play with a graet exactness that has allowed them to match their general regular season prowess in the playoffs. They are back because they have truly great players that have generally always played well in October, be it Jose Altuve (who is now hilariously #2 all time in playoff home runs), to the monster that is Yordan Alvarez, to great pitching. They are there because they keep winning the division, they keep winning the first ALDS playoff game at home, and they keep just doing special things.

I wrote near midseason that now, after the Astros second World Series Title last year, I'm open to them not being a dominant automaton, I'm happily enjoying the non-Astros storylines, be it the great rebirth of the Orioles, to the Rangers, to so much else. I enjoy watching so many of the incredible stories the sport has to offer - in its best season in so long, improved by an unconsciable amount from the rule changes. That all is as true today as it was then - but at the end of the day, I wanted that 7th straight trip.

One of the many things I love about College Basketball is that it is the one sport in America that has created a threshold of success below "winning a title" in making the Final Four. They hang banners for making the Final Four. Coaches and programs are routinely ranked and praised for how many Final Fours they've won. And that is great. That means you are one of the 4 best teams in the sport. College does it right. Contrast this to the NFL, where the Colts have been mocked for years for hanging a "2014 AFC Finalist" banner - which effectively is a "2014 Final Four" banner. Screw that, let's celebrate a Final Four, in any sport.

And that's what makes this particular run so special. For seven straight years, the Astros are one of the last 4 teams remaining. I can even look back fairly fondly at the two times they lost in the ALCS. Yes, the 2018 loss to the Red Sox is maddening, a series where the Astros out-hit the Red Sox but were ludicrously awful at stringing those hits together. But then we have the 2020 series, where they valiantly came back from 0-3 down to force a Game 7 against the Rays. If anything, those two ALCS losses hurt far less than the two World Series losses in 2019 and 2021.

Also, what will never leave me about the Seven straight years, is that I've lived so many various lives as a Astros fan. Add to these seven, the Astros 2004 and 2005 trips to the NLCS gives them a staggering nine trips to a LCS in 20 years, the most in the MLB during that span. But somehow in that span of 20 years, they also went nine straight without making the playoffs, including three years of 100+ losses. I remember those times. I remember the weird glimmers of hope during that period, some of which are laughable - like when we were excited about Troy Patton getting called up the majors, or the famed #8 pick of Giovanni Mier, a bust from the start. I remember those dark days, and have no doubt once Altuve ages out, and same with Bregman, and Alvarez leaves for greener pastures, and the Astros lose Verlander and aren't able to keep finding diamonds in teh rough, those fallow days will be back.

Truly, more than anything when this streak finally ends I want it to end with a crash and burn. I don't want to become the 2000-2005 Braves, who after setting the current longest LCS streak of eight (1991-1999), kept making the playoffs but lost in the NLDS five times in six years, some in hapless fashion (twice to my Astros). I want it to end in style, send me back to the old times of watching for the Troy Pattons and the like. I experienced Hell, and am currently still experiencing heaven. Of course I never want the heaven to end, and for one more year at least it isn't ending just yet.

My Top 15 Beer Bars, Cocktail Bars & Clubs

On a combination of my travels for pleasure and some for work, I've set-up a spread sheet with the same general outlay each time. Some of it is arranging what I want to do each AM and PM and Lunch and Dinner. But there's a spot for night. There's a second tab then that breaks "adult/drinking" activities into various categories: Craft Breweries, Beer Bars (i.e. a place known for beer on tap, but not specifically a brewery of its own), Cocktail Bars and EDM Clubs. So, let's put aside craft breweries since honestly while some stick out I've just been to way too many by now, let's go with the other three to build a Top-10 of each.

Best Beer Bars

15.)

14.) Magerks  (Horsham, USA - 2018)

It's weird ranking this one but I'd gone there enough during my project in suburban Pennsylvania that it easily makes the list. It was a giant upscale BrickHouse Tavern type place, but with a far more extensive and interesting tap list of about 30-40 beers, all servied in a giant bar in the middle. The kept the wall of windows open which gave a great atmosphere. They showed every type of sport on their TVs that were above the giant rectangular bar. All of this was great. The place it was in? take it or leave it. If this same place was in a major city, it might be Top-5.

13.) The Raleigh Times  (Raleigh, USA - 2019, 2020)

A couple of these are places I went to during various consulting gigs, including The Raleigh Times, built in the ground floor of the old newspaper building. Technically this is a full service bar more than just a beer bar, and often I went there for food when arriving into town on a late flight. But from a drinks perspective they had about 20 local (Carolinas, Virginia, Georgia) beers on tap, with a great variety of styles, ABV levels, etc. The place also had a really relaxed vibe, with music on a rooftop - though this was more reading it than seeing it as generally that was on weekends.

12.) Loyal Legion  (Portland, USA - 2017)

No surprise that a place like Portland that had itself a crazy collection of craft breweries, has a place where they had about 60 beers on tap, at least half being local craft beer. The bar is large, and in theory is a full service bar, but the imposing row of taps make it clear where they make their money. The beer list featured a ton of stouts as well. In the end, the over-abundance of options is somewhat of a drawback. You would think a bit more discretion could be used. 

11.) NYKS  (Montreal, Canada - many times)

So this one is largely on the vibes side but they do have a solid beer selection, including 2-3 beers of 2-3 local Montreal staples, including generally dark/stout beers. The atmosphere, spitting distance of the Place des Festivals where the Jazz Fest is held. I did go a few times unconnected to the Jazz Fest - including in the dead of winter arriving late into Montreal, it was just a great little refuge in the heart of the city.

10.) Al Brewer's Beer Stand (Takayama, Japan - 2023)

Our first new entrant is one of the most random, exquisite places to find a great regional craft beer bar. AL Brewer's in Takayama is a simple place serving a great collection of beer from all around Japan, including focusing on a few options local to the Hida area. It was IPA heavy, with great tap pours in ice cold glasses. The setting was good too - semi open air, great decor and a truly great crowd of mostly tourists having fun with the local bartenders. Yes, I'm probably giving it a bit of extra credit for just how amazing it was to find it in Takayama, but the quality of the offering lives up to the ranking.

9.) Stand Umineko Koto (Kyoto, Japan - 2023)

If you want to sample as many Japanese craft beers from all over the country, be it 24 taps or at least 100 more can options. They only serve Japanese beer, from all over Japan, and when I was there had about 10 of their taps being from a craft brewery in Osaka area. Overall, the selection was great, a good variety of all types, be it a few IPAs, three stouts and a good amoutn of sours. You can tell there was quite a care taken in what they procured to put on tap. The only thing keeping it from being higher is the "stand" of it all - the place generally requires you to stand at the bar. Good for interacting, not great for just chilling. Anyway, another special place on my Japan trip.

8.) The Wandering Tortouse  (Phoenix, USA - 2021)

This is the first of two Phoenix places, and I have to say Phoenix has got the beer bar concept locked down perfectly. Giant bar in the middle, tons of seating everywhere else. A giant tap list, of mostly local brews, with a brillaitn color coded system on how they write it, with all IPAs in Green, all Stouts/Porters in purple, all ales in white, all lagers in yellow. So simple, so smart, so effective. Why the Wandering Tortoise is a bit lower than its Phoenix companion is its location being a bit outside the city. It was perfectly fine and safe, and the place was great, but not super easy to get to.

7.) Falling Rock Tap House  (Denver, USA - 2019, 2020)

Falling Rock closed down during the pandemic, more due to some odd rental dispute. It is hard to imagine it is gone. The place was an institution in Denver, and had a giant tap list of nearly all Colorado based craft breweries. I went there maybe four or five times and the place was a joy each time. The only thing keeping it from being higher up is the fact that the decor was a bit blah. There was a lot of normal bar trappings (novelty signs, sports jerseys, etc.), but ti was too bright, too much like a Buffalo Willd Wings type layout. Get past that, and the place was about perfect.

6.) Hilaria Gastrobar  (Mexico City, Mexico - 2014, 2018)

I don't want to overstate how good Mexico City beer may or may not be, but Hilaria probably has the best combination of location, food and beer of any is this list. The place is literally right off the Zocalo, with seating overlooking the main roads leading into CDMX's main square. The food was Mexican, but quite good version of it. The beer was plentiful - mostly can options, but from all over Mexico in one special spot. Honestly, hard to beat this combination of factors.

5.) Clark Street Ale House  (Chicago, USA - 2022, 2023)

It was a bit surprising to find a tremendous beer bar in the heart (and I mean heart) of Chicago that (1) wasn't super crowded, (2) had a great tap list, both local and far away. Even better, the crowd was great, they played sports all over the palce, and had free popcorn (something of a Chicago staple, to be fair) available at all times. This was a golden place for someone who has had to Chicago more often recently for work reasons.

4.) Hop Scholar Ale House  (Spring, USA - 2018, 2019, 2020)

Most of my picks are in cities. Hop Scholar is very much not. It was in the Houston suburb that I both had a project in, and where I have a cousin that lives in. If anything there's a back road from my cousin's neighborhood that leaves directly to Hop Scholar. Anyway, as a place, it is everything. They have about 20 beers on tap. A very healthy amount of interesting stouts. It doesn't limit itself to Texas, but features enough local options to make it interesting. They also had a good food selection, with elevated pub fries and hot dogs. It was a refuge of a place on a project where I was alone for a long stretch. I don't think anyone should go out of their way to visit here, but if you ever find yourself in The Woodlands, hop on down to Hop Scholar.

3.) Toronado  (San Diego & San Francisco, USA - 2014, 2017)

I believe these two are if not owned by the same people, at least linked. The San Diego location has closed, which is a shame as to me it was slightly better than the San Francisco location. In both cases the place had a weird collection of people (headbangers, goths, everything else) along with about 25 beers on tap. Much like Wandering Tortoise I believe there's some color coding done in the way they show their beer, but I couldn't discern it. Toronado takes full advantage of the wealth of craft beer options in both cities, and were easily my favorite night options in either city.

2.) BarHop Brewco  (Toronto, Canada - 2017, 2019, 2020)

Situated in a dark, dive type bar, with a wall with a projector showing either sports or some old weird movies, and a tap list of about 30 beers, high majority being Canadian, BarHop Brewco was a fascinating place to visit. Half of the brews were sold at $5 CAD on Monday's, which is often the place I went. They had a good mix of bar and table seating. And they had great food - especially a PBJ burger that I had way too much. Everything about BarHop was great, including the crowds whether weekday or weekend. Best part was it was right in the heart of the city, but a block or so off the main drag. BarHop was close to perfect.

1.) The Theodore  (Phoenix, USA - 2021)

As perfect as BarHop was - it wasn't The Theodore perfect. I went there my first night traveling post covid, and it was great. I went there three times that trip and then went months later when I went to Phoenix for my friends wedding. I dragged our mutual friend that was also there to it late on a Friday, him being skeptical, and even he agreed it was fantastic. Giant bar, huge tap list, with that everpresent color coding that I love so much. No food, but food trucks aplently all around. Truly right in the heart of the city, serving as excellent place to either end the night or start one. The Theodore is about as perfect a place as I can picture when someone says to me what a great Beer Bar is.

12 Best Cocktail Bars I've Been To:

15.) The Gin House  (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - 2019, 2022)

This place may have closed down, it is hard to tell, but The Gin House was a great place in Ho Chi Minh City. My only real complaint is they get a bit too crowded, largely because they had live music Wednesday through Sunday - granted the music was generally good. The cocktails were great. Yes, most were gin based, and I was lucky enough to come when they had a resident mixologist from New Zealand of all places visiting, but they were smooth, refreshing and a great starter for a night out in Ho Chi Minh City - the place I would go to after is coming up in the next category.

14.) Cobbler (Seoul, Korea - 2022)

    

Cobbler was situated in a pretty seemingly quiet part of Seoul, an area not really well known for bars and the like, but deep in this residential area of narrow alleys is Cobbler. It had great decor, made to look like a clubhouse lodge, with exposed wood everywhere. The drinks were excellent, with no set menu and you just give them your preferences. The drinks were all little, interesting twists on classics, the best being a truly incredibly smoked somkey old fashioned that nonetheless as smooth as any I had. The place was well crafted, well maintained, a truly professional outfit that took pride in just serving great cocktails.

13.) Milk Tiger  (Calgary, Canada - 2019)

Milk Tiger had the chillest vibe. It wasn't too big, but I guess also wasn't overly popular. Generally you always had a table or a spot at the bar, and the bartenders wouild regale you with stories - as were the collection of crazies that went to the place - while they whipped up excellent $10 (US) cocktails. Milk Tiger specialized in gin based cocktails, which really opened my eyes to what you can do with that liquor. It was a nightly spot to hit before going to an EDM club that will show up in that ranking.

12.) Little Red Door  (Paris, France - 2018)

This place is on the Worlds Top 50 list, and it certainly hits all the right marks. No sign and behind a red door (obviously). The drinks were good, the presentation was good (I remember one drink was served in four parts in four different boxes). The decor was nice. It was all very proper, all very grand, all very Parisian. Honestly, it probably should be higher, but I just didn't go and/or try their selection enough.

11.) The Bellwoods (Tokyo, Japan - 2023)

You enter into The Bellwoods, see the old timey dress worn by the fun bartenders, and the ragtime era music playing, and you get immediately what they're after. There's no weird entrance or hideaway that pushes into that aspect of a speakeasy - jsut a decor, vibe and sense that you are back in the old days. The Cocktails are excellent, with cool glasses and great presentation, if a bit on the lighter, sweeter side. Still, with a core list of about 20 options, you can go a while without running out of things to try, and ragtime era environment to soak up.

10.) Meteor  (Minneapolis, USA - 2022)

It is hard to judge a place like Meteor, which has zero of the acceptable levels of pretension that come with all five above it. If anything it is set-up like a dive bar, with low lights, mostly bar seating and gourmet hot dogs rolling, but has an inventive, playful cocktail list of about 15 regulars. Their use of strange ingredients, like Sesame in a bourbon-based cocktail, or coconut milk in a gin-based one, was excellent. It isn't too expensive coming in at $12 a pop. They even have a decent draft beer list if you want to mix it up - granted that has no real impact on the ranking here.

9.) Summer Experiment (HCMC, Vietnam - 2023)

Ho Chi Minh City is a city on the rise, and much as it has in every area of life, it is setting it sights higher and higher on top cocktail spots. Summer Experiment is like almost everything in HCMC, up two stories in a dark alley, but enter through its doors and you walk into a sleek, dark bar with some outside seating, and a long bar with weird ingredients, hundreds of bottles and young bartenders looking to develop some crazy stuff. Not all of it is perfect, but their good concoctions, like the best frozen cocktail I've ever had, to a great play on a Manhattan, knock it out of the park. Summer Experiment is relatively new, so I foresee it rising in promenance.

8.) Tres Monos  (Buenos Aires, Argentina - 2023)

This place just hit all the notes really well. It is very well reputed, but not too crowded (a bit plus in the bustling late-night mecca that is Buenos Aires). The drinks are excellent - inventive without being pretentious (granted, a few places higher on my list could be accused of being such). In the end, this place consistently served great cocktails and had a great Ho - a mix of bar-front seating to watch the mixologists do their thing, to a lot of couch and chilling space, which of course like any top Buenos Aires space, spilled out into the streets.

7.) Wa-Shu  (Taipei, Taiwan - 2019)

Wa-Shu was a Japanese Cocktail Bar in the heart of Taipei that I went to twice. The bartenders were quick to tell me that they were Taiwanese, but the cocktails featured Japanese-based alcohol mostly. I had multiple Japanese Whiskey based cocktails, including my favorite being a weird one that used peanut butter seeped through a coffee filter to create a peanut butter old fashioned. It was one of the places with no supposed menu, where we tell them a certain flavor, or fruit or type of food, and they'll whip up something that makes sense based on that. It worked every time. The Wa-Shu guys knew very much what they were doing.

6.) Alice (Seoul, Korean - 2022)

Alice was quasi-gimmicky, in that it was Alice in Wonderland theme - but they didn't hit you over the head with the theme, but instead hit you over the head with great cocktails. There were interesting ingredients, from utilizing soy bean paste, to beer foam and flowers, to so much more. Even the names were whimsical - like "Hippity, Hoppity" and similar things. The best part I appreciated is that none of the drinks were overly strong or bitter, just perfectly balanced, perfectly inventive.

5.) Bar Trench (Tokyo, Japan - 2023)

Small but incredibly strong, Bar Trench was the favorite place I went to on my recent trip to Japan, with a wealth of cocktail options, all liquor-forward to not make you feel cheated, with also incredibly knowledgeable, entertaining bartenders that will play around with different styles and make stuff on request without going too far down the pretension rabbit hole. Bar Trench just makes super good, strong, solid, inventive drinks - plus has a really great vibe aided by teh smaller size and great decor with a giant library-style wall of bottles and fermentations, all to make your head spin for all the right reasons.

4.) Carnaval  (Lima, Peru - 2022)

Carnaval shows up the Worlds Best 50 Bars list, and after going there I have to say it earns that spot. It gets crowded, but is in a posh area of Lima, doesn't let in more people than they have seats for, and had a great energy aroudn it. The drinks were wild, in both preparation and design - things like alcoholic cotton candy as part of a play on an old fashioned, to a frozen watermelon cocktail that is melted when you tip your glass to combine it with a mint cocktail. It was all a scene, and it was just great.

4.) #FindTheLockerRoom (Bangkok, Thailand - 2022)

Sometimes speakeasies can take the concept of just how hidden their entrance can be a bit too far. FindTheLockerRoom, down a wet and damp alley, and a row of lockers, toed the line. But the second you're greeted with an almost farcical second set of lockers, you enter a beautiful dark, roomy, bar with some incredible cocktails. The cocktails themselves are all reinventions of old classics, and were all uniformly great. The only real complain is the bar was a bit small, but I take it in a sense that fits with the speakeasy theme. Great concept, made a lot better by peerless execution.

2.) Cause Effect  (Cape Town, South Africa - 2020, 2022)

Cause Effect shouldn't be this good. It is placed right in the heart of the most touristy place in Cape Town. Basically this is like if a bar in Times Square was an amazing place. But somehow it is. They are easily the most inventive cocktail makers. Nearly all of their 20+ standard cocktail offerigns are a production, with props and set-ups and incredible staging. My favorite was one where you are given a plate with a depressed area in the middle, which is covered by an image of a bird and you're told you need to puncture the image which then combines with the cocktail below it to create something magical. The place has to be visited to truly understand it, but it is just incredible, and I can't overstate enough how brilliantly weird it is that this place exists in the V&A Waterfront.

1.) Licorecia Limantour  (Mexico City, Mexico - 2018)

I went to Licorecia Limantour without even knowing it was seen as a world renowned cocktail bar. It is high up the Worlds Top 50 bars. Granted, they have multiple locations - I went to both the main one and one in Polanco. Both have the same menu. Unsurprisingly a lot of cocktails were tequila or mezcal based but they were all crafted brilliantly. None were to too strong, all were super smooth to put down. The place had a great vibe in the heart of the city's more trendier areas, with an open layout letting you basically step inside from teh street. Licorecia Limantour was a marvelous part of my trip to Mexico City, and has only increased its reputation since 2018.

12 Best EDM Clubs I've Been To

15.) Kitsune Club (Kyoto, Japan - 2023)

Two stories, one more mainstream, one more underground - both with high ceilings, laser lights and a whole lot of people. There wasn't a whole lot of crowd control that they were exhibiting, so moving aroudn was a bit tough, but they made up for it with great ventilation and a long, well attended bar that made getting drijnks fairly easay. And of course, like any great Japanese place, they had a storage locker to leave stuff and leave inhibitions behind. Not close to the most serious music-wise but a great club nonetheless.

14.) Pink Chihuahua  (London, England - 2022)

This was a surprising place that I went to twice on my last trip to London. First taken there by a couple work friends - one mostly who swore the place, which is downstairs of a latin restaurant, is great. What I found was perfect. Not too big, but not too crowded. Great mix of 00s hip hop and EDM, with amazing drinks, including some fantastic margaritas. It's only not higher because it isn't really an EDM club, and was more drink forward than music forward, which sin't really the case of most of these on the list.

13.) The Loft @ Skyway Theater  (Minneapolis, USA - 2022)

On the downside, they had maybe the worst drinks of any of them on the list, which is why its 8th. Admittedly they were strong, but their "soda" component of my whiskey soda order was basically water. But at least they were cheap. Anyway, let's get to the upside of the place. It had maybe the best ventilation system of any large space club i've been to. It was so airy, despite being crowded (not overcrowded) and them going heavy on the fog machine. Also the acts the day I went were spectacular. They seem to curate well as the place isn't open every day on the weekend. Great place, just don't expect drinks.

12.) Womb (Tokyo, Japan - 2023)

Womb was the most expansive club I went to in my time in Tokyo - easily the busiest and the largest. Three floors, all showcasing different types of music. The grournd floor with more underground, deeper EDM. The top floor with more traditional, laid-back house. Both of those two were my got to, with a giant laser-light and packed mainstream floor in the middle. Tons of bars, tons of people - it was just a great time in Tokyo. Only thing keeping it from being higher is it could've done great to have better ventilation - a small complaint as it was easy to not even realize getting lost in the great scene.

11.) Culture Club Revelin  (Dubrovnik, Croatia - 2017)

I debated whether or not to put this on the list, mainly because it is more of just all-around club than a EDM/House club. Granted they played a lot of that music, but they also played hip-hop, and had girls dancing in cages, and was more of a pure play party spot, than anything else. Not that it's bad. It migth be the best pure club I've been to, certainly the coolest atmosphere, but to me it fits on the list. Just go there knowing what it is.

10.) Cakeshop (Seoul, Korea - 2022)

Two clubs in Seoul make the list this time, and showcase the different elements of what makes Seoul a great city with everything. Cakeshop is lighter, airier, with a great bar on the side, and great tunes. It is a bit less hectic, less "clubby" and headbanging-ey than other spots in Seoul, with the same carefree attitude that made the city work. The music at Cakeshop was just perfect to enjoy, dance to, imbibe to, right in the heart of Itaewon.

9.) Club Under  (Buenos Aires, Argentina - 2023)

Honestly, if I went to Buenos Aires in 2019 or a few years earlier, this probablhy would be higher up the list. The place was everything you want out of an EDM club - good ventilation, good music acts, a ton of people having a grand old time. They probably could use slightly better crowd control (granted, there was still a line to enter), as the Saturday I went it was astonishingly crowded. There's really no complaints here to be had, it was just a bit jarring to, for the first time at an EDM spot, feel old.

8.) Savage (Hanoi, Vietnam - 2019)

I have another Vietnam spot higher up the list. They are very similar in structure, but the main knock, the only knock, I have on Savage is that it was underground so it was a bit hot. They have one area that you enter that has more poppy house playing and a full bar, with another full bar in a shadowy back room that was hardcore EDM. Perfect mix of options, with full ability to move from one to the next. Savage also had full supply of balloons, more to come on that in a second here. Vietnam also has maybe the best bar service of any of these - in these cases the drink aspect is as much as the music, at least for the entry bar / area.

7.) Vent (Tokyo, Japan - 2023)

I don't go to clubs wanting to see great architecture and design, but it is hard not to notice these aspects of Vent, a truly special club in Tokyo. The exposed concrete walls, the trees indoors, the high ceilings, the exposed cement bar. It was all just a cool vibe, a great scene. The music was excellent as well, really curated DT setlists and a great energy that attracted an equal mix of locals and foreigners. It was a spot that didn't allow photos (like Modular to come next, would put a sticker on your phone camera), which is a little nuance I actually have come to enjoy. This place was just about having a great time, with a beautiful visage to experience it all in.

6.) Modular  (Cape Town, South Africa - 2018, 2022)

I have to say, Modular gets way more crowded than my places at ahead of it, but they did a great job of not really making it feel that way, with three full service bars in the same area. They also had a pretty great ventilation and air conditioning. It was packed though. They had no real regard for crowd control. Modular had some of the better DJ sets I've heard in terms of quality top to bottom. If even you're in Cape Town, would fully recommend going there on Thursday. It's slightly less crowded, but every bit as good.

5.) Habitat Living Sound  (Calgary, Canada - 2019)

I'm not sure if they're open or not. They definitely closed for good soon after the pandemic, but then re-opened in 2021, but seem to have closed again. Anyway, it was an experience. The only real downside is that it wasn't that big of a space, but on the plus side, they had excellent crowd control, shockingly cheap and decent drinks (i.e. if you ordered a whiskey soda you got a decent amount of whiskey), and the DJs were all pretty good. The good crowd control actually made this one of the more pleasant clubs to be in. I mourn for Canada's loss here.

4.) Club Faust (Seoul, Korea - 2022)

If I described Club Faust, a dark, large room that is open from 12am-7am, with a series of artists and DJs, you could probably well picture what Club Faust looks like. It is what it is, which is just perfect for what it is trying to be. Seoul is a lot about glitz on one end, but heart and passion on the other. No one would go to Club Faust to be "seen", mostly because you effectively literally cannot see anyone all that well. After a while your eyes do get adjusted, and your ears are great from the get go.

3.) Reset  (Cape Town, South Africa - 2020)

RIP, as this was another one that was a Covid casualty. Luckily Modular still exists, but Reset was just a better venue. With two levels and two performance spaces, a bit more light on the second floor, more heavy in the underground one. Bars had a lot of bartenders. They had great ventilation. The crowd control was decent, but just having it across two floors just made it all seem bigger and better. On the whole Reset was a fantastic place and a real loss in terms of nighttime entertainment for Cape Town.

2.) The Black Box  (Denver, USA - 2021)

There's one major question mark in ranking The Black Box this highly, and that is the fact that when I went in August 2021, they were still doing a reasonable amount of crowd limiting due to covid. There was no mask restriction, but they were operating at half capacity. That said, even if you double the crowd I don't think it would have been so much worse. The space was great - with lounge area with another DJ space when you enter, and a much larger space in the interior. Other than my place at number one this place had the best bar set-up, with at least five bartenders working, and the ability to go to the bar in the outside area at any time. The music was uniformly excellent, with generally three acts that all were great each day.

1.) The Observatory  (Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - 2019)

From the truly loungey lounge that is its main area, to a full service bar with tons of bartenders that make things quick, to the plentiful balloons, to the light, airy indoor more heavy EDM club that had great ventilation, to it also being on the fifth floor with great sightlines of Ho Chi Minh City around you, The Observatory was close to perfect. That Friday and Saturday night spent at it was about as good as it has ever been in a club experience. You truly feel like you are at a rooftop bar one second, and a hardcore EDM club the next. Just an incredible set-up, great msuic, great balloons, cheap but good drinks, and a great crowd with a good mix of locals and expats. It all added up to a perfect experience.