June 06, 2025
Archive

'It's a doozie.' New Groundhog Days Pub Crawl in Woodstock to feature specials, souvenirs

By JAMI KUNZER

Bill Murray, as Phil Connors in "Groundhog Day," joins two drinking buddies in a scene from the 1993 movie filmed in Wayne's Lanes in Woodstock. The bowling alley is taking part in a new Groundhog Days Pub Crawl Feb. 4. As part of the event, souvenir glasses will be given away with beer purchases at the bowling alley. (Photo provided)

Sweet vermouth on the rocks with a twist, anyone?

The drink – popularized in 1993’s Harold Ramis-directed “Groundhog Day” – will be among the featured specials at an inaugural Feb. 4 Groundhog Days Pub Crawl. From 6 to 10 p.m., fans are encouraged to walk around town for drink and food specials and souvenirs offered by at least 10 participating establishments.

Rick Bellairs, an extra in the movie filmed in 1992 on the Woodstock Square, organized the event after running into a group of friends making their own rounds to bars throughout the Square as part of previous Groundhog Days festivities.

A pub crawl has been suggested on and off for years, he said, and he decided the 25th anniversary of filming was as good a time as any to make it official.

“We’re just formalizing it,” Bellairs said. “When I went around to the different bars, they all just jumped on the idea. . . .They’re trying to all get into the theme of it. It should be fun.”

The $6 sweet vermouth on the rocks special, along with a commemorative shot glass, will be at the Public House of Woodstock – the same spot where Andie MacDowell’s “Groundhog Day” character ordered the drink. At the time of filming, though, there was no Public House, only an empty building. The Public House also will host a 7:20 a.m. Feb. 2 “Drink to World Peace” event, reenacting the scene from the movie. The drink and commemorative shot glass will be available at that event as well.

Other Pub Crawl drink specials include a mixed “Deja Vu” drink at Ortmann’s and the Corner Pub’s “Doozie” (as in “Watch for that first step. It’s a doozie.”). The Corner Pub also will be offering up a $1 Groundhog Dog.

Wayne’s Lanes, where Bill Murray’s character hung out with a couple of drinking buddies who debated whether their glasses were half full or empty, will have souvenir “Your glass is half empty” beer glasses with beer purchases. After the debate in the movie, the trio piled into the car for a reckless ride along the railway tracks.

A $20 Pub Crawl ticket – available at any of the participating establishments before and during the event, as well at Read Between the Lynes on the Woodstock Square – comes with giveaways and entry to a drawing. Each establishment will be donating a $25 gift certificate or other prizes to be raffled off after the event.

Visit at least three of the participating locations in any order to get your ticket punched, and leave your ticket in a prize barrel.

Among other Pub Crawl specials are:

• half-price wine and $2.50 Bud bottles at Benton Street Tap

• $3 premium Mai Tais and a $3 draft of the week at D.C. Cobbs

• 50 percent off appetizers, sandwiches and wraps at Liquid Blues

• $3 bombs and $2 Hamms and PBR cans at The Cabin

• $3 Willie Bombs, $4 Chilly Willie Cocktails, $8.95 Woodstock Willie Fries, $8.95 Chili Mac and $8.95 Willie Mac at BBQ King Smokehouse

For information on the event, as well as numerous other Groundhog Days festivities through Feb. 5 and on Feb. 11, visit www.woodstockgroundhog.org or call the Groundhog Days Hotline at 815-334-2620.