Find Liquid Inspiration at The Lion & Eagle Pub in Boca

​Night Watch is a regularly-occurring feature by nightlife columnist Tara Nieuwesteeg.

The Lion & Eagle English Pub (2401 N Federal Hwy, Boca Raton; 561-447-7707) was a dignified, stately establishment replete with a rich wooden bar, regally upholstered booths, paintings (of soaring eagles, mostly), decorative kettles, lanterns, and model ships. It was also not large--and quite busy.

Liz, the blond, bubbly bartender, told me that the place was very well-established; owned by a pair of brothers; and had a loyal regular base.

"When I first started working here, I figured there'd be no way I'd make much money in tips," she said. "But we get slammed. It's not been a problem."

"What else should I know about this place?" I asked.

"We're having an '80s-themed Halloween party!" she said. "Also, we're dog-friendly."

Although the clientele seemed generally a little more "mature," I was drawn to an eye-candy couple in the corner. He was tanned, with a long face and a ball cap pulled over his hair; she was petite, with long, straight hair and well-lined eyes. I arrived at their table just as she leaned in to kiss him. An awkward interruption always makes a great introduction.

"Uh, sorry," I said when they looked startled. "I majored in "awkward" in college."

"Yeah," the guy, Langdon, said. "Excellent job--you waited exactly till she was going in for a kiss."

"I had a 4.0 GPA," I joked. "Anyway, what are you two up to?"

"We're coming up with ideas to patent," said Langdon's lady-friend, Stephanie. Furtively, she shielded her list from my prying eyes.

"How many you got?"

"Two so far," she said. "They're good ideas, too."

"Two patentable ideas in one evening?" I asked. "That is more good ideas than I'll come up with in--"

"--Your entire lifetime?" Stephanie asked with a smirk.

"I was going to say week," I said.

"Well, this bar gives us inspiration," Langdon said. I eyed the empty beer glasses scattered over the face of their table. Bet those ideas won't look so ground-breaking tomorrow morning.

"Liquid inspiration," Langdon said, following my gaze. "It's the best kind."

-- Tara Nieuwesteeg