How do you like your Lucky Charms -- topped with green Miller Lite or Guinness?

Don't laugh (or gag).

That question actually came into play this afternoon at Flannery's, 425 E. Wells St., where a Lucky Charms Eating Contest highlighted a robust lunch hour.

Three at a time, competitors hunched over heaping bowls of the breakfast cereal, topped with beer. They used spoons until the last remnants were left -- at which point two-handed bowl-chugging was permitted.

"Next time, I think we should put the beer in first," one competitor said. "That way, the cereal will stay a little crunchier."

Another contestant, watching an earlier "heat," commented: "Even in this, people eat the marshmallows first."

Kevin, the eventual winner, carried the day with a rhythmic spooning method.

"He just wanted it more," said second-heat contestant Craig. "I think I had a shot, but my bowl had more Lucky Charms. I got screwed."

Though business was brisk, the bar was not uncomfortably crowded during the lunch hour. Pat McCurdy and his road manager, Brian Murphy, stopped by as did Gov. Doyle's former right-hand man, Marc Marotta, and 102.1 FM morning men Brian Kramp and Jon Adler.

The corned beef platter, served with potatoes and carrots, was a hot seller -- along with a solid corned beef sandwich ... and lots of green beer.

"Nobody has asked for a Bloody Mary yet," said Kristen, who has been bartending at Flannery's for about two months. "I don't like making those and I don't like making Cosmopolitans. So far, nobody has asked for those.

"It's all Jameson and Guinness."

As soon as her shift ends at 4 p.m., Kristen has the rest of her day planned.

"I'm going around to the other side of the bar and I'm going to have a drink," she said.