The Comfortable Bar Myth

Kitsune · 11-23-2003, 11:17 AM

There is an awful myth perpetuated by television and one that I really hate: the myth of the comfortable bar. Bars are, by default, either extremely nasty and unfriendly or over populated and have overpowering music. Even pubs have some guy with an accoustic guitar, a microphone, and a concert-style amp blaring. There exists no bar where you can enjoy a conversation and a drink! Or am I wrong? I once heard from a snowbird that some bars up North are like that. Is this true?

Oh, and "Chili's" does not qualify as a "bar".

elSicomoro · 11-23-2003, 11:25 AM

I don't think that's true...I've been to several bars where I can just kick back, have a beer (or two or ten) and shoot the shit with the locals...and everything is cool. My old man is a barfly in St. Louis, and all the places he hangs out at are pretty much like that.

Having said that, I don't expect a real deep conversation at a bar...those seem to happen more at upscale coffee shops.

zippyt · 11-23-2003, 12:45 PM

I have to agree with Syc here , there are bars that you can kick back in though they are some times hard to find .
A couple of examples , i found one in San WanCapistrono CA once , actualy it was a Mex restraunt , a friend and i drank them out of margeretta mix one day , the old Mex cook came out and started fixing us REAL margerettas , we talked and drank an hell be for i knew it we were at his ranch rideing bulls , that HURT !!!
Once in perth AUS some friends and i had gotten tierd of all the loud booming rock and roll bars , we asked a cabbie to take us to some place civilized . He droped us off at this local place , Victorian brass wood and mirrors , Verrry cool , when we ordered a beer the bar tender told us there was No roudeyness and drunken behaviour allowed "this is a respectible drinking establishment !!!" We spent the evening playing darts , and learning to play cribbage ,, lots of beer drank , lots of good conversations .

Kitsune · 11-23-2003, 12:57 PM

I'm envious of you guys for having been to these places. The closest I ever got was a pub in Tampa that seemed, at first, to be a great place to have a pint and relax with friends. We played darts for awhile, had a couple beers, and then before you knew it, some guy was belting out Irish drinking songs, while drunk, through an amp at 120dB.

The closest I've ever gotten is a German deli in a local shopping mall that is more bar than sandwhich shop. The biggest problem: it closes at 9:00pm and stinks of european cheeses.

wolf · 11-23-2003, 01:37 PM

I, too, pine for Cheers.

Since so many people do, I fail to understand why no one has opened one. Not cheers, per se, but a bar where the focus is a beer and conversation, rather than a beer, waitresses with big tits, and large screen televisions with 24-hour sportschannels.

Oh. I get it. People will only spend lots of money at the second kind.

(actually my needs are yet again different ... I need a place like this where I can go at midnight after work and not get kicked out before I'm good and relaxed.)

Kitsune · 11-23-2003, 01:57 PM

waitresses with big tits, and large screen televisions with 24-hour sportschannels

Not that I find anything wrong with these, but I can't understand that these are wildly popular in their existance because these places sell. A pub opens and they, for some reason, find it important to try to draw in people with advertisements of live entertainment and the number of TVs they have. Are places that don't have those things immediate failures?

I need a place like this where I can go at midnight after work and not get kicked out before I'm good and relaxed.

Good luck. Unless you live in a magical place like Nevada or Louisiana, I think almost everyone has a last call near 02:00.

But, at least in Florida I can purchase booze on Sundays!

hot_pastrami · 11-23-2003, 02:02 PM

There was a bar in the Bellagio in Las Vegas that was pretty nifty... expensive drinks, expensive cigars, a live pianist, and great conversation. It wasn't attached to the casino, it was off the lobby. Incidentally, it was also the place described in another thread, where Val Kilmer was sitting at the next table. I've yet to find another such bar. Of course I don't frequent bars, so that may have something to do with it.

Hey, we ought to organize a Cellar get-together in Vegas some weekend. How cool would that be?

wolf · 11-23-2003, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Kitsune

Good luck. Unless you live in a magical place like Nevada or Louisiana, I think almost everyone has a last call near 02:00.

PA last call is 0130 .. there are nights I don't LEAVE work before that time.

There is a bar down the street from the hospital, but the danger of going into there is that I"m likely to recognize half of the clientele or better because I've admitted them for alcohol detox.

Undertoad · 11-23-2003, 03:48 PM

Vegas GTG: You know I'm in.

Plane fare from PHL is around $300 round-trip, cheap-ass hotel $49/night on wkends, one $13 buffet meal covers the whole day's worth of eats, and we could GTG in that exact bar.

wolf · 11-23-2003, 04:03 PM

I got a couple friends in Vegas who keep wanting me to come out there to visit ... one's a retired police dispatcher, the other works security at the Bellagio. Oh, and a friend of mine's brother is with LVPD.

I might be able to keep us out of jail.

russotto · 11-23-2003, 04:24 PM

I gotta agree with Kitsune

TV Bar: Character walks in, sits down at bar, gets a drink immediately

Real bar: Person walks in, there's no damn room at the bar. If there is, the bartender is busy somewhere else. Takes a miracle to get a drink.

TV Bar: Character has no problem conversing in normal terms with person next to him.

Real Bar: Person can't be heard over music and/or TV and/or other conversations. (this one goes double for TV nightclub versus real nightclub)

TV bar: Filled with beautiful people.

Real bar: (Except in NBN's world) Filled with beautiful people only after many drinks.

breakingnews · 11-23-2003, 06:22 PM

Maybe I'm young and ignorant, but there are a host of bars that are comfortable and pleasant, without all the overbearing disturbances of mainstream pubs and bars.

Philly: Sugarmom's in Old City is great. It's in a basement, usually filled with people but not so crowded that you can't find a seat. THe music is at a reasonable level, and they have golden tee and bubble dome hockey. And one absolutely bangin' bartender. I think that's pretty comfortable.

Atlanta: VA highlands is filled with places that are fun. Atkins, Neighbors, Manuel's ... all regular come-in-and-drink-as-you-please kind of places. Some get crowded on Friday nights, but don't all bars?

Griff · 11-23-2003, 06:38 PM

We used to hit Mickey's Blue Haven in Johnson City, NY after second shift. It was known as a gay bar back then which probably explains why it was never crowded or too noisey for conversation. Pickled eggs, owner behind the bar... what more could you ask for?

11-23-2003, 11:17 AM	#1
Kitsune still eats dirt Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,031	The Comfortable Bar Myth There is an awful myth perpetuated by television and one that I really hate: the myth of the comfortable bar. Bars are, by default, either extremely nasty and unfriendly or over populated and have overpowering music. Even pubs have some guy with an accoustic guitar, a microphone, and a concert-style amp blaring. There exists no bar where you can enjoy a conversation and a drink! Or am I wrong? I once heard from a snowbird that some bars up North are like that. Is this true? Oh, and "Chili's" does not qualify as a "bar".

11-23-2003, 12:45 PM	#3
zippyt LONG LIVE KING ZIPPY! per Feetz Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Arkansas Posts: 7,661	I have to agree with Syc here , there are bars that you can kick back in though they are some times hard to find . A couple of examples , i found one in San WanCapistrono CA once , actualy it was a Mex restraunt , a friend and i drank them out of margeretta mix one day , the old Mex cook came out and started fixing us REAL margerettas , we talked and drank an hell be for i knew it we were at his ranch rideing bulls , that HURT !!! Once in perth AUS some friends and i had gotten tierd of all the loud booming rock and roll bars , we asked a cabbie to take us to some place civilized . He droped us off at this local place , Victorian brass wood and mirrors , Verrry cool , when we ordered a beer the bar tender told us there was No roudeyness and drunken behaviour allowed "this is a respectible drinking establishment !!!" We spent the evening playing darts , and learning to play cribbage ,, lots of beer drank , lots of good conversations . __________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get. " Brother Dave Gardner

11-23-2003, 01:37 PM	#5
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	I, too, pine for Cheers. Since so many people do, I fail to understand why no one has opened one. Not cheers, per se, but a bar where the focus is a beer and conversation, rather than a beer, waitresses with big tits, and large screen televisions with 24-hour sportschannels. Oh. I get it. People will only spend lots of money at the second kind. (actually my needs are yet again different ... I need a place like this where I can go at midnight after work and not get kicked out before I'm good and relaxed.) __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

11-23-2003, 02:02 PM	#7
hot_pastrami I am meaty Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 1,119	There was a bar in the Bellagio in Las Vegas that was pretty nifty... expensive drinks, expensive cigars, a live pianist, and great conversation. It wasn't attached to the casino, it was off the lobby. Incidentally, it was also the place described in another thread, where Val Kilmer was sitting at the next table. I've yet to find another such bar. Of course I don't frequent bars, so that may have something to do with it. Hey, we ought to organize a Cellar get-together in Vegas some weekend. How cool would that be? __________________ Hot Pastrami!

11-23-2003, 04:03 PM	#10
wolf lobber of scimitars Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Phila Burbs Posts: 20,774	I got a couple friends in Vegas who keep wanting me to come out there to visit ... one's a retired police dispatcher, the other works security at the Bellagio. Oh, and a friend of mine's brother is with LVPD. I might be able to keep us out of jail. __________________ wolf eht htiw og "Conspiracies are the norm, not the exception." --G. Edward Griffin The Creature from Jekyll Island High Priestess of the Church of the Whale Penis

11-23-2003, 11:25 AM	#2
elSicomoro Person who doesn't update the user title Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 12,486	I don't think that's true...I've been to several bars where I can just kick back, have a beer (or two or ten) and shoot the shit with the locals...and everything is cool. My old man is a barfly in St. Louis, and all the places he hangs out at are pretty much like that. Having said that, I don't expect a real deep conversation at a bar...those seem to happen more at upscale coffee shops.

11-23-2003, 12:57 PM	#4
Kitsune still eats dirt Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,031	I'm envious of you guys for having been to these places. The closest I ever got was a pub in Tampa that seemed, at first, to be a great place to have a pint and relax with friends. We played darts for awhile, had a couple beers, and then before you knew it, some guy was belting out Irish drinking songs, while drunk, through an amp at 120dB. The closest I've ever gotten is a German deli in a local shopping mall that is more bar than sandwhich shop. The biggest problem: it closes at 9:00pm and stinks of european cheeses.

11-23-2003, 01:57 PM	#6
Kitsune still eats dirt Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 3,031	waitresses with big tits, and large screen televisions with 24-hour sportschannels Not that I find anything wrong with these, but I can't understand that these are wildly popular in their existance because these places sell. A pub opens and they, for some reason, find it important to try to draw in people with advertisements of live entertainment and the number of TVs they have. Are places that don't have those things immediate failures? I need a place like this where I can go at midnight after work and not get kicked out before I'm good and relaxed. Good luck. Unless you live in a magical place like Nevada or Louisiana, I think almost everyone has a last call near 02:00. But, at least in Florida I can purchase booze on Sundays!

11-23-2003, 03:48 PM	#9
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	Vegas GTG: You know I'm in. Plane fare from PHL is around $300 round-trip, cheap-ass hotel $49/night on wkends, one $13 buffet meal covers the whole day's worth of eats, and we could GTG in that exact bar.

11-23-2003, 04:24 PM	#11
russotto Professor Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,788	I gotta agree with Kitsune TV Bar: Character walks in, sits down at bar, gets a drink immediately Real bar: Person walks in, there's no damn room at the bar. If there is, the bartender is busy somewhere else. Takes a miracle to get a drink. TV Bar: Character has no problem conversing in normal terms with person next to him. Real Bar: Person can't be heard over music and/or TV and/or other conversations. (this one goes double for TV nightclub versus real nightclub) TV bar: Filled with beautiful people. Real bar: (Except in NBN's world) Filled with beautiful people only after many drinks.

11-23-2003, 06:22 PM	#12
breakingnews Q_Q Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: somewhere in between Posts: 995	Maybe I'm young and ignorant, but there are a host of bars that are comfortable and pleasant, without all the overbearing disturbances of mainstream pubs and bars. Philly: Sugarmom's in Old City is great. It's in a basement, usually filled with people but not so crowded that you can't find a seat. THe music is at a reasonable level, and they have golden tee and bubble dome hockey. And one absolutely bangin' bartender. I think that's pretty comfortable. Atlanta: VA highlands is filled with places that are fun. Atkins, Neighbors, Manuel's ... all regular come-in-and-drink-as-you-please kind of places. Some get crowded on Friday nights, but don't all bars?

11-23-2003, 06:38 PM	#13
Griff still says videotape Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 26,813	We used to hit Mickey's Blue Haven in Johnson City, NY after second shift. It was known as a gay bar back then which probably explains why it was never crowded or too noisey for conversation. Pickled eggs, owner behind the bar... what more could you ask for? __________________ If you would only recognize that life is hard, things would be so much easier for you. - Louis D. Brandeis

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