Here is a little background on what we look for in a party place:
1. Dance floor/space with danceable music: Honestly, the place could be a cardboard box on the side of the road. If there is the possibility that we can get nuts on a dance floor then there is a possibility we will be there. Dancing is very important for many of the points to follow.
2. The crowd is mature, but not stuffy: I don't want to go into a place where I am uncomfortable laughing or dancing wildly (see how the dance floor is important). As I have mentioned in previous posts I am not into girl fights over guys, overtly obnoxious drunkenness, that weird smell in corner spots and other gross seeding things that go in line with frat bars. Great for slumming on a pub night, but not for a regular thing. Then there are those ones where the music is played nice and low and if you sneeze everyone looks over...which falls in line with #3.
3. Not pretentious: I cannot go back to King West anymore. I loved it many years ago, but now it seems like everyone is trying to out-do everyone in some way and its not fun for me (I think I was one of those people at some point in my life). Plus the lines are insane for no good reason. That takes us to 4.
4. No Lines/ No Cover: This is a no brainer. I'm spending money in your establishment and you should not try to gouge me or make me wait. This goes for the bar as well. I don't mind paying for coat check, but cover is ridiculous. I think it is a general respect to your patrons to not charge them for buying your drinks.I also like when I do not have to wait too long for a drink. So it's always good to find a place where bartenders/servers can do multiple orders at time.
5. Ability to socialize: I'm going to use a word that I have always thought about...but did not have a word for: Butt Funnel...Thank you Jon Taffer. You see I always believed that bars should have a method for ensuring people have to mix and mingle. Squeezing past while saying "wow this place is packed tonight" or dancing closely and sharing in the fun of "their tune" all increases the social level in the bar. Creates a great atmosphere and builds that "Cheers" -esk loyalty to the bar. The place where you can meet people, even if only temporarily.
6. Good People: So an extension of #2, #3 and #5- it is imperative to have a crowd that likes to socialize. You look at someone and can chat them up. Maybe a booty booking or maybe just someone to talk to while your friend is on the dance floor or in the washroom.
7. Customer Service with manners: Heck its why I will not suggest The Gladstone for a drink. Look back into the Nuit Blah edition. I'm not asking to be treated like a princess, but I am saying: I show up to you with manners, respect me and my money enough to do the same.
I'm going to end the list here...I'm sure there are more to add but I should get on with the story.
Picture it, a rainy slushy night...heehee... Seriously, it was a horrible night for precipitation, but it was still not very cold out. I was able to wear a short skirt and long jacket; perfect Saturday attire. There were puddles all over, but I had on my reliable FMB's with fleece liners (sexy, but dry and warm).
The weather basically told us it was going to be a one stop only type of night. For us, all roads bring us to Brooklynn Bar. It hits all targets (except for its cover--which is only $5). The crowd is mature and clearly older. It has the right number of Butt Funnels (when you go check out the one by the main bar opposite the main entrance) for bumping and socializing. Maybe too many hipsters for my flavour, but the crowd is still a good one.
I guess I should also add there are good looking, average type men hand over fist in this place...that's why I suggest it to single/almost single ladies. Maybe I should have made that club checklist point #1- Men who dress decently and are safe to be around.
We did get weirdly hit on by two guys...one who called my friend an angry lesbian-- we think this was his ice breaker (sad)-- and one who had the brain of a goldfish--that's a whole other episode. We still had a good time.
I think the best part was getting home easily. Due to the weather, the cabs were all pretty free at 3am..quite unusual for Queen West. I avoided the usual "after club food scene" and headed home...it was still slushing (yes, not rain or snow....slush was coming out of the sky).
Well it was a great night overall...but time to cool the partying for a bit to work on some academia...sort of...ha! lets see how long this lasts...this time.
No comments:
Post a Comment