What has happened to the American bar? It used to be you could go out and drink until closing time and walk out with a good size crowd. I guess I go to the wrong bars today. Tonight for instance I went out with a friend to our regular haunt. We saw our regular bartender, who remembered us, and watched the home team lose a close baseball game. A short time later I had to make my first trip to the restroom. I come back and minutes later the lights start going off. I asked about last call and found out it came while I was gone. So not only does the bar close shortly after 11:00 I miss last call too. What happened to the days of staying open to 2:30? Ok, we were the last two people in the place when they made last call. Still as we were finishing up a group of four people tried to come in. This happens more and more often anymore. If the crowd thins out to a certain number the bar decides it is not worth staying open until the mandated closing time and decides to close early.
I can understand it from the bar's perspective. If there are not enough people in the place then the cost of staying open becomes more than if they are closed. It did not used to be that way. Bars used to stay open as long as they legally could. I have too many memories of being in a bar with only a very small number of people and the bar had no problems staying open. What changed? I think this goes back to some earlier conversations about the lack of community today. Yes, there are still bars somewhere probably that everyone knows your name and things have not changed in the last 25 years. I just wonder where they are. Maybe George Thorogood had it right when he said he drinks alone...
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Causes of the decline of the bar? Tougher drunk driving laws? Sheer numbers of bars out there competing for your business? I mean when I think of a corner bar near my place, I have 4 to pick from...if I drive about a block...the number doubles. I think the thing you're forgetting to take into account is that the plethora of choices sort of rules out the establishment of one bar as your hangout. People today seem to be of the mindset that variety is better and unless you have a bar with a rotating menu of beer/food why should people go to the same place over and over? People aren't as interested in establishing a relationship with an establishment. Which in my and possibly your view is foolish. It'd be like going to a different doctor or dentist each time you had a problem, someone who you didn't know and didn't have any reason to trust. And who since they didn't have to deal with you on a continuing basis don't have a vested interest in doing their best. And as for bars staying open...well, if no one's there the bar is losing money staying open. And really, how inviting is an empty bar?
I remember when I was younger all of my friends and I would hang out at the same couple of bars. It was nice to know all the bartenders and other regulars. I guess that is what I miss the most. It was like walking into a friends house when you went into your regular bar. I understand closing early if know one is there. The thing is where is everyone? Checking out the latest place? I do know that it seems the bars without patios seem to do less business in the summer months. At least when I go to them...
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