Sneakeater Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 It's hard enough to rouse myself to make Simple. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joethefoodie Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 6 hours ago, Sneakeater said: You see, I'm not trying to be tendentious, but that's the point I was trying to make about the kind of bars I'm willing to go to. At "my" bars, I'm not paying a pure mark-up on the ingredients (just as I'm not at a good restaurant). I'm paying for the skill of the person who formulated the drink, as well as of the person making it. I'm paying for their access to a broader range of ingredients than I have (although that is something that changed, with respect to both food AND beverages, during The Lockdown). And better equipment (including ice-making equipment). Even at a wine bar, you're paying for the "curation" of the list. And the ability to try things you might not buy for yourself at home -- even though you usually COULD. All true - but I still contend that sometimes one wants to go to a bar just because it's a bar. To see people. To maybe watch a game I don't get on my TV or million devices at home. Or maybe I want a draught beer? The question on my mind though, is - if people stop going to bars because the prices are so high, has raising prices really served its purpose? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilfrid Posted January 26 Author Share Posted January 26 Believe it or not, I think there's some common ground here. I completely agree with Joe that there are many reasons for going to a bar in addition to those cited by Sneak. As mentioned elsewhere I dropped by The Hamilton a couple of nights ago. Why? Not for its fairly extensive whiskey selection (I drank a Manhattan made with a non-fancy rye), but because I was curious about it; because I had just picked up a book at Book Culture five minutes away; because I didn't want to just turn around and go home; etc. In other words, I am consciously paying for things beyond the ingredients in the drink. Company, getting out of the house, maybe sports as well as a wider selection of drinks than I could realistically have at home. But I just come back to the concern that if I'm drinking cocktails (or indeed wine) the difference between what I pay at home and what I pay in a bar is truly staggering. And as Joe says: Quote The question on my mind though, is - if people stop going to bars because the prices are so high, has raising prices really served its purpose? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sneakeater Posted January 26 Share Posted January 26 On 1/23/2023 at 2:03 PM, Sneakeater said: It is a little disturbing to me how much more alienated I am than you guys. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joethefoodie Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 Question for @Orik. I'm pretty sure this topic has been discussed elsewhere here, so forgive me my indulgence here. Take a look at these... I'm presented with the check (s), with the one on the left on top. Note just a subtotal, with a line for a gratuity and then the total. As I look underneath, I see the other check, with an 18% "auto gratuity" and a line for an additional gratuity. I thought (and I believe it has been mentioned here) automatic gratuities were a no-no? It pissed me off so much that the $10 gratuity I would have left...fuck that. I mean, the auto gratuity is basically self-defeating. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Orik Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 It's in a hotel, so it is allowed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joethefoodie Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 3 hours ago, Orik said: It's in a hotel, so it is allowed. Ahhh - thanks! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
AaronS Posted January 27 Share Posted January 27 is that the place that used to have a much nicer, older looking bar? I tried to go there the other day and wondered if I went to the wrong hotel on that strip. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilfrid Posted January 28 Author Share Posted January 28 Yes. The Blue Bar now has weird lighting, like I think the bar itself is actually illuminated. No longer nice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Wilfrid Posted January 28 Author Share Posted January 28 I really miss the Oak Room. So many great memories. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
joethefoodie Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 10 hours ago, Wilfrid said: I really miss the Oak Room. So many great memories. I was actually at the Algonquin for an event in the Oak Room; being a little early, we had enough time to grab a drink at the bar. The event was great; hosted by Thurston Moore, an interview with the author, readings, 4 Velvet Underground songs played by Lenny Kaye. Many people left from that era were there...I felt young. The author, Ignacio, had seemingly unprecedented access to the VU and to Lou, who actually liked him...well, as much as Lou might like someone. For this book: https://t2conline.com/linger-at-the-algonquin-hotel-with-rock-n-roll-legends-the-velvet-underground/ Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Orik Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 On 1/26/2023 at 12:19 AM, Sneakeater said: Even at a wine bar, you're paying for the "curation" of the list. And the ability to try things you might not buy for yourself at home -- even though you usually COULD. Curation or not, when the cost of a glass poured is over 12 times what the winemaker gets, we should be at least somewhat concerned. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sneakeater Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 Hey pouring wine is HARD. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
taion Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 On 1/19/2023 at 7:08 PM, joethefoodie said: It's not even cheap retail! The thing that did it for me was realizing that the VT location of our local bougie grocery chain has a much better selection of beer than the NH locations. On 1/20/2023 at 1:57 PM, Sneakeater said: To put it another way, if cocktails at music venues get too expensive for what they are, it’s very easy not to buy them. They’re not what you’re there for. To the contrary, I enjoyed Tosca for the first time ever earlier this season, thanks to the simple expedient of having 2 or 3 Manhattans before curtain and more at intermission. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Sneakeater Posted January 28 Share Posted January 28 In that case, instead of not buying drinks I’d recommend not going to Tosca. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.