A corner bar in your town U.S.A.
Remember the corner bar? The place that people would hang with friends to watch the big games, meet to catch up after work for a drink, and grab a bite to eat. There was always a happy hour on Friday. Everyone knew everyone else. Sure, it was dark, and maybe not the trendiest place in town, but it was usually inexpensive and you knew the menu inside and out. The server knew your name and they knew what you were drinking without you ordering it.
Wait – was that me, or was it my dad? Did that bar exist for me, or did I see it on television? Was that my father’s corner bar? Did you ever have a corner bar? I’ve been in corner bars, but I wasn’t 30 something then. I may not even be incline to discuss how old I was then, if you catch my not so discreet drift! Yet, there were so many bars in the town I grew up in, at the time.
It was not that long ago that people went out to watch games together in “the corner bars.” What has become of the neighborhood camaraderie? Where did everyone go? They are not in the local spots, that is for sure. In search of some neighborhood “flavor,” some friends and I set out in search of the best hidden treasure in the Philadelphia area over the past few Sundays. The results were not only disappointing, but downright depressing.
Our neighborhood bars are empty.
From Ambler to Bala, from Manayunk to Roxborough, from Fairmount to Fishtown, from Center City to West Philly; our neighborhood bars are empty. Our Eagles are playing and the bars are empty. The first week, the weather was nice, so we thought that people wanted to be outside. The next week, we thought the problem was that the small places, without The NFL Ticket, were empty because they were unappealing to football fans.
Then, we finally found some corner bars that had all of the games and they were still empty, however, they didn’t have any real food to write home about. That scenario did not last very long because eventually a bar came along that had food and they were showing all of the games. So, what conclusion can we draw from this? Have we simply outgrown the old fashioned bar?
Are we really ONLY interested in the newest, hottest, trendiest, biggest, next thing to come down the pike?
They are still packing them in at the largest sports bars in town. The prices there are not less. The food is not better at all of them. Yes, some have good food, but that isn’t the draw for all of them. Our neighborhood bars cannot continue to thrive serving 10-15 patrons on a Sunday afternoon. Does anyone care?
I care, and yet (hang my head in shame) I am also guilty as hell! I don’t walk. I run to the newest bar, restaurant and club the minute they open their doors. It is a definite statement of our society of as a whole. I haven’t stopped going to the old places completely, but of course, not as much and only for 1 drink and never to eat.
I feel like I am going to confession.
I care, and yet (hang my head in shame) I am also guilty as hell! I don’t walk. I run to the newest bar, restaurant and club the minute they open their doors. It is a definite statement of our society of as a whole. I haven’t stopped going to the old places completely, but of course, not as much and only for 1 drink and never to eat.
I feel like I am going to confession.
I care, but I don’t drink! Would it count if I just went to the corner bar and ate, assuming they serve food? That’s what I do best! I agree with you. I remember when I was growing up, that’s what all of the Dad’s (rarely Mom’s)seemed to do on their way home from work. Guess they needed some “fortification” before they came home to a house full of kids. Just think, TV’s in bars didn’t even exist back a couple of decades ago.. So,what was it? A friendly face, a moment to relect on the day…or just a nice, relaxing feeling? Mmmmm, where is “Norm” when you need him?
I care, but I don’t drink! Would it count if I just went to the corner bar and ate, assuming they serve food? That’s what I do best! I agree with you. I remember when I was growing up, that’s what all of the Dad’s (rarely Mom’s)seemed to do on their way home from work. Guess they needed some “fortification” before they came home to a house full of kids. Just think, TV’s in bars didn’t even exist back a couple of decades ago.. So,what was it? A friendly face, a moment to relect on the day…or just a nice, relaxing feeling? Mmmmm, where is “Norm” when you need him?
Susan mentioned “decades ago” when times were slower paced. Now, not much down time, so much to do. Two working parents with kids always on the go. The corner bar is a rare stop rather than a daily stop. I miss the beer and shot joints, they were fun and cheap and you knew most everyone.
Susan mentioned “decades ago” when times were slower paced. Now, not much down time, so much to do. Two working parents with kids always on the go. The corner bar is a rare stop rather than a daily stop. I miss the beer and shot joints, they were fun and cheap and you knew most everyone.