OPINION
More than ever, we need surprises of 'third spaces': Rodriguez
Los Angeles Times Dec 1, 08 1:36 PM CST
(Newser)
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In the 1980s sociologists introduced the term "third place," neither home nor work, to encompass the bars, restaurants, and other public spaces that allow us to build relationships. Today, with global economic woes besetting even the iconic French cafe culture, our "public living rooms" are shuttering at the moment we need them most, writes LA Times columnist Gregory Rodriguez.
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Daily Telegraph (UK) Nov 22, 08 6:55 PM CST
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Britain may make "happy hour" specials illegal and force companies to put cigarette-style health warnings on booze bottles, the Telegraph reports. With alcohol taking more lives and costing the nation up to $37 billion a year in health bills, the government is also planning a public awareness campaign. Officials will decide on the happy hour ban early next month.
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Second recent naked incident in suburban St. Louis
Alton Telegraph Oct 22, 08 1:56 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Lowered inhibitions aren’t uncommon in bars, but one in suburban St. Louis has been having trouble keeping its female bartenders clothed, the Alton (Ill.) Telegraph reports. Something strange is going on around Alton, where Jamie Day, 24, was charged Friday with bartending in the nude—the area’s second such arrest in about a month.
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UK drinkers say brats put them off their pints
Times (UK) Oct 14, 08 8:37 AM CDT
(Newser)
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A smoking ban and an increasing trend of serving food have made Britain's pubs more family-friendly, but many drinkers are far from thrilled about sharing their watering hole with rowdy kids, the Times of London reports. The editors of the Good Pub Guide say complaints have soared about "baby lager louts" running wild in pubs.
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Health warnings may replace ladies' night
Guardian (UK) Oct 13, 08 7:53 AM CDT
(Newser)
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The British government is considering banning the bar tradition of free drinks for women and other measures to combat the overwhelming problem of public drunkenness, the Guardian reports. Explicit alcohol health warnings in pubs and a ban on drinking games may also be enacted. Drinks should not be promoted as a way of enhancing an individual's "social, sexual, mental, or sporting performance," warned a document issued by the health department.
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Pub owner gets new carpet, puts end to horsin' around
Evening Chronicle (UK) Sep 30, 08 2:00 PM CDT
(Newser)
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A beer-swigging mare has been kicked to the curb following renovations at her favorite British watering hole, reports the Evening Chronicle . Peggy, a regular at the establishment since following her owner into the pub years ago, has been told to keep her hooves off the new carpeting. “Although she is probably cleaner than some of my customers, I had to put my foot down and show her the door,” said the bar's landlady.
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Transit company phasing out drinks service to make space for passengers
Chicago Tribune Aug 27, 08 4:18 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Chicago’s last commuter-train watering holes will grind to a halt this week, disappointing the tight-knit community of “bar car” regulars, the Tribune reports. The Metra system has been phasing out the traveling taverns in an effort to make more room for passengers, but for many the change feels like the end of a friendlier era, some say.
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Opinion
Latest trend brings gourmet tonic water to American bars
Wall Street Journal Aug 9, 08 3:03 PM CDT
(Newser)
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If your local bar pours tonic water from a gun—that plastic gizmo that dispenses sodas—it's time to seek a new watering hole, writes drink-maven Eric Felten in the Wall Street Journal. Good bartenders are hip to tonics' latest trend: Italian soda. Made with real cane sugar instead of high-fructose corn syrup, and retaining the traditional bitter taste of cinchona bark, Italian tonics are now sparkling in America.
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Center City Sips trades Fridays for Wednesdays
Philadelphia Inquirer Aug 6, 08 5:52 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Wednesday is the new Friday in Philly, even if Thursday isn’t the new Saturday, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Confused? A coordinated set of happy hours called Center City Sips has made hump day the evening for urbanites to socialize before they head out of town for the weekend. "Wednesday night is my night out,” one says.
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Smokers' Church members claim immunity from ban
Radio Free Netherlands Jul 22, 08 12:27 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Worshipers are flocking to the One True Universal Smokers' Church of God—whose "masses" are held in bars—since the Netherlands instituted a smoking ban July 1. Adherents claim their right to light up is protected as a religious freedom, Radio Free Netherlands reports. "I genuinely believe in the freedom God has given us. That includes the freedom to smoke," says one bar owner. "So I smoke in the name of God."
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London bar flies revolt against lofty ideals
of Christian couple
Daily Telegraph (UK) Jul 6, 08 2:00 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Praise the Lord and pass the beer—or at least that's the vision a devout Christian couple may have had for the London pub they were hired to manage. But patrons found the couple's preachy exhortations to prayer, Bible quizzes, and ban on cursing and gambling downright annoying.
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Bars go exclusive
to avoid ban
Associated Press Jun 20, 08 11:44 AM CDT
(Newser)
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Smoking in a bar is verboten in much of Germany, so many watering holes have decided they’re not “bars” anymore—they’re private clubs where members are free to light up. The dodge appalls anti-smoking groups, but one club owner says cigarettes are essential to his business. “I wanted to offer three things: smoking, drinks and good music,” he said. “Without one, it doesn't work.”
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Start early, go with whiskey—and jukebox is OK as long as it's not Cat Stevens
Esquire May 30, 08 7:05 PM CDT
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Being a lone drinker in a place as socially teeming as your local watering hole is a tough business. The trick is to treat the activity as a sacred art form, not as the last refuge of the social pariah, says Esquire . Its rules: Start early. No small talk. People-watch. Drink whiskey. No mixing.
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Owners exploit
loophole that lets thespians light up
Associated Press Mar 6, 08 8:21 PM CST
(Newser)
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Stage performers are the only exception to the new smoking ban in Minnesota bars, so patrons are turning temporarily thespian and lighting up. The only props required at some of the 30 bars working the loophole are cigarettes and ashtrays—though some get more creative. "They're playing themselves before Oct. 1," one owner said. "You know, before there was a smoking ban."
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Bars are banning
Gen-X parents who bring kids, sparking angry debate
New York Times Feb 12, 08 7:07 PM CST
(Newser)
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A mellow Brooklyn watering hole has recently banned an unlikely irritant: babies. Gen-X parents in New York, Philly, and DC are rolling their strollers into bars, the New York Times reports, and response has been vocal, with thirsty young moms and their childless counterparts waging a spirited Web war over babies in bars.
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Denied liquor license, angry man plotted opening fire on crowd
Associated Press Feb 8, 08 12:42 PM CST
(Newser)
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A would-be bar owner was so angry over being denied a liquor license that he nearly shot up the Super Bowl, the AP reports. Toting an assault rifle and 200 rounds of ammo, John Havelock got all the way to the the Super Bowl parking lot before he thought better of the blood-soaked “econopolitical confrontation” promised in an 8-page rant sent to local media.
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Finding a good bar is about the atmosphere— otherwise you might as well imbibe at home
Esquire Nov 3, 07 8:04 PM CDT
(Newser)
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You know a great bar when you're in one, Esquire posits. The magazine knows more than a few, from "Christ-this-is-a-dive" dives to classy cocktail lounges. He're a sample of their favorites, from around the country: Mac's Club Deuce, Miami Beach, Florida Callaghan's Irish Social Club, Mobile, Alabama The Globe, Athens, Georgia
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