10 Things I Hate About The Bar Scene

By Fringe Staff

By Charlie Hanks

On a Friday night not much is better than drowning the week’s work stress in a few alcoholic beverages at the local pub. However, the task isn’t as easy as it seems. I recently went out on the town with a girlfriend and found some really annoying things about the “bar scene.”

1. The Bathrooms - I understand how hard it is to use the rest room when you’re intoxicated, but getting urine on my brand new pumps, while trying to hold my breath, while lifting myself off the seat since there are no toilet covers, is not easy while intoxicated either. I always feel like I should have anti-biotics included with my drinks since I’ll probably catch something from the bathroom.

The lines can get pretty bad too, but when you just can’t wait and have to use the men’s rest room, sometimes it’s much cleaner and smells a little better than the women’s. Come on girls, if you’re going to do your business in a public rest room, carry some perfume/air freshener in your purse.

2. Covers - Paying $20 to get into a bar, just to sit there, and drink for $8 a pop is ridiculous. I have no issue paying a cover to see entertainment.

But paying a cover to give a bar business? Sure running a bar is expensive, but that’s double dipping.

3. Rude Bartenders - I’m a female, but I tip bartenders the same no matter what gender, size, race, or whatever. Some female bartenders just get flat rude with female patrons. One instance with two very catty female bar tenders, I had to wait twenty minutes for service while the guys around me were already getting served their second drink. I tipped a dollar but made sure they knew I wasn’t satisfied. I ordered a pitcher to save myself the wasted time and additional attitude.

4. Sticky Floors - Just like not wanting the urine on my new pumps, I also don’t want sticky alcohol staining them. Most bars won’t take the time to mop up at close, so week old beer and Jack cover the filthy bar floors making my get-a-way from mr.flirty-slurring- his-words not so fast.

5. Touchy Feely - It’s not anybody’s fault drunk people get flirty. Wandering eyes and hands occasionally fly around in bars for some girls/guys. You don’t know who the welcoming girls/guys are, they don’t wear name tags. Unless you’re invited, keep your hands to yourselves. My personal reaction to an unwelcome butt grab is a face punch, and I’m surely not the only girl with that reflex.

6. Small Drinks with BIG prices - Like the $20 cover, a $9 Cosmo that is the size of thimble is bad for the patron’s wallet and the bar’s reputation. Especially when you can walk down the street and get a milk jug sized Cosmo for $4.

7. Charging for Water/Soda - We all need designated drivers when we’re drinking. One poor sober soul should have the job of driving their drunk friends home. But that poor sober soul shouldn’t go poor from buying water or soda all night. The bar’s making enough green off the expensive drinks they’re pouring to support the soda/water drinker saints of the bar world.

8. Bad Service - Walking into a bar and waiting fifteen minutes for the bartender to finish their conversation with their buddy before they take my order makes me leave that bar. Dirty glasses and filthy bars or tables should also come with anti-biotics. I may be destroying my liver with alcohol but I don’t want to carry my own handi-wipes just to get a clean drink. Dusty decor and chipping paint make an unhealthy environment.

9. The Cliques - Most bars have themes and a crowd of regulars. But not all patrons are regulars. Some girls/guys just like to hop in for a drink, check the joint out and head off to the next one. These “hoppers” may not fit in with the bar’s crowds, but don’t give them flack. I may have more fun at a designated gay bar than a straight bar, or a country bar rather than a sushi bar. Bars are like food, I can like whatever flavors I want to like and no one should be mad dogging me because of it.

10. Non-Bar Worthy Conversation - When I’m drinking I don’t want to be dragged into a heated discussion on religion or politics. I especially don’t want to be dragged into such a discussion with strangers. Leave your politics and religion at home or in the car before you step into the pub, you never know who’s passionate about what and who’s carrying pepper spray.