"Sunny's Nights - Lost and Found at a Bar on the Edge of the World"
I like bars. If I had to choose between sitting at a table or sitting at the bar, the bar always wins. I enjoy watching the bartenders, how they mix, how they interact with patrons. I enjoy watching the exchanges, and the possibilty for an interesting conversation. I say possible because not all bar conversations are either interesting nor desirable.
When in Manhattan, we always stay at the same midtown hotel. A great location with very nice amenities. After an evening out, and before retiring for the evening, we typically have a nightcap in the hotel bar. It's a rather a small pub-like space and typically quiet, a handful of tables, 6 or 7 seats at the bar, tended by a two first-rate bartenders. As we stay here on a regular basis, andas mentioned earlier that we like bars, we have become friendly with both.
Back from our night out, we headed for our nightcap. There were 2 folks sitting at the bar, a single woman reading a book, seemingly enjoying both the book, a libation, her privacy, and a single man who was attempting to engage the woman in conversation, not very successfully. When that wasn't working, he attempted to engage the bartenders. Again, not very successfully.
Guess who was left at the bar? Yea, you guessed right. Unfortunately, I did not bring a book, so we became the captive victims. I'm really not sure about the etiquette here. But as this individual seemed to lack any self-awareness, getting more lubricated, and as the bartenders rolled their eyes in sympathetic communication, we were subjected to one of those undesired and uninteresting bar conversations featuring his life story. Clearly he was alone at the bar for a reason.
I'm not sure why I bring all this up. I suppose "Sunny's Nights" and Sunny's Bar resonated and reminded me of my favorite local bar. A very unpretentious place, bar seating only, excellent food and well-poured cocktails. I really comfortable place. But what I like best are the owners, their warmth and hospitality. There is always an interesting playlist over the speakers. These are real music lovers, and we often share our mutual appreciation for the music. The best part is that the playlists are all over the place. As the great Doctor said, dis, dat & d'udda.
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