Whether you're patronizing a swanky cocktail bar, a classic dive, or somewhere in between, there are a few ways to let the bartender know you're the kind of customer worth giving special treatment to. Sure, tipping well and being polite will get you far enough - along with a few other do's and don'ts of ordering at the bar, but getting the type of service that the bartender's favorite regular receives is not that simple, especially on your first visit.
While one of the bartenders at the legendary Connaught Bar in London mixes your martini tableside, you're invited to choose your bitters to complete the drink. Lavender, perhaps? Or would tonka, coriander, or cardamom please you? Oh, what about the house-developed Dr. Ago's? Whatever your choice, you feel special for having collaborated on your order. But in truth, the selection process is so carefully planned by the Connaught that they're still behind the wheel. It's customization and control in perfect balance.
You better watch out, as Santacon is back on Saturday. But many SF bars are actually rolling out the red carpet to welcome the Santas, a pretty remarkable culture shift for this jolly old event that had gotten too blitzened. The naughty list will surely larger on Saturday, as the fat, bearded Bay To Breakers known as SantaCon, will draw an expected 12,000 people red-suited revelers. The flash mob of Santas will begin congregating in Union Square at 12 noon,
There are some litmus tests to identify a dive, though they aren't always conclusive: Has the bar been around since the Hoover administration? Is there wall-to-wall carpeting? Does the bathroom fill you with unease? Is the OLCC's requirement to serve hot food begrudgingly met with microwaved meals, hot dogs, and maybe a fryer? But ultimately it comes down to that ineffable quality of vibes, and the sentiment made famous by Justice Potter Stewart in 1964: I know it when I see it.
Eric Berchtold, longtime manager of the Cinch, reminisced on the bar's bustling past, stating, "We used to have three bartenders, a barback and a cocktail waitress on Friday nights. Now it's like, you're lucky if you have 30 people in the bar." He reflects on the crowd size diminishing drastically post-lockdown, indicating a significant change in the bar's atmosphere from its vibrant history.
The 11-seat bar was salvaged from the Brooklyn location of the Knitting Factory; the club closed in 2022. Friends of Friends co-owner Kevin Heisner spotted the opportunity while walking by.
