A Declaration of War And a List of Grievances.
Avoid this post if you don’t want to listen to a bunch of bitching, moaning, and complaining.
I couldn’t be more overjoyed at the progress of the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs. There has been solid, exciting hockey in nearly each and every game. The Eastern Conference has pretty much confirmed my friend Rick’s theory that there is simply no good team in the East. The ‘Hawks are tearing it up. My complaint is related to the various drinking establishments I’ve been forced to endure.
I’m calling out several places as just being downright shitty.
The list:
Coach’s Corner – Wow, this used to be a fantastic bar to watch a game. Great atmosphere, fun bartenders, just an amazing place all around. This ended with the start of the playoffs.
There had always been a tendency for tables and bar stools to be reserved for special occasions, but I never thought much about it. Earlier in the playoffs, during the Nashville series, I popped in looking for a place to enjoy the game and sip a pint or two of Guinness. When I arrived, I found that nearly two thirds of the place had “reserved” tags. I asked the bartender if I could have a seat, but she turned me away. I left, and watched the game elsewhere.
Here’s the really insulting part of the story; the game was already 10 minutes into the first period. You’re going to turn away paying customers just to keep reserved tables empty when the game is already well under way? Fine, fuck you, I’ll take my money elsewhere.
I never sampled their wings, but they served their Guinness from a can, not draught. Unacceptable.
Chicago Blu – Good place for a few games, but they’ve fallen into the reserved table habit. I was there just the other day for a game with my friend Paul, about 45 minutes prior to the puck drop. Every table was reserved with the exception of one. When we sat down, the waitress informed us that it was reserved and promptly took a “reserved” label from another table and placed it on ours.
Their wings sucked anyway.
191 South
Crazy Horse – Honestly, the most tolerable place on this list. The main problem is the excessive amount of white suburban fake wannabe gangsters.
Good wings though.