My days of frequenting any roadside bars, nightclubs or dives has long since vanished. Oh, there was a day when I owned my own cue stick that I carried with me to the bar. I had a supply of quarters for the pool table and the juke box. The last time I was ever in such an establishment it would have been a smoke filled room, somewhat dimly lit except for that beckoning beam over the pool table. I seem to remember dropping by one establishment when they were having karaoke night. It was amusing to say the least, alcohol does alter our sense of realty that much was proven to me that night. Still, looked like a good time was being had by all.
I was wondering what the scene is today. Do they still have a juke box and a pool table? Last juke box I remember had cd's in it and the pool table was like a buck fifty. I really have no idea what they are doing today in regard to all that. With everyone so fascinated with their phones these days I wonder if the bar offers free wi-fi instead of pretzels. Of course I remember when pickled eggs and pigs feet were staples behind the bar. I do wonder about the music though, surely they are playing music. I wonder though, is anyone paying for that? I mean with the availability of the internet and all those streaming services why would you? Still music does set the tone of the bar, do they still call them bars or are they all clubs these days?
Many years ago as a single man I had my favorite pub. Yes, it was a pub because it was owned by an Irishman. The name of the place was the Iron Duke. St. Patrick's day was the biggest event of the year for that place. It was like a home away from home for me for about a year or so. You could even have your personal beer mug behind the bar although I never did that. They would also keep your cue stick safe if you wanted to leave that there. It had two pool tables! All players were welcome but it was taken seriously. The house rules were posted for all to see and strictly adhered to. There was the protocol of placing your quarter on the table to declare the next game. I've seen them lined up six deep and you had better be paying attention and not jump ahead! That got you moved to the back of the line if not ejected from the bar. There was no jukebox. But there were booths where you could sit and eat, a family friendly place during the day. After six, no children allowed in the bar.
I have to say I don't miss any of that, the bars and all I mean. I just grew out of that. I don't have an issue with anyone that enjoys that night life, I'm not saying you shouldn't, I'm just saying I don't. If I'm honest about it I suppose it just became too expensive a pastime. Today I'm old enough that I would be worried about drinking and driving. That wasn't an issue back in the day. Not saying it was alright, that there was anything good about that, just that it wasn't a concern. It should have been. There were lots of things I did when I was younger that was sketchy to say the least, ah to be young and invulnerable. Today I just call it being stupid. It was fun though, what I remember of it anyway.
It's my thinking that things haven't really changed all that much. Some new rules to follow perhaps, bartenders less likely to keep selling you the drinks and all that. But human nature hasn't changed and that is what I'm thinking about. The bars I frequented were for the working man and not for the latest trends. I never set foot in a disco! No, I'm not doing that. I went to the places were the manly men went. A place were you had to stand on your two feet and be ready to defend your position. The alpha male hangouts. And that was the psychology behind all of that. There was no confusion whatsoever. No need to ask, and if you had to tell, you had best be being doing it as you ran out the door!
I have thought about dropping by my local bar and checking it out. But then I realize I would have to drive in the dark and it would be after eight o'clock. That's pretty late to be out. If I remember right those places are usually pretty noisy as well. I've heard that there is no smoking allowed and that would certainly be different. I quit smoking about 15 years ago. I don't really enjoy drinking beer as much as I once did, I wasn't drinking it for the taste anyway, and today it's not worth the headache. I heard that a beer can cost as much as four dollars. I'm not paying that. I haven't shot a game of pool in years and lost my stick somewhere. I can't dance, I can't drink and sure as heck ain't chasing any women, so what's the point? I could tell you some tales though, stories of adventure and daring do. Anecdotes they call that and I have a number of them fueled by alcohol and foolishness. The good old days. Today, I'm mature. Yeah, that's what I'm going with, mature. I've reached my age of maturity.
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