Can you have a bartender in NYC?

 

I am annoyed.

OK that might be an aggressive way to start this but I am setting the tone. 

Maybe I am spoiled, but I am still annoyed.

 

Back home on Long Island I had my go-to bar. My thinking space after a long day at work before I went home. My place with no worries. My place with delicious wings and a constant full drink within arms reach.

I had my bartender in NYC, Pat, who always greeted me with a smile as he poured my regular beverage without even asking as I walked in the door. 

We’d laugh together. Share stories. Drink together. We were friends. 

It’s one of the things I miss most about living on Long Island. My local bar. 

Living in NYC is exciting. There are a million different bars for a million different people. BUT there are a million different bars for a million different people. 

  

Tonight, I took myself out to dinner. Not an unfamiliar habit for me. I enjoy my alone time and I enjoy spending time getting to know some new people. I went to a bar close to my apartment, let’s call it Jim Jams. 

I sat at the bar among the other solo diners and drinkers. I ordered a raspberry cider to start. Too sweet. NEXT. Jim Jams Ale. Delicious. I was content.

I then began to notice what was happening around me. The two men (each there drinking alone) beside me were given constant attention. Not only from the bartender in nyc but the manager/owner as well. 

“Hi John! How are ya!” “Hi friend, how’s it going?!” "Let me refill that for ya!" "How's things!"

The manager wouldn’t even make eye contact with me. 

The bartender was very nice, but very busy. I asked for a dinner menu and was quickly given one. I made a fast decision. Chicken wings, my favorite bar comfort food. 

 

10 minutes…

20 minutes…

40 minutes…

No one to order my food from. The bartenders wouldn’t give me the time of day if I didn’t have an empty drink and the manager and other staff didn’t even look at me. 

I quickly realized as a single girl at the bar, I was of no interest to these people. They didn’t expect me to have a sizable bill I’m sure - little did they know how hungry and thirsty I was. They didn’t expect me to become a regular - little did they know I live merely a block away). 

They couldn’t care less about my business. 

Do I think this is just Jim Jams? No. I think it might be a NYC thing. I don’t think it is normal to have a local bar when living in NYC. There are just too many people. SO here I am, eating shitty toasted bagel bites with a half of a buzz from the three beers I downed while I was at Jim Jams. 

  

I’m annoyed. I moved to NYC for a new experience and here I am missing an old one. 

I just want a local bar where I can go and order my wings and my beer. Is that too much to ask?

It is now my mission to find myself a local bar. This should be fun *smirk*