Vic G.
Yelp
A word of caution. Not about this place. I mean that there will be many many words of caution about this place. For sure. Soon. For now, a word of caution about Classification of places here in NOLA. Like for example - Lounges, for this one. I mean I would bet anything and everything I have (hypothetical + exaggeration) to try to prove that the place is anything but a lounge. You wanna challenge me? Go for it and let me know what you find. Better still, my pointers below will make it crystal clear for you to decide whether you really wanna go to this "lounge" or not.
So tourists visiting NOLA for the first time - word of caution. Don't go by classification of businesses as they appear. If some business is classified under "Lounges" - make sure you do your research if it really is or not. If some bar claims to be a "Sports Bar" - validate that. Etc etc etc....
Now, coming to this place, why does it get 1 star and manages to join the very privileged List I have which very few, privileged businesses have the luck to enter? Here we go....
- It is NOT a Lounge
- It is a Dark, dingy, untidy, un-kept, dirty, kinda spooky place that has been kept that way for a very definitive purpose
- The staff here; the one that I came across at least, someone who was totally absconding from the bar when I made the mistake of going there, because he was smoking outside and one of the patrons inside told me that he will be back soon and actually went outside to let him know there is a customer waiting at the bar (me questioning self - why did I even wait!!?) - one of the rudest bartenders I have come across in a long, long time.
- Still talking about the bartender: made up rules on the go. (just like MLB these days; even in the middle of the playoffs for crying out loud!)
- Did not give me a moment to think what drink I was really in the mood for when I realized the only option for draft that I had was the beer I detest the most - Bud Light. "No, you have to order something right away to stay here!" - REALLY??!!
That I did order because I am NOT a rude person like the 'awesome', 'cool', 'fabulous' bartender who had just literally threatened me - despite us being almost equals; he slightly more skinnier than me, [and if we ever got in a physical fight (hypothetical - I don't get into physical altercations of any kind; am a follower of Gandhi - again, Hypothetical situation within another hypothetical situation - you do the math) - I am pretty sure I will come out winner in 2.5 rounds] - despite that, he threatened a customer with a MLB like made up rule.
Now one bartender cannot make me judge a place and give it the very awesome 1 shiny star review. They have to have done something really awesome to earn that status. Here we go, bullet points continue:
- I make the mistake of going here without reading any Yelp reviews - BIG MISTAKE! (always trust Yelp)
- This place earns 5 stars from people because it does serve a purpose indeed. That I wasn't seeking that purpose and I mistakenly got exposed to it because I read the classification "Lounges" - is really no ones fault (man, it's coming down to the dang classification again!)
- So even if it did not turn out to be a real lounge, i was OK to give it a try - for another time, despite the very 'awesome', 'cool', 'fabulous', almost as skinny as me bartender who would loose to me in a hypothetical fight, there has to be something more to this place for that 1 star. Yes
- It is super dirty
- has only one beer on draft; Bud light
- Serves Corona in a can = "Lounge" (for real!)
- has an 'awesome' bar tender who makes rules on the go, just like MLB (you can see how big a sore point it was for me!)
- I got the pleasure of being served by the very same 'awesome', 'cool', 'fabulous' bartender again!
- Is perfect for not so light of heart, and absolutely not for Gandhi followers (hypothetical followers or not) at least because of all the filthy back rooms one gets the displeasure of witnessing (not just the dirty action), but seriously the dirty everything - smell, dirt, dust everywhere, etc etc etc...
So, I think, if you are into dirt and filth, and into doing dirty things in dirt and filth, and you are not a violent person who does not get offended by semi skinny bar tenders who make up rules on the go, and hypothetically don't feel like punching them in their face for making rules on the go - this could be a 5 star 'lounge' for you. Go for it!!