Yesterday I mentioned Chief’s Bar and Restaurant and how great I think it is. Today, let’s go to the other end of the bar spectrum and discuss what I call a Donald Trump Bar – loud, obnoxious and a rip off. I am referring to the Tiki Bar in Solomons.
As you have probably heard, the Tiki Bar is up for sale and because it has not yet sold, they won’t be having their customary Grand Opening. To which I say “Good riddance.”
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| http://www.thebaynet.com/articles/0418/tikibarnotopenforbusiness.html |
I have long harbored mixed emotions about the whole Tiki Bar Grand Opening thing. Being in the liquor business, I admired and envied the Tiki folks as to how successful and how great a party their opening became.
On the other hand, it also made me a little mad that their Liquor Board didn’t seem to have a problem with all of the “outside” drinking laws that other liquor establishments have to abide by every day and night. The “No Drinking in Parking Lot” crapola and no transporting of drinks in public laws were obviously waived for the Tiki Bar and its patrons on their opening day.
That said however, my overall disdain for all things Tiki Bar goes beyond the hypocrisy of their Opening Day to the very place itself. I have only attended one Grand Opening and that was enough for me. Furthermore, I can count on one hand the number of times that I have been to the Tiki Bar because I never much cared for it. To me it’s just not a “real” bar.
With over priced drinks and inflated-ego patrons amidst a fake, beachy, bon homie, b.s. atmosphere, the Tiki Bar was just a little bit more than I could handle. It struck me as one big rip off. I could never believe that folks actually spent good money to sit there and drink just to be seen sitting there drinking. Made no sense to me at all.
Now, if you want a relaxing and non-pretentious place to drink where you can sit outside and chill without all the hoopla, you know where to go.
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| Pat Birmingham and Amy Aud Fireballing on Buzzy’s Porch |
And speaking of ladies named Amy: