This story originally appeared on the Gents Cafe Newsletter. You can subscribe here.
I like to indulge in the occasional drink. Whether at the end of a long day of work, to celebrate a special occasion, or just to find that familiar taste and enjoy the feeling of slight forbiddenness that always comes with sipping spirits. Over the years, I’ve understood that I’m not much about fancy cocktails, complex flavours or unlikely ingredients – I’m O.K. with a well executed classic, and my preference usually goes towards a Negroni, an Americano, or a Tom Collins if the season poses the threat of heat. This simple taste has a main and obvious upside: I can easily make my favourites at home, without stocking too many bottles or being required too much effort; I won’t say no, however, to drinks outside from time to time.
I naturally have my go-to places, where I can always expect a pleasant experience and maybe a good chat with the barman, but I also like to try new ones; yet, despite carrying out my due diligence before walking into a new place I often come out not satisfied of the experience. It can be almost frustrating to see venues seemingly ignore what I could only describe as basic etiquette for a cocktail bar: am I too strict of a judge? Do I expect too much, am I too tied to a past I never even got to live in? It might be, but I don’t really think I’m asking much. I feel like five things are enough to make a good bar. Which five, you may wonder? Well, these.
1) Music is not too loud
When I go out for a drink, I’m also looking forward to the conversation – with friends, or with the bartender if I’m sitting at the counter. Either way, shouting to be heard or having to lean across to catch words does not make for a good dialogue. It’s a bar, not a discotheque or a concert hall: music is welcome when it’s a pleasant background, but should be almost unnoticeable.
2) Lights set the right mood
The focus of a night out should be what happens on the table and immediately around it. A low, warm light provides a great help in defining an intimate space that envelopes you, your company and the cocktails you’re drinking while leaving out all the rest. Anything too bright feels exactly like loud music and breaks the magic of a private moment. A venue too dark is, likewise, unpleasant: I like at least to see the colour of my drink.
3) The food choice shows thought
It’s good etiquette to serve some food alongside the liquids. There’s no need for it to be too fancy, but don’t expect me to be happy if I pay 20 euros for a drink and all I get are soggy crisps and sponge-tasting olives. The Suvretta in St. Moritz has some delightful Wasabi peanuts, while the Camparino will bring you a selection of six warm finger foods: they’re both standards every other bar should look up to.
4) The bartender lets you taste
As I said, my taste in mixology is rather conservative. This doesn’t mean I steer away from unusual cocktails or twists on the classics, but what if I’m only up for one drink, and it turns out poor? Good barmen will always offer you a sip of that intriguing drink, giving you the chance to understand if it’s the right one: they know a happy customer will always be a returning customer.
5) There’s more beyond the menu
I don’t like endless lists. Having too many choices is just as bad as not having one: by the bottom of the first page, you have already forgotten half of the drinks. I prefer instead to have a chat with the bartender, tell him my taste, and let him do his trick. The method hasn’t failed me once, and I got to taste spirits that I would’ve never chosen off a menu.
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