The Red and Black

Issue date: 3/6/08 Section: Out & About

[Click to enlarge]

[Click to enlarge]

The Arch

Personality - 4 shots
Service - 3.5 shots
Drink Presentation - 3.5 shots
Overall Bartending Skills - 3.5 shots

Upon entering the spacious yet welcoming bar, Chris and his fellow bartender chatted with some happily buzzed downtowners as if they were old friends (and, for all we know, they may have been). The bar's Italian-style brick walls and neatly polished marble bar top did not initially present a "local-boy" atmosphere, but Chris and the other bartenders made sure everyone felt that way. The bar consisted of two "mini" bars, perfect for private parties and Greek socials. A brick archway led into a smaller bar area with more, while the main area provided ample space for dancing. Chris, co-owner of The Arch, bartending there since he opened it three years ago, strolled back and forth, making small talk using witty banter to ensure everyone was enjoying themselves with a drink in hand. His Jack & Coke with a hint of lime was enjoyably strong, reaffirming my affection for whiskey. The Arch is definitely worth visiting, whether you are local or a Greek, for its classy European feel and jovial bartender service that is sure to make someone a regular.

City Bar

Personality - 3 shots
Service - 2.5 shots
Drink Presentation - 2.5 shots
Overall Bartending Skills - 2.5 shots

Surrounded by the Thursday night social scene at City Bar, Brandon smiled a big, even grin and confidently wore the dress shirt and tie required of the establishment. He promised to be a good bartender with a grand knowledge of people around town and no qualms about dishing out water to those done drinking for the night. But his less than speedy White Russians were not up to par, one of them considerably lacking in the essential coffee-flavored liqueur. When the problem was brought to his attention, he mumbled, "Oh, we just got some new Kahlua …," and he didn't offer to make a new drink or improve his first try. After another prompting, he did add another drop of alcohol, but only after serving a few other drinks. He laughed and chatted, but seemed a bit more than annoyed at one girl dressed as a bride for her "what I want to be when I grow up" themed-social. As a college student himself, I'm sure he just wanted part of the masses of fun instead of serving up the late-night college fuel behind the counter.

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