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well i am planning on hopefully opening a tropical themed bar called "the suncoast" in the near future, and i would like all of your ideas to make it work. help me with your favorite tropical drinks, decoration ideas, or just anything that youve always wanted to see in your favorite watering hole. if this happens, i will display the names of all those who helped somewheres in the bar.

thank you!

Where are you going to open your bar?

There was a Mexican bar /restraurant in Carson City
that scored some slurpy machines from who knows where?
But the important thing is the drinks were easy for the bartender
and still quality and the very best thing is wiith speed comes
volume the place sold pitchers for just over the same amount of beer
and brought out two full glasses with each pitcher sold . The only blending
the bartenders had were the daily specials (fruit ) and the virgin margaritas
(my sister) Anyway I always thought it was great the price was fair,
and you could not go in the bar or food section without at least one or two
picthers on a table just an idea I've liked for about twenty years.

Just a few suggestions off the top of my head:

1) NO F*CKING TV'S! I go to a bar because I want to socialize. If I wanted to watch TV while I drink, I'll stay home and get a six-pack. nothing bugs me more than going to a bar with 14 TVs and everyone in the place is staring up at them like slack-jawed zombies. If I'm paying extra to get my my drinks at a bar, I at least want to be able to enjoy them without having to hear "Friends" reruns or some college basketball game blaring in my ear.

2) For God's sake, keep the music down to a reasonable level. If you're a dance club, fine- blow the doors off w/ my blessing. But again, if you're trying to create an atmosphere for people to gather and socialize, please keep the tunes as BACKGROUND music.

3) Try to have something more in the taps than Bud and Coors. Everytime I go to one of these places w/ nothing but cheap crappy beer, I'm reminded of the classic line from "The Blues Brothers" when they show up at the roadhouse:

"What kind of music do you folks play here?"

"We have both kinds...Country AND Western!"

Sorry if this came off as a rant. I'm actually a very easygoing, laid-back guy. Really.

Hey Craiger... I was just wonderin' if you caught last night's episode of Friends?? Did Chandler get a new job yet?? Let me know... You are toooo funny brother!!! Too funny!!!

There is a great tropical drink book called Paradise on Ice. It has a bunch of drinks that you have never even heard of before.

I found mine at the pottery barn (my wife made me go). It's only $14.95 or something. I haven't even tried the blender section before my liver begged me stop.

I am sure you can find it on Amazon or somewhere else...

Good luck!

Pants...Like shorts, but longer...

Pants...Like shorts, but longer...

Heh, thanks, St. Somewhere! I think Chandler is still looking for that job...

That last post probably came off a little harsh. I'm not a big bar-hopper, but I've been in a few in my time. I always make a point of going back to ones that seem more people-oriented rather than just about cramming in hordes of people and getting their cash as fast as possible.

So, anyone here going to the Pittsburgh show? I'll be the one wearing the Hawaiian shirt and grass skirt.

Call me if you need a bartender.

self employment eh? the grass is always greener.... go for it, it'll be a good learning experience if nothing else. i just keep telling myself that...

I'd serve Mojito's....but I'd also have a computer with an internet connection....with Webtender.com ready to go.

Cajunph wrote:Where are you going to open your bar?

houma, louisiana

thanks guys, these ideas are great. keep em comin!

sailingagain: i might just do that

For the bar make the counter a see threw tank with tropical fish inside. That always is a plus.

Hey, Craiger, don't apologize. I'm with you! I don't want it to sound like a wake, but I would like to talk to my friends without them signaling to me that they can't hear me. Just turn the volume down a little. And tv's - a couple of them are ok, if a game is on. It's fun to watch a game with a group. But like Craiger said, I don't need to go to a bar to watch sitcoms.

Live music!!!! There are lots of pro and semi pro bands out there that would love to play at your bar.

Yeah- Ceol had a great point about the live music. A performer is always preferable to jukebox, IMHO.

Also, I don't know how silly you want to get w/ your promotional stuff, but there's a bar here in Pittsburgh that makes a habit of putting little toys in their mixed drinks...stuff like squirt guns, jewelry, little hand grenades, candy necklaces, etc.

It's all basically inexpensive gumball-machine/novelty-type stuff, but they've gotten a reputation for doing it, and customers go ape over it. Whenever someone around here mentions the place by name, the response is always, "Is that the places that puts the toys in their drinks??"

I probably should mention that this joint doesn't advertise, has no signage anywhere on the building, and is not in a heavily traveled area. The word of mouth and reputation for it's promotional events (the toys are just one example) cause people to seek it out. It does gangbuster business as a result.

Just another thought.

hey, heres a thought. how about covering the floor with about four inches of sand! yea! er, on second thought...

maybe an outdoor beach out back, with a volleyball net and tables?

All good ideas! Most of the bars I go to these days have live bands and beach volleyball courts! Go figure! The tropical flavor sounds like a sure bet to me!

Definitely must have out door seating...and a good variety of beers on tap....none of that light crap! Oh yea and I love the idea of the slurpee drinks!!! Kinda like Fat Tuesdays!!!