Back at the Bar!

A recent rainy forecast caused us to postpone plans to meet friends - whom we haven’t seen other than on Zoom since the Before Time – at one of our favorite wineries. We were bummed at the change in plans, especially since the forecast was wrong, at least up by us, but we decided to take a ride to try a new brewery and make sure our livers received their proper dose of alcohol.

Upon arrival after a rainy ride north (OK the forecast was right after all) we found the small tasting room crowded. Much to our surprise – and delight - there were people sitting at the bar!!! They were properly socially distanced but they were back at the bar! Happy Happy Joy Joy (for all you Ren & Stimpy fans) Note: this was the day after bar seating was allowed again.

No room for us at the bar so we grabbed a table for two, got a couple of pints and spread out our cheese plate to enjoy with our beers. Gotta feed the stomach as well as the liver. While not at the bar, we were close enough to it to be able to talk to those lucky enough to be there, while being properly distanced of course. It was wonderful to be able converse with other patrons again! Comfortable at our little table, we lived vicariously through the revolving sets of people at the bar, getting a chuckle out of how quickly those at a table swooped in as soon as bar seats opened. Clearly we were not the only ones longing to sit at the bar again after all this time.

After a couple of pints, speaking with the owner, and some good conversations with fellow patrons, it was time to head home. On our way back, my wife suggested a stop at our local brewery which is close enough to home so as to not require driving. Again, to our delight when we walked into the tasting room, there were people at the bar – and again, properly socially distanced. Also again, no room for us, but we were able to score the comfy couch from which to enjoy our beers. Noticing that one couple at the bar had stopped drinking, we figured we’d be able to swoop in when they left.

They however turned out to be those more and more common folks who don’t understand bar/table etiquette (or who just don’t consider anyone but themselves), and just sat there talking while taking up valuable real estate. Now even more valuable after fourteen months of prohibition. Being regulars at this establishment, we had the servers on our side to ensure we got the first two seats to open up, but the wait was excruciating. Patience finally paid off and low and behold we were seated at the bar at our local brewery – something I have been dreaming of since they opened, just in time for the initial Covid lockdown. I could feel the huge smile on my face as we settled in, and chuckled when the bartender commented on how happy we both looked. Ordering a beer at the bar and having it placed in front of us was icing on the cake. That much closer to normal!

While the change in plans meant we didn’t see our friends that day, being able to feel normal for a while at the two breweries took the sting away. With restrictions being lifted, and the weather turning warmer it’s time to shake off the Covid blues and get out and about. Be smart, be considerate of others, and get back out there to support your local businesses.