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January 14, 2004

Seattle Bar Quiz

Coming to Seattle? Like to drink? Here are a few multiple choice questions to help you survive the Seattle bar scene, based on my real-life experiences.

Question 1:
You're at a bar in Seattle. It doesn't matter which one. You look at the clock on the wall, which reads 2:00 (am). What time is it?

  1. 2:00 am
  2. 1:40 am
  3. 2:00 pm

The correct answer, of course, is b. When I first started going to bars in Seattle, I was totally confused by the concept of bar time. I guess bars don't want that extra 20 minutes worth of business before last call.

Question 2:
It's now 2:00am (bar time). The bartender announces last call. This means:

  1. The server will forcefully take the drink from your hand.
  2. Last chance to order drinks.
  3. Nothing. Keep drinking.

The correct answer is a. Assuming the bartender hasn't called last call early, the establishments here feel they are constantly under the watchful eye of the Alcohol Inspector, or some such government official, and must adhere to the "no alcohol in patrons' hands after last call". I had a server imply they would be shut down if I didn't hand over my beer to him, or finish it. I opted to chug it. He stood there and watched me, to make sure I got every last drop.

Question 3:
You're at a Tiki Bar. There is live music. The band playing which style of music?

  1. Traditional Polynesian music
  2. Grunge
  3. Country

If you guessed c, you're right! I have no idea why. Maybe they were friends with the owner.

Ok, that's it for now. I'll post more quizzes when I encounter more bizarre Seattle culture.

07:31 | Seattle

Comments

At my bar, when they call 'half-hour until last call' it actually is 1:30am. Last call falls just before 2:00 by five or ten minutes, and drinks are being removed from hands (or chugged, generally the preferred option) by 20 after or so. REAL time, not some made up time given some fancy (ok, not that fancy) name to make it ok. And if it's Country/Tiki night, you're in the wrong damn place, buddy.
I gess it's just one mor thing that Amerruhkuns ar stoopyd abowt! Eh? I sed 'eh?'

Posted by: Rew at January 14, 2004 10:57 AM

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