by Wendy
If you’re in a new place for several days, consider visiting a local bar and start (or end) your evening there each night. It’s a way to feel connected with a city and usually talk with locals.
We once took a last-minute 4 day trip to Paris. It was January and prices were great. After a red-eye flight and attempting the Louvre with major jet-lag, we had to break down and take a nap. After a shower and change of clothes we set out to explore the beautiful Opera neighborhood. The crisp, cold air was rejuvenating as we strolled down the long narrow streets of old apartment buildings. I remember the heels of my boots clicking on the cobblestones as I clutched my husband’s arm in the chilly winter night. We spotted a brasserie not far from the hotel and had a Belgian beer, making small talk with the bartender, before leaving to continue our walk and go to dinner.
The next night, we decided to stop in the brasserie again on our way back from sight-seeing, shopping and dinner in Montparnasse. While the neighborhood was still generally quiet, we heard James Brown from what sounded like a great party in one of the nearby apartment buildings. As we entered the brasserie, the bartender spotted us and came over to chat for longer this time. He mentioned his love for American music – especially Tina Turner, and coincidentally, James Brown – and started playing songs by these artists, looking over periodically to see if we were enjoying his DJ skills. Complimentary potato chips were served. The last night we were in Paris, our favorite bartender was off work, but another recognized us and said hello.
There is a certain thrill in being “recognized” when you are so far from your home, your family and friends, your neighborhood.
In Barcelona, we found a cool gastropub the first night we were in town. When we went back a second time, the same bartender waved a friendly greeting. My husband heard him chatting about a movie to a customer sitting right next to us, and (happy that he could follow some of the conversation in Spanish) made a comment about the film. We ended up being drawn into the discussion and meeting some of the interesting bar regulars – including a Catalan guy who loved the American television shows Big Bang Theory and Dexter, and a Swiss expat who wanted to talk politics and admired “flower power” and Jack Kerouac.
We’ve made similar connections in other locales. In Puerto Rico, our favorite bartender gave us the first heads up on an approaching hurricane. In Copenhagen, a chatty waiter grabbed a map to highlight his favorite spots, recommended a hip, reasonably priced spot for dinner where he and his friends liked to go, and talked about his favorite sport: NFL football! Hope he is enjoying Super Bowl Sunday in Denmark!
Use common sense, be friendly, keep an open-mind and raise a glass to the fun of travel!