When there’s only one game in town, it’s pretty hard to be critical. The first time I pulled into the parking lot at Via Linda and Mountainview, I noticed Goldie’s Neighborhood Sports Bar and thought “Uggh, another sanitary sports bar.” In truth, it’s not really that bad at all.
In my former lives, I was able to adhere to a strict rule regarding places I would frequent. Very simply, any place that had an operational television screen was off the list. Stemming from a serious (former) addiction to TV, I refused to subject myself to a flickering image when all around me were people who might just have something more interesting to say than Bart Simpson. In light of this, a place like Goldie’s, without even going through the door, was usually disqualified. However, as I said, when it’s the only game in town, it’s worth trying.
The first time I went into Goldie’s it was mid-afternoon, about 2pm. On every wall and behind the bar were screens showing football, hockey and silent commentators briefing the truly addicted on the days breaking sports news. Suspending my prejudice, I sat down at the long bar and ordered a brew. Surprisingly, there were quite a few people there, even though the standard workday was still in full swing. But it came as no surprise that my fellow patrons were all pleasant, chatty and enjoying the scene. Or was it they were enjoying the fact that there was one place in their neighborhood where swing-shift workers and early risers can convene early in the day for a glass of wine?
The daytime bartender at Goldie’s is a gem. She’s usually attentive and prompt, always greets you with a smile and understands the fine balance between pleasant and intrusive. She’ll offer you a menu each time and will let you take as long as you like to place an order. I hope the management at Goldie’s knows what a star they have behind the bar to service their afternoon clientele. As the afternoon progresses and the evening shift takes over, the service behind the bar changes from efficient and low-key to distracted and a bit flakey. Maybe the night shift is really good at mass delivery of beer during the finals, but I’ve never seen it and, out of personal preference, probably never will. But that shouldn’t stop you from heading over to Goldie’s to watch a game.
Although the purpose of this column is not to review food, there are two important rules for day drinkers that must always be followed. Rule #1: Always eat before drinking. Rule #2: Never disregard rule number 1. In light of these rules, Goldie’s gets a sprinkling of gold stars in this area. Even though the pizza dough is run through a machine instead of being kneaded by hand, the pizzas are not too bad. In fact, if I were not such a
Another critical ingredient for a daytime watering hole is the clientele. In many cases, an afternoon pint is a very solitary affair. Given that alcohol is a depressant, the last thing anyone should do is to sit in a place resembling a graveyard and fill up on spirits. It’s not that a day drinker heads to the bar to make their new best friend, but a light exchange between fellow patrons can make the difference between a mind-numbing session staring at bottles and a relaxing swill of suds. Goldie’s has a perfect blend. There are couples of all ages who will politely include you in their afternoon conversation, singles (mostly guys) who will share a couple jokes or give you their opinion on Beckam’s latest contract and the all-to-prevalent idle rich (or just retired) Scottsdale ladies who will tell you stories of how great Chicago was twenty years ago or how much this town has changed since the 80’s.
Overall, Goldie’s is a very fine establishment. Even if there was another choice in the immediate area, I still would not hesitate to send someone to Goldie’s for a decent priced drink and good atmosphere.
1 comment:
A fine place. another regular stop when in town.
Post a Comment