I’m pretty relaxed about drinking with children, but like all professional drinkers, I have my limits. Here’s how it’s done kids: decide what you want; when you are certain, get the bartender’s attention; tell them what you want; when they give you your drink, pay them. If you change your mind at any point after ordering, that’s fine – that’s what you can order NEXT TIME. End of lesson.
Next. I’m pretty relaxed about mediocre bar staff, but like any professional drinker, I have my limits. Here’s how it’s done boys and girls: When you get to work in the afternoon and there are no customers, DO YOUR SIDEWORK. I know it’s a hell of a lot of fun standing around aimlessly on the sidewalk watching the motorbikes go by, but this is not advised. Why? Because when the kids show up it is not then time to start cutting pineapples and chopping mint. Why? Because the professionals will not wait while you dick around with blender drinks – they will leave because
Ok, now let’s talk about prices and specials. When the menu says “single shot – 20,000kip” and the same menu says “Spirits – 2 for 1 until 9pm” there is one, and only one, way to interpret this. It means two shots of spirits for the price of 20,000kip. It does not mean two shots for 25,000kip “because happy hour” as the bartender last night explained. When, as a bartender, you try to pull this shit on a professional drinker, a few things will happen. First, the customer has been betrayed and they will NEVER RETURN. (I know, Hive Bar, you’re really upset about this). Next, the betrayed customer will tell their friends or even worse, they might have a blog where they review bars around the world which means others will not come. Also, and maybe more important to the Hive Bar staff, your ancestors will spin in their grave because you are being deceitful – your are ripping off potentially good customers for a whopping 5,000kip. (US$0.50).
So, here’s the wrap up on Hive Bar in Luang Prabang. Ye, who are nobs and clueless to the complexities of ordering a drink, you have a perfect posing perch in Luang Prabang. Ye, who want a simple drink served promptly and honestly, avoid Hive Bar – unless your are trying to pull (get laid, in American), in which case, there seems to be an abundance of bags of hammers, so it shouldn’t be too difficult.
6 comments:
I'm taking a moment to respond to this silly blog because we care about what we do and certainly we care about our staff, who you are portraying in a very poor manner here.
First of all, if you think that hive bar is the worst destination in Luang Prabang because one afternoon bartender was not experienced and made a simple mistake than I think you should not travel in Laos! We love what we do and care about our customers but of course you know nothing about us and you take the liberty to make assumptions that your experience is the only experience. Over the last six years, hive bar is the place to go out in Luang Prabang and for one like you there are thousands of people who have enjoyed it and see the true value of the experience we are trying to create... for example our recycled material art installations and the handicraft programs we support and our great parties! but of course, you know nothing about that... all you care about is the .50 cents you lost because one employee made a mistake in understanding a special. Of course, 2 for 1 means 2 for 1 on spirits & cocktails ....!!!! But a nice note to the manager could have helped the next customer! don't you think!? I can see you know nothing about running a bar... you just like drinking and complaining! One thing you say is right, we are upset but not because you are never coming back,( please don't!) but because you dare attack our lao staff who even if sometimes like experience compensate in friendliness, humanity and honesty. And know one thing, the staff didn't mean to cheat - he understood wrong.... one admitted that he made that mistake but never meant to cheat the customer! How date you talk about their lao ancesters.... and if you knew something bout lao culture, they don't have grave, they are cremated!!
Please don't think for one moment that your blog has any kind of importance besides alcoholics who give more importance on drinks than the local people they meet! Simply not our style!
signed, owner of hive bar
Good points booksinlaos. It's a shame that one would viciously bad-mouth a place based on 1 bad experience.
I will agree that Hive Bar may not be for everyone, but I certainly loved the many times I spent there. A great atmosphere, from the friendly, helpful staff to the DJ who loves to talk music with the customers to the beautiful decor and bottle-art to the happy, energized crowd (and it WAS quite the crowd every time I went there; afternoon or evening, weekday or weekend - proof that it is a great place!).
Thank you Hive Bar for being a great place in Luang Prabang to either relax or get to know your bar neighbour or go all-out for a final night of fun. I will definitely be back in the future and I encourage anyone who visits Luang Prabang to go to Hive Bar as well!
I think Hive Bar is great. The staff is friendly and easy-going; serving you your drinks to the awesome beat that the DJ has chosen. The music and atmosphere is great. I visited the bar several times, and I plan on visiting it next year when I am in Laos again.
As always an excellent posting.The
way you write is awesome.Thanks. Adding more information will be more useful.
Bathmate
Let's face it - it's one of the few places in town that actually gets punters in. As a professional drinker you should be down the Doa Fa nightclub which stays open until 1:00am despite what the guidebooks say, and is busy EVERY night.
Like your style though, good blog, entertaining reading.
The Hive bar is nice, but a short walk away and you find Utopia. Follow the signs and you will discover a river side gem with a great vibe.
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