Nobody's Place: The Bar Is Open

         Nobody's Place was opening and Joe could hardly believe it. He had studied, saved and dreamed for twelve years to make this night possible. Having bartended or managed bars in eight different states and three foreign countries, Joe knew he was ready and moved back home to Albany, NY, his favorite college town, to open his own college bar.

         He's always known what to name it but then he had to design it. Nobody's Place is a fairly typical tavern. The entry slopes up under an awning and then you come in the door. Upon entry, to the left is a cigarette machine and to the right are three foosball tables. Past the cigarette machine is a single dart board machine for rubber tipped darts.

         Once past the entrance is the bar which is an elongated U-shape along the wall past the dart playing area. Behind the bar sits four beer taps and the cooler for the four beer kegs. One keg is always Heineken while the others will vary. Then, of course, is the bartender's domain, center stage, where he does his or her nightly waltz with the bottles and the glassware in the middle of the spotlight. Then there are two beer coolers filled with a myriad of domestic and imported selections as well as some liquors that are best served chilled. Above each cooler are three shelves filled with too many bottles to mention. Suspended above the bartender are glass racks filled with assorted drinking glasses from flutes to pilsners through snifters and maragarita glasses. It's all there except the rocks and shot glasses which are behind the bar.

         Across from the bar is a shelf that runs the same length for customers to place their drinks on and sit at bar stools. Past the bar is a step up to the server's area. Plenty of tables to sit at where the cocktail waitresses can bring the potent potables to the customers while slapping hands away from skirt covered derrieres.

         Beyond that is a small dance floor in front of an equally small stage and to the left of the stage is a jukebox sitting before a short hallway leading to the restrooms. Occasionally a band might occupy the stage but it's mostly for karaoke. The jukebox is a product of the digital age with an Internet connection for greater selections. The walls are decorated with typical bar signs filled with neon and the occasional mirror. In every corner is a TV and there's one thirty six inch TV just past the bar. Of course, the bar has cable for all the important sporting events.

         To the right of the stage is a kitchen through two swinging doors and beyond that a small office with one desk and a cot for Joe to sleep on when he doesn't have the energy to get to his apartment above the bar.

         The bar is actually the culmination of an effort to merge dream with reality, but it is Joe's dream come true and he wants to share it with everyone. So please, come in often, enjoy a beer, enjoy a laugh and enjoy the time you spend. It's always just another night, but each one is unique, at Nobody's Place