A friend of mine frequently patronizes a bar in Scotch Plains -- located in Union County. Though Union County is outside of my blogging perimeter, the influx of requests that I have received asking me to critique Vienna 60 all but forced me to spend an evening in Scotch Plains.
When I was informed that my friends and I were to attend a 1960s themed bar, I envisioned a knock-off version of the Hardrock Cafe. However, from nearly a block away it was noticeable that Vienna 60 is anything but a knock-off Hardrock Cafe. I was blown away -- Vienna 60 elegantly combines a retro-sheik look with modern luxury. If Jimi Hendrix was alive, without a doubt, he would patronize Vienna. The bar's atmosphere is like no other -- and the theme is well integrated into the bar. For example all of the furniture in the bar is from the 1960s -- bar stools in the shape of hands, couches and lounge chairs galore, pin-up paintings everywhere, and a 15 x 24 hand-painted mural containing thousands images of classic Americana. Vienna goes as far as having a 6 x 4 room titled "the sex room"; essentially an area lined with shag carpet and hippy beads -- seriously -- the bar has a room perfect for making love. If I was given photographs of Vienna's interior I would have assumed it was a well-decorated "theme bar" in Greenwich Village or Midtown Manhattan.
Though the atmosphere is spectacular, the rest of my experience was not enjoyable. The bar looking like it belongs in Greenwich Village does not justify paying Manhattan prices for alcohol. I ordered a double shot of Maker's Mark on the rocks and a bottled Coors Light, which totaled $22 -- by any standard ridiculous. Moreover, the bar has a limited selection of food -- all of which was prepared poorly. To further, the service was slow. The night that I attended Vienna, it was relatively "dead"; however, it took the bar tenders around six minutes to prepare each drink -- truly pitiful given my proximity to the bar. Though the service was not timely, each server and bar tender was unbelievably friendly. Vienna was, by all means, a well ran small business -- the kind of business that makes first-time patrons feel like regulars.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed my experience; however, much of my glee was due to the initial shock of how unique the bar's atmosphere was. Upon returning to Vienna for a second visit, the shock value will be greatly depreciated -- and the bar's gimmick will be less appealing. I would definitely recommend visiting Vienna 60 -- especially if you are attending with a group of friends whom have never been to the bar. Though the lack of televisions, young employees, well-prepared food, timely service, and reasonable prices are all major drawbacks, Vienna 60's theme makes the bar attractive -- sadly -- I would pay Manhattan prices to attend the bar once again.
The very heart of your writing shilst sounding agreeable at first, did not settle very well with me personally after some time. Someplace within the paragraphs you were able to make me a believer but just for a while. I nevertheless have a problem with your leaps in assumptions and one would do well to fill in those breaks. In the event you actually can accomplish that, I will definitely end up being fascinated. You can visit my website midtown bailbonds
ReplyDeleteIts such as you learn my thoughts! You seem to grasp so much approximately this, such as you wrote the ebook in it or something. I think that you simply can do with some% to force the massage house a bit, however other than that this is magnificent blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.