5 Comments
Sep 29, 2022Liked by Ryan Bradford

I agree with everything you’re saying here. Did you happen to read about businesses in Japan that are over 100 or even 1000 years old? The NYT did a great piece during the pandemic about how these businesses survive and the contrast to why many businesses in America seemed to be failing. Guess what? They don’t aspire to constant growth. Instead, when they hit a certain point at which they run comfortably, they save earnings in case of disasters or other unforeseen expenses. Just sayin.

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Sep 29, 2022Liked by Ryan Bradford

RIP Bar Pink Indeed. 2 dollar Tecates + limes. DJs spinning random nights and walking into cramped concerts. The friggin' lazer light that always got in your eye if you tried to dance. I don't want to be one of those 'back-in-my-day' groaners, but let's just take a moment to pour one out for a cool place.

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Sep 29, 2022Liked by Ryan Bradford

Truthful article Ryan, my most recent residence in SD, I loved Bar Pink, Starlite, 'Til Two, Tower, Whistle Stop & a number of other similar venues. The change from what I would consider local/organic clubs/taverns to 'posh culture' with associated 'posh (expensive) pricing' is sad. Local/organic communities require spaces for music & art to thrive & grow.

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Just to continue rattling the echo chamber, Bar Pink was a one-of-a-kind, neighborhood-culture cornucopia that won't ever truly be replaced. Sometimes you could just roll the dice (without checking CityBeat) and say, "Eh, fuck it! Let's see what this band is all about." Or wander into a Rock Lotto lineup, where newly formed bands with random musicians who met just one month earlier, play a battle-of-the-bands-type show. Two of my personal favorites "theme nights" were the short-lived Joke-aoke, where one could get up in front of the bar and do a famous comedian's bit, and the annual Punk Rock Prom fundraiser. North Park lost part of its soul when the place closed, and though I'm sure PTL is great, it's won't ever be able to have the same impact.

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When is it? I’ll just eat an edible and nurse one (1) cocktail all night

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