Pub In The Park | Everything to know about bars, restaurants & the hospitality industry

← Older posts
Success with Bars and Nightclubs

Posted on June 8, 2013 3:00 am by admin Comment1

Prohibition couldn’t end it and a recessed economy can’t deter us from partaking in it. One of the nation’s most consistent, and favorite, pastimes, is having a drink with friends. And it’s even accepted that a glass of red wine is actually good for us and as long as we drink alcohol in moderation and responsibly, then it can be a healthy part of our lifestyles. In addition to the tannins in red wine that can be good for heart health, a moderate amount of alcohol can relax us and help us to let go of a particularly stressful day. The point of acknowledging all of this is not to provide a public service announcement regarding the health benefits of alcohol consumption, but rather to emphasize it’s enduring popularity in all types of social climates and the ability of bars and clubs to retain a strong clientele even when all ‘respectable’ forms of businesses collapse under the weight of the recent economic disaster.

If you’re planning on opening a small business of your own, it’s always a good idea to look into what has the strongest chance of surviving. And while many bars and clubs fail outright, others become popular local favorites surviving decades and others even become something of a local landmark or cultural icon of a city. Of course if you happen to be a celebrity sports figure or musician your chances for success or increased greatly. Just look at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville in Florida and Dan Majerle’s Marjerle’s Sports Grill in Arizona. Buffet will of course be forever known for his hit single of the same name and Majerle is one of Phoenix’s all-time favorite Suns. So, if you happen to be a celebrity in one field, it can increase your chances of success in others. Meanwhile, a similar perspective applies to business success in one field, transferring to another. And any successful business has a great deal of research and effort put into its development.

Regardless of the amount of celebrity beyond you or your name, or the particular gimmick that might be your overall bar theme, there are certain structural elements to any bar and or nightclub that will increase your chances for success. . Now if you put a pool in your bar (yes, this is becoming popular in warm climates!) then you will have to follow general summer pool safety regulations. And just as it is true that having a celebrity name attached to your bar will not guarantee that it is successful, reviews indicate that having a technologically up to date database and conducting the necessary research will greatly increase your chances of success.

photo by: Fadzly @ Shutterhack

This entry was posted in Pubs. Bookmark the permalink.
Purchasing a Heating System

Posted on April 15, 2013 7:00 pm by admin Comment

Freezing temperatures are the worst time to discover that the heating system in a home is broken. No one wants to have to call for repairs during a cold spell let alone completely replace the heating system. Anyone who finds themselves in this position will want immediate relief, but they do need to take several things into consideration before purchasing a new system.

The most important point to remember is that all the HVAC units in a home work together. This means that if the problem is in the outdoor unit, homeowners shouldn’t succumb to the temptation to replace only that component. Failing to replace the entire system — both indoor and outdoor units — may void manufacturer warranties, result in higher energy bills, and may keep the system from working properly. It may also cause the system to break down more quickly.

The next step is to get the home assessed by a qualified contractor, like those at heating Phoenix or Virginia Beach Heating and Cooling. They will be able to ascertain the proper size needed to effectively heat a given house. It is not merely a matter of square footage. Calculations should take into account insulation, number and size of windows and doors, and the sizes of individual rooms. Contractors should also measure the location of the heat pump to make sure the new model will fit. Lastly, they should inspect the duct system to see if it needs cleaning or repairs in order to effectively deliver warm air from the new unit.

One final thing to consider is the energy rating of the new system. Many localities are eligible for tax rebates and credits for installing energy efficient heating systems or replacing less efficient components. A little bit of research should reveal if any programs apply to a given installation.

This entry was posted in Home and tagged energy rating. Bookmark the permalink.
The Advantage of Luxury in New Orleans

Posted on February 20, 2013 12:49 pm by admin Comments6

On my last trip to New Orleans, while my friend was out and I was trying to get some sleep, I had a telephone call from downstairs, the hotel management asking for my help with a problem in the phone lines. They asked me to keep the phone off the hook as they dealt with it; after a moment, I could only hear breathing on the other end of the phone, and so I hung up. They called back and insisted I keep the phone off the hook. I unplugged the phone and then got a call again; there was a second phone in the room. Again, they asked I keep the phone off the hook, but something didn’t feel right about all this. I got dressed, went downstairs, and asked at the desk. The clerk was puzzled, then checked, and explained the calls were coming not from them, but from some other guest inside the hotel. It was like a little horror movie. The next time I travel to the Big Easy I know I’m going to look for one of the best luxury hotels New Orleans offers and avoid a repeat of that situation. There are also several websites which list some of the best deals in New Orleans to check out before you go.

With the certainty of a fine hotel in which to stay, I can relax and enjoy the city the way it was meant to be enjoyed… walking around the French Quarter, resting in Jackson Square, having a cup of coffee and a sugar powdered beignet from the original Cafe du Monde Coffee Stand, watching the Mississippi River roll past one of the country’s unique cities. I can take advantage of the cities many great parks and museums, such as City Park, where jazz really began, and the amazing Audobon Museums, such as the Audubon Zoo, the Audubon Aquarium, and the Audubon Insectarium. At night, I can stroll the French Quarter, take in a ghost tour, or listen to the jazz in any number of bars on Bourbon Street. And then return at night, without fear of any more mysterious phone calls from unknown guests!

This entry was posted in Travel and tagged Audubon Zoo, Cafe du Monde Coffee Stand, luxury hotels New Orleans. Bookmark the permalink.
The Race Doesn’t Start When the Green Flag Drops

Posted on February 18, 2013 3:13 pm by admin Comments2

At least, not for the majority of people. Sure, the drivers spend countless hours preparing for the event, but what about all those people in the crowds? There is a lot more going on at a given race than the thunder of engines and the scream of tires—there’s also the party. So what is a party at the racetrack like? Well, it’s a lot of fun.

Tailgating is a time-honored American tradition where spectators at a sporting event show up early—sometimes as early as dawn—to set up their RV’s, grills, coolers and camping chairs. It’s a great opportunity to relax, have some good food, a few drinks, and enjoy hanging out with like-minded fans.

Hours before a race begins is the time which brings an extremely strange combination of somberness and exuberance, the former for waking up at such an odd hour and the latter for the day to come. This is the time when you can see groups parking, smell charcoal igniting, and hear folding chairs unfolding. But that all changes as go-time approaches. People file inside to take their seats and follow their favorites, whether it’s Danica Patrick or Scott Tucker Racing, stomachs full and livers working at full capacity. At big series’ like NASCAR and F1 the atmosphere is pure excitement.

But the on-location festivities aren’t the only things to pay attention to. A lot of the time local bars and restaurants will have big races on, and if you’re lucky enough to find a good bar, the clientele will be completely enthralled in the event. It doesn’t involve the same cheering and trash talk that, say, a football game involves, but there is still some excitement, even if it is dimmed by the distance from the racers.

Sometimes the festivities around a race don’t involve bars and partying. Take races at Monte Carlo, for instance. One of the most famous F1 tracks, spectators can sit in the stands or, if their wallets are big enough, rent a hotel room that overlooks parts of the track (which is all city streets!).

One way or the other, racing is big, and along with a big sport comes a lot of revelry. Sure, you can enjoy the race by yourself or in a small group without partaking, but if you do—well, it’s all there to be enjoyed. So then, what happens after the race? Well, that’s up to you!

This entry was posted in Sports and tagged auto racing, race parties, tailgate parties. Bookmark the permalink.
The Explosion of Restaurant Apps in 2013

Posted on December 22, 2012 5:48 pm by admin Comments2

If you own a smart phone, you already know what they are capable of and you likely have apps for a variety of things from maps to news apps and more. But what about restaurants? Restaurant apps have exploded in the past few years, and there are literally thousands of restaurant apps out there that allow you to find out where to dine, what to eat, and what looks good – especially if you are in unfamiliar territory or don’t know the nearby restaurants.

Here are just a few of the most highly rated and high quality restaurant apps on the market, so that the next time you’re in the mood to dine out, or looking for the perfect restaurant in your area, you can find exactly what you need.

LocalEats

LocalEats is a web site that also offers apps for both iPhone and Android, and provides focus on only local restaurants, and no chains. According to Apple, LocalEats was the most popular paid dining app in 2010, too, as it prompts you to choose what city you are in, and what style restaurant and more you are searching for, providing you with information, price ranges, reviews, descriptions, web site links, and more.

Foodspotting

Foodspotting features a Google-powered map that works to help you with photos and locations, as you search for restaurants in your area and more. You can choose nearby restaurants to your location, new restaurants that have just been added to the map, or even the most popular and best restaurants as rated by Foodspotting users as you figure out what’s good, local, and open in the area, no matter where you might be.

Zagat

The Zagat Survey isn’t new, of course, having been around for more than 30 years, but now you can get it online with Zagat’s new mobile app. Here, you are given a trusted list of reviews and ratings for countless restaurants as you enjoy Zagat’s service and research not only restaurants, but hotels, nightlife establishments, and even local shops. Clearly, Zagat is an information seeker’s dream!

Urbanspoon

Urbanspoon gives you countless choices and spins to choose a random restaurant recommendation, and scroll through their choices in a more specified way with restaurant information based on categories. For people who have trouble deciding what to eat, randomized results from Urbanspoon may just be the best option when it comes to picking some place truly unique!

Yelp

Yelp is one of the hottest apps on the market today for general reviews and reaction from customers, and for good reason, as it provides an unbelievable array of choices and user reviews that you can sift through and learn exactly how good a restaurant really is to the people. Use Yelp to hear from real users and customers as you decide on what works, and what doesn’t, in your restaurant search around town, complete with stars and ratings categories for thousands of local businesses and more.

Guest contributor Mitchell Carpenter writes about gaming and software for tech sites and blogs as well general news and specialty sites. He also writes about software for sites like clickpointsoftware.com and technology sites.

This entry was posted in Technology and tagged food apps, mobile apps, restaurant apps. Bookmark the permalink.
← Older posts

June 2013
M	T	W	T	F	S	S
« Apr
					1	2
3	4	5	6	7	8	9
10	11	12	13	14	15	16
17	18	19	20	21	22	23
24	25	26	27	28	29	30

Success with Bars and Nightclubs

Purchasing a Heating System

The Advantage of Luxury in New Orleans

The Race Doesn’t Start When the Green Flag Drops

The Explosion of Restaurant Apps in 2013