[Laker14]

I'm not a bar guy, myself, but I think the OP raises a question I've often asked myself and my friends about TV, that goes something like this: With 130,000 (or so) people, most of whom have a few spare dollars for fun, why isn't there "one of everything"? Specifically I've wondered about really fine dining. Sure, TV has a lot of residents who won't go anywhere if they aren't getting an "early bird special" or "2 for 1" drinks, or if it's more than 15 minutes by golf cart, but the crowd seems to be getting younger and more affluent as you get south of Brownwood, and there are plenty of fancy homes and cars north of Brownwood as well.
It boggles my mind there are not a few high end restaurants along 441, 466 or 466A.

[DaddyD]

LOL at some people's replies, especially the two who posted something along the lines of "Wow, you sure do expect a lot" and another who wrote "Well if you think this is what's needed in TV, why don't you open one yourself?!?"

I'm a bit surprised that anyone would say that reasonably priced food & drinks, beer nuts, a couple of large screen TVs, a pool table, darts, and a jukebox are quote "asking a lot"! In my opinion what I described are the basics of a good neighborhood bar that you can normally find in any decent-sized town, anywhere in America. So I'm a bit perplexed as to why in such a fast growing area as populated as The Villages, there isn't one.

While I understand that the 65 yrs + crowd may not want to stay out past 8pm, I would think there are more than enough 55-64 yr old active / "young at heart" retirees, plus all the younger service workers who work in all the businesses in The Villages to service the community, to support a bar like I described. Probably the key missing ingredient would be finding a decent location with reasonable rent.

While I'll admit that misting fans and ping pong tables aren't found in most bars, neither are any great expense. FYI the reason I like bars with pool tables, darts, corn hole, etc., is because I like to do things & be social while I drink, not just sit at the bar, stare at the TV, and drink. To me that's boring, and I can sit & drink & watch sports on T.V. more easily and a whole lot cheaper at home.

As to the poster who wrote "If this is such a good idea why don't you open one yourself?" Gee, I don't know...maybe because I'm retired, financially independent, and don't wish to work any longer? Oh, and also because I've never managed or owned a bar, and I'm just (barely) smart enough to know that owning/managing a successful bar is a LOT of work and requires a base of skills and knowledge that I don't currently possess.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by Laker14

I'm not a bar guy, myself, but I think the OP raises a question I've often asked myself and my friends about TV, that goes something like this: With 130,000 (or so) people, most of whom have a few spare dollars for fun, why isn't there "one of everything"? Specifically I've wondered about really fine dining. Sure, TV has a lot of residents who won't go anywhere if they aren't getting an "early bird special" or "2 for 1" drinks, or if it's more than 15 minutes by golf cart, but the crowd seems to be getting younger and more affluent as you get south of Brownwood, and there are plenty of fancy homes and cars north of Brownwood as well.
It boggles my mind there are not a few high end restaurants along 441, 466 or 466A.

Now you’re talking! Fine dining is a horse of a different color. I’m licking my lips.

I guess either it is assumed that as you get older you lose your taste buds, or there won’t be enough people enjoying the service to make it worth while as a business around here. Especially with Covid around.

It is easier to make money with a bar. At my yacht club up north the bar always subsidized the dining room. You can charge by the glass almost as much as it costs to get a bottle but you can’t do that with food and there is wastage too for fresh food.

I wonder if Chatbrat is still around to comment. I believe he ran a high end place in New York.

[karostay]

There's certainly no lack of drinkers here
Our side between the 6's is built out no need to attract customers with deals those days have passed

[THUNDERCHIEF]

Go to the dallas bar on 301,. South of hwy 42--- you might like it-- you could always go to city fire in lake sumter landing- lots of drinking, and hanging around the outside bar. Looks like a pick up joint

[Freehiker]

Originally Posted by DaddyD

Who said anything about free food? Did you think I was going to eat a bowl of popcorn or beer nuts as my entree??

Just an FYI, half priced or two for one drinks during Happy Hour is normal--lots of successful bars all over the country advertise their Happy Hour specials. Happy Hour is actually a thing, look it up.

Ever heard of a popular television show called "Bar Rescue"? The restaurant / bar expert Jon Taffer suggests advices that bars always offer free salty snacks to patrons as studies show it results in higher drink sales (you know, 'cause eating salty snacks make people drink more).

I didn't say anything in my post about "cheap meals", though I did mention a basic burger with fries for $10.00. Charge an extra $1.00 for each additional topping, i.e., cheese, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, bacon, advocado, etc. Now my go-to burger (grilled onions, mushrooms, bacon and cheese) costs $14.00. Is that cheap?? Seems pretty in-line with the prices at World of Beer, and that's definitely not a cheap dive bar.

Pool tables & juke box all are coin-activated, so they pay for themselves but give patrons something social to do besides drink. Ping pong paddles & balls cost $10/hour rental, leave your drivers license or credit card at the bar to get paddles, get your I.D. back when you return paddles.

Why anyone would take their wife to a bar for a quote "romantic dinner" I don't know, but if that's your idea of a good time, well, to each their own I always say.

The bars here are not struggling for business, therefore they have zero incentive to do any of those things.

[Freehiker]

Originally Posted by Samcat13

I go to JR Gaters. 2.4.1 all day. no smacks on the bar.

Those watered down drinks barely classify as having alcohol in them….

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Freehiker

Those watered down drinks barely classify as having alcohol in them….

never been there so I can't comment, however your comment reminds me of the one time I did an "all inclusive" resort. It was 1998, in Costa Rica. Drinks were included. Man did we have to drink a lot of drinks to get a buzz on. But we did give it the good try. And we did succeed.

[Robnlaura]

A good English pub would rock bar fly heaven

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

I’m out pretty much every night all the bars here do great business , there are rowdy bars and there are some more sedate bars but they are all filled ,one person said he would like a bar that there are many games to play and doesn’t just want to stare at tv , well I go to bars to talk to people , I watch my sports at home and if I want a bar with a pool table or other toys I can go to Ocala , Orlando or other places and get in line behind some guy with his baseball cap on backwards to play SOME GAME

[Road-Runner]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

Most of those are good points, but I would add a bar that stays open past 10.

Nothing good happens after 10:00 pm in The Villages ... (Kidding!)

[charlieo1126@gmail.com]

The fun just keeps going after closing, just other places , 82 single and always looking lol

[Garywt]

Good bars are built where young people are and not where the sidewalks roll up at 9:00. Not everyone but if you are out and about after 9 there are very few people out. Many even leave the squares at 8 so they can be in bed by 9. You will find one or 2 places open but that is it. We generally do not go out and hang at bars night or day. We might go out to dinner but never go out to just drink.

[DaddyD]

Originally Posted by charlieo1126@gmail.com

I’m out pretty much every night all the bars here do great business , there are rowdy bars and there are some more sedate bars but they are all filled

How about making a list of the busy rowdier bars along with a brief description of each?

[TimeForChange]

Originally Posted by bilyclub

most of those are good points, but i would add a bar that stays open past 10.

go to any bar in orlando and you will pay twice the price for drinks.