This can be a lot of fun. We used to belong to an international diners' club. A monthly meeting, everyone brought a contribution from the designated theme country including drinks of that country (usually wines). We met at rotating host home locations. It was usually entertaining and a good way to meet people with diverse back grounds but a common interest in trying other cuisines with the understanding that some dishes may turn out to be disasters (sometimes part of the fun). A number of long-term friendships spun off of it.

Great spot!

Uh oh. Down here that could be one of those....’you don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here!’ type situations! ;)

Westminster MA??
 

You’re in Westminster? Then you must frequent The Old Mill restaurant. That used to be the “high end” dining place when I grew up in that area!

On some cruise ships you must sign for towels

What about the bathrobes?! ;)

The poster tried to liken the rec areas/pools .....and amenities to a Marriott. If that was the standard, like GE stated, many towels would go ‘missing’! TV knows it’s (not all) clientele!

I don’t care for the old mill. It’s musty and old for sure. Food is okay and drinks are mediocre. I just get vodka soda there or a beer. I know folks like the nostalgia but it needs some updating.

Blue Print in town is okay and the Barn in Princeton is good for food and cocktails.

But I drive to Leominster for much better choices.

He could start a business renting towels, lets see how long before shrinkage puts him under

We recently started a dinner club up here with friends. Only started it a few months ago. Getting dates everyone is available has been a struggle. But same thing, themed dinners and drinks. We’ve done French and Italian so far.

Do we need a thread for towels in the village pools?

Yes please :1rotfl:

Maybe The Villages area isn’t for ###!

Maybe someone is watching to many Tom Cruise movies!

Yes, scheduling for this sort of activity can be challenging. We did it back before I was retired, and everybody had busy lives. Having a core of committed participants helps. We also started with the familiar and favorites and eventually tried some of the unfamiliar. I recall one African or Moroccan themed diner where somebody made couscous that had the consistency of bathroom calking compound. There wasn't enough alcohol on the table to get that down. I think the next dinner after that was a return to Italy. Good luck, have fun.

I’m new to the Villages and very interested in the answer to this question. Is there no place to get high quality hand crafted cocktails?

The places I mentioned are pretty good. I’m sure there are more. Start at Harvest and Chop House. Those were the best so far for me. Bluefin was hit or miss. I think we did Prima and the menu cocktails were fine. But the gimlet wasn’t great iirc.

In Pa. I had a complete bar in my house on my game room. Kind of miss it!

There's a pic of my bar on page 1. I will miss it when I move to TV full time. But I have it now. Only problem is whenever I go downstairs I feel like it's party time and maybe I drink too much. :D

We like to do theme parties, so once I get a bar in TV (probably just an outside bar when we build a pool), we will have some in Florida.

A pic from our Prohibition Speakeasy party. We aren't in this pic...

https://i.imgur.com/JyhI2qpl.jpg

Finally, a topic that almost everyone can comment on with some level of authority - Alcohol. How appropriate for The Villages!

I’ve built a bar in each of the last three homes I’ve owned. They’ve always become a great neighborhood gathering place and many stories were told, both real and imagined. Many great friendships developed, sports watched, and world problems solved (LOL).

I’d like to do the same in my new home here, but am lacking the kind of space needed. Considering doing something on the lanai, but it limits alcohol storage.

Bar Photos - Album on Imgur

https://imgur.com/a/ZUUTAzd

No bar in the villages knows how to make an old fashioned like they do in Wisconsin. From the crushed sugar cubes to a dash of cherry juice and bitters, don’t try to order one here and get anywhere close.

///

We lived in Hawaii for 20 years, and have been searching for a decent Mai Tai in the Caribbean area since we moved here.

If anyone knows of a place please let us know.

Kowloon Route 1 Saugus MA ;)

Cocktail
 

Jon Taffer only works with "mixologists" as seen on Bar Rescue. Simply the best.

Chop House
 

Chop House at Lake Sumter Landing for well made drinks

I’m completely shocked to hear about Prima. They’re owned by the same people who own Anglers Club and Legacy. I’ve only had the menu cocktails. How hard is it to squeeze some lime wedges and simple syrup with gin….. you’ve piqued my curiosity now and I must go there and order a gimlet. On a side note, if you’re ever downtown Orlando, Mathers is a must!

I could be mistaken on Prima. Hard to remember. I think it was Prima or Bluefin where it depended on the bartender.

Yes, when I think of Wisconsin, I think of the perfect "Old Fashioned"...

Does it come with a wedge of cheese? :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

I actually prefer my old fashioned with simple syrup (or demerara syrup if available) and stirred without muddling an orange or a cherry. But I'm usually okay with however the bar makes it.

When we were at the outdoor bar at Harvest, lunch time, we had this bartendar who actually sounded a bit arrogant. But he asked me if I wanted my old fashioned muddled. I mentioned that no one had ever asked me that. He said, then how do they know how you like it. He made it exactly as I wanted. He made my wife a "southside" which is basically a gimlet with mint, exactly as she specified. Great drinks.

What about the "smoke" they do there??.......my Bride likes it for the presentation. :icon_bored:

I've had the smoked old fashioned at Chop House and I like it. I have a kit to do it at home too. I've only done it a handfull of times but I like the smoke. The presentation is definitely cool and I actually like the bit of smokiness you get, at least on the first few sips.

So after 70 posts and snarkiness (if that's a word)...............did you find any opinions on the best place??

:shrug:

You know it's funny because, after all the posts, apparently I've already found the only places that make good cocktails. I was hoping for some other places to try. I haven't eaten at the country clubs yet. Maybe some of those will be okay.

Oh and we had okay luck at Wolfgang Pucks.

ETA: Second time someone used the word "snarkiness" today. One was in a private message that my notification said was a "visitor message". Can't find it now.

70 posts and someone brought up 'snarkiness'. Can 'curmudgeon' be far behind! ;)

Like our Dads and Grandfathers always said.....if you want something done right, do it yourself. In that spirit (no pun intended)....bring down the bar from the mancave!

Okay so that message I thought was private was not? I'm completely confused. Because someone messaged me that they were interested in good cocktails too. I believe my notification said it was a visitor message. They mentioned snarky replies in the thread. I replied something like TOTV has a bunch of curmedgeons and expected snarkiness. Clearly you 2 somehow are in on that message.

I apparently don't know how to use the forum correctly.

its on the general forum..

Still confused as I can't find it except when I click my profile. Anyhow, I do want a bar at my house (outside as I said).

But going to sit at a bar is something we like for the social aspect. Even with all the snarky curmudgeons.

Harvest is about the best we have.
There are places who pour more..........but it's jus-not-done-right.
Country Clubs are volume (more served the better) bartenders...........get it close & move on.

I saw one poster was more or less.......................do it at home.
True, but sometimes............I want 2 B waited on.

Enjoy the journey.

Not just: Mr. Helpful.............I can Identify as: Mr. C.

(maybe a future profile update)