“I like bars just after they open for the evening. When the air inside is still cool and clean and everything is shiny and the barkeep is giving himself that last look in the mirror to see if his tie is straight and his hair is smooth. I like the neat bottles on the bar back and the lovely shining glasses and the anticipation. I like to watch the man mix the first one of the evening and put it down on a crisp mat and put the little folded napkin beside it. I like to taste it slowly. The first quiet drink of the evening in a quiet bar—that's wonderful.”
Quote Analysis:
In this quote by Raymond Chandler, the author beautifully describes the serene and anticipatory atmosphere of a bar just after it opens for the evening. The attention to detail in the description of the bar, from the cool and clean air to the neat bottles and shiny glasses, creates a sense of calm and elegance. There is a sense of appreciation for the ritual of enjoying the first drink of the evening in a quiet bar, highlighting the simple pleasure of savoring a moment of peace and relaxation.
Modern Relevance
In this quote from Raymond Chandler, the author captures the nostalgic and calming atmosphere of a bar just as it opens for the evening. This depiction resonates with many people today who appreciate the ritual and anticipation of enjoying a drink in a serene setting. Let's explore how this sentiment still holds importance in the modern world.
Raymond Chandler on the Beauty of Bars at Evening
"I like bars just after they open for the evening. When the air inside is still cool and clean and everything is shiny and the barkeep is giving himself that last look in the mirror to see if his tie is straight and his hair is smooth. I like the neat bottles on the bar back and the lovely shining glasses and the anticipation. I like to watch the man mix the first one of the evening and put it down on a crisp mat and put the little folded napkin beside it. I like to taste it slowly. The first quiet drink of the evening in a quiet bar—that's wonderful.”
Reflection Questions:
As we reflect on Raymond Chandler's description of enjoying a quiet drink in a bar, we can contemplate our own experiences and feelings in similar settings. Consider the following questions:
- Have you ever experienced the calm and anticipation that Chandler describes when entering a bar just as it opens for the evening? What emotions does this evoke for you?
- How does the environment of a quiet, clean bar with shiny glasses and neat bottles contribute to your enjoyment of a drink?
- Do you find pleasure in observing the meticulous preparation of a drink by the bartender, as Chandler describes? Why or why not?
- What do you think it is about the first drink of the evening in a quiet bar that makes it so wonderful, as Chandler suggests? How does this moment compare to other experiences of enjoyment in social settings?
- Reflecting on your own experiences, what elements of a bar atmosphere contribute most to your enjoyment of a quiet drink? How do these elements vary depending on the bar and the company you are with?
Similar quotes
“Having said that, I must now admit that I was still afraid of human beings, and before I could meet even the customers in the bar I had to fortify myself by gulping down a glass of liquor. The desire to see frightening things—that was what drew me every night to the bar where, like the child who squeezes his pet all the harder when he actually fears it a little, I proclaimed to the customers standing at the bar my drunken, bungling theories of art.”
“I love all bars, not just gay bars,” Evan said. It was the first time he’d ever admitted this aloud to anyone. “I love bars where there are men drinking and looking for nothing but casual sex. I love that hungry look in their eyes and the way they smell and feel. I love the way they look at me. The first time I ever went into a bar I felt as if I’d gone home again. I’d never felt so comfortable in my life. All the stress and anxiety and problems in the world disappeared within those dark walls. And that was a straight bar. When I started going to gay bars and I realized the power I had over other men there, it felt as if I’d won the lottery and nothing was beyond my reach. Combine that feeling of elation with vodka and you get the most fantastic concoction the universe has ever known. But it’s gets tired after a while, and soon you begin to block out reality and nothing else matters but getting drunk and pleasing other men. It reaches the point where you can’t stop thinking about your next drink. And I just can’t do it anymore. I want to know what it’s like to walk past a bar and not feel as if I’m going to shatter into a million little pieces. I’m turning thirty years old soon and I know deep down that if I don’t get it right this time I might not get another chance.”
“I knew everything about the back of that head - the swirl of his hair, the curve of his ear, the straight, sharp line of his jaw. I liked the way he smelled like soap even late in the afternoon.”
“I looked around the cafeteria. There was a little paper product city set-up on one of the folding tables next to the empty salad bar- stacks of napkins, towers of cups.”
“Even when I ran my bar I followed the same policy. A lot of customers came to the bar. If one in ten enjoyed the place and said he'd come again, that was enough. If one out of ten was a repeat customer, then the business would survive. To put it another way, it didn't matter if nine out of ten didn't like my bar. This realization lifted a weight off my shoulders. Still, I had to make sure that the one person who did like the place really liked it. In order to make sure he did, I had to make my philosophy and stance clear-cut, and patiently maintain that stance no matter what. This is what I learned through running a business.”