www.CostaRicaTicas.com

The first thing I think of when I hear the song "America the Beautiful" is Honduras

When Neil Diamond recorded "Coming to America" he was referring to Guatemala

I agree with mismanagement being a key factor in the bar being closed, but was business really declining that much? Sure, it was slow in the early afternoon, but around 4:00 it would start getting busy, and by 5:00 (or was it 6:00?), when the bell rang for the free round, it was usually very busy, and business seemed to be good the rest of the night. I still think that with some upgrades, such as new TVs, the place could have turned a profit. Also, I have heard that the amount of the lease was not that bad ($1,600/month?), and if I'm not mistaken, it included the apartment upstairs.

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

I knew Richard pretty well, and I was a regular there from 2005 till it closed. The lease was closer to 4k than 3k, and the 'apartment' upstairs was just a big storage area with some blankets as walls. He did stay there with his wife, so he didn't pay rent on an apartment.

Business wasn't that good after 2008, and when one eye Mike started to run Joe B's, his daytime biz really fell off. He also had high overhead, hiring a full time bookkeeper and let his inlaws work there, behind the bar and in the kitchen. He was very meticulous about how much liquor was used but didn't count what he drank and gave away.

The place has been reopened a few times and has failed each time. Bad concepts each time. I would love somebody to open the equivalent of the NY bar there again, but I'm not holding my breath.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

You better check your continents again...


Sorry, I just saw somebody already pointed out your error.

speaking of mismanagement and leases expiring.....what happened to the bar next to Papis.

I hear it was closed as well and owned by a couple of respectable gringos

The first thing I think of when I hear the song "America the Beautiful" is Honduras

When Neil Diamond recorded "Coming to America" he was referring to Guatemala [/quote][/quote][/quote]




You are really funny; I laughed at your post

While the accepted belief by many is N America consists of Canada, the USA, and Mexico - actually my friend WiseAsh is correct - guess I need to sue the Long Island NY school system for teaching me the wrong info

Yeah, I remember watching the bartenders check the liquor bottles with those thin, curved wooden gauges after each shift. It would have been easier and more accurate to use one of the specially made 'bar manager' scales. They come with special software built-in for inventory control. But, judging by how old the TVs in the bar were, it's easy to understand that he wasn't about to invest in a scale.

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Okay, more gossip and a few firsthand observations. First of all, the place did a pretty good Tico business, it seemed. Lots of youngish Ticos and Ticas there. The music was always at 11, which Ticos seem to demand, or at least not mind. There were a lot of dubious characters that hang out in front, if I had to guess a profession, I would guess drug dealers.

In any event, the "management" group included one gringo I know of who has been involved in several bars and restaurants, each of which folded. His partners tended to invest the money while his role was never clear to me. In any case, he seemed to always find new "investors" for new ventures despite his track record.

If Papi's reopens, the closing of "The Zone" will be a positive, as their blaring music was a definite negative as it made conversation virtually impossible in Papi's even when they didn't have their own music blaring.

I got a call from one of the 2nd tier working girls today and she's really hurting since the closure of Joe B's. For her at least, the Poas hasn't proved a good hunting ground for her.

That's it from gossip central. For now, at least.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

Thanks Bilko, I bought one of your books on amazon, loved it. Went into the bar next to Papis one time, and as you said, too friggin loud. Bar Poas seems like it should be a good hunting ground for 2nd tier chicas , with the closing of the other bars.
With your knowledge, do you have any other recommendations for bars for cheap-ass gringos like me? I don't mind tico bars, as long as they aren't dangerous.

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

Bilko (or Bill, Jimmy or Jeff)...just out of curiosity, how much does a liquor license cost in Costa Rica?

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"In a nation ruled by swine, all pigs are upwardly mobile, and the rest of us are phucked until we can put our acts together; not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely"...Hunter S. Thompson (RIP)

Los Condes is a hangout for some 2nd tier chicas, it's across the Ave. turn left, go past the music store then take a right, past the Asia hotel. There's one more just south of where Joe B's used to be, I don't know the name. Well lit place, looks like a diner to my eyes.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

Thanks, I will check those out.

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

The idea of a continent is pretty arbitrary in most cases. Asia and Europe are connected, as were Asia, Europe and Africa before the Suez Canal. Likewise, North and South America are separated only by a man made canal. Australia and Antarctica are the only continents that are beyond question.

OH! And to return to topic, I heard yet another rumor this weekend that the owner of Joe B's building won't rent to another bar, due to their "Christian" beliefs. Obviously not all Christians believe the same thing. I've been to Ireland, for example. Very religious, and saw priests in pubs.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

Pepto Bismol. Good product placement in Greengo's post.

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" Omit no happy hour that may give furtherance to our expedition."

Another Tico bar close-ish to the gulch is "La Vasconia" on Calle 5, Av 1. Has Karaoke in the back part, and if you can put up with the (often atrocious) singing, or sing a tune yourself (badly doesn't matter) you can make friends with the locals. If you just want to drink, Chubbs doesn't turn Tico until after work (5 pm). There's a bar up the street (towards Parque Espana) on the right that's decent. The Blues Devils played there once. You can also sit in the Del Rey. It can be economical if you wait until the waitress/bartender notices you.

Also, walked by Papi's and The Zone today, and both were shuttered tight.

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"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis