This should probably be in its own thread, as it has nothing to do at this point with this fine new bar...
Smart bars don't need to listen to chatter on forae; they are already a smart bar, they know what's good for them and their customers. Direct face to face feedback is all they need.
So sticking your head in the sand is good for business? I would think as a business owner all feedback from all sources could only help you. Face to face is best, but it is rare (unfortunately), and I hear people like to log their opinions these days on something called the internet. Like it or not, it can have some affect on word of mouth and general consensus (indeed these days the internet is word of mouth). To suggest a real smart bar only needs to rely on direct feedback is living in a fantasy world made up of pubs containing dark snugs and gruff 7 days/week locals who shun modern society and lament about how things are not like they used to be (as much as I would personally like to be in such a bar some times). And still make money.
Or it could work the other way. The owners may not want the place full of beer geeks taking up valuable table space, whilst they fawn over a solitary pint (shared between 6, of course), and then bugger off after 1 pint and an hour spent scribbling away
It never fails to amuse me how insecure good bar regulars are about a pen and paper. What is it that scares them so much? TorontoBlue, I like to go to Volo with several friends (and sometimes our wives), drop hundreds of dollars of beer and food, and occasionally I like to jot down what I just tried and what I like to think about. Does that offend you? Or should I take my business elsewhere?
Having said that, I wish your example was an exaggeration (even if it was in winky face jest and an obvious dig to get some responses - didn't want to let you down), but sadly, I can think of at least one or two examples in T.O of folks who fit your description. Bugs the hell out of me too. But they are not the norm, and as a self certified beer geek, it also bugs the hell out of me to be painted with that same brush.
Anyway, all Belgian was doing was pointing out that places like ratebeer or beeradvocate or pubcrawler or whatever can have a positive impact on a pub's business, especially in terms of new customers both local and out of out town. As long as a pub actually wants increased new business, and gets the approval of its staunch gruff regulars of course
, then I cannot see that really being bad advice.
Also, some people like Brian Morin at BeerBistro are also ratebeerians.
You owe me a pint for doing that, LOL.
