The Features of Bar Stools

Bar stools have many options in terms of style and design. Here are just a few to consider:

Arm Rest
Arm rests give a more majestic or old fashioned vibe to the chair. It can make it more comfortable for people to rest their arms. However, it can make it a little awkward to talk to people next to you.

Back Rest
Bar stools can have a low or high back rest, or no back at all. Having a backless bar stool can make it a bit uncomfortable for people with back and posture problems.

Swivel
Swiveling makes it easier for people to talk to whoever they want to talk to, though it’s slightly more expensive than stationary chairs.

Upholstery
Upholstered stools can really add a classy vibe to the atmosphere. They tend to be slightly more expensive, so it does come down to how much you’re willing to invest.

If you choose to get upholstered counter bar stools, then the question becomes whether you want a soft and plushy barstool so people can rest, or just a slightly cushioned bar stool so that your guests are more comfortable than if it were just a plain surfaced bar stool.

As you can tell, there are quite a few options to choose from. What are your preferred features?

-M

Turn Your Basement into a Party Space or Bar

Wouldn’t it be fun to turn your basement, provided that you have one, into a entertainment space for all ages? There are many benefits to this:

• If you love entertaining this can be just another facet of your offering has a wonderful host
• Budget friendly, if you are on a limited budget instead of going to meet your friends, have them come over, instead
• You save yourself the cab fare by NOT leaving your house to enjoy beverage with friends
• It just looks good. Having a nice bar set up just adds to the comfort and welcoming atmosphere of your home

Is your interest peaked? Believe it or not, creating a bar in your home is not that complicated, and it doesn’t have to be expensive either. Here are some essentials to get you started:

• Bar counter and sink – you will have to contact a plumber build a sink with working faucets around your bar (or a bar around your sink)
• Bar stools (both counter bar stools and swivel bar stools) – enough to cover the entire row of the bar
• Bar utensils – shakers, strainers, small knives, etc.
• Glasses – glasses that cover all times of drinks will be needed: high balls, old fashions, shot glasses, steins, mugs, martini glasses, wine (red and white) glasses and champagne flutes are a good start.
• Fun décor – depending on the look your going for – I personally would collect turn-of-the-century to mid-century memorabilia (garage sales, vintage shops and second-hand stores are full of them). If you have a favourite sports team then feel free to decorate with the associated paraphernalia. Be creative.
• Wine rack
• Small appliances – such as a blender and bar fridge
• Drinks – and last but not least are drinks and spirits to stock your bar. Perhaps if you throw a housewarming (barwarming?) party guests may be generous and bring a contribution to stock your supply!
• A wall-mounted TV – especially if you plan on inviting your friends over for sports games

There you have it – having a home bar can save time, money and of course it’s an excuse to invite friends and family over for some fun, quality time. Good luck!

-M

The Good, The Bad and The Leather

It was a quiet evening at Dorothy’s Saloon. A relaxed game of poker was being played at the table in the corner; everyone was breaking even so there were no hard feelings tonight. The player piano filled the smoky room with a happy melody that had even the usual grimacing customers tapping their feet on the dirty wooden floor. Ice cold brew and warm whiskey flowed, keeping Dorothy busy and the atmosphere light. All was well tonight. That is, until Charlie Daniels walked in.

He pushed through the swinging doors with such speed and force, a loud bang made everyone stop in their tracks. Charlie Daniels had on dirty chaps and a dirtier hat. His shirt, once of a fine quality, looked like it had seen him through several rough nights. The whiskers on his cheeks cast a dark shadow on his face, implying several days on the road without stopping to clean up. Charlie was on a mission, and no one in the saloon wanted to find out what it was.

Ladies averted their eyes to the floor as he approached the bar. Cards were quietly laid on the table while hands slyly fingered their revolvers. Everyone tried to act natural in this most unnatural setting. No one dared speak; no one dared move. Nervous patrons quietly slugged back their beverages to make time at the bar disappear.

Charlie Daniels clomped up to the bar. His boots jangled and banged with each step, causing everyone to wince with his rhythm. Doc Holloway was shaking so badly, his eye glasses nearly fell off his face. He knew he should stay to tend to the impending injured, but he was a small man and carried no weapon. He jumped up and flew out the door in one fell swoop, careful not to cross paths with Charlie.

The sudden commotion from Doc caused a ruckus in the saloon. Every man cocked his gun; every woman gasped and shielded her eyes. Dorothy stood bravely behind the bar, like a captain about to go down with her ship. Charlie chuckled at the sudden sight of the room, even though every gun was pointed at him.

Dorothy’s son Jackson peeked out from behind the bar. He was a brave boy; losing your dad at a young age will do that to you. Dorothy whispered his name, but he didn’t listen. Jackson approached Charlie, and with his toughest, meanest voice said “You can sit in this chair, Mr. Daniels,” and pointed to Doc Holloway’s abandoned barstool. Charlie tilted his head to one side. He pulled out the stool and walked a full circle around it, nodding his head. It had a fine leather seat that, despite its age, looked brand new. The wooden legs were sturdy and had a lower foot rest for comfort. “Thanks, boy,” said Charlie as he settled in to his chair. A deep exhale of relaxation blew out of his mouth. He adjusted himself and discovered most happily that this leather barstool also had a swivel. His eyes widened in appreciation and declared, “Miss Dorothy, this is the best dang barstool I’ve ever sat on in my life! Whiskey for everyone, on me!”

A cheer rang out that could be heard for miles. Men who had contemplated shooting him on site gave him an approving pat on the shoulder. Things at Dorothy’s Saloon returned to normal – cards were dealt, music was playing, and every toe was tapping on the peanut shell-filled floor . . . even Charlie Daniels’.

When the Chips are Down…

In these irritatingly health conscious times when everyone is making sure that their antioxidants are detoxifying and their Omegas are Omega-ing, one can find themselves a little overwhelmed amongst the obnoxiously fit and the pompously healthy. One might even find themselves so irritated that they want to go out and buy a bag of chips just to spite those endlessly athletic goons who seem to be absolutely everywhere. So you go to the local 7-11 and buy yourself a delicious bag of Doritos. Oh Doritos, you think to yourself, you would never tell me that I need to drop a few pounds. You pull open the bag and that glorious whoosh of Nacho Cheese, Cool Ranch or Sweet Chili Heat wraps your face in deliciousness. You look inside the bag and, what is this? Your hard earned scratch (for some reason, Doritos always seem staggeringly expensive compared to the rest), has been spent on half a bag of chips and half a bag of air. Don’t get me wrong, that first sweet gust of nacho breeze is a delight, but a five dollar delight? No thank you.

This is only the tip of the iceberg and this reporter has had enough. At 22 years old, I feel as though I am far too young to be saying, “I remember when you got a whooole bag of chips for only $2.50! That’s right! Doritos! And I had walk up a massive hill, there and back in my bare feet…in the snow…chased by wildebeests…just to get them.” All of that is true.

Seriously though, if I am buying a pricey bag of quality potato chips, I want a full ass bag, not this half air foolishness. Hey, I wish I didn’t have to spend close to five dollars on a bag of chips, but unfortunately, Doritos have made their chips so delicious and irresistible, there is really nothing I can do about it now. They are far superior to any other kind of chip, let alone nacho chip, and whether that is due to an addictive chemical sprinkled in with the Cool Ranch, I don’t know. But what I do know is myself - and I’m sure many others - find ourselves craving them nightly. There is a reason that 7-11 is open all night, and believe me friend, it has nothing to do with convenience. It has to do with the financial liabilities related to nacho-crazed fiends tearing up the front of your store every night. You think insurance covers that? As well as the fact that 7-11 probably makes a sixth of its entire revenue based on nightly Doritos sales alone. Think about it.

So what is going on around here? Has anyone taken a look at the Big Mac lately? Or should I say, Moderately-sized Mac? Those two all-beef patties would blow away if someone left a window open. The “special sauce” barely drips down my sesame seed buns. And don’t get me started on the lettuce. I have never seen such a mountain of shredded lettuce in my entire life. Did they think that no one would notice? That they could camouflage the declining Mac with heaps of watery lettuce? No way. I needs me meat. I may as well start getting the Filet O’ Fish; at least that has ALWAYS sucked. And there is something to be said for consistency.

Well luckily, there is one unhealthy outlet that will always remain consistent. And that my friends, is the bar. Regardless of where you go, the alcohol ratios are always the same. One mixed drink, by law, contains one ounce of alcohol and the alcohol percentages of beers are printed clearly on the label. Sometime you wanna go where everybody knows your name; where you know exactly how many gin and tonics it will take to get you nice and crunk. And there is nothing better than parking your caboose on a comfortable bar stool, whether it’s a chic and fancy leather bar stool or a sunny patio’s outdoor bar stool. A nice, consistently boozed-up cocktail is made that much better with a comfy barstool to relax on. Who doesn’t love a good swiveling bar stool? Now that is some sassy seating.

So take a good old fashioned trip to the bar, or, better yet, start construction on your own home bar and simply visit LeatherBarstoolSelect.com, SwivelBarstoolSelect.com or OutdoorBarstoolSelect.com and explore the vast selection of stylish swivel barstools, durable outdoor barstools and chic leather barstools. Start building your own personal drinking environment, where the drinks are always generously proportioned and the chip bags are half full…not half empty.

Roadhouse - A Tale of Counter Stools?

I first realized that I needed counter stools in my home the first time I saw Road House. When my hungry eyes first devoured Patrick Swayze’s rippling muscles as he tore that guy’s throat out at the end of the movie, I said to myself, "Hmm...these things need to happen in my home."

So I began one of the most difficult and time-consuming journeys of my entire life. Not to mention incredibly shameful and horrendously embarrassing, as I recognize my obsession with Road House and accompanying desire to bring the tale to fruition as a sickness and serious personality disorder. But I didn’t care. Once I had resolved to bring the Double Deuce to my home, it was all over. It had to be done.

I began with what I thought were the easy steps. The steps best suited to get my psychotic ball rolling, so to speak, and help ease the process of completely immersing myself into delusional fantasies. The way an overweight, under-dressed cougar eases her way into a hot tub of young men; so too would I find my Road House.

As my funding was limited to what I could scrounge from my mother’s couch and one hundred and fifty dollars from my grandmothers’ combined birthday gifts of seventy-five dollars each, I decided that I would fashion a sign out of wood and a brightly colored paint called, ‘Electric Blue’.

I thought it might create the illusion of a sign glowing in fluorescent lights. It did not. And when my mother came home and saw the sign over top of our door she forced me to remove it. Later I learned that my grandparents removed me from the will for my hubris.

I decided to move on to the second step, which was finding a miraculously talented guitar player with his quirky wits about him who also happened to be blind. Unfortunately, the person who most resembled sweet Cody from the Double Deuce was the blind hobo who lived behind the abandoned cigar store at the edge of town and played the harmonica very badly.

Undaunted, I walked to the old cigar store which still smelled like stogies with a looming trace of urine and approached the hobo’s growing nest of newspapers, blankets and what appeared to be dead, partially-eaten birds. I asked him politely if he wouldn’t mind coming over to my house to forever re-create scenes from the movie Road House, in which he would play the young, talented, easy to love guitar player with a sunny disposition despite his handicap.

The hobo, instead of answering my question, harassed me for change and insisted that I find him smoke-able cigarette butts, as without the use of his eyes, it was quite difficult. He eventually said he would answer my question if I provided for him, the small fee of smokes and change. So I gathered a pile of cigarette butts that I found around the parking lot and gave him three dollars and sixteen cents in change.

Unfortunately, while hobo was very adept at recreating the dirtiest of dances from Dirty Dancing, his Road House re-enactments left something to be desired. When I told him this, he chased me away from the cigar store with what appeared to be a melted pop bottle.

I was incredibly discouraged at this point, especially considering I had been trying to contact Patrick Swayze for three weeks with absolutely no response whatsoever. I was even beginning to doubt his totally awesome kick-ass-edness. I reconsidered the wisdom of the time I'd dug through the garbage outside his home, looking for locks of hair.

It was at this point that I realized this blog entry was actually supposed to be about furniture, which brings me now to the final stage of my adventure. As I was browsing the internet, creeping through various Road House and Patrick Swayze chat groups, I discovered a website called CounterStoolSelect.com. It is at this website that I discovered the veritable treasure trove of bar stools and counter stools, some of them JUST like the ones in Road House!

From swivel counter stools to low back bar stools and everything in between, I was able to find what must have been an exact replica of the counter stools from the Double Deuce. Rustic, masculine wood barstools... it is as though they were blessed by the buttocks of Patrick Swayze himself.

Luckily, the incredibly reasonable prices and nonexistent shipping costs allowed me to purchase a barstool of my very own within my limited budget which had been depleted further by the three dollars and sixteen cents I gave to that jerk behind the cigar store.

Now, all I have to do to satisfy my sick Road House needs is to sit in my brand new counter stool and imagine myself at the Double Deuce... hand in hand with the Swayze, kicking butts and taking names... forever.