Swinging Door

Not what it used to be. It used to be a "cool" dive bar, now it's just an out-and-out dive. This was our local spot to go for after-work drinks but since I moved a few years ago, I hadn't been in there in a while. Went in a couple of weeks ago and it was depressing.

Yes, the bartenders are super hot chicks in their underwear (literally, just bras and panties) but the patrons were depressing. It was full of alcoholic drinkers -- the kind who have been there all day, nursing pitcher after pitcher. Absolutely no atmosphere. When one of the bartenders went to leave for the night (pulling on clothes to go outside), the patrons wouldn't leave her alone. A nice guy from the crowd literally had to walk her to her car and shoo those other drunks away. It was sad. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

I went here with a couple of people based on a recommendation from one of the guys that was in our group that used to live in the area. It's an interesting bar with different decor. If you like the pinup style, this place is good for you. They have an updated jukebox with a large selection of music to choose from. This place totally has the dive bar feeling and has a bunch of pool tables in the center of the place (visible upon walking into the place).

There was a girl in a bikini - and she was the bar tender. Dressed in a way to make you spend your money if you get my drift. Her assistant bartender - I don't know if he was a barback or what, was very attentive. Although we went on a monday night, he was very attentive to the drinks my friends were ordering. When he was on one side of the bar and my friend asked for another round of drinks the rest of the group was ordering, he could hear it from where he was standing - this is quite impressive if you consider all the background noise going on, conversations, laughing, etc.....

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Barely.

The swinging door is an interesting place. You immediately get the vibe of the local dive plus the things that an older city can offer because of old zoning laws. Yes, I am talking about the pretty girl in the bikini. Notice that was singular and not plural. There is only a single waitress, albeit very hot, that tends to every person in the bar which means that service can be quite slow depending on how busy the place is.

The price for pitchers of beer are pretty good but it might take a little effort to get one. Food is meh. But then again what do you expect from a dive. It isnt going to be gourmet obviously but it might draw in a different crowd or at least give you food you want to eat when drinking heavily. Which is always my case.

Overall, the place has a good vibe but it might make things move a little quicker if the were a second waitress. Practically though, the place isn't large enough to warrant one because at that point you would have to split the tips among the girls that are there.  What to do. I guess the bikini or other skimpy outfit does make you forgive a lot... Which brings me to 3 stars.