What's that out the window?
With the holidays around the corner, and I think nearly all of us really do take this time to reflect and appreciate good times and good friends. So in the context of ArtinBars this is a tale of two bars and one bartender that I am thankful for.
The story begins way back in July 2000. It was my birthday; and a bunch of my friends from Tower Records where I worked came out to Tattooed Mom’s to help me celebrate. We were there most of the night. Enjoying the music and drinks and birthday vibes! As the night was wrapping up we got the check of course, and everyone threw money at the person holding the check, he counted it a few times and laid it neatly in the center of the table then waved the server (the lady that wore the sunglasses all the time) over to grab it.
After that, I left. I think everyone else did too. I spent the next 15 early morning post-birthday minutes walking with my friend Brian to my Center City apartment.
Probably about a month later, August 2000, a few coworkers and I went to Tattooed Mom’s after work. We all ordered drinks, and my friend Brian and I didn’t get drinks and the other 2 people at the table did. Minutes upon minutes passed, still no drinks. We looked around . . . it wasn’t busy and our server, the same server from my birthday was nowhere to be found. Finally the server came over with a check for the two drinks, slammed it down on the table and told us to leave. The four of us looked at each other with shock! We asked why, and she started pointing at me and Brian. She explained to us that we were part of the group that stiffed her a few weeks ago. That ‘we’ racked up a large bill and didn’t pay any of it and that we were no longer welcome at Tattooed Mom’s. Brian and I were stunned. On that birthday night there were about 10 people at our table. Of course I didn’t pay for any of my drinks (but who does on their birthday?) others covered that. Plus Brian and I were one of the first to leave and there was money on the table when we were saying our goodbyes and leaving.
Dum Dums
I felt terrible. Someone stole the money from the table, and stiffed the poor server. Now she was mad, I couldn’t come back to Tattooed Mom’s and none of this was my fault.
Fast forward to 2004: I’m now working mornings in Old City which leaves my afternoons free to hang out at my new favorite spot: Sugar Mom’s. After several Wednesday afternoons there, I built a friendly rapport with the Wednesday bartender; Josh. One day Josh is telling my friend and I about an event at Tattooed Mom’s that we should attend. I sighed. I decided to be straight with Josh. I told him the whole story, and why I’m not allowed at Tattooed Mom’s. Josh told me that he has worked at both of the Mom’s for years, that I am a great patron, and to stop by Tattooed Mom’s the next time he was working there and everything would be fine. I almost cried! But I didn’t. I did however count the days until the day we agreed upon. On that day I nervously walked from work to 5th and South, walked in, sat down and was greeted with a smile and a beer. I’ve never had a problem there again.
I am thankful that I was given a second chance at one of my favorite bars in Philadelphia and thankful to bartender Josh, who gave me that chance.
