The Old Pink

When that bar is mentioned you either quiver with the thought of being there or you're aroused by the mere thought of going there on a late, very late, weekend night. It's never just an okay type of bar, you either love it or hate it. Now, I cannot say that I have never had a good time there but I can say that it's overrated. If you ever go there sober which is a hard feat to accomplish considering you're completely drunk before someone shouts in a convincing tone like it's the best idea they could think of, "Hey! Let's go to the Pink!", everyone has heard it before and you accept the friends proposal. And it does sound like a good idea, for some reason you're thinking "Yeah, The Pink, now that's not a bad idea". But you know it is. Going that extra mile for the night thinking how the night is just going to blossom once you cross that rotted out threshold of the bar. Then all you witness is people stumbling around talking about whatever enters in thought, clinging to the lips and hips of whoever will realize they're alive and crossing their finger that they'll be held for the night.

Now I may sound like I'm judging the Pink a little too harshly. There are some pros to this bar. Though it's a little though to scavenge for them. Everyone knows everyone there, everyone seems to be friends, if you haven't seen somebody for a while and you know they are a drinker chances are you'll be surprised as you bump into them as you try to navigate through the crowd to the original group you arrived with. Pro, on Halloween the DJ always dresses up as Tony Clifton which is the best impersonation ever. I've been told it has the longest bar in Buffalo, that doesn't seem like much but an interesting tidbit if you like facts of Buffalo. And that's all I got right now. Other than that I feel like it's a waste of time going down there and it drags a good night down because chances are you're having a better time at the bar you were at before it. And as the clock strokes four in the morning lights go on as the bar closes everyone sees what they really look like all hammered out of there minds, flee the area hoping that no one was sober enough to see them at there lowest point and next week will be another day fishing for a mate.

The Pink has now reached somewhat of a cult status in Buffalo and has toned down the rambunctious behavior over the years. I remember going there when I was nineteen not even getting check for proof of age, drinking and even smoking indoors well after New York State passed the Smoke Free New York Law. Still, I don't get my ID checked as I pass through the doors though I do see others getting proofed and you don't leave the bar with a thin film of cigarette stench on you skin and clothing. The Pink is definitely not going anywhere though and I feel that it will always have the same essence and following for years to come. I mean where else is everyone going to go at three thirty in the morning, home?