Adam is back from Europe, and he, Joanna and Zach are wondering why Americans can’t seem to love hotel bars the way Londoners do.
The trio opened the latest episode of The VinePair Podcast with a simple question: why do Americans see hotel bars as nothing more than mediocre drinks, while Londoners treat them as legitimate spots for top cocktail bars?
Dismissing Hotel Bars
In the U.S., hotel bars tend to get dismissed as a second-rate option. The assumption is that they serve average drinks at average prices.
That dismissive attitude stands in stark contrast to the situation in London. There, hotel bars are regarded as serious destinations for craft cocktails and fine spirits.
What Makes a Great Hotel Bar
The podcast doesn’t offer a full breakdown of what makes a great hotel bar. But the underlying argument is that a hotel bar can be more than a convenience. It can be a destination in its own right, offering a unique experience.
The American Exception
The U.S. has plenty of exceptional hotel bars. The assumption that hotel bars are mediocre persists, but the podcast wants to challenge it.
London’s Approach to Hotel Bars
The London example is the heart of the debate. In that city, hotel bars are treated as legitimate spots for top cocktail bars.
The podcast raises the question of why Americans can’t adopt the same approach. If Londoners can accept hotel bars as elite destinations, why can’t Americans?
The Question That Stays Open
The title of the episode asks whether Americans will ever embrace hotel bars. The implication is that the answer is not yet clear.
The trio doesn’t offer a definitive answer. Instead, they pose the question and let the listener consider the evidence.
The Comparison at the Core
Here’s what the episode points to:
- Hotel bars in London are treated as legitimate spots for top cocktail bars.
The Bottom Line
The podcast’s question is a useful one. It forces drinkers to reconsider what they assume about hotel bars.
London shows what’s possible. Whether Americans will follow is still an open question.
The episode is available now on The VinePair Podcast.
Key Facts Box
- Episode: The VinePair Podcast: Will Americans Ever Embrace the Hotel Bar?
- Hosts: Adam, Joanna, Zach
- Format: Podcast
- Location: VinePair
- London bars: Considered legitimate cocktail destinations
- U.S. bars: Generally dismissed as mediocre drinks
Hard Numbers
- The episode is available now on The VinePair Podcast.
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