Bar Rules
After a
viewing of the Christmas display at Pari’ Galeries Lafayette grand marche and a
stop at the beautiful ornate Opera, my date and I took a stroll down Avenue de
l’Opéra to “Sank Roo Doe Noo” to experience the legendary Parisian landmark, Harry’s
New York Bar (1911). Enjoying the mid-day cocktail and reading the bar menu
with “Bar Rules”, I realized to myself we should all know the bar rules, so I
share them with you. The IBF stands for “International Bar Fly”.
“Aside note” - on the US
Presidential Election. The bar has polled US citizens since 1924 and, with the
exception of 1976 and 2004, it has correctly called the election of the US
President. If interested you can check the status and call them at +33 1 4261
71 14.
Curious as
they may be, these rules from Paris’s first cocktail bar, 1911, Harry’s New
York Bar, do serve as a poignant reminder of the essential practices one
should approach drinking & socializing. So take heed as you read over these
rules, harken to the words and enjoy the festivities.
Harry’s
New York Bar, Paris
1. The IBF
is a secret and sacred fraternal organization devoted to the up life and
downfall of serious drinkers.
2. Members
must buy if not at the moment Sometime. What is a decade among friends.
3. Any
members of the IBF caught cutting out paper dolls after a bad night must hand in their resignations.
4. Those
that come to the Trap at 5 A. M. and are able to play a ukulele without
rehearsal are eligible for life membership.
5. Members
bumping their chin on the bar rail in the act of falling are suspended for ten
days.
6. Members
who have the idea they can wallop Dempsey are notified that there is a plastic
surgeon on duty night and day close to the traps.
7. Those
seeking cerise cats with purple ears should keep it to themselves. Traps are
not zoological gardens.
8. Those
sniffling about “the best little women in the world” and starving for another
round must pay for it.
9.
Remember, nothing is on the house but the roof.
10. Those
who decide drinking is a menace are welcome at all times but should just keep
quiet.
11. And
remember that there are a lot of boys in the rear who might want something.
12.
Backslappin after six drinks to be tempered with mercy remember, IBF’s have
false teeth.
13. Any
members breaking any of the above rule will be penalized drinks to all IBF’s
present.
Harry’s
New York Bar Paris describes itself as creator of a few of the following –
Bloody Mary (1921), Side Car (’31), James Bond (’62), & French 75 (‘ 25).
So fix one
of these historic cocktails, sit back, and read the rules once more.
Harry’s
New York Bar, Harry’s
Bar, Harry’s, International Bar Flies, Barfly, Sank Roo Doe Noo. Are
registered trademarks of Harry’s New York Bar Paris
