The Demise of the Bar Car - Sadly

That Fun Bar Car  

Plush Interior
Of A Classic Bar Car

It was a fun time when the “fat guy“, Ooh! What’s his name? Arthur Godfrey? Or was it Jackie Gleason? Yes, Jackie Gleason. You know, if I recall correctly from past readings, Gleason had an entire train - “a rolling bar car” – from New York City to Miami for the Winter Season Television series of his. The train was referred to as "The Great Gleason Express". 

Party Girl On The Great Gleason Express
New York Penn Station to Miami
Courtesy of Ken P. D. Syndecast

See the drums and sax! What a trip!

I know of this first hand, as I grew up in Miami, Florida...Miami Beach, The “Gables”, The Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, The Eden Roc Hotel and adjacent Fontainebleau Hotel.  Oh those were the days. Yes, when travel was a pleasure.

To wit, you traveled in style. Men with a jacket, ladies in a dress or skirt and blouse. Hard to imagine that Lululemon Yoga pants had not yet been invented. Which of course now seems to be the "dress code" for airline travel. Back to on the train - if you chose the dining car, it had a menu. There was silver service! Hot meals prepared in a kitchen. 

One of the legendary travel schemes was the "Bar Train".

The Jackie Gleason  Bar Train had quite a reputation for “fun ‘n games“. Jackie would bring his show down to Miami, Florida - and what better way to travel then on a train, particularly if it was with all your friends and you had an open bar.

The Bar Car, it has various names - Tavern car, Cafe,  Karma, Bar Car Prophesy -  according to Rosie Shaap,

Observation Car

Retro Bar Car

in her book “Drinking with Men“. Where we find her as a teen, right from the start, in the bar car performing tarot  card readings on the New York City commuter train.

I rode those cars in the USA from Richmond, Virginia to Miami, Florida. The Seaboard Coast Line Observation Car. It was the last car on the train. Easily spotted in the rear of the train. The “car” was stainless steel covered & at the end of the car had an “observation” view. The inside had plush sitting chairs which faced inward. Small groups of seating,  some had a small round table for cards or business. The Barman wore a white jacket and a black bow tie. The Barman would greet you and hand you a menu. You were served at your seat. Upon  return with your drink, he’d be carrying it on a silver tray. Like the silver service in the Dining Car. 

Smoking was allowed! That’s right, you heard me correctly, smoking was allowed. As a young man, I remember smoking Antonio and Cleopatra Grenadiers with my Cutty Sark Scotch. Typically reading a Playboy magazine. At that time, the magazine was less than 10 years old. Is it still around now?

Although I can’t speak for the European trains of years past, the prestige of these traveling bars has faded to a more modest efficient service café car with sandwiches – pre-wrapped –  you purchase at the counter. That’s right, you have to walk up there and ask for the sandwich. Of course there is no smoking now. It would be oh so inappropriate to pull out your Playboy magazine and read that in front of mixed company. You have heard of the "MeToo Movement"!

Pardon me while I enjoy thoughts of the menu. Bright white cardstock. Emblazoned with the emblem of the rail line with a picture of an engine coming toward you. On the card a list of drinks and cocktails. What it might have been, on the menu that is, that you might order from. Manhattan, Daiquiri, Scotch or Bourbon whiskey on the rocks? 

Seaboard Coast Line

Beverage List

circa 1960s

Oh yes, that was a long time ago -

Here's looking at you Kid.

Hello Miami!

Cocktail

Martini, Beefeaters. Dry. Up, please.
Music -  "Fly Me to the Moon" by Sinatra.
Appetizer - Smoked Scotland Trout. Toast with dill mustard on the side.

Photos courtesy of Wikipedia and various railways.