You walk in - comfortable, inviting seating greets you as warmly as the immediately-available parking. You find your company and begin to thumb through an extensive selection of wines; red, blush, and white.

Electing to skip on the wine and go for the good stuff, the barkeeper presents a second menu, this one full of spirits beyond the basic Crown Royal, Bacardi, Tanqueray, etc. While scanning, selecting, and eventually drinking, a fusion of light hip-hop, r&b, gentle rock, and downtempo music plays in the background, setting a tone that is rhythmic, yet played at a volume conducive to conversation.

A cursory glance around the room shows all kinds of people: Birthday celebrants. First daters. 2Ls knocking off after another day of intense studies. Tourists, here for a midday drink, on the suggestion of a concierge. All of these people elect to come here because the place is pristine, the bartenders show a level of service and attention unlike any other watering hole in the city, the drinks are reasonably priced with a special every day (this particular day, standard and flavored call margaritas are $3), and the vibes given by the other patrons suggest a neighborly feel in an otherwise moderately cosmopolitan locale. A rooftop patio provides a second type of atmosphere; the music lightly floats here, but this is where you go if you want a view of the city skyline. As smoking is verboten inside, you may up here if you choose.



...

Why doesn't this place exist where I am? And if it does, can someone point me to it? I know what I want to do with my life, but the social side of me yearns for a place that feels part-coffeehouse, part premier bar. My tastes are evolving and honestly, I'm not one for the loud club scene anymore. I like to be able to hear myself think, and on my nights out I'm always thinking of a good place to take a date, especially on the nights when I'm out alone.

Just this past weekend, I stumbled upon a nice place that does salsa/merengue dancing - and I couldn't help but appreciate how genius this place was. Something simple, yet fun, and requiring no great skill to partake in brought joy to so many (seriously, you should have seen them) - and yet, that wasn't what I was out for.

I was looking for my place to hear myself think, that isn't a corner-plot residence in Gentilly. I wanted a beer and part of this cigar I got from a post-election party last year (I read that it smokes better with age, and while I'm not a smoker I just felt like it would sedate me a little) and a little time for me to be social, yet relaxed.

Did I get it? Of course not - or at least, not as I envisioned it (and probably wasn't going to get at a time beyond 1am). As I commented on my Twitter account, make my "w" lowercase - that is to say, I found beer and a rooftop to take in the cigar, but the music was put-offish and the crowd wasn't what I sought.




It all made me realize, maybe I have to create it, if I want it and can't find it... but the question remains: Am I creating it for myself, or am I not the only one who wants this?