Kroblog Goes Down Town

I spent the last few days in NYC. I had a wonderful time – both professionally and personally. I attended a conference called SES where we explained the complexities of paid search optimization and showed dozens of soon-to-be customers why, and how, our unique portfolio approach is the only way to maximize the benefit (ROI) from a paid search investment. The event was great for Efficient Frontier.

Despite the chilling weather, I managed to get out and see some folks. I had a great dinner with my Aunt Louise and Uncle John (they treated, thank you very much) and the next night had another great time with my buddy Brendan from business school. We went to a great sushi restaurant on 43rd Street at Broadway. The name of the place is Haru. I guess there’s a few of them around the City. Try it the next time you’re in NYC. Great food and great atmosphere and great service – the trifecta.

After dining with Brendan, I went off in search of some souvenirs for the family. I picked up some solid New York chachkis – sweat shirts, t-shirts and magnets. With the wind chill, it must have been 10 degrees. I was prepared with multiple layers of clothing, hat, and gloves, but still the cold wind went right through my cloths. Nonetheless, it was a nice way to spend 30 minutes, walking around Time Square with tourists and New Yorkers alike, seemingly oblivious to the sub-freezing temperatures, enjoying the night.

After purchasing the goodies for the family, I ventured off to an MSN party at The Park on 10th Avenue and 18th Street in Chelsea. It looked like a great spot to spend an evening dining and drinking. I was a bit late, and the fiesta was breaking up. When I arrived, only a handful of very drunk people remained. I had already made the trek downtown, so I decided to grab a beer before I traveled back to my hotel in Mid-town. I went to an un-intimidating dive bar called Red Rock West Saloon on the corner of 10th Avenue and 17th Street. I highly recommend this establishment to anyone.

I entered the bar to the rocking tune, “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey (one of, if not THE, greatest band to hail from San Francisco). The crowd was a good mix of 25 – 35 year olds. It had a good vibe. The two bartendresses were dressed to kill. The blond gal wore tight leather pants and a red lace bra with massive cleavage. The auburn haired drink-pourer was covered up quite well up top, but wore black leather chaps (complete with exposed buttocks), fish net stockings and a g-string. Both women left little to the imagination.

The casual reader might believe that the reason I am penning this event, for all to view for eternity, is to highlight a unique personal experience staring at scantily clad women pouring sloppy drinks. But I think the reason the night was so memorable, was because the patrons of the bar were so casual about these women.

It was nice to be in a place where the saloon was so obviously using sex appeal to attract patrons and the patrons seemed almost removed from the fact that the bartenders were practically naked. That’s what this world needs more of…nudity with comfort…nudity without groping.