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Dec 25, 2007

F&B 911: Taste of the Flair Bar


Here's a glimpse of what the Flair Bar in Garapan is providing its guests every night. These bartenders are the best on the island, i must say.

However, how come the bar charges VAT (value added tax)? We neglected to question them but...oh well....

The Reveler

37 comments:

Angelo Villagomez said...

Champ Rocks!

glend558 said...

Great video!

Anonymous said...

tnx! any comment about the VAT?

Brad Ruszala said...

i'm 100% vat free...

Anonymous said...

The Flair Bar is awesome. Garapan might actually be on the rebound.

Rate the Bars!

No.1 Godfather's: Need I say more?
No.2 Flair Bar: Nice, refreshing
No.3 Johnny's: A classic
No.4 Len's Tavern; Thanks to Butch Wolf who reopened. A fun unique place with all kinds of people, like I said, unique.

Hawaii Bar & Grill will open next week and has some serious potential.

Anonymous said...

do these bars charge VAT too?

Anonymous said...

Godfather's is frequently filled with clouds of dense cigarette smoke.

How do the other three bars on the list rate with respect to indoor pollution?

Mike Ernest said...

My BWAG is that what they call the VAT is actually the BGRT. Could be?

Brady Barrineau said...

I've started a blog geared towards CNMI Politics, check it out.

http://cnmipolitics.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

congratulations on the blog Brady....

Angelo Villagomez said...

Not another political blog!

Brady Barrineau said...

You might be right Angelo, time to chill and be positive I think. If you need any sat photos of Saipan for reference or anything, let me know. Maybe Beautify CNMI could use it.

-Brady

Lil' Hammerhead said...

There aren't enough political blogs where folks actually espouse a position. I might not agree with your positions, but kudos to you for putting them out there.

Marianas Pride said...

Pollution Avoider has a good point regarding cigarette smoke.

Last night I went to a few bars and every one of them stunk to high hell with cigarette smoke. To make matters worse, my friends I hang out with are smokers (I'm going to buy them nicotine gum and patches for a belated Christmas gift).

I would pay a VAT tax and I would pay more for a beer if there were a bar that actually was SMOKE-FREE!

Most places have strict anti-smoking policies in place already. You don't see people smoking in bars in California.

Why do bars have to wait for anti-smoking legislation to be passed? I'd like to see a bar be proactive. The first non-smoking bar on Saipan will be my new happy hour bar.

Sorry smokers, I know you feel we are infringing on your rights, but you are infringing on our health. Have respect and smoke your cancer sticks outside please.

And to my smoker friends, I am concerned about your health as well. A new year is coming up. Do something good for yourself and for those around you. Quit smoking. It seriously STINKS.

Marianas Pride said...

By the way Brady, congrats on your new blog on politics! I'll be posting some comments after I take a second shower to get the stench of cigarette smoke off of my skin.

And Rev, nice video! Yes, the Flair is a very impressive bar.

Marianas Pride said...

P.S. Love the video, but is that how long it normally takes to mix a drink? I'm sticking to beer...

Anonymous said...

lol MP

Anonymous said...

we're missing the point here...they charge VAT!!! what's up with that?

Marianas Pride said...

Rev, according to a reliable source, VAT no longer stands for value added tax. It stands for "very air-conditioned tax". With the price of utilities these days, bars are now charging their clients for the air-con. There's also a proposed VCB (very cold beer) tax in the works as well.

Times are hard, so let's tax everything!

Anonymous said...

Rev,

While you as a journalist, as a query proponent, and as our generous might have your interests, the people have their own.

I'm much more concerned about smoke-filled rooms!

How do the Flair Bar, Johnny's, and Len's Tavern compare to the "cut with a knife" particulate matter at Godfather's? From the comments of Marianas Pride above, it sounds like they're all the same.

Are there any smoke-free bars (or smoke-free days of the week) at reasonably interesting Saipan bars?

Or places with a good non-smoking section and strong fans?

~ PA

Marianas Pride said...

I miss the old Pacific Gardenia Sunset Bar and Grill. It was right on the beach and not enclosed. The cool sea breezes would pass through and cigarette stink was never a factor.

Anonymous said...

So, let me get this straight.. you are in a bar (a venue filled with inebriants, where fighting and other such alocohol fueled events often take place), consuming alcohol (a potent liquid vice that destroys the liver and other internal organs and kills brain and other cells), and you are concerned about second-hand smoke? If you're looking for a healthy atmosphere - is a bar really that place, with or without smoke?

Rick Jones said...

I'll go for the shameless self promotion here, and invite Ed and everyone else to Revolving Restaurant 360, recently reopened at the Marianas Business Plaza (the former Nauru Building).

Our bar has the best view on the Island (in my opinon), and is entirely non-smoking. We've heard a lot of complaints from smokers, but they get used to going downstairs for a cigarette.

See you at happy hour, Ed?

Anonymous said...

see 360 is smoke free bar!!! love the steak there!!!

Brad Ruszala said...

rick, when do i get invited for a free steak? jk, man. i'll be in there to support your place. you are the best and your places garner a loyal following.

Jeff said...

I'm not too keen on cigarette smoke, and I've been to Godfathers lots of times and never thought it that bad smokewise.

Anonymous said...

Yes, Anonymous [12/27/2007 10:38 PM], I am concerned about second-hand smoke and a healthy atmosphere, even in a bar.

One or two drinks have been shown to actually improve one's health; Our Lord's first miracle was turning water into wine at Cana, after all.

I am even more civil and polite in person than I am online, so I'm not worried about fights. If others choose to become inebriated too often, perhaps they have issues with loneliness or self-esteem, and I want to offer my at least occasional support.

I am no barfly, but a lot of interesting folks do hang out at bars, and a smoke-free environment does improve things. The outdoor tables at Oleai Beach Bar also allow smoke to blow away.

Any more free-breathing bar locations?

Mike Ernest said...

I think Porky's on Wednesdays.

Brady Barrineau said...

360, Oceans and Naked Fish are some awesome places. 360 is non smoking and the other places it's really hard to tell. Oceans has the best martini around. I was up at 360 last week, it feels like your in another country, it's pretty cool.

Marianas Pride said...

To Anonymous, I am no bar hopper, but I do enjoy getting together with friends for a couple of beers once in a while. My beer doesn't stink and it doesn't permeate the air, unless of course I blow chunks all over the place (uh oh, flashbacks from last year's New Year's party...JK!).

All I am saying is it would be nice to enjoy a couple of drinks with friends without having to STINK like cigarettes. Cigarette smokers have no consideration for non-smokers. With all the damn studies done about second-hand smoke, they still insist on blowing smoke all over the place.

As far as hanging out at smoky bars, I no longer do that. If a place is getting smoky, I leave. It's that simple.

Rick, I will be grabbing a bunch of friends and will be promoting 360 for you. Thank you for making a health-conscious effort and for taking initiative. You deserve praise and support. I will gladly pay more for a beer if I don't have to smell smoke.

P.S. Certain studies have linked smoking with erectile malafunkshun. Anyone heard about that?

Anonymous said...

did the owners of 360 suffer from that malafunkshun thats why they made the resto smoke free? ;-)

Rick Jones said...

I can't speak for the owners functions or malfunctions, but the main reason for making it non-smoking was that with the circular nature of it, and with the tables in constant motion, there would be NO Non-smoking areas if you let anyone smoke in there.

And yes, since smoking can interfere with blood circulation, it can eventually interfere with a man's ability to get enough blood flow to raise his flag pole.

Bruce A. Bateman said...

While not smoke free all the time...Porky's is completely smoke free on Wednesdays and has an outside beachside patio and an outside Gazebo bar for enjoying the sunset and the outside breezes simultaneously.

I went up to 360 for lunch a couple of days ago. Great place. Rick is doing a wonderful job with it.

Brady Barrineau said...

360 made a bold move by being 100% smoke free. The 360 Bar and Restaurant is still crowded though. Second hand smoke causes many different kinds of cancer, lung, throat, etc. I was in a cafe yesterday, someone lit up a cig, I just walked out. Things are slowly changing in Saipan. Good job Rick.

Marianas Pride said...

Just had lunch at 360 two days ago and am going again today. Congratulations 360! Classy yet affordable with a million-dollar view.

Biba 360!

Anonymous said...

nice but seeing the same old stuff every night can be tiring

Anonymous said...

referring to The Flair i mean

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