[Outback Frito Pendejo]

I got out of work just before 5pm one day recently, but couldn't go straight home because I had to meet someone in an hour. I decided I had time for an adult beverage. I didn't want to head downtown to where the trendy/popular places are since I just wanted a quiet drink while watching sports. I headed for a place that is in a restaurant in a residential neighborhood, not in walking distance from downtown businesses or apartments, thinking it should be pretty quiet. I was surprised that the parking lot was packed, and thought maybe there was a private party, but figured I'd go inside, thinking maybe the crowd was in the dining room, not the bar.

I went inside and there was a big crowd at the bar. All men, mostly 35-50, mostly blue collar but some suits. I was surprised - I didn't think the Australian Open on TV was such a draw. Then i saw the bartender. Very pretty blond, late 20's, cleavage and tight jeans. I remembered her from a few years ago at place in a strip mall where I used to make drop-offs at FedEx, and her entourage apparently has grown since then.

I was standing at the bar (crowd was 2-3 deep) sipping my drink when a guy standing next to me said that we'd be getting seats in a few minutes because her shift was ending. Sure enough, soon as the guy taking over showed up, there was a stampede for the exit.

Old OBJ remembers when it was a novelty for places like Coyote Ugly to hire hot bartenders wearing revealing outfits, but places like that are commonplace now in urban settings. I still find it out of context in suburban settings in a bar that's part of a family restaurant. I'm not complaining about eye candy, but it's kind of odd to me somehow