The Weirdest Shit Out of Silicon Valley
“The Weirdest Shit Out of Silicon Valley” is a series from The Bold Italic documenting the bizarre news, gadgets, and developments in the tech world.
Up next on the list of silly things that are actually kinda cool but only for a hot second in time is I Miss My Bar, a website that “recreates” the virtual bar experience, sans sticky floors reports (I was a dive bar kinda girl). While the vaccine is on the horizon, it’s going to be a long while before most people feel comfortable barhopping again — so this virtual experience is actually pretty welcome. After all, loneliness has been a major problem during the pandemic and anything that gives us back any degree of “normalcy” is appreciated.
I Miss My Bar is interesting in its stripped-down approach to bar-stolgia. There’s no Zoom interface or IRL interacting with barmen or bargoers. Instead, there’s a Spotify playlist (which is actually pretty dope), a simple sketch of a bar counter with four stools, and — wait for it — seven tracks to add bar ambience to your musical journey. They are: Bartender Working, People Talking, Full Room, Rain on Window, Night Ambiance, Serving Drinks, and Street Ambience.
Each track has a volume slider so you can hear as much (or as little) of a cork popping and bottle pouring (Serving Drinks) against the slightly disturbing hum of a chattering crowd (Full Room). It’s going to be a while before I can hear that many people in close quarters without flinching.
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I Miss My Bar was commissioned by Maverick, a cocktail bar in Monterrey, Mexico, who wanted to give their customers a look forward alongside advertising that says yes, they are still there and waiting to reopen.
“Even though these things will never be replaced, we’ve made this modern digital artifact to keep you company while this awful pandemic, which profoundly affects our industry throughout the world, finally passes and we can meet again safely,” they write. Staff from Maverick update the Spotify playlist weekly.
It’s a cute idea, and less tired than another wine-tasting Zoom or book club night. It could serve a double purpose too; readjusting to people is going to be a process and maybe the background chatter could be seen as immersion therapy? Or not.
Cheers!
