Bar Or Lounge

[etrainer1]

Which is your favorite bar or lounge? Why?:D

[elmorejj]

Definitely the Ocean Bar, love that place both for before dinner drinks and Hors D`oevres and after dinner drinking and dancing. There is usually a good combo playing dance music and of course the staff are so friendly. As we always stay in a mid ship cabin, its so east to get to and from. We will visit the Crows Nest on occasion, but it seems like a bit of a walk for us.....jean :cool:

[tammar]

The ocean bar in the late afternoon and the crows nest at night. Ocean bar is generally quiet after the crowds at the pool or ashore. The crows nest before dinner or after has pleasant music and great views of the sunset.

[BCEagle78]

We find ourselves most often in the Piano Bar. At least when Perry was supplying the music...

[Krazy Kruizers]

Used to enjoy going to either the Ocean Bar or Crow's Next for pre-dinner cocktails.

Now we just have after dinner drinks once in a while at the Piano Bar.

[CLapple]

Where ever the best music is.

[dakrewser]

Nick's at Rockaway Beach in Pacifica, CA.


Oh, you meant on a ship? :) The crow's nest before the entertainment starts. The Explorer's lounge after dinner....

[RuthC]

The Piano Bar on an S-class ship. Especially of the entertainer is good.

Definition of "good": believes they stopped writing music (for the most part) sometime around 1950, and knows most every song written before then; plays a mean game of "stump the piano player", encourages comraderie and sing-alongs.

[starysacz]

Crow's Nest anytime of day and evening. Explorer Lounge once in a while.

[Randyk47]

Crow's Nest before and after dinner. Ryndam, at least a few years ago, and Oosterdam, as recently as March this year, had live music (4 or 5 piece combo). Wife and I enjoy a drink or two before dinner and a little dancing. CN is rarely really crowded. No better place to watch the sunsets, assuming one is headed West, than from the Crow's Nest. Wow.....I really miss the Crow's Nest....sigh....... :) On at least the Oosterdam they rotate the bar staff from lounge to lounge, cruise to cruise, but if anybody ever comes across a bartender named Michael in the CN, or any other lounge, order a coral lemondrop and take a sip for us.

[etrainer1]

[QUOTE=Randyk47]but if anybody ever comes across a bartender named Michael in the CN, or any other lounge, order a coral lemondrop and take a sip for us.[/QUOTE

sounds enticing! what's in it??? :cool: ]

[elmorejj]

Ruth, love your definition of "good" I`ll second that one....jean :cool:

[RuthC]

Ruth, love your definition of "good" I`ll second that one....jean :cool:
Jean, I would love for you to join me in a game of "stump the piano player" some day. Bet we could have a real good time of it! And that's without throwing in any old English drinking songs, either. :D

Maybe someday, jean. Maybe someday.

[Randyk47]

Ellen - Coral lemondrop has chambord liqueur (raspberry flavor liqueur), vodka, juice of two lemon wedges and sweet and sour mix. Shake with ice to chill, strain into glass with sugared rim. Absolutely is tasty!!!!! A couple go a long ways..... :D If you're interested I have the exact measurements.

[Lois R]

Oh YUMMY:D Randy...I am going to have to try one of those...sounds wonderful...I LOVE Chambord:)

[Aussie Gal]

I love the Crows Nest when we are leaving port and even arriving. The view from up there is fabulous.

Jennie

[Randyk47]

Lois, Lois, Lois.....around my heart there hangs a silver bell and on that bell is engraved your name. With each beat of my heart that beats rings out Lois... Lois..... Lois. :) I should have known you'd like that drink! Wish Carey and I could hook up with you on a cruise....we can tell it would be a ball.

[Lois R]

Randy...Randy...Randy....you are going to make me blush:o .....My name is around a bell? LOL........not sure what Carey would say about you calling out my name LOL
But I would love to sail with ya'll as well:D

On Celebrity, my ALLTIME favorite drink is a French Martini....it has Chambord in it as well.........this one (HAL'S) has sweet & sour mix instead.....hmmmm....
Coral Lemondrop:) I will write it down!

[etrainer1]

Ellen - Coral lemondrop has chambord liqueur (raspberry flavor liqueur), vodka, juice of two lemon wedges and sweet and sour mix. Shake with ice to chill, strain into glass with sugared rim. Absolutely is tasty!!!!! A couple go a long ways..... :D If you're interested I have the exact measurements.

:D do tell!!! :D

[Randyk47]

I'll get back with how to make a coral lemondrop. My "bartender", aka my wife, is still sound asleep this morning. She worked her way through college as a bartender so she does the complicated stuff. Me, I'm good at straight martinis but usually I'm left to the beer and wine beverages.....doesn't take much talent to open and pour those.

And not to worry Lois. Carey is my special sweetie and I waited a long time to find the perfect partner. We're a 24/7 marriage. Besides just being married we work for the same government agency as branch chiefs in our respective offices, commute in one car every day, and, because we work similar issues, often brief or give presentations together in kind of a tag team approach. Previously worked in the Pentagon together and "saved" each other on 9/11 by making sure we got our staffs and ourselves out of the building with no injuries. On top of that she knows I'm a wacko. :)

[jazzsea]

We love the piano bar and the ocean bar. But our favorite is the Dolphin Bar outside on the Lido Deck. Day or night.

[Lois R]

Randy:D I was just teasing you.....glad you found your soul-mate.....

as for me, I think I was put on this earth to be just me.....never found "him"....and probably never will.

Anyway....glad you both made it out on that terrible day!......and who knows, maybe we can eventually cruise together:)

[elmorejj]

Ruth, you`ve spoiled the fun!! I was going to teach you all the old drinking songs, rugby (naughty) songs and some old music hall songs. I bet you know a lot of them anyway!!!.....jean :cool:

[Gregg20]

I like 'em all because they all have what I like!

[ryansmemom]

The Explorer's Lounge is my favorite. I love the music and the chairs are so comfy. Chimera likes to get his hot chocolate with a kick before we retire for the night to our cabin for our nightly out on the verandah time. Evenings in the Explorer's Lounge have become part of our cruise relaxation ritual.

Linda

[etrainer1]

I like 'em all because they all have what I like!
:D :D :D

[Keith Rita]

Our favorite is the Ocean Bar. We go there before our late diner for veggie appetizers and to dance. The last time we were on a HAL ship, the Zaandam in Feb 2003, they had a very nice trio playing--Trio Montreal. We really enjoyed their music and talking to them. That was their last cruise and they were excited about returning home. They did some of their music in French and we got a kick out of that. We hope we have a group as good on our New Years cruise.
We also like the Dolphin Bar to sit and relax and enjoy a cold one! :D :D

[Randyk47]

OK....finally got around to doing what I promised a few days ago. Credit goes to my wife for writing this out.


Here's the recipe - Michael, our bartender on the Oosterdam, was kind enough to teach it to me. And they are great at a summer party. When making for a group I still suggest making them two at a time to keep your ingredients in balance.

Coral Lemon Drop

1-1/2 oz Vodka (We use Smirnoff or a good brand smooth vodka)
1/2 oz Chambord (Raspberry liqueur)
3 oz Sweet and Sour Mix
Lemon wedges (Cut one large into six wedges or one small into four wedges)

Using a steel shaker and glass, squeeze or mash two lemon wedges into bottom of glass. Add 2 parts each of vodka, Chambord, sour mix and add ice leaving room at top of glass. Shake well and strain into martini glasses rimmed with sugar.

When I'm only making one at a time just use one wedge of lemon and one part of each liquid.

The color of the drink should be coral - if you have too much Chambord in it it looks too pink!

[Lois R]

:) Randy, this drink sounds like it could become one of my favorites in a heartbeat!
Will definitely be asking the bartenders to make it for me:D

[etrainer1]

[QUOTE=Randyk47]OK....finally got around to doing what I promised a few days ago. Credit goes to my wife for writing this out.

randy, this sounds heavenly! even though we are not sailing until january, i am going to test this drink out tonight at dinner! i will report back to you!!! thanks!:D

[Krazy Kruizers]

Okay - got to hit the liquor store.

All we have is Vanilla Absolut.

We do have the chambord but I don't think the vanilla vodka will work. And I still have some lemons left over from making lemon-blueberry bread earlier this week.

And have to remember to buy some sweet and sour mix.

Sounds great.

[etrainer1]

Okay - got to hit the liquor store.

All we have is Vanilla Absolut.










well i can suggest to mix your absolut vanilla vodka wth some baileys irish cream! OMG!!!

[Randyk47]

Mrs. K said I should post that she uses Smirnoff Silver which she thinks is their top drawer version. All I know is that the first time she made them at home after the cruise we were sitting around our pool commenting on how good we felt after just two drinks. :D Didn't quite remember that they had the same kick on the Odam. I'd assume any of the top brands would work just as well but, obviously, you should probably stay away from the flavored varieties.

[OCruisers]

Darn You, RANDY! :mad:

:p Just what we need -- another adult beverage we like to drink! :p

Can't wait to try one!

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[Randyk47]

Well....if that's all the trouble I get in then I'll accept it. :) After all this talk about coral lemon drops guess what we're having this evening???? Yeah!!! They really are our favorite new drink. I still get in my regular martini and Carey is most fond of gin and tonic but the drops are a nice change. Thanks Michael wherever you and the Oosterdam are today!

[benjamins]

Ocean bar, piano bar, pre-Vista class ships. Also love Perry and think the best American songs were written from the 1920s to 1950s.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Vanilla Absolut and Bailey's Irish Cream - sounds great.

Now I have to go to the store again.

[etrainer1]

its worth it! :D

[etrainer1]

Well....if that's all the trouble I get in then I'll accept it. :) After all this talk about coral lemon drops guess what we're having this evening???? Yeah!!! They really are our favorite new drink. I still get in my regular martini and Carey is most fond of gin and tonic but the drops are a nice change. Thanks Michael wherever you and the Oosterdam are today!
just had a coral lemondrop martini last night for the first time! i brought a printout of your directions for making it to the bartender! he made them so potent and delicious! he never heard of one but he did an excellent job. in fact, the hostess wanted a taste and it was the talk at the bar last night! thanks!!!! we will now drink it on the oosterdam in january and we shall look for michael.

[Randyk47]

Ellen - That's great! :D Turned out we ran all over town yesterday and didn't get to the lemon drops last night but Mrs. K has promised tonight is the night. ;) Glad the bartender was able to figure it out. Mrs. K says that she wrote them out as she would have needed them when she was a bartender working her way through college.

[gatour]

1. Ocean bar right before dinner. A few hor dourves and a nice jazz trio. What a way to unwide.

2. Dolphin bar, it is shaded but still outside. Nice way to spend the afternoon.