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Went into a well known hostess bar a few nights ago, ordered a Southern Comfort on ice and knew something was wrong on the first taste. Asked to see the bottle which was full of pale yellow liquid. The female Khmer manager assured me it was genuine stuff.

Feeling a bit peeved, I went off and brought a bottle of Southern Comfort from my bar, to compare colours and taste.

The manager wouldn't let me compare the two bottles side by side, so I had to buy another glass of their "Southern Comfort" to take the photo below (their glass of Southern Comfort and my bottle)

First time it's happened to me here and I'm puzzled by both the bar's attitude, and the fact they want to dilute the SC in the first place - it's pretty cheap to buy here anyway.

The manager said, quote "I don't care" and the owner, who was on the premises, wouldn't speak to me.

Probably deserves a name and shame, jah

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I think that when you own a competing hostess bar, you shouldn't go back to your own bar and bring back a bottle of your own liquor to the other bar to take photos. I'm sure the owner of Garage has been served disappointing burgers, I don't think he would go back with a Garage burger in his pocket to take comparison photos.

But by all means, name the bar. Maybe someone can tell from the bartop that appears to have stars on it?

Cam Nivag wrote: ... I don't think he [the owner of Garage] would go back with a Garage burger in his pocket to take comparison photos.

I, for one, would very much like to see that.

Cam Nivag wrote:I think that when you own a competing hostess bar, you shouldn't go back to your own bar and bring back a bottle of your own liquor to the other bar to take photos. I'm sure the owner of Garage has been served disappointing burgers, I don't think he would go back with a Garage burger in his pocket to take comparison photos.

But by all means, name the bar. Maybe someone can tell from the bartop that appears to have stars on it?

Good comment, but if you own a competing hostess bar you're possibly more qualified than others to stand your ground.

Soi Dog wrote:I, for one, would very much like to see that.

Burger comparison photos is a great idea! Taking the competitor's burger into an establishment might be pushing it, though (as Gavin suggests).

Cam Nivag wrote:I think that when you own a competing hostess bar, you shouldn't go back to your own bar and bring back a bottle of your own liquor to the other bar to take photos. I'm sure the owner of Garage has been served disappointing burgers, I don't think he would go back with a Garage burger in his pocket to take comparison photos.

But by all means, name the bar. Maybe someone can tell from the bartop that appears to have stars on it?

I tend to agree with you and usually I'd just shrug, make a mental note not to return there or recommend the place to friends, and move on. I won't name the bar mainly because yes I have a competing bar. If I was not a bar owner then I'd almost certainly name it.

I think it was their attitude and total lack of concern that prompted me to take a bottle back. Though I think there is a difference between burgers of varying quality and genuine v. fake/diluted spirits.

jah steu wrote:I won't name the bar mainly because yes I have a competing bar. If I was not a bar owner then I'd almost certainly name it.

Kudos for the ethical stance, jah.

StroppyChops wrote:

Soi Dog wrote:I, for one, would very much like to see that.

Burger comparison photos is a great idea! Taking the competitor's burger into an establishment might be pushing it, though (as Gavin suggests).

No, I meant someone walking around with Cheeseburgers in their pockets.

I'm taking that photo of the bartop around to the hostess bars tomorrow night until I see a match.

Well known hostess bar, within walking distance of Angry Birds. I'm going to start at Fire Bar, Barbados, and 136 and then move out in concentric circles from there.