Grocery Store Bars are a New Thing!
@DeborahDiane (40843)
Laguna Woods, California
July 5, 2018 4:18pm CST
Recently, a grocery store in Newport Beach, California installed this lovely bar with a view of the parking lot. It sells wine and craft beers, as well as an assortment of appetizers, including such upscale items as mini Ahi tuna burgers.
I have actually been in the grocery store when groups of women have come in, all dressed up, and sat at the bar together. I asked the bartender about it, and she told me that groups of women often come in before going to a movie together or other special event.
This grocery store is just a few blocks from the beach and the Fashion Island shopping center which is ringed by restaurants and bars with gorgeous ocean views.
I have trouble understanding why anyone would go to a bar at the grocery store, but it is almost always busy. I took this photo during one of the few times when the bar seats were unoccupied. There are tables nearby and on an outdoor patio, and people were enjoying wine and food at the tables.
I guess this gives new meaning to the expression, "I'm just running to the grocery store!" 
16 people like this
16 responses
@LadyDuck (502148)
• Italy
7 Jul 18
@DeborahDiane Also the Manor grocery store here in Switzerland has a restaurant bar inside. We have breakfast quite often there, early in the morning before grocery shopping.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Jul 18
@LadyDuck - Wow! So, perhaps my local grocery store heard about the Italian stores with bars inside and took the idea from them. We're becoming more European! LOL
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Jul 18
@LadyDuck - That is so interesting. I guess we really are just catching up to the Europeans. It was a totally new concept to me!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
19 Jul 18
@RubyHawk - It will be interesting to see if they keep this bar as it is, change it, or remove it in a few years.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
20 Jul 18
@RubyHawk - It will certainly be fun to watch and see if they do become more common! Interesting concept.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99367)
• Atlanta, Georgia
20 Jul 18
@DeborahDiane It will be interesting. I would bet the bar thing will catch on and we'll be seeing more bars in grocery stores.
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
6 Jul 18
Before I got to your discussion I was trying to figure out why you'd be in a grocery store that had to put bars on their windows, DD! 
Thank goodness this is just the kind of bar where you might get to go where their are bars on the windows, if you aren't careful! 
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (174208)
• United States
7 Jul 18
@DeborahDiane *grinning at you* If you wanted to have some fun, tell them how I misunderstood your discussion title. Then sit back and record their reactions for us to see!
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Jul 18
@DaddyEvil - Ha ha! I can see how my title could be misinterpreted! Sorry about that. No, the residents of Newport Beach would be horrified that anyone would think they had a grocery store with bars on the windows! LOL
1 person likes this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
8 Jul 18
Sounds interesting ... perhaps the women go there instead of a bar as they 'feel' there is less liklihood of being bothered by men...looking for dates ect...lol
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
5 Jul 18
Now I might like to stop and have a cold one while I call home to see what I forgot. What store is that?
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Jul 18
@JamesHxstatic - It is the Gelson's grocery store in Corona del Mar at the corner of San Miguel and San Juaquin Hills Rd. What amazes me is that people go there to drink, when it is just a few blocks from Fashion Island where there are lots of bars with ocean views rather than a view of the parking lot! Each to their own, I guess! LOL
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29410)
• Eugene, Oregon
5 Jul 18
@DeborahDiane I always heard that grocery stores were a good place to meet people. so maybe that what they have in mind.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Jul 18
@JamesHxstatic - Ha ha! Good point!
1 person likes this
@YrNemo (20254)
•
6 Jul 18
There was some similar set up ages ago at a giant store which famous in selling all sort of things from Europ, almost like an Aldi mix Walmart. Families with young children and women in groups often went there since things seem to be safer and convenient somehow there.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Jul 18
@YrNemo - You make a good point that many women may feel safer meeting and having a drink in a grocery store, rather than the typical bar!
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (52907)
• Mojave, California
5 Jul 18
Why does anyone go to a bar at a airport. I can tell you why, but yeah in the scheme of things it is just capitalism branching out in ways most of us cannot afford. Can see this clearly.. Hey honey, go do some shopping, will be here developing a DUI because corporate America is raining down on us from all angles and do not know how to pay the bills anymore, so will get drunk while you shop.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Jul 18
@crossbones27 - Ha ha! Yes, it is getting pretty commercial, no matter where you go!
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
9 Jul 18
@jstory07 - That is kind of how I felt. I thought a bar in a grocery store was kind of weird. Certainly not necessary!
@wolfgirl569 (135583)
• Marion, Ohio
6 Jul 18
I would love that. Get a few drinks before dealing with the crazies in Walmart
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Jul 18
@wolfgirl569 -- There you go! A great idea. Maybe we will see bars in Wal-Mart soon! LOL
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Jul 18
@rakski - I love that ... the grocery bar! LOL
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Jul 18
@Courtlynn - Yes, this bar in the grocery store took me by surprise!
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
6 Jul 18
I guess grocery stores are desperate for new revenue streams.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Jul 18
@JohnRoberts - yes, you are probably right they are looking for new revenue streams. Interesting choice!
1 person likes this
@Starmaiden (9308)
• Canada
5 Jul 18
It won't be long before they install a dance floor, DJ booth and disco ball.
1 person likes this
@DeborahDiane (40843)
• Laguna Woods, California
5 Jul 18
@Starmaiden - Ha ha! Maybe I should suggest that the next time I'm in that grocery store! LOL
1 person likes this
@sunrisefan (28524)
• Philippines
9 Jul 18
Don't send your husband to an errand to the grocery store or else he comes home forgetting the errand or he buys the wrong item hahaha!
@Melanie_Marie (2448)
• St. Clair, Michigan
13 Jul 18
Wow, and I've always had fun just grocery shopping sober. I get terribly friendly while drinking...watch out stock boys. 
