BlackBall BlackFinn

This is the new bar in Royal Oak. Brand new. Though if you go to their site, you'll see that they are building their reputation around their "Tradition, Tradition, Tradition." And I asked myself, "Exactly what sort of tradition are they building on, considering they're so new to our town and only around since 1994 at their first location?"

But if you read the news, you'll see what they apparently mean by "Tradition."

Not wanting to jump to conclusions, I made the rounds myself and talked to the staff at local venues. The stories are unbelievable, offered in great detail, and consistent. That's hard evidence to refute. Stories of hordes of BlackFinn employees making the rounds to other bars, causing big scenes, buying drinks for customers, and then telling them to come over to BlackFinn. It's also been carried off in such an organized and methodical manner that it's hard to refute that the impetus came from upper ranks.

Trust me, I was in the service industry. As a 'people,' mass organization is not at the top of our skill sets. If we do anything as a group, there's bound to be a manager behind it. And even then, we barely listen. Really. Any Food and Beverage manager reading this right now is no doubt giving me an Amen, sister. I have no doubt their actions were planned and probably motivated with the incentive that works best on servers (again, much experience here): free booze and less closing sidework. We're very easily bought and sold. As a people, that is.

Their behavior is sad, really. It's like they're the new girl in school trying to sleep their way to the top. Dontcha know what you're doing to your reputation? Dontcha? For God's sake, pull yourself together and have an ounce of respect.

It's not that we're afraid of a fair fight here in Royal Oak. And it's definitely not because we shy away from the 'creative.' Though you can see from my post title, my first instinct was to call for a plain old blackball. But that's boring.

I've changed my mind. I think we should show BlackFinn just how creative we can be. They have announced themselves to the neighborhood by showing just how little respect they have for their reputation. Let's be neighborly. Let's show them that we've heard them. And, let's all stop by to pay our respects.

But just to be clear, they've asked that they not be the aperitif like you might have at Pronto. They've also denied that they're anywhere near good enough for the house-brewed beer you'll enjoy at Bastone. And they'd rather die than be treated with the respect you'd offer the single malt at Goodnite Gracie's. They've actually made it quite clear that they're even beneath a good old-fashioned night cap at Tom's.

Let's be sure that we go to them as they've come to us. Shall we?



And don't worry about flushing the toilet. Or cleaning up your mess. They wouldn't hear of it.

Oh, I almost forgot. Order a water on your way out the door. They love that.

Please feel free to post a note to BlackFinn here. I will be emailing them the link at the end of the day, once we've all had our say.