Because Non-Fiction Can't Do It Justice

One day I will finish writing the short story I started about this place.

The story is called “I Love This Bar” and the place is the Mercury Lounge in Goleta, CA.¹ It’s gloriously dim, it has a remarkable beer selection², and its music is comes primarily from a turntable. Becky introduced me to it late last year, I’ve found myself coming back as often as I can.

One sign I was meant to hang out here: My doppelganger preceded me. Apparently someone who looks just likes me was a regular; the bartender tonight was convinced that I’ve been around for years. So perhaps in spirit I’ve always been here.

¹ The story is about a guy who falls in love with the genius loci of a bar, and it was originally intended to my submission for Soft Copy Publishing’s Strange Love. The timing didn’t work out.

² Mostly in bottles, though they do have Fuller’s ESB on tap.