Dude, I'm not happy with your review of Rain Lounge. Nothing personal, mind, but I don't see it that way at all. As someone who spends a good deal of time avoiding tourist traps, your review made me wonder if I'd lost my touch.

Then I decided you were just wrong, or befuddled in love by the Pat Benatar-like bartender, whom I am guessing was Amanda. I tried Galapagos, North Sixth (excrement, true shit, sure to close before October), Iona, Yabbey, Mugs, Turkey's Nest, Stinger (love, love it, just not more than once in a while), and others, and Rain was the only place I feel comfortable every night I go. Cozy is part of it, lack of pretension the rest. I dunno what décor you were looking at, but it's just paint and cheap lights, man. A small budget used wisely.

This is what I would have written:

"Opened two months ago by musician Bobby Bell, the Rain continues to draw a low-key, low-poser crowd, straight and gay, black, white and Latin, creative and international. The other night, just a normal night, I met a Japanese student couple, three Danish girls (one local, two visiting), two new arrivals from San Francisco, an eight-year-resident English musician and a ten-year-resident German composer, besides the usual dotcommers, working stiffs, a dozen Brooklyn natives and two local old Polish men. The bartenders are pleasant (among them a DJ, a painter, a French art student, an actor, a musician), Bobby is friendly, and there's a small garden in the back. Drinks are about $4 for a bottle, $6 or so for a mixed drink."

I'm betting you were there that one night Rain had a sort grand opening or shortly thereafter, when it wasn't open continuously yet. I think this because:

First because their bottled beers have since expanded to Red Hook, Rolling Rock, Corona, Red Stripe, Heineken, Amstel Light, Budweiser, Bud Light and a couple of others (sometimes Kirin), including two kinds of Sam Adams on tap (when the taps are working: the irregular tap beer is definitely a problem). Not the most creative selection, but Coors Light? Michelob? Are you kidding? Maybe I missed them, but damn, I'd buy it and pour it out just to keep it from poisoning the kids. Bobby's got better taste than that.

Second, because that whole juice bar work permit sounds dubious. As the kind of guy who reads work permits religiously (looking for the taint of McDo and Starbucks), as well as movie permits, parking permits, vendor permits, elevator inspection certificates, etc., etc., I'm suspecting you were confused with the place one block down, on a corner on the same side of the street. Or something.

Third, because your drink prices don't sound right. The prices I quote above are what I get charged, when I go. I think. Bobby has been fiddling with the drink prices, looking for a good cross between keeping customers and staying in business. One thing he's done is to expand happy hour.

I should note for the record that I am merely a customer of Rain Lounge. My intimate knowledge of the place is a result of my alcoholism and sturdy liver; any other place that so facilitates one of my bad habits will merit the same kind of red-nosed attention.]

Thanks, in any case.

PS: Your Planet Thai review is right on the money. Blech

- Name Withheld.

Dear Free Williamsburg & F. Sot,

I just found your website, I like it a lot. I've been here in the 'burg for almost 7 years now, I like to think that I was on the cutting edge of the group that has made this area unbearably hip. That is my attempt to gain some williamsburg cred.

I was working on that Ricky Martin video. There were some other Williamsburgians on the crew too. That guy who kept asking you to move probably did have 9 years less college education then you, either that or he was a former film student. A lot of the PA's on the crew are from Brooklyn or Queens, didn't go to college, but being a PA they can make around 30K a year, and collect unemployment when they aren't working. That's what I did when I was a PA. In film production no one really gives a shit how much school you completed, what matters is how u do the job. For someone who never finished college myself film has been a life saver

Yeah a film shoot in your 'hood is kind of inconvenient. But lots of williamsburgers work in the film industry. It pays pretty damn good & lets you do side projects when you aren't working. No, Ricky Martin videos are not art. I could give a shit about Ricky Martin. But is it that hard to move down the street? The guy said "please" after all. Everyone loves to bitch about film crews, but the fact is that the next day you'd hardly be able to notice we were there. I'd rather have a film crew once a month on my street than the dozens of garbage trucks I have now. It's all a matter of perspective. If the next time a crew is shooting on N. 7th Street you are really bothered, well, walk up N. 6th Street home instead. If they are right in front of your house and it's really bothering you, ask to speak to the production manager, and maybe you can get $100.00 or something to calm your nerves.

-- Dan Kilian

Note from the Editor:

Unfortunately, I am unable to confirm the opening of a location in
Williamsburg (Brooklyn, NY). However, I recommend checking the website periodically for updates.

Thank you again for contacting Starbucks. If you have any further questions or concerns, please contact us at info@starbucks.com or call (800) 23-LATTE to speak with a customer relations representative.

Sincerely,
Elizabeth
Customer Relations
Starbucks Coffee Company