MasterPlanner

​​​​​

A shame-- I personally poured myself some very nice Champagnes (and Scotch, and Sake/Shochu, etc.) at Flagship Lounges, Galleries First in LHR and Sakura First in NRT/HND. Highly recommended if you ever get the chance...

enviroian

No problem there. 3 Alaska Amber Ales = 6 coors lights I would sucking down at an AC.

bostontraveler

And come to think of it same here... the Swiss F lounge in ZRH... wonderful Perrier Jouet Rosé... the LH F lounges in MUC and FRA... Galleries F in LHR (thought they do have a bar in the restaurant section)

carlosdca

What good "first class" lounge have you been to lately?

Catbert10

I've put away some seriously good self-pour champagne and spirits in various business class and first class lounges, including JW Blue in an LH FC Lounge in either JFK or EWR. While somewhat overrated, I definitely wouldn't call it low-end.

VegasGambler

Well, to each their own. JW Blue is not my favorite but I understand that people like it. When that's the scotch they have in F I usually ask them to bring me something from the back (I much prefer black or double black to blue if I'm drinking blends). I've actually rarely (never?) had really good scotch on a plane, even in F. Most airlines seem to think that JW Blue is it. Given the quality and priciness of the wine and champagne they serve (which I don't drink) it would be nice to see a Macallan 25 or a Balvenie 30 or something of that quality. I do recall having some better scotch in lounges but my memory is fuzzy and I'm not sure where it what it was. I vaguely recall that one of the CX F lounges in HKG (I can never remember which is which, and I've only been to one of them) had something quite good but they did not have it on board. But then again my memory might be off on this one.

But what F lounge makes you pour your own? That should be strictly business class and credit card entry type lounges. Yes, I've also done some generous self-pouring at those lounges, but that's not the point. In a "real" F lounge I expect service (and it's always been the norm wherever I've been). I'm surprised that the F LH lounge in JFK does that. I've never been there so I can't comment.

Catbert10

Off the top of my head, Galleries First and Concorde lounges have self-pour champagne. IIRC, the CX First lounges in HKG had self-pour champagne. Qantas F at LAX had some self-pour wines. It's been a while but I believe Qantas F in SYD did too. I think the CX F lounge in LHR had self-pour. As I mentioned above, the LH F Lounge in JFK had self-pour. I think you're picturing an either/or when in fact self-pour and bar service are both offered in a lot of F lounges.

jcatman

Qantas F at LAX had the self-pour Champagne on ice at the Lounge check-in desk.

PUCCI GALORE

I had quite forgotten this - I have been spoilt in the Flagship First where you serve yourself. Not the Champagne which was offered on entry in MIA - but certainly elsewhere. I was so pleased not to have some sourpuss barman look disdainfully at the vouchers that we had as part of OneWorld knowing that they would not be tipped. Probably you were cut off as you didn't either? (I am being somewhat sarcastic at what I regard as ridiculous in an airline lounge - but maybe Americans prefer to be served rather than serve themselves?

Orange County Commuter

Reminds me of the very drunk person I saw at a lounge complaining that he wasn’t drunk he only had two drinks in the club in the last hour. maybe that’s true but he obviously been pre-drinking and I’m sorry the bartenders are within their rights


Complain if you want but it’s not good my to do any good the bartenders have the right to cut you off if they believe you had too many and for some people one drink an hour is not a problem- for others it put some over the top. And some of you who claim your not affected- trust me you are.

LikeaGVI

I really hope this wasn't the reason. Restaurant/Hospitality workers in CA make $15/hr + tips. Even on a slow day I'm sure this bartender averages $20+/hr. Just a few years ago after I graduated college I worked in upscale restaurants around Boston where we made $2.63/hr + tips. This bartender should be sacked immediately if they're cutting people off for not tipping. Tipping is a gesture *not* a requirement. A bartender is out of line cutting someone off for not tipping. I hope the OP reports this bartender.

Lomapaseo

at this point in this thread I suggest a slight shortening of the thread title to;

Admirals Club Drink Off

platbrownguy

Flagship F the sourpuss still serves you.

It's Flagship (J) you're after!

VegasGambler

I've been to 2 of the lounges that you mention (Galleries F and one of the CX F in HKG) and I never remember seeing that. Maybe I missed it (I don't drink champagne anyway so it's not like I would give it a 2nd glance). I was certainly served my scotch though. You might be right about the false dichotomy.

AAL1

I watched the entire super bowl at the CLT lounge sitting around the bar. I had many more and in less time than you had. But, I tend to keep quiet while I drink. The folks sitting around me were much louder, and the bartender was more concerned with them.