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Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012 | 2:02 a.m.
Another view?
View more of the Las Vegas Sun's opinion section:
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What a delightful article you printed: “Dino’s, home of Drunk of the Month, still standing after 50 years” (Sept. 24).
Asked how “Drunk of the Month” got started, Kristin Bartolo, owner of Dino’s replied, “That was my idea.” (Sounds like she was really proud of that.) The winner of this prestigious award also receives a parking spot in front of a sign that no doubt celebrates said drunk. She also states, “I probably shouldn’t be telling you this — the drunks would run it over with their cars.”
This is what we need in Las Vegas: more bars celebrating and rewarding the drunks. And well done, Las Vegas Sun, for running such a newsworthy article.
Oh, one last thing, I’ll be calling Metro to keep an eye on Dino’s drunks.
Drunkeness is neither funny or cute. Wiping out people waiting for a bus is no joke.
Don't blame the liquor, blame the drivers.
CarmineD
For once we agree, Weber. Movies such as "Arthur" present drunks as funny & lovable. What a crock! Just ask anyone injured by the fools who drink & drive or the ones who drink and then beat their wives, children or anyone in the vicinity. And, of course, there's the tens of 1,000s who, each year, lose a friend, neighbor or loved one to those scurrilous enough to drink & drive. The penalties for DUI must be strengthened, vigorously enforced and "plea" bargains eliminated.
A business having a special parking place for the "Drunk of the Month" is certainly not appropriate.
The owner could have established within the bar a "Drunk of the Month" portfolio on one of their walls. It would have been in much better taste and socially acceptable if the drunk of the month was selected as one who never drives away from their establishment in an intoxicated state. In other words, takes a taxi, has a designated driver, or even stumbles their own way on foot to their next destination.
Although this was not the brightest move for a business owner, on the other hand, I don't believe the bar owner was promoting drunken driving.
One night, years ago in a small club, I was singing the old Sinatra bar tune, "One For My Baby And One More For The Road". At the conclusion, this lady scorned me for promoting drunken driving. In attempting to explain to her that it was just a song, and that I did not consume alcoholic beverages myself, there was no convincing her.
So here's to the owner of Dino's. My version of, "One For My Baby And One More For the Road As We Stumble Home On Foot". Is this more politically correct?
http://www.reverbnation.com/play_now/son...
"And well done, Las Vegas Sun, for running such a newsworthy article."...
well said elizabeth...
the sun has turned into garbage!!!
If the owner of Dino's is encouraging patrons to get drunk at their bar(drunk of the month).The winner gets a parking space with a sign on it stating they are the drunk of the month.
If this same person(drunk of the month)were to kill or injure someone while driving.I think the owners of Dino's may be in a legal bind for providing alcohol in access to the winning drunk person.Time to check with the company lawyer on legals.
Get a life, next thing people will start complaining about tv shows encouraging single parenting
It does seem kind of out there a parking spot would be given for the drunk of the month... A free bus pass or Cab rides while the car keys are kept in a safe for the month would have been a much better idea!
I think it sends the perfect message of how the enlightened people of Las Vegas should spend their free time. What a wonderful example of the intelligence available to all of our metropolitan citizens. At last CCSD graduates have something to look forward to.
Creeping alcoholism is generously condoned by the State of Nevada. The State permits cocktail waitresses to serve persons of dubious behavior all the booze that they can consume and sooner or later those people get behind the wheel of a 3000 pound vehicle and do their best to kill and maim.
Yep, what a great idea. There's more to the problem than accidents caused by alcoholics. Little mention of the anguish families suffer. All drunks don't beat or kill, but still cause damage. Job insecurity, legal costs, and a raft of broken promises. Forgot to mention the medical costs and the damage caused by slow suicide. Slow suicide is my term, a body can take only so much abuse from booze, whether it be beer, wine, malts or spirits. Best description of hardcore drinking is it dulls the senses. Course the drunk never seems to see it, it's hard to see reality while looking through the bottom of a bottle. Rant over, the whole thing just struck a nerve.
As the current "Drunk of the month", I feel awful about this letter and the comments. Let me start with ... I am not a drunk and I definitely don't drive drunk. What started as a gimmick at one of my favorite spots in Las Vegas is now turning into something it is NOT. We, meaning the regular patrons, get nominated by the bartenders, but the voting is being done by the customers. Yes, you actually have to campaign. Is it because we stumble over our own feet, making fools of ourselves or acting out? The answer is NO. Individuals, who arrive like that or reach that point, are being asked to leave. Is Drunk of the Month" the best title " maybe, maybe not. We all look at it more as "Patron (as in regular, not the Tequila) of the Month.
Dino's is an established family owned business in our community. They have an outstanding history of more than 50 years. A responsible, successful, award winning Las Vegas bar since 1962. Dino's understands the tavern industry. They cater to a small mix of neighborhood locals, and heavily to a crowd of tourists that locate Dino's by typing "karaoke" into their smartphones... Producing a top of the list result, with an impeccable google score of 29/30, making it the number one sought out location for live karaoke in sin city. Regular KJ Danny G hosts an amazing display of talent in an environment that is both fun and safe. To say anything less means you haven't been there, and is a clear demonstration of once again judging a book by the cover.
Lighten up people, its a bar and its funny. And yes sometimes drunk people are hilarious. Nobody is saying drunk driving is good, so relax people.
Sheeesh.
First off let me say Dino's does not encourage people to get drunk. I'm PROUD to call Dino's my bar! I have been going there for 6 years and my picture's proudly hanging on that wall. Kristen loves her bar as well as all of her regulars that hold up that little corner of the bar. We all hold ourselves accountable as well as the bartenders looking out for the well being of their patrons. Drunk of the Month is there for the loyal customers who not only come back for the bar, but the atmosphere, the Bartenders Ryder, Orlando, Kristen, who is also the owner, Jo,and Red who is also the Bouncer/doorman who looks after all of us and keeps the bar creep free, And lets not forget Danny G who provides us with amazing karaoke!
Drunk of the month isn't promoting drunk drivers, its more or less saying thank you to regulars that all of the bartenders get to know. I know every "drunk" that currently hangs on that wall and ill proudly wear my shirt that shows me as DotM!
She is doing something to say thank you to all the people who come on a regular basis. Don't sit there and pass judgement. A person can get drunk at home and drive to the store and cause an accident all the same as leaving a bar.
Realistically you are all just looking for something to pass judgement on, bitch about, or post some rant. That bars been there 50 years and i believe that bar will stand another 50 with Drunk of the Month and all of the amazing people that are there.