My relationship with Pecos started almost 10 years ago. Then, as a student architect I found it very difficult to ’’fit-in’’. Not because I couldn’t, but simply because I wouldn’t. I wont say that I was rebellious. I did’t even know what I wanted. But I just wasn’t at peace and so it was ok by me to stand-out. Before you wonder why you must read all this I’ll move on from this crap!
It’s a home for many like me in B’lore. Though some of you coming from other cities might ask me how one can sit for too long in here without getting pins and needles on you butt...but!! it’s not so simple. This place has a history. That’s just about it.
The beer is no good...there is nothing else you can have apart from some soft drinks. The food is S*P*I*C*Y!! The seating is ...well you’ll get used to it. They have recently done up those old metal stools..so you’re ok for the next year or so.
The music...this is where Paul comes in. The ever so wonderful Paul. Who is he? Hmm..he is everything and nothing. You’ll find a suppandi kinda head bobbing behind the kegs and the bar counter. He serves you beer, food, the bill...plays your music..throws you out if he doesn’t like you, asks you very politely to go upstairs if you’re not a regular. Be nice to him..coz he plays the music. It’s too unorganized on the days when he’s not there.
You can bring in your own music...they’ll let you play. Ofcourse....it has to match the standards of PECOS. (they might even keep it if they like it too much...and you wont have the heart to say no..that’s one way of making sure that you’ll come back...hyuk..hyuk)
The posters are the best. You have unique people hanging from the walls and the ceilings..best is Zappa, pants down and sitting on the pot.
If you’re lucky you can get the ’’spiritual corner’’. But make sure you come in early enough..that’s the best seat. An oblivion corner..and you can see everything inside and outside. Perfect place to read...sketch or just sit and watch the fun if you have that much time.
There are 2 more floors to it...though I can’t say much about them. In all these years I might have used the 1st floor only twice and never the 2nd floor.
If you are preferred beer gut, you’ll get the Pecos card..which entitles you to a free mug after every 10 mugs.
I must mention before I forget about the soft board. Some interesting things put up there besides regular happening in the city. Once I even had some friends pin a note for me..so yeah..it was home to me. It still is.
No matter how hard I try to go to recent joints...explore the city, I always come back here. Even if I hate the beer...or that bearded guy at the other corner who has the most lousy collection...(and he can be a bit over bearing sometimes) or that they charge me for 36 beers though I swear I couldn’t have had more than 10 and my friend another 10...with all the TGIF’s..180 proof’s, Spinn’s, BC’s...and the Opium’s...Pecos still rocks the casbah! and for some of us..it’s home.
Pecos is a cult. It’s almost scary that a small dingy bar can be so influential in a person’s life..but it’s the truth. Ask any of the regulars....give them free beer for the next 10 years at anyother place....you can’t get rid of them.
Someone wrote in a review about Bangalore being too hyped. The only thing that holds any water in their argument was about the public transport. But hey..who cares about that. Get a life..there’s more to a city than just it’s public transport.
Come here..I’ll show why B’lore ticks.
P.S: It’s not PECO’S. It’s PECOS