Congrats Carnegie’s, better luck next time Browns
As reported in early 2006, Browns opened as a near knockoff of Taipei bar Carnegie’s - the layout, color scheme, decorations and drinks menu were similar. Then-managing partner Philip Cheung said he wanted to open a Carnegie’s branch- othere are found in Hong Kong, Perth and Kuala Lumpur - but the franchise fee was too high.
Carnegie’s celebrates its sixth anniversary tonight and is arguably Taipei’s best bar since 2007, with a good wine and drinks selection, efficient service, a fun vibe for partying with friends, and a massive and tasty breakfast.
In other words, everything Browns might be offering us now. Instead, the place remains closed after Philip - and apparently all of the Browns’ furniture, kitchen equipment et al - disappeared.
Rumors has it the place will reopen, the remaining partners seeing a potential Olympics payoff. If so, let’s hope that they reignite the Carnegie’s spirit that Browns had during its first six months and avoid the costly marketing, quality and human resource moves that ultimately led to this place’s demise.
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Browns: Love it…
Browns: … or hate it
Browns: Merry-go-Browns I
Browns: Merry-go-Browns II
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I wonder where the Australian Olympics hangers-on will go for their beer. Rumour has it that a small army of bureaucrats travelled up from Canberra (the Washington DC (or Ottawa) of Australia if you were wondering) with the sole purpose of scouting Beijing’s bars. The aim was to pick the “official” watering hole for the Australian corporate and political team - the athletes of course don’t touch alcohol… much.
And this bureaucratic bevy bespied Browns. (It’s really espied, but I couldn’t resist the alliteration).
So does this mean yet another contingent must make the journey up here, at tax payer expense? Or does whoever resurrects the space that Browns used to occupy find themselves with hundreds of Aussies to feed and water? Even if it ends up being a library, a church or a funeral home, it won’t stop the bureaucrats from directing folk to the address. Nor will it stop those turning up from demanding a beer or twenty.
I mean, Browns was closed about 2 months ago, just 12 months ahead of the big event, so no self-respecting bureaucrat could possibly be expected to be that far up to date.
8 Songs,
If only they had contacted me, this tragedy might have been avoided. Then again, I’ve only had this blog for a mere year, whereas the advance Aussie pub crawl team no doubt began its research a great deal earlier - one can never be too careful when it comes to an Aussie and his and/or her beer.
The only course now seems to be for the Australians to put me on retainer - payable in decent Barossa Valley wines - to ensure they have the most up-to-date bar information and guarantee those political / corporate types a time they won’t remember.
Cheers, Boyce
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