THIRTY ONE - RYDER

Ryder The last place I wanted to be was at the opening of a restaurant I'd never dine at, surrounded by people I'd never choose to associate with. It was the epitome of a nightmare scenario. However, Andrew was obligated to attend because he was babysitting a high-profile client who was on thin ice, and he somehow roped me into joining him to fulfill his duty. Inside, the lighting was dim, with a string of pink LEDs tracing the bar and contours of the room. As people walked, the floor tiles beneath their heels and Italian loafers illuminated in bright yellow and lime green, respectively. Personally, I found the taste of caviar distasteful, and the whole scene felt tacky. I didn't care where we went as long as the beer was decent and the crowd tolerable. Yet, judging by the beer selection and the demeanor of the bartenders, this place fell short on both fronts. I ordered from Bam Bam, a bartender who moonlighted as a reality TV character, ensuring I got the best available. As a twisted