Lost & Found: a dive bar story

Lost & Found, 11700 National Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
Toni, the bartender, was friendly and knowledgeable about alcoholic beverages; however, her service spoke louder than her words. That night, I was looking for an interesting bar and I found a great dive bar. Lost & Found had inexpensive drinks, and the regular crowd makes the bar genuine and cozy for any newcomer. Toni asked me why I picked this bar and my answer was that the bar picked me! People are like seasons-they change over time. People who’ve only had one or two drinks are completely different after their fifth or sixth drink. She seemed to enjoy people’s changing behavior after a few drinks; she said it’s like having multiple personalities in one body. Some people kept talking about Israeli currency; Shekels. I wasn‘t nosy, but I overheard lots of bizarre conversations among the crowd. “Try and Love” by the Eagles was playing on the fabulous jukebox and was Toni’s favorite song. This dive bar was getting more interesting by the minute. Near the bar was a board for the regular’s birthdays. I asked Joseph, who sat near me, if his name was on it. He smiled sinisterly and said, 77 years ago he was born on January 1st and this year he celebrated his birthday at “Lost & Found” with family. He spoke about his “better half”; he proudly said she doesn’t know where he hangs out. Steve, his friend and another regular, just smiled about everything. Dominique, another person who sat near me, sipped her vodka cranberry and picked lots of good music: James Brown, Barry White, etc. Toni explained to me that dive bars have rules like: if a drinker puts his empty glass by the edge of the bar it means they want a refill. That night, I realized the meaning of the saying “knowledge is power”: I learned about seasons, behaviors, rules, fidelity and most importantly, good times. Unfortunately, I left early but I am looking forward to find myself here again.