Speaking of experiences in bars...
Same here. I would order cocktails (took the 'L' and later Uber/Lyft home), but kind of had the same experience. In my case, even when people were talking to each other, a hearing problem in which my ears can't differentiate between someone who is talking to me and the din in the background made for a less-than-fun experience. Happens in crowded restaurants, too.
That's NOT why I think opening a bar at this juncture is a bad idea. I just think people don't go out to bars as much as they once did.