Can I bring my own beer and alchy to Mamita's?

[calgaryguy]

I was in mamita's a few months ago and there actually had been a strong discussion about this between a group that had paid for their chairs (with tokens from their condo) but brought their own beer. I can say the waiters didn't like it, but backed off when a bit of an argument ensued. The group then returned every day, with beer, and it was not mentioned again, although they tried to open it inconspicuously.

For my money, I just buy a beer, water, some guacamole, and pay the 20 pesos for my chair and it's a six or seven dollar day, with less hassle.....

[ChicagoGuy]

Originally Posted by ryberg

And there you go yet again!


Steve

you funny steve

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by calgaryguy

I was in mamita's a few months ago and there actually had been a strong discussion about this between a group that had paid for their chairs (with tokens from their condo) but brought their own beer. I can say the waiters didn't like it, but backed off when a bit of an argument ensued. The group then returned every day, with beer, and it was not mentioned again, although they tried to open it inconspicuously.

For my money, I just buy a beer, water, some guacamole, and pay the 20 pesos for my chair and it's a six or seven dollar day, with less hassle.....

$7? Well, 25 pesos for a lounger, times 2 so hubby and I have our own, we won't even count the kids as we never get chairs for them, they share with us, then a couple of beers, some guac and chips, water, cokes for kids...that's a lot more than $7 for us.

For me I guess it's just the principle of it all...same sand, same water...better food and better margs down south at the Playa Maya and the seats are free. I'm spending my money there all day, figure I'm at least entitled to a comp. chair or two. that's of course unless we are at our other fave spot north where we just bring our towels and own cooler.

[denisea]

Originally Posted by SCR

At El Pirata you can bring a pizza and a coffin size cooler full of beer if you like. These guys are great! Ask for Armado, Pedro or Ruben.

Shawn

Everyone at El Pirata is great. It's amazing what the guys will do for you as long as you tip them and treat them well. Usabio is our man at El Pirata. I'm greated with a kiss on both cheeks upon both arrival and departure. He reserves lounge chairs for our group without us even asking. He's sent someone to buy cigarettes for me when I've run out... again without me making the request. He's a great guy... as are the others who work there.

[denisea]

Originally Posted by Ginger

For me I guess it's just the principle of it all...same sand, same water...better food and better margs down south at the Playa Maya and the seats are free. I'm spending my money there all day, figure I'm at least entitled to a comp. chair or two. that's of course unless we are at our other fave spot north where we just bring our towels and own cooler.

I hear ya, Ginger. We've stopped going to El Tukan and Mamitas because it's just too impersonal and crowded for our tastes... not too mention it has gotten expensive. Still a beautiful stretch of beach though.

[Seakony]

We even ordered a bucket of soft drinks and they kept the ice coming at El Pirata.
The waiters are really a bunch of nice guys.
Now if Steve will let me use his chairs and umbrella all day, I will gladly eat and drink at his place next time.

[Beachnutt719]

Okay, clueless again. Where is El Pirata?

[denisea]

Originally Posted by Beachnutt719

Okay, clueless again. Where is El Pirata?

El Pirata is located on the beach at Costa del Mar Hotel (between Calle 10 y 12).

[Ginger]

Originally Posted by denisea

He's sent someone to buy cigarettes for me when I've run out...

This request won't ever be needed again though, right?

(are you still on the wagon?)

[denisea]

Originally Posted by Ginger

This request won't ever be needed again though, right?

(are you still on the wagon?)

:p Made it 60+ days... then went to Playa in March... 1st thing I did when I arrived was order a Margarita and bum a smoke. Back smoking again... though much less than before... about a half to a third less than the pack or more a day I smoked for the last 30 years. I'll get there eventually. Good news, Keith has been smoke free for over a year now... though he does still smoke a cigar but not more than one a day. So that helps me with my smoking.

[SarahB]

Denisea...60 days?! Wow! I hope you can get there again!

Isn't El Pirata where DJNancy and BK had bad experiences? I didn't really like it at night, but maybe the day is different or maybe things have changed. I'll have to give it a second try I guess!

[ryberg]

Originally Posted by calgaryguy

I was in mamita's a few months ago and there actually had been a strong discussion about this between a group that had paid for their chairs (with tokens from their condo) but brought their own beer. I can say the waiters didn't like it, but backed off when a bit of an argument ensued. The group then returned every day, with beer, and it was not mentioned again, although they tried to open it inconspicuously...

Unless perhaps something in the explanations or promotional literature from their hotel is insufficient or inaccurate, that's just really poor form. I can only imagine that it's based on a lack of understanding of the way the beach is run here and the concession system and all that. That business didn't just land there, they paid money and continue to pay money every year for the right to operate there, in addition to all their other overhead charges. Again the beach is public, which is great, but those beach chairs and umbrellas aren't public and that staff is working for a living and you just don't cart in all your own stuff and take up space there and argue with them and not pay them anything. Try that in a restuarant and see how it works!

Steve

[Mapchick]

That's right, even though you're paying their small fee to rent a chair, you're taking up a chair that a restaurant/bar customer would be in and that waiter would be making a tip from, so I can see why the waiters didn't like it.

[MWC]

We are as cheap as they come, but I wouldn't pull that on an establishment, or a waiter. We always look at it as ... every peso we spend to keep a beach club in business, that's one stretch of beach that won't get snapped up and developed (wishful thinking, perhaps). And every beach club waiter we've had so far has been friendly (some more than others) and a wonderful conversationalist, and we've even gotten quite a few free Spanish lessons thrown in for good measure. When our money goes into the pockets of someone like that, we are happy.

That being said ... I might consider bringing my own ice in a cooler, plus some thermal thing to keep the beer/drinks I do buy cold. At even the best beach bars, the only way to keep your drink cold is to drink 'em real fast and keep replacing 'em.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

[calgaryguy]

Originally Posted by ryberg

Unless perhaps something in the explanations or promotional literature from their hotel is insufficient or inaccurate, that's just really poor form. I can only imagine that it's based on a lack of understanding of the way the beach is run here and the concession system and all that. That business didn't just land there, they paid money and continue to pay money every year for the right to operate there, in addition to all their other overhead charges. Again the beach is public, which is great, but those beach chairs and umbrellas aren't public and that staff is working for a living and you just don't cart in all your own stuff and take up space there and argue with them and not pay them anything. Try that in a restuarant and see how it works!

Steve

I absolutely agree with you. I observed the incident and passed it on, was not a participant. I am happy to be a customer!! Given your tone, I must be somewhat poor at expressing myself, I agree with you 100%.