Barstory Stories

In this quietly atmospheric short story, a narrator recounts an afternoon spent in a British pub, waiting for a cask ale to be ready. Between sips of coffee and stolen glances, the narrator observes a colorful cast of characters: a trench coat-wearing figure who seems to have stepped out of a Film Noir, a distinguished man reminiscent of Stephen King, and a bickering couple struggling to spell "babies." As the trio of strangers sit in silence, united only by their shared solitude and a quirky coincidence, the story captures the unspoken connections and fleeting moments that make up everyday life.

A traveler armed with a pocket-sized Spanish phrasebook ventures into the heart of an old European city, determined to bridge the language gap with locals. From mimicking Cervantes' statue to ordering drinks in a tapas bar, his journey is filled with cultural encounters and moments of quiet humor. But when an innocent phrase leads to an unexpected beverage and the traveler is reminded that language learning is as much about discovery as it is about missteps. This lighthearted tale captures the charm, awkwardness, and small triumphs of embracing a foreign culture.

A quiet, humorous reflection on the simple act of drinking alone on a Monday. The narrator texts a skeptical friend about meeting for a beer, only to be met with disbelief-beer on a Monday is apparently crossing a line. Determined to prove their presence at the bar, the narrator sends increasingly specific photos of their surroundings, but the friend remains unconvinced. Instead of pressing further, the narrator settles into the moment, savoring a pilsner at their own pace. A lighthearted exploration of small rebellions, mundane rituals, and the quiet satisfaction of doing something for no particular reason.

When an ordinary night out takes a chaotic turn, a hapless man finds himself mistaken for someone named Martin during a rooftop date with the captivating Ava. As he stumbles through awkward encounters, bizarre mishaps, and his own insecurities, he begins to lean into the role of "Martin" with surprising-and disastrous-results. A dark comedic tale of identity, romance, and self-sabotage, Martin's Big Night is a whirlwind of humor, missteps, and unexpected charm.

This is the second story of musician Paul Liberton and his wild alter ego, Chester the Rockstar. What begins with bourbon and a broken jukebox turns into chaos on a bar counter - peanuts flying, strangers dancing, and Chester shouting his truth louder than the fire alarm in Paul's kitchen. Because sometimes the best songs are written between bruises, bourbon, and bad decisions.