Considering the time it would take and how easy it would be to do the other options, John figured he could knock out the most time wasting of them first. It wasn't like he was in a hurry after all. With a smile on his face, he made up his mind: let's find some places to get wasted!
Well, maybe wasted was a bit too strong of a term. Carrie was pretty light drinker, so at best, he'd be only looking to get a little tipsy. And if they were close enough, he might drop by just to take in the atmosphere. Last thing he'd wanna do is suggest they go somewhere, only to find out a little too late it was total slum... or worse, a clown bar. Carrie hated clowns. He'd probably spend the rest of the their trip sleeping on the couch if that happened even as a joke.
Walking a few blocks down and scanning the buildings as he did so, John tired to guess what buildings where what before deciding to give up and simply as a few of the locals for advice on the matter. Taking a risk, he stepped up to a sharply dressed, tuxedo wearing snake man who casually sat at a bus stop, a briefcase resting in his lap.
"Hey, excuse me," John called over to him with a smile, "I hate to be a bother but-"
"No need for that," the snake flippantly dismissed his words, "You're a tourisssst looking for ssssssites, yessssss? Don't feel the need to apologize for being a bit lossssst. It'sssss more common than you think."
"Uh, yeah... I guess so!" John shifted uncomfortably where he stood, unable to get a read on the reptile before him. The snake man wasn't rude, pre-say, but a bit more direct that he was expecting, "I was actually looking for a few places I could get a drink or two."
"Might I sssssssuggest a vending machine?" the snake chuckled to himself before looking up at John once more to see his baffled expression, "No no, I'm aware you're looking a bar. There'ssssssss quite a pick within thissssss city. Now let me sssssee..." The snake man began going over quite a list for John as he was left floored by his own luck: this gentlemen serpent really seemed to know his stuff! From what he gathered, the four best bars downtown were Hell's Pound, the River Runner, the Long Face Bar and Grill, and Angie's Palace.
Hell's Pound was actually quite close to the hotel, making it a great choice to check out after their conversation. It sounded fairly popular among the younger crowd for some reason and according to the snake man and had some of the best private services in town... whatever that meant. But the could be selective about there clientele at times. Those stopped at the door are never seen again, or so they say. Sounds pretty intense, but John was looking for adventure on this trip.
The River Runner was near the waterfront, giving it a beautiful view from what John was told. He was also made aware that the owner was also the bartender there, giving it a very homely feel to it. Live music on the weekends, friendly atmosphere, and reasonable prices. The only thing that was a little worrisome was the way the reptile mentioned how it was technically a "wet bar." Would that mean he's had to change into his swim gear if he went there?
The Long Face Bar and Grill was considered to be the 'thematic' of the four, as the friendly snake man explained how they only hired pretty young mares to every position there, even the bouncers. The all had a certain way of speaking that he couldn't quite convey, but he assured John it could get uncomfortable for certain people. Well, Carrie does like horses... so maybe it would be worth checking out at some point?
Then there was Angie's Palace, the place the serpent suggested had the best quality items... and also the most absurd prices. They seemed to work on a payment scheme where people who can't pay work off their debt by doing whatever the mysterious owner commands of them. Apparently, nobody knows who she is, just that her name is, well, Angie. It was also the easiest to spot as he said it looks like a palace made of gold.
"Oh, I can make one final ssssuggestion," the serpent added after all was said and done, "I happened to be a bartender myself for a small upcoming place called the Pit of Viperssssssss. You actually caught me on the way there asssss it happenssssss. I'm a bit biassssed, but I believe we have the bessssst of all worldssssss there."
Ah, so that's how he knew so much. Made prefect sense in hindsight. It pays to know the competition, they say. John gave him thanks, shaking his chilly, scaly hand as he considered his options now. He probably has time to check one of them before he has to head back here to pick up the medication for Carrie as he imaged the drug store would close around 8. So, he had to make a call now...