To wonder where optics have gone.

[Lincslady53]

Been to a number of bars in recent weeks, both in my local rural/small town area and in large cities. None of them had the row of upside down spirit bottles with the optic measure, delivering a measured dose of spirit. They all used jiggers, the little metal cups to measure out their spirits. Where have the optics gone? Is it a hygiene measure since covid? Is it quicker to serve? Or is it a marketing thing done to make us think the drinks are more 'hand crafted' so the bar can charge a premium price for the drink (£12.00 for a single g and t in a bar in Manchester fir example).

The bar in Manchester, poured the gin using a jigger, then put a shit load of ice in the glass and topped up from a bottle of tonic. Didn't get a full bottle of tonic, just a splash, but seemed a lot more due to all the ice. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the drink, and the ambience, and I know the cost of setting up and running a high end bar in a city centre must be eye watering. But it just got me wondering. When I worked in a pub, many years ago, the optics had to be official goverment approved to give the right measure, and were checked by trading standards. I just think that the jigger method must be less accurate and easier to short measure.