Liquor up front. Poker in the rear.

[Garson O'Toole]

Barry recently examined the following saying and presented two initial
matches with Google Books (GB) dates of 1984.

Liquor in front, poker in rear (bar sign)

http://www.barrypopik.com/index.php/new_york_city/entry/liquor_in_front_poker_in_rear_bar_sign/

The two links into GB for the 1984 cites now say "did not match any
documents." But I am sure the links worked when Barry created the
entry on April 1. Sometimes GB matches within books disappear because
of problems with the GB database. (I recommend that researchers take
screenshots to store information about page numbers and snippets for
personal records.)

Here is match with a date of GB of 1980. Based on the volume numbers
the match is probably in 1980 or 1981, but I have not verified it on
paper. The wording is slightly different: "Liquor up front. Poker in
the rear." The cite also gives a precise location for the sign:
Stockman's Casino - Missoula, Montana.

Title: California sociologist.
Author: California State University, Los Angeles.
Publisher: Los Angeles, California State University.
Volumes: 3-4
Year: Circa 1980-1981
(Unverified Google match; Data may be incorrect; Dates for volumes are
ok. Quote is visible in snippets. Date probes ok.)

http://books.google.com/books?id=1Zi0AAAAIAAJ&q=%22Poker+in%22#search_anchor

[Begin excerpt]
As with all status games, one also sees reverse snobbery where common
activities and obscure places are boasted of: "beer drinkers get more
head," "Four wheelers eat more bush," "Stockman's Casino - Missoula,
Montana - Liquor up front. Poker in the rear.
{End excerpt]

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