I’ll start.
For Guinan: I loved that her character was that classic trope of the “bartender / therapist” who was always around, but never got too involved in the main plot. She would give casual advice, but wasn’t officially an “advisor”, so it served the show well for the main characters to share what they were thinking.
For Quark: He was unquestionably the better developed character, with his own wants and desires that frequently intertwined with the main plot. He also served as a sort of foil to the values of the federation, which let the viewers see how greed was incompatible with the best interests of the people.
I love both. Which was your favorite? Which approach did you like better for the “bartender” character?
I enjoy the more humourous tone that Quark gives the show; so my vote goes for Quark!
However, if I were to live on a Starship or a Deep Space station, I would probably visit Guinans bar more often than Quarks…
Scenes in Ten Forward always feel so cozy, and nobody would be trying to rip you off. Lol
That’s where I’d personally want to hang out too.
That’s because you don’t see Ten Forward during red alert
But Ten Forward is on a Starfleet vessel, and therefor far more exclusionary. Anyone can take a shuttle to Quark’s.
Now that I think of it, I do really like that aspect of Quark’s bar as a story tool. Since they were located on a station, anyone who’s just passing through could be sitting at the bar.
I think the vibe was better in Guinans bar. Who wants carpeting in their drinking hole?!
The ship will clean itself!
Quark has the most deviant Holodeck programs…
I think Lt. Barcley and his “300 Trois” program may disagree with you.