Travelling to Athens...
by LSU Jonno on Mar 12, 2009 4:11 PM EDT
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The Holiday Inn downtown . . .
. . . is within easy walking distance of the bars and the stadium. I also have two stories related to it:
1. In 1996, Georgia was 0-2 in Jim Donnan’s first season and the ‘Dawgs were staring down the barrel of an 0-3 start while playing Texas Tech on a rainy night in Sanford Stadium. I’m ashamed to say (but I cannot forget, because my father stayed, and he reminds me regularly) that I left early. I wound up watching the rest of the game in the bar at the Holiday Inn, where I spotted Erk Russell in the back of the room. When Georgia scored to go ahead 15-12, I went over to Coach Russell as the Red Raiders got the ball back for their final drive. “Coach,” I said, “I sure wish you were wearing a headset right about now.” He laughed and thanked me. It was the only time I ever met the man.
2. The Athens Holiday Inn was where my out-of-town relatives stayed during the weekend of my wedding. Because we had a block of rooms there, the hotel management put a message on the marquee reading, “Welcome Farmer King Wedding!” My wife’s maiden name is Farmer, but one of my cousins’ wives momentarily forgot that, and, when she read the sign, she said, “I thought Kyle was going to be a lawyer?”
Good times, good times. Let me know your plans and we’ll arrange to meet up in the Classic City.
Go 'Dawgs!
I recently stayed in the new Hilton Garden Inn downtown...
…and I recommend it without reservation.
But you will need a reservation if you plan on staying there.
It’s on the edge of downtown, so it’s really close to the action; most of the rooms face away from downtown, though, so you should be able to get some rest.
Bienvenue au petit vieux carré
If you can manage to get into either of the two hotels described above (downtown Holiday Inn, Hilton Garden Inn), I strongly suggest you book immediately. For some general information about restaurants and bars, I recommend Flagpole Magazine’s Guide to Athens.
Stay downtown or as close to downtown as you can get. If you drink (I have first cousins who went to LSU, so I feel a little silly writing those words), just wander around downtown and pop into whatever looks interesting. Individual preferences will vary, but I’ll share mine (significantly skewed towards the places I used to go when I was a student from ‘84-’91): The Globe, Harry Bissett’s, The City Bar, The 283 Bar. Hmm. None of those places existed when I first matriculated at the University. Anyway, the last few years I’ve also enjoyed the Allgood Lounge — cool upstairs outdoor space overlooking downtown alleys and rooftops.
Take time to experience campus. If you stay downtown, you’ll see the splendor of the oldest state-chartered university in the country. But I strongly recommend wandering across Broad Street past the Arch after dark. The three oldest quadrangles on campus are amazingly beautiful at night. To walk from the Arch to the stadium is to experience a combination of arboretum, botanical garden, and museum of 19th and 20th century architecture (Neo-Classical, Renaissance Revival, mid-century modern, etc.). Unfortunately, too many tailgaters don’t clean up after themselves, so gameday detritus can be a definite distraction. I hope you get to see campus without it. The University’s official website offers a “virtual tour” of campus. Those photographs can’t do justice to to the real thing, of course, but they give an idea.
Without exception, every visitor I’ve shown around Athens and the University has fallen in love with the place, so I have reason to believe it’s not just my personal attachments that make it seem special. I’m intensely jealous of anyone who gets to go to Athens for the first time.
My favorites...
… are The Globe and a new pub named Trappeze. The Globe has been around forever (read: since before either Kyle or I were in school at UGA), but Trappeze is a fairly new addition to the fray. They specialize in snooty Belgian ales… which is nice if you’re a person who likes that sort of thing. Fortunately, I am, so I love it.
If you’re more like the stereotypical purple-boa-wearin’ cajun from Louisiana, though, you might not like either place. Too calm… not enough (which is to say, no) Budweiser, Coors Light, or other cheap, non-snooty drinks. If that’s the case, any one of Athens 1,623 other downtown bars and pubs (give or take a few) will probably be more to your liking.
by vineyarddawg on Mar 13, 2009 1:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Speak for yourself, vineyarddawg!
When I arrived in Athens in the fall of 1988, The Globe was not yet The Globe; it was the Athens Yacht Club, and it was an entirely different kind of place.
How different? Well, the College Republicans hosted their election night victory party there upon the election of George H.W. Bush. I’m pretty sure no one ever held a victory party for George W. Bush at The Globe. . . .
Go 'Dawgs!
Wow...
I stand corrected. I did not realize that your tenure in Athens went all the way back to the Reagan administration. I think that probably qualifies as “forever” in the language of downtown Athens business establishments, though. The only time frame that’s longer than that is “Mayflower.”
by vineyarddawg on Mar 13, 2009 5:05 PM EDT up reply actions
No big deal
The last time I was at The Globe, a couple of years ago, I was carded. My friends got a big kick out of it, but I took it as a compliment . . . which is how I take your assumption that I’m younger than I am, as a compliment.
By the way, when I was at The Globe that time, I had to stand outside in the freezing cold on a street corner to smoke the cigar I had with me, because some asinine ordinance bans smoking in private business establishments, including bars, where smoking ought to be expected. Ridiculous.
Go 'Dawgs!
The Globe
The Globe opened no earlier than my senior year. I know it was still the Athens Yacht Club (John Berry’s place) through the summer of 1987, because I have a specific recollection of being there that summer. Hm. Specific recollections of anything that summer are rare.
Before it was the Athens Yacht Club, it was a place called Abbott’s. I went there only once or twice. What impression remains is that it was a kind of one-off brass-and-fern joint: a bar with $6 hamburgers (which was a lot back then).
When I arrived for school in Athens, the downtown bar scene consisted of Abbott’s, Banker’s (which became Harry Bissett’s), Gus Garcia’s (which was still more of a restaurant than bar for another couple of years), the Uptown Lounge, the 40 Watt, the Ga. Bar, Odyssey, and … that is all (unless someone can refresh my recollection). We actually had to go to other parts of town to get our drink on: T.K. Hardy’s (north of downtown by the tracks), Harry’s and Papa Joe’s (Baxter St.), O’Malley’s (except I thought I was too cool to go to what was actually the coolest bar space – hands down – in Athens).
O'Malley's
That place was hilarious. Where else could you work out and then grab a draft beer to enjoy by the pool. It sure beat attending Con Law class on a warm spring day!
I met my wife at Uptown Lounge, so that will always be my favorite Athens bar…
Ah, Papa Joe's . . .
It must have been six different bars in a six-year span, starting with the final year it was P.J.’s.
As for O’Malley’s, you have to love the ads with the “before” and “after” ostrich pictures, showing how he had bulked up at the gym. Plus which, there’s something to be said for any bar that close to River Mill. I’m pretty sure there’s an Athens-Clarke County ordinance requiring any student who remains in the Classic City for seven years or more to live at River Mill at least once.
I was a fan of the City Bar, although the Uptown Lounge and the Georgia Bar had their moments. I can’t remember which of them briefly offered margaritas the size of a human head, but I had a couple or three of them the night Rob Lurie played the Atomic Music Hall. For fear that I would be late to the show, I scarfed them down and got immediate brain-freeze, so the alcohol didn’t actually hit me until I got to the concert and the show was underway. There’s something to be said for arriving at a concert sober and becoming drunk while there without actually drinking during the show.
Also, Murphy’s was a great bar while it was still a dive. After they changed owners and the new management tried to class the place up, it sucked.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Mar 13, 2009 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions
The Georgia Bar
The Georgia Bar is down the hill on Clayton, sort of behind the Globe. The No Where Bar is, I believe, in the space where the Odyssey was, across the street from the Georgia Theater.
Nowhere Bar
Had some back entrance through an alley from another bar, right? Or am I thinking of another place?
You're thinking of...
….the Roadhouse. It had a back alley entrance between Georgia Bar and the Clayton Street side of the Globe. I spent many nights at the Roadhouse, and one of my best friends was the back door I.D.-checker as well.
That back door also made the Roadhouse the best bar for ventilation during the pre-smoking ban ordinance days (I also was very upset at that ordinance, Kyle, both as a smoker and a it’s-not-the-government’s-business advocate). The back door had a fan that would pull air through the front door, which always stayed open, and provided great ventilation despite the immense number of cigarette smokers.
I also enjoyed the Globe during my heyday in Athens (2001-2004). 283 Bar was great. Also, we frequented the bar currently occupied by Max Canada (I can’t remember the name, but I know that we still call it the old name when I go there instead of Max Canada). Also, Lunch Paper was a cool bar, previously located on College Ave before moving next to (or half of what is now) Max Canada. Lunch Paper is now extinct, gone the way of many Athens bars, both cool and crappy. Transmetropolitan is a cool place. Bar upstairs, restaurant downstairs. Both drink and food are good.
I’ve enjoyed the Mercury Lounge recently. It wasn’t there while I was in school, but got to know it in my visits since.
The beers at Copper Creek are always good. It would have been a crying shame if Athens didn’t have it’s own brewpub. Good thing we’re not crying in shame.
by marktheshark on Mar 16, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for the suggestions so far guys!
We’ll reserve a hotel room soon. When we figure out our plans we’ll probably post on here at a shameless attempt for a tailgate invite!
And why again . . .
didn’t you guys just tell him to eat at the Taco Stand or get something from the gyro guy? Just kidding. I’d add to NCT’s remarks that the campus and downtown Athens in general are more walkable than most college campuses you’ll visit, and you’ll find something interesting around every corner.
Also, FYI, Georgia liquor stores and grocery stores can’t sell alcohol on Sunday, though restaurants can still serve. Just in case you need something to drown your sorrows after we pummel the Bayou Bengals. Or to celebrate in the event that, well, I can’t even type the words. . .
And I would definitely recommend reserving a hotel ASAP. Good move on your part.
Taco Stand
Make fun all you want, but now that you mention it, I strongly recommend the T Stand. Again, it’s possible that my fondness – nay, passion – for the place may have more to do with sentiment than actual culinary experience, but there’s really no way to tell one way or the other.
Chilidog, rings and a F.O.
at the Varsity. Not as good as the original location, but good enough for a tourist!
Tiger fans?
Travel down North Ave, past DT, past the Hilton, past Whistlebury… you’ll reach a bridge. Under that bridge, off the side of the road, you’ll find a tent city. You’ll feel right at heauxme
by knowshon loves legos on Mar 13, 2009 12:12 PM EDT reply actions
but seriously
I do have a food reco. Go to Blind Pig, get the Flayming Cyrus… it’ll change your life. It’s the only reason I regret moving to NY, at least in ATL it was only an hour away… and yes, I would drive that round trip 2 hours just for the sandwich, sometimes on workdays.
by knowshon loves legos on Mar 13, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions
My favorite restaurants:
1. Last Resort- All around great food. It’s right downtown, too. Probably my favorite restaurant in Athens. Their fried green tomatoes are to die for.
2. Mirko- It’s on the eastside but they’re opening a location on Baxter Street which is right on campus near the freshmen dorms. It’s some of the best Italian food you’ll eat outside of Italy. They make their own pasta daily and everything is freshly made to order. Definitely get their ceasar salad if you go.
3. Jimmy John’s- Just looked it up and Louisiana doesn’t have this amazing chain. The Vito is my favorite sandwich. Period. There’s one downtown and they stay open pretty late on weekends during football season. Perfect meal to absorb alcohol. Another great drunk meal is pizza and subs from Little Italy which is also downtown and stays open really late. Or if you’re not in a sandwich or pizza mood, the Grill is another downtown option, too. If you go past midnight, you’ll wait an hour to be seated, but their feta dip is worth it my opinion. They have pretty killer burgers, too, and they’re open 24 hours.
As far as bars go, you really will just need to walk down the street and poke your head in a couple and decide from there. It won’t be too difficult ton find something you like. :)
Finally, this is really touristy, but if you’re downtown during the day you have to go to a place called Junkman’s Daughter’s Brother.
Bad News
I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but not too long ago, I was in the original Mirko Pasta (in Watkinsville), and was speaking to the general manager, and he said they were nixing the Baxter Street location for now. Basically, when they opened the east side location, he said their overall business stayed about the same, but half of it went to the eastside location at the expense of the original spot.
(Now, I’m not complaining about this little bit of serendipity… in fact, I quite enjoy the fact that I don’t have to stand in an Atlanta-sized line on the occasion that I want to dine at the best restaurant in Watkinsville on a Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night… or on virtually any night during the summer.)
Because of this trend that they’ve seen, Stefano said they weren’t going to open a Baxter Street location right now. Instead, I was told, they’re going to focus on expanding into metro Atlanta, where they can avoid cannibalizing their current client base.
by vineyarddawg on Mar 13, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions
On a related note...
… the fact that Mirko’s original location was in Watkinsville is how the “Butternut Squash and Amaretto Ravioli,” which was one of Mirko’s signature dishes at Figo in Atlanta, became the “Butternut Squash Ravioli.”
I will not soon forget the egregious atrocity that was purveyed upon the world when the “dry” city and county pressured a restaurant to remove alcohol from a cooked pasta product. Don’t get me wrong… their “Zucca” special is still exceptional, and is usually what I order. There was just a little extra “zing” in the dish, though, before they had to stop adding the Amaretto.
Just like Chambord, a little Amaretto makes most things better.
by vineyarddawg on Mar 13, 2009 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Seriously?
Do the government authorities not realize that, when you put alcohol in food and then cook it, it burns off the alcohol and leaves only the flavor?
Unless they pour amaretto over it after it comes out of the oven, the “zing” you get from eating it wouldn’t raise your blood alcohol level.
Is there an ordinance that forbids them from using vanilla extract, too?
Go 'Dawgs!
SSSHHHHHHHHH!!!
ixnay on the anillavay!
by vineyarddawg on Mar 14, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions
That makes sense..
I originally started going to the Watkinsville location, too, before the eastside location opened up. Now my boyfriend lives on the eastside so we only go to that location. Still, I would have thought that the eastside location would have generated business from the Athens crowd that didn’t know about the one in Watkinsville. I live in Atlanta now so that’s really exciting that they’re expanding there. They’ll definitely make bank.
Jimmy John's
Unfortunately the downtown location of jimmy john’s closed a few months ago. Now they are only on Baxter. They are eventually going to open up a bigger location on Baxter in the old China Boat building.
It’s a let down because I live downtown, and Jimmy John’s was the perfect quick lunch when I was running late for class
by Quiet Hour Backflips on Mar 19, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
Game-Day SUITES
One of the newest places downtown. They have like 3 bed/bathrooms kitchen and Den, balcony in every room, right downtown. It is pretty expensive but alot of fun with a large group of people. We had several weddings this summer and the whole party stayed in one suite on two separate occasions, even though we lived in Athens we still stayed there. Look into it…you will not be disapointed.
I am jealus, just moved out west so this season was pretty tough not being able to walk to the stadium for the game. GO DAWGs!!!
Steverino's
(BBA ‘93) Steverino’s was always my favorite place to eat. Not sure if it’s still open. It’s w/in walking distance of the athletic museum but as far away from Downtown as possible to still be considered a campus hangout.
Unfortunately,
Steverino’s closed its doors last year. I had friends that worked there and they were heartbroken.
Check out....
…..the GA Bar (you willbe amazed to see the collection of townies, preps, rednecks, geeks, stoners and just plain normal people gathered inside; you might just see a famous musician or two late at night…hint, hint) right around the corner from Globe. You must eat at Last Resort. Also, you must pay a visit to The Varsity for the F.O. (Frosted Orange) and a fried pie. You won’t understand the lingo the servers use, just go with it. Also hit City Bar & a new place called Trappeze.
The Taco Stand is legendary in town, but it is more of an institution…it is off Prince Avenue near Normaltown. You could also try Weaver D’s “Automatic For The People” if you are in the mood for collard greens, cornbread, & fried soul food.
Bottom Line: Walk around downtown and check out whatever looks good…….Athens is probably the coolest college town on the face of the earth. Food, drink, music all abound on every street. Enjoy!
PS……Most are not used to seeing LSU fans….you will be safe as long as you don’t wear any shade of Orange (Florida, Clemson, Auburn, Tennessee).
the Ga Bar
For what it’s worth, I saw Billy Bennett there once. In a pink polo. He needed a haircut. And the crowd was much more skewed to the townie end when I was there. When I was “the fratboy” in a given place, it had to be pretty fringe.
Does “townie” in Athens still mean something other than people from the town? It was specifically used for kids (often if not usually students) who hung out downtown (before everybody hung out downtown) – bohemian, artsy, pre-Goth, pre-grunge.
This post and these comments make me miss Athens (and the Athens of my youth) something fierce.
You and me both, NCT . . .
. . . you and me both.
I miss college, and youth is wasted on the young.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Mar 16, 2009 10:23 PM EDT up reply actions
GA Bar
I have a job taking pictures dowtown, and anytime I am in GA Bar it is the occasional frat boy, but mostly career alcoholics and homeless people. I’m not sure why, but they always let in homeless people that are trying to get free drinks
by Quiet Hour Backflips on Mar 19, 2009 10:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Trapeeze is on Washington St., down past the Morton Theatre. I believe it’s in the original location of Jittery Joe’s… either that, or it’s next door to it.
by vineyarddawg on Mar 16, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Actually,
Trapeeze is what used to be a 24 hour coffee shop called “Hot Corner.” I used to go there to study a lot. They have a reeeeally great beer selection.
+1 to the reeeaally great selection
There’s a lot of high gravity and foreign brews there, and at a decent price, too.
by The ArchDawg on Mar 16, 2009 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, kinda
Though Trappeze’s selection is more extensive with more on tap. They have descriptions with %alcohol readings which is really helpful for ‘pacing’ oneself.
by The ArchDawg on Mar 17, 2009 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Trappeze
Trappeze, IMO, has a far better selection that the Globe. They have it all. And since they have such a good reputation, brewers from around the country are occasionally in their to tap a cask of something special they came up with. I know they do a Terrapin cask fairly regularly, and Dogfish Head brewers have been there as well.
by Quiet Hour Backflips on Mar 19, 2009 10:20 AM EDT up reply actions
Trappeze....
….is a word play from Trappist …..as in Trappist Monks – they had monastaries that brewed beer in Europe!
Correction
They have monastaries that brew beer in Europe.
Truly a highly evolved continent…
by vineyarddawg on Mar 18, 2009 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions
45 comments and growing.
Good intel guys. We’ll check out some of these places for sure, and report back. We’ve only got 6 months to decide!
Actually, Georgia fans ring it if Georgia wins
I would respectfully suggest that it would be a very bad idea for an opposing fan to approach the Chapel bell after his team had won between the hedges.
Of course, given the margins by which Georgia has beaten L.S.U. in the last three series meetings, I’m not overly worried about that possibility.
Go 'Dawgs!
by T Kyle King on Mar 18, 2009 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm late to this sub-thread...
… but I would respectfully suggest that if an opposing fan were to ring the chapel bell after a Georgia loss, a Georgia fan would respectfully punch them in the face.
Hard.
(Respectfully.)
by vineyarddawg on Mar 19, 2009 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions
I think even Ort.........
….would punch you in the face if you rang the Chapel bell as an opponent.
I think they are challenging you Jonno!
If anyone took that dare – it would surely be someone from LSU….
We used to ring the victory bell on Thursday nights….celebrating our victory over those pitchers of beer at Munchies on Broad Street. Victory is fleeting though, as torts class always came awfully soon thereafter!
Rivalries are fun and all, but
There is always a place for respect. I think the Chapel (including its bell) is such a place.
Agreed
It ain’t the hedges, but it’s a big deal.
I say that as someone who was married in the Chapel. The bell was rung after the ceremony.
Go 'Dawgs!
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