Here are three options for watching Barack Obama’s inauguration tomorrow. Should be something here that appeals to everyone. The President is inaugurated at 1 PM (noon CST) according to the Constitution. Of course, there will be coverage hours before.
—–
National Civil Rights Museum (Mulberry at Butler) will have coverage of the inauguration on two giant screens from 10 AM to 2 PM. Free to the public. There will be no tours of the museum during this time. Obama merchandise will be available in the museum’s gift shop on Main Street.
WHO WILL PREFER THE NCRM: Those who want to celebrate with a larger cross-section of Memphis (and the US) than just Downtowners, and who aren’t concerned with being able to eat and drink as they watch. This will be a huge party, as we celebrate the inauguration of the first African-American president, and a man who appears to have the potential to be one of the greatest presidents ever. This would be a great place to bring children. I’m assuming that tours of the NCRM will resume at 2 PM, and if you’ve never had the tour, it’ll be worth your while to stick around.
—–
Majestic Grille (Main just north of Peabody Place) will have the inauguration on their huge 18-foot movie screen that they normally use to show silent and classic films. The sound will be on, and the inauguration will also be on their two HDTVs at the bar. Doors open at 10, lunch available at 10:30. In addition to the regular menu, they’ll have Patrick’s famous gumbo. They have quite a few reservations already, so if you plan to attend you may want to call 522-8555 and reserve seating.
WHO WILL PREFER THE MAJESTIC: Those who want a good meal while they watch (lunch menu here), and those who want to have the option of enjoying a beer or cocktail while celebrating with fellow Downtowners, without feeling like they’re in a place that’s part of the bar scene. The Majestic is not a 21-and-up venue, so you can bring your kids, but have to go outside to smoke.
—–
Flying Saucer (Second at Peabody Place) will open at 10 AM, and will have the inauguration on all their TVs (7 of them, if they pull down the big screens). Sound will be on. I have advanced knowledge that Flying Dog Tire Bite will be the $2.75 Fire Sale for draft pints. Tire Bite is a pale lager that has considerably more flavor than the lagers most people know (e.g. Bud, Miller Lite).
WHO WILL PREFER THE SAUCER: People who want to celebrate Obama’s inauguration with beer among fellow Downtowners. The Saucer is the de facto locals’ bar for the inauguration, since Calhoun’s doesn’t open that early and Bardog has only one TV upstairs. Note that this is a 21-and-up venue, so you can’t bring children, but you can smoke inside.
Note that each Saucer appears to have the ability to make its own decision about opening early and showing the inauguration, so just because it’s on Downtown does not guarantee that it will be on in Cordova.
—–
If you know of other places showing the inauguration, shoot me an e-mail at paul@paulryburn.com.