Friday and Saturday nights, people from East Memphis and Cordova and North Mississippi and elsewhere come Downtown to party. Wild, crazy times. Sundays, though, are for the locals. We call it “Sunday Fun Day” and this Sunday finds us with more options than ever.
One new option is Thai Bistro, on Madison between Second and Third. According to their specials page, they have $1 mimosas all day today. A friend asked if mimosas really go with Thai food. “Dollar mimosas go with everything,” I replied. It’s kind of a universal drink, in the way chocolate is a universal food.
Across the street, the Brass Door is open for its first Sunday Fun Day. If my experience there yesterday was any indication, this is going to become a beloved place for Downtowners, very quickly. Authentic Irish food, full bar, and $2.50 PBR.
Then, of course, there are the classics. Every Sunday I start with brunch at the Majestic Grille, which opens at 11 AM. Smoked salmon hash, filet mignon benedict, breakfast flatbread, John D’s breakfast and much, much more. Then there’s the Flying Saucer, with 70 beers on tap, 120 in bottles, pool table, darts, the race on TV, waitresses in skirts. Since the Saucer went non-smoking, some of my friends have been going to Bardog instead, which has an amazing brunch on Sunday (try the lobster sandwich). Although I prefer a non-smoking environment, I have to admit, on Sunday mornings my smoking friends choose wisely.
Those are just the highlights: Many more places are open for brunch on Sunday. The mimosas and bloody Marys flow freely, so come get you some.
(Quick shout-out to my group: I still have 12 stamps left on my Texas de Brazil VIP card. We need to organize something soon.)
Relxaing evening last night. I started on the indoor couches at the Saucer with friends about 6 PM. (They had the windows open when it was 99/heat index 105. Sometimes I don’t get the way management thinks, but we were inside in the A/C.) About 8:30 I headed south to Max’s, where the poker bug bit me. Played for three hours with Gary, Boo and Edison. Boo in particular is sneaky. I’d seen her show down too many bluffs, so when I played a hand against her and hit two pair, I decided it was time to take her entire stack. On the river, I went all-in. She showed down three little Deuces, two of which were well concealed in the hole, to double up. Dammit!
As I played, I checked Twitter and saw one of the best quotes ever. “Karaoke is worse than O’Doul’s,” wrote @RHancock19. I couldn’t hit the Retweet button fast enough – so true. He’s a good account to follow if you’re into sports. He’s very opinionated, but I like the stuff he writes, even if he’s not a fan of the greatest college team in the nation, the Arkansas Razorbacks.
About midnight I headed back north, with the plan being to hit the Saucer for round two, then Bardog after the Saucer closed. Bardog never happened, because at the normal closing time of 2 AM, two-thirds of the tables in the Saucer’s main room were still occupied! It was clear it would be a late closing night, and I got another beer ordered at 2:15 before the lights finally came on.
I heard that one of the best bartenders ever to work in Downtown Memphis applied for a job at the Saucer last week. Normally I stay out of their business, but I guess I’m going to have to go to management and put in a good word for her. If they don’t hire her, they’re nuts. Then again, as I said they open the windows when it’s 99 outside, so who knows what they’re thinking.
Tourist tips: If you’re visiting from out of town and want to hear music, the first round of the Elvis Tribute Artist contest is at the Hard Rock tonight at 8. I also recommend the Memphis Blues Society Jam at Mr. Handy’s Blues Hall from 4 to 8, and FreeWorld at Blues City Cafe at 10:30.
Time to jump in the shower and then get Sunday Fun Day started. Liver, I hope you’re ready.