Last night I went to the Brass Door for the opening night of their downstairs live music area. They call it “The Cavern,” a nod to the Cavern Club in Liverpool where the Beatles were the house band from 1961 to 1963. They had a special guest to christen the club: Pete Best. When the Beatles – John, Paul and George at the time – were booked for a tour of Hamburg in 1960, they held auditions and hired Best as a drummer. He remained with the band until they got their first major recording contract in 1962, when he was replaced by Ringo.
As for the Cavern (the one in the Brass Door, not the one in Liverpool), the space is about the same size as the upstairs, with its own set of bathrooms. The bar is about the same size too. I took pics of the space, but it was so ridiculously crowded that they didn’t turn out well. Sometime in the next few days I’ll ask Seamus if I can run down there when it’s empty and snap a few pics, so you can get a feel for the venue.
They were doing a slight upcharge for beers sold in the Cavern – $3 for PBR, $4 domestics, $5 imports. I like that, as opposed to charging a cover. You don’t have to keep up with wristbands, you don’t have to worry about people trying to sneak in, and you don’t get people copping an attitude that they’re too important to have to pay cover. The Cavern was cash only, so hit an ATM if you plan on ordering beer down there.
Earlier in the evening, I went to the Saucer and watched an Elvis impersonator perform. He started off slow, with minimal body language and gestures, but as the evening progressed, he really got into it and so did the crowd. He sang “happy birthday” to Courtney the bartender, and during “Let Me Be Your Teddy Bear,” he passed out teddy bears to the ladies in the audience. For “Runaway,” he got a little audience participation going. A good show!
Tonight is the finale of the 2011 Peabody rooftop party season. This will be a big night, with performances by the Bo-Keys, national recording artist Andy Grammer, and the winners of the 2011 Memphis Music Launch, Delta Collective. DJ Mark Anderson, and Q107.5’s Maney, Drex and Riley. Food buffet (included in price of admission) will consist of Memphis favorites: Pork BBQ sliders, fried okra, cucumber and tomato salad, and peanut butter and banana sandwiches. In VIP there will be BBQ ribs, cole slaw, southern fried chicken drummies, a veggie platter, and cornbread. Bud Light will be giving away two tickets to the Bud Light Port Paradise cruise. In honor of Elvis Week, there will be a tribute artist available for photo opportunities. Elvis swag and swag for “Memphis: The Musical” will be given away. $15 cover includes first drink; ladies free until 7.
Over at the Madison, they’ll have “Beale Street’s Best Kept Secret,” the Billy Gibson Band, playing their “Sunset Atop the Madison” rooftop party. $7 to get in, cash bar, tapas menu available. Doors open at 5:30, sunset at 7:53.
The Grizzlies are having an open house Sunday, August 20. Fans will be able to test-drive seats for 10 and 20 game ticket Power Packs. First 200 will receive a free Grizzlies headband, and there will be locker room tours as well. 10 AM to 2 PM, free parking in the Toyota Parking Garage in FedExForum.
A very happy birthday to Max from Max’s Sports Bar, and thanks for giving Downtowners such a great place to bond and watch sports for the past 3 1/2 years.
Time to eat lunch then get back to web updates. One week until I’m on vacation. No web updates next Thursday afternoon, but a lot of day drinking instead.