Last night I headed to South Main for a meet and greet at our BBQ team sponsor, Double J SmokeHouse and Saloon. It’s not open to the public yet, but they wanted to let their friends check the place out in advance.
Grand opening will be next Friday, March 2. Based on what I saw, heard, and tasted last night, I think a second trip to South Main is going to be on next Friday’s agenda.
They were handing out plates of really good food prepared by Chef Demitrie. There was flank steak and coleslaw, and later in the evening BBQ sliders. Of course the Nuh-Uh Girl showed up for free food.
The opening band, Vintage
Wagon wheels above the bar
Leigh and Gary
The main stage. They have really gone to a lot of effort to make this an area in which bands will enjoy playing.
Suzy helped Demitrie in the kitchen and handed out plates of food. At one point she had one plate of food left and handed it to the Nuh-Uh Girl. “Here, I know you’ll eat it.”
The Eddie Smith Band took the stage at 8. Their first song was “Livin’ on Tulsa Time.”
If you had told me 10 years ago when I moved Downtown that I’d be hanging out in a saloon, I probably would have laughed. But, this thing totally WORKS and I will be in there from time to time. You can tell these guys absolutely love what they do. They have a real passion for their business and want every customer to enjoy themselves at the Double J.
So when I walk out my front door, I can walk or trolley to an Irish pub, a neighborhood bar, a speakeasy, a lounge, a beer garden, a sports bar, and now a saloon. Downtown Memphis just keeps getting more diverse.
Speaking of that sports bar: After I got done listening to some good honky tonk-style music at the Double J, I walked across the street to Max’s Sports Bar. I got there just in time to watch Bad Shane unwrap his birthday presents.
Winter’s coming to an end and things are starting to heat up Downtown. 2012 looks to be the best year ever down here.