I guess you could say I “maxed” myself out yesterday! Max’s Sports Bar opened at 10:30 AM for March Madness watching, and when I got there the bar stools were still on the tables. I didn’t leave until after the Memphis-Creighton game which tipped off at 7:30 PM and ended about two hours later. No better place Downtown to watch the NCAA tournament.
A new restaurant, Barbarossa Brothers, is opening next month at 7 N. Main. “But wait,” you say, “7 N. Main is the home of Sam’s for breakfast and lunch. Please tell me Sam’s isn’t going away!” Don’t worry. Sam’s will still be there, but Barbarossa Brothers will be “Sam’s After Dark,” opening at 5:30 PM. They will serve Mediterranean and Greek food with a touch of Cajun, reports Susan Ellis of the Memphis Flyer. Have a peek at the menu.
The Redbirds will hold a fan fest Saturday, March 30 at AutoZone Park from 3 to 6 PM. Activities will include
- Inflatables and games in the Plaza
- Activities on the field, weather permitting
- Chances to win prizes
- A garage sale
- Select-a-seat for season tickets and mini-packages
- Season membership orientation
- Team autographs 5:30-6:00
The fan fest is family-friendly and it is free.
As your #1 source of news and information about The Edge District, I have two linkety links for you today. The first is to inform you of Soul Sunday Brunch at Arnold’s BBQ a week from tomorrow, Sunday, March 31. Brunch items will include chicken and waffles, salmon croquettes, eggs, bacon, chicken sausage, cheese grits, biscuits, smothered potatoes, and whatever else the chef dreams up. Brunch will include live music by Candy Fox & Co. 12:30-2:30. Tickets are $25 adult, $15 for children 11 and under. If you’re 21+ you can add a bottomless mimosa for $15 more. Park at the lot at Madison and Danny Thomas, the same lot used for Stop 345 and Brinson’s. Take a right onto the lot going eastbound on Madison right before Danny Thomas (exit, don’t go over the bridge) and then Arnold’s will be to your right, entrance in the alley between Madison and Monroe.
In other Edge news, the planned Union Row development will honor the history of buildings that were there before it. Those buildings, in the 300 block of Union, were part of Memphis’ original Auto Row back in the day. Elvis bought numerous Cadillacs at one such building. At another nearby, Johnny Cash was introduced to the two men who would go on to become his backup band.
From Food & Wine: Why brown liquor gives you the worst hangover. There’s science behind it; it doesn’t just feel that way.
Ballet 5:8 brings Compass to the Halloran Centre tonight at 7 PM. This ballet company uses dance to tell the story of pressing issues – not in a political or divisive sense, but with compassion.
This is a touching story: Pro wrestler King Kong Bundy, the 450-pounder who main-evented Wrestlemania 2 and demanded a 5-count on opponents rather than the standard 3-count, had a love for cats. He left 10 of them behind when he died earlier this month at age 61. Those who were close to him are trying to find adoptive homes. Hey Mark, do Alfredo Sauce, Shambles, Hustle, Flow, and Brown Chicken Meow Meow need a new friend?
Ground broke on Grind City Brewery in Uptown/North Memphis yesterday including an appearance from the mayor. Strickland said the brewery would create up to 60 jobs over the next 5 years.
Grizzlies vs. Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at FedExForum at 7. First 5000 get a Grizzlies World Championship wrestling belt.
The River Rat Rounders poker league is having a tag team switch poker event tonight at Sleep Out Louie’s. The way it works is, you have a partner, and each of you plays a table with your own chip stack. When the tournament director yells, SWITCH, you switch seats with your partner, even if in the middle of a hand. The game is free to play and the winning partners win a voucher. There are also double points toward the RRR league’s next final table. If you don’t have a partner, come early and they will find one for you.
The Daily Memphian reports that the first step in renovating Handy Park at Beale and B.B. King will likely be to install an Insomnia Cookies in unused space on the property. The cookie and ice cream shop chain already has a Memphis location at 545 S. Highland.
One of the March Madness channels Max’s had on yesterday was CBS, and they interrupted the coverage with a special report that Special Counsel Mueller’s report has been delivered to Attorney General Barr. Barr is required to prepare a summary of the report to Congress, although many members are demanding the report be released in full to that body, and that portions that can be released without endangering national security be released to the public. Mueller plans to issue no more indictments, but the Southern District of New York, the Manhattan DA, and various other agencies still have open investigations.
That’s it for now. Back out in a little while for more March Madness watching. Back tomorrow with more news.