Bardog Tavern had its birthday party last month, but tomorrow, Thursday, September 19 is the bar’s actual birthday. To celebrate, they will serve $1 PBR all day long. They’ll also have $2 sliders and $3 draft beers, although I can’t imagine anyone paying $3 for any other beer when they can enjoy a delicious PBR for $1.
Author: paulryburn
Wed update: Dejavu sign up, Eric Hughes CD party, MGMT @ Orpheum, The Cake Madam @ Double J, Felicia’s patio, another Sunday Ticket spot, the first computer bug, Eggcellence
Walking down the Main Street Mall yesterday after work, I noticed that Dejavu’s sign is up for the new Main Street location. Here’s a pic:
The Creole restaurant appears very close to opening. If you’ve been to the restaurant’s Florida location and had its food, you know this is a very very good thing for the Downtown core.
(By the way: What is the official spelling? Dejavu? DejaVu? DeJaVu? I’ve seen all three.)
The Eric Hughes Band will have a CD release party Saturday, September 28 at 8 PM at The Warehouse. After the band’s set there will be a Memphis Bluesplayers jam.
MGMT, featuring Memphis’ own Andrew VanWyngarden, has announced a November 23 show at the Orpheum.
Double J announced yesterday that it is now carrying homemade desserts from The Cake Madam.
Voting to name the new patio at Felicia Suzanne’s is now happening on the restaurant’s Facebook page.
I’ve learned of another Downtown location that has NFL Sunday Ticket: Local Gastropub. They also just installed two 50″ TVs on the patio. The Overton Square location has the game package as well with two 55″ patio TVs.
So here’s the complete list of bars Downtown that have Sunday Ticket, as far as I know:
Pinch
TJ Mulligan’s
Core
Mad Earl
Local
George Paul’s Last Call
South Main
Green Beetle
Max’s Sports Bar
Double J
Here’s a pic of the very first recorded computer bug from September 9, 1945. If you’ve wondered where the term “bug” came from, now you know.
The Flyer’s Hungry Memphis blog has a good post on Eggcellence, a company selling “deviled eggs with flair” whose products are carried by Miss Cordelia’s in Harbor Town. The photo shows company owner Sascha Parker at a sampling in Miss Cordelia’s. Free food? Wonder if the Nuh-Uh Girl showed up.
Fun night at Blind Bear poker last night. I met Matt who does the River Rat Rounders games around town. I am going to try and make his 8:30 game Monday at the Mad Earl. I told him, don’t expect me to be a regular at that game, because I have a long-standing Monday engagement (Pint Nite at the Saucer). I’m certainly willing to give it a try and blog about it though. Anyway, odd night at the Bear. I got the best starting hand in Hold’em twice (A-A) and the worst three times (7-2). I wasn’t able to cash in on Jamie’s infamous Seven-Deuce prop bet though. I wanted to win and pick up a $50 gift card to spend on food when Chef David Scott Walker starts next week. Unfortunately I came in fifth, but I have three gift cards from previous wins, so I think I’ll be okay.
Sitting here trying to download iOS 7 on my iPad. “About 6 hours remaining.” Ugh. I don’t dare update my iPhone until I know the release is stable. Signing off for now. I’ll be out at the usual hangouts after work, probably leading off at Silly Goose.
Tue update: New Flight chef, another Sunday Ticket location, Big Scoop ticket link, auditions for Grizzlies Blue Bunch dance team, best sports franchise
In case you missed the announcement I made yesterday afternoon, Chef David Scott Walker will start as executive chef at the Blind Bear next week. However, that is not the only new-chef announcement in the news. Flight has announced that Nick Scott is its new executive chef. Having won awards for his creations at Bluefin, Scott will work with chef-partner and culinary director Joshua Laban Perkins. Congratulations to both chefs on their new gigs.
I’ve learned of one more venue Downtown that has NFL Sunday Ticket, for those of you who live in the northern part of the area: TJ Mulligan’s in the Punch. They also host the Steelers Fan Club, and the bar has over 10 TVs. Never a cover and free parking.
I blogged about the Big Scoop Ice Cream Festival Saturday, September 28 at AutoZone Park, but I neglected to provide a link for ticket sales. Blog reader MILF2B inquired what the link was (I guess she’s never heard of Google) and I thought I’d share it for the benefit of other readers. Buy tickets here.
A new, high-energy dance team made up of kids ages 7-12, the Blue Bunch, will perform at Grizzlies games this year. Auditions will happen at SubRoy Studios on Whitten Road at 9 AM Sunday. This link has info about a pre-audition class happening Friday so your kids can learn the dance routine in advance and be ahead of the game for auditions.
ESPN Magazine has named the best franchise in sports. Find out who it is here.
The @JobsMemphis Twitter account is putting out some good stuff today if you’re looking. I’ve seen several Walgreens assistant manager trainee jobs, and a FedEx Ground package handler position.
Yesterday I mentioned that Squeal Street BBQ invited me to hang out in their booth for Best Memphis Burger Fest Sunday (for which they will temporarily rename themselves Squeal Street Burger). Last night I was hanging out with a couple of the team captains at the Saucer, and they asked, “Do you want a T-shirt too?” Awesome! I’m going to try to get there as close to opening as possible (10:30 AM) and take a complete photo spread, the way I do for my own BBQ team The Moody Ques at BBQ Fest. I’ve been told that the fest’s organizers pushed the awards ceremony back to 5 PM this year, so I’ll be sticking around all day. Of course, with a forecast of sunshine and temps around 80, the crowd should be much larger than last year (58 and misty). Should be plenty to see. Maybe I’ll snap a few late-season tube top photos.
I’ll be at poker tonight at the Blind Bear, 8 PM, with a likely Saucer stop before that. I need a good showing at poker this evening to accumulate points, because the burger fest will most likely cause me to miss Sunday’s game.
Chef David Scott Walker to join the Blind Bear
This weekend I learned some exciting news about one of my favorite bars, and I have now been given permission to make it public. Starting next week, Chef David Scott Walker will be the new executive chef at the Blind Bear. He was previously the chef at Jim’s Place and before that was sous chef at Rhodes College.
If that name sounds familiar to readers of my blog, there’s a reason why. Chef DSW was the pitmaster this year for the BBQ Fest team I am on, the Moody Ques. We were well-feed all week long and the food was excellent. I can’t wait to see what he is going to do with the menu at the Blind Bear, which by the way is one of the Moody Ques’ main sponsors.
Great move for all involved. Congratulations Chef!
Mon update: Stupid racist people hate Miss USA, Downtown Museum Day, Best Memphis Burger Fest, South Main logo contest
This first item makes me really sad. A lot of people are very upset that an Indian-American woman won the Miss USA pageant. As soon as she was crowned, Twitter was flooded with racist tweets, including some calling her an Arab. Really people? Whatever happened to the idea of America being a melting pot of cultures? I guess that’s the great thing about Twitter, though; it gives everyone an equal opportunity to prove how stupid and closed-minded they are. Congratulations to the new Miss USA.
Festival season is in full gear for the fall. Let’s look ahead to the coming weekend. This isn’t a festival but worth mentioning anyway: Downtown Museum Day is Saturday. Many museums in the Downtown area will offer free or half-off admission. In addition, Memphis Hop, the bus that shuttles riders to popular tourist attractions, will have half-off fares Saturday, and historian Jimmy Ogle will give two free walking tours of Downtown.
Sunday is the second annual Best Memphis Burger Fest at Minglewood Hall. This event is the creation of Seth of the Best Memphis Burger blog. It kicks off with a Best Bloody Mary contest at 9 AM. After that there will be several burger competitions, including veggie, anything but beef, extreme burger, and Best Memphis Burger. There will also be a Team Kookamonga Challenge where teams of two try to eat as much of Kooky Canuck’s giant burger in the allotted time. Four bands will perform throughout the day.
Last year I experienced the burger fest as a judge; this year I’m going to pass up the opportunity to judge to experience the festival from a competition team point of view. My friends at Squeal Street BBQ have entered, and have invited me to hang out in their booth. They’ve always been one of the most well-organized teams at BBQ Fest and it will be a pleasure to watch them operate.
There’s a South Main Logo Design contest that you can enter. Download a logo in .jpg or vector format, and put in what South Main means to you. Selected logos will be put on display at Trolley Night in September. Trolley Night attendees will vote for their favorite logo, with the designer of the top vote-getter winning $500.
People wonder why I wear my BBQ team rubber bracelet months after the festival ended. It’s a conversation starter. Yesterday it led to two people inquiring about the team who would be awesome additions. I’ll mention them next time I see one of the board members. Later in the day yesterday I crashed and burned at Blind Bear poker. There are some nights where I just show up to get my point for being there and my point for checking in on Foursquare, and I don’t really play to win. If I keep getting the points for showing up and playing well on the nights when I feel like it, I should be headed toward the league final table.
I’ll be at Pint Nite at the Flying Saucer after work, enjoying some $3 draft beers. Dos Equis Lager and maybe a few beers toward my next plate.
Paul’s PBR Review: Hoop’s Bar
In late 2006, word got out that a new nightclub was going in at the former Elvis Presley’s location on Beale, just west of Second on the north side of the street. It was to be called EP Delta Kitchen. The owners were aiming high: They brought in renowned chef Michael Patrick to prepare food, and after-hours they planned to transform the place into a nightclub manned by some of the area’s top DJs. The club started off as a huge success, with posh patio seating and multiple bars on two levels. They also had nightly specials which were generally a smashing success.
SIDE NOTE: I say “generally” because there were exceptions. For Monday Night Football they put out a food buffet for patrons who were ordering drinks. That sounds like a good idea but those damn chili dogs kept me glued to the toilet all damn day Tuesday. It may not be apropos to refer to defecation so near the beginning of a post, and if it offended you I apologize, but I’m not exactly the first person in the history of blogging to do it.
The one thing the place didn’t have, however, was buy-in from the locals. I mean, I’d stop by from time to time because I knew people who worked there, and occasionally other Downtowners would as well. However, it was not a gathering place for those who lived nearby. We went there on occasion – I had a birthday party on the upper level which was expertly catered by the Chef and which was one of the best birthdays of my life- but we weren’t there on a nightly basis. One veteran bartender, David Hooper, had plans to change that. He knew there was an entire separate bar on the second floor that was not being used. He worked with EP Delta Kitchen to renovate it into a neighborhood bar, something that I mentioned in an earlier post was something sorely needed in 2007. He decorated it with vintage record albums as part of the bar top and lamp posts as table decorations. Most importantly, Hoop decided to carry PBR in cans.
SIDE NOTE: Hoop’s Bar has been closed since Fall 2008. Some of my “detractors” will undoubtedly bash me for reviewing a bar that has been closed for five years, and I do understand their point. However, you know what they say. Opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one. And while that may or may not be true, it’s my opinion that it’s perfectly fine to review Hoop’s Bar as a nod to the history of PBR in Downtown Memphis. Not everybody will agree but “it is what it is” I guess.
SIDE NOTE: Instead of worrying about “detractors,” I should be thanking those of you who have had positive things to say about this series. Things like “he’s trying as hard as he can” and “his writing really isn’t THAT bad.” Compliments like that make my day and are the reason I continue writing this blog.
The goal of Hoop’s was to give our Downtown neighbors a place to hang out near Beale Street. In fact, looking out the second-story windows, one could see directly into Blues City Cafe, one of Beale’s most popular destinations. Hoop wanted to offer a menu which was basic, yet in a nod to the gourmet fare served at EP’s, was a little more upscale than traditional bar food. He also wanted to serve menu items that paired well with PBR.
The hallmark of the menu was the “Badass Burger,” a large burger which was indeed badass. It was an 8-ounce burger cooked on the grill and served with the usual condiments. I cannot tell you how much a PBR set off the natural flavor of ingredients including mustard and tomato. I am normally not a fan of tomato on my burgers, but it is just such a natural fit with a 12 ounce can of PBR that I made an exception at Hoop’s Bar.
Another specialty was “Anna’s Egg Wolls,” a recipe created by Hoop’s wife. I took these home many a night as Paul’s Drunkass Food, and when I did I made sure to have a PBR in the fridge waiting for me, for the PBR greatly accentuated the Asian flavors found within the egg rolls.
At the bottom of the menu (zoom in if you can’t see it in the pic above without the help of a microscope) was a classic cocktail that Hoop invented, and which I have since had at many other bars: The PBRtini. About four months after I started ascending the steps to the second floor to hang out at Hoop’s, I noticed it on the menu. I ordered one and Hoop popped a PBR and poured it into one of the bar’s special martini glasses. I have been addicted ever since.
Hoop’s Bar had a big-screen TV which was perfect for watching NFL football when it was on during the fall and winter. When there were no sports to watch, Hoop would put other shows on including South Park. Hoop had an assistant named Tony, and you didn’t want to miss a minute when the place was open because you never knew what the two of them might be up to. One day they had a new machine that would produce the foam in a freshly-opened Guinness can. They poked a hole in the top of a Bud bottle with a hammer and nail, and put it on the contraption. Budweiser sprayed all across the ceiling. (Of course, they would never do that with a PBR, which is too valuable to waste.) After Tony left, Hoop got two new assistants named Ross and Colin, who continued to keep the place fun.
SIDE NOTE: Colin is now one of the proprietors of Blind Bear, which serves PBR.
As 2008 rolled on, the owners of EP Delta Kitchen made some changes which proved to be unsuccessful. For one thing, they failed to emphasize the culinary expertise of their chef properly, and he left for greener pastures. They also changed the format of their nightclub music, causing the club to lose many patrons to the newly-opened Red Rooster down the street. Through it all, Hoop’s Bar continued to draw a solid crowd night in and night out. EP’s finally had to close its doors in Summer 2008. Hoop’s Bar lasted a couple of months longer, but the locals’ crowd in that upstairs bar simply wasn’t enough to pay the rent in such a massive space in a prime location. Hoop’s closed in the fall.
The space occupied by Hoop’s has not reopened since. The main EP space became Republic Nightclub in 2010. They did not serve PBR and charged $11 for a Captain and Coke. Not surprisingly, they were out of business in less than a year. The building has been vacant since.
Hoop went on to open a similar bar in the downstairs of a Cajun restaurant on South Front Street. When that business ran into problems similar to those at EP, Hoop accepted a manager job at Silky O’Sullivan’s, where he is to this day. When I go to Silky’s I drink Hurricanes, so I am not sure if they serve PBR. If they do, it is probably an ingredient in their Diver buckets.
Perhaps one day a commemorative plaque will be erected at Second and Beale denoting Hoop’s Bar as the place where the PBRtini was first served. Whether that happens or not, in less than a year it was open, Hoop’s Bar earned its reputation as one of the best places in Memphis to drink a PBR.
Max’s Sports Bar, the way I see it
Sat update: Dragon trolley, Big Scoop Ice Cream Festival, Does it Work?, possible new hotel site
Whoa! Almost left the apartment without hitting Publish again. I hate it when I do that.
There’s a new dragon trolley circling Downtown. Its purpose is to promote the dragon boat races that will happen on Mud Island October 5. I saw it last night and it looks really good. It’s actually not a new trolley, but one of the old trolleys that has been wrapped.
The 19th annual Big Scoop Ice Cream Festival will happen Saturday, September 28 from 11 AM to 4 PM at AutoZone Park. Your ticket, $7 in advance or $10 at the door, lets you eat all the ice cream you want while enjoying live entertainment. Needless to say, this event is kid-friendly.
Kooky Canuck’s own Shawn Danko was on WREG Channel 3’s Does it Work? segment this week. He tested the Head Blade, a new hand-held device for shaving one’s head.
The parking lot across Union from AutoZone Park has been sold and there is talk that a hotel may be built on that space.
Whew… after typing such a long post, I think I deserve a PBR. Time to go get one. Happy Saturday and be careful out there.
Fri update: Battledish promo code, CY Beerfest, traffic alert, massive Jersey Shore fire, Fall into Art at MFM, John Mayer @ FedExForum, Tigers, Animal House
I have a promo code to share with you. Enter promo code “ryburn” to get $10 off one of three tasting options at Battledish Memphis. This October 5 event (2-6 PM) has six Downtown chefs competing in a worldwide competition. You can choose from a “teaser” package where you get to sample some of the dishes, a larger package where you sample all of the dishes, or a VIP package including early admission at 1 PM.
I was asked to be a judge for Battledish, but I’m already committed to an engagement party two of my friends are having that day. I’d be interested in judging a future one for sure though!
Tickets are now on sale for October 19’s Cooper-Young Regional Beerfest, in my opinion Memphis’ best beer festival.
Watch out for heavy traffic tomorrow, in Midtown in the late afternoon/early evening and Downtown after 9 PM due to the Southern Heritage Classic. Traffic will also be congested in Midtown for the Cooper-Young Festival.
By the way, people have this idea that Downtown turns into a damn combat zone the night of the Southern Heritage Classic. Last year I went out to my favorite bars on Peabody Place and Main Street and everything was just fine. Beale may be different, but I normally don’t go to Beale Saturdays anyway. Point is, if you live in the core, don’t be afraid to walk to your regular hangouts.
In the news: Eight blocks of Jersey Shore boardwalk and businesses burned in a massive six-alarm fire yesterday in Seaside Park and Seaside Heights, New Jersey. The fire was about 3/4 a mile south of the famous house on the TV series Jersey Shore. Based on the addresses, I believe the bar where Snooki got punched in the face may have been among businesses that burned.
Tomorrow is Fall into Art day at Memphis Farmers Market. Patrons are asked to capture the spirit of the market on canvas. A People’s Choice vote of the finished artworks will be taken next Saturday, and the top 3 will be selected to be auctioned off at November 3’s Barnyard Ball. Music schedule for tomorrow’s market: Real McCoys 8-9:30; Megan McMillan 9:30-11; Rob Halford & Peter Himebrook 11-12:30.
The FedExForum announced that John Mayer will return Friday, November 29. Tickets on sale next Saturday.
ESPN has a blog post on the top 10 men’s basketball nonconference schedules. The Memphis Tigers come in at number 2, second only to Kansas.
Classic film Animal House plays on the Orpheum’s big screen tonight at 7.
That’ll wrap up this post for now. Still undecided between college football and Cooper-Young Fest tomorrow. Leaning slightly in the direction of football a little. At any rate, I’ll be out at the usual places about 5:30 tonight, with a possible trip south to Earnestine & Hazel’s to pay respect to Russell.
Thur update: E&H open tonight, Peabody rooftop party, yellow fever tour, Rumba Room Groupon, Memphis Made Brewery shirts, Memphis Most, beer bust @ Brass Door
It was confirmed yesterday that Karen and Keenon will have the doors open at Earnestine & Hazel’s at 5 PM today. It will be the first time the South Main dive bar has been open for business since proprietor Russell George was found dead there Monday morning. Come have some beers and a Soul Burger and support good Downtown friends.
The first event of the Peabody’s fall rooftop party season happens tonight. Hollywood will perform live, and there will be a buffet of assorted pizzas, BBQ meatballs and sauce. The drink special will be Cruzan rum with choice of mixer for $4. VIP card holders will have a second buffet of a nacho bar, Southern fried chicken drummettes, and chicken cheesesteak. $10 cover includes your first drink, doors open at 6, ladies free before 7.
Here’s an event for history fans. Saturday at 10:30 AM, Elmwood Cemetery will host a 90-minute walking tour entitled “Yellow Fever – A Tour of the Plague.” It will cover the yellow fever epidemics of 1873, 1878, and 1879, discussing the Howard Association, the Citizens’ Relief Committee, the Sisters of St. Mary’s, and individuals who fought the spread of the disease. Registration is required; 901-774-3212 to register. $15 per person.
There’s a Groupon for the Rumba Room on South Main. Two options: $7 for $14 worth of Latin-fusion food for parties of two or more, or $15 for $30 worth of Latin-fusion food for parties of four or more.
Like beer? Going to Cooper-Young Fest Saturday? Memphis Made Brewery will have T-shirts for sale at their 768 S. Cooper location. Here’s a photo of the shirts.
I love this Memphis Que post about Germantown Commissary. It’s not the food review itself that I love (although the review is very well written). It’s the first paragraph, which discusses the Commerical Appeal’s Memphis Most poll. “The Memphis Most poll is a shameless copy of the Best of Memphis poll published annually in the Memphis Flyer newspaper. Along with being the original, the Best of Memphis poll in the Flyer is generally considered the more credible guide to the city.” YES YES YES. I do not vote in the Memphis Most poll and I do not care who wins. It’s a cheap imitation. Well said, Craig.
Yesterday I blogged about the Brass Door’s 2nd anniversary/halfway to St. Pat’s celebration this weekend. I have now learned of an additional event on the schedule. Saturday from 5 to 10 PM there will be a $10 beer bust as part of the alley party.
That’s it for now. I’ll lead off at the Silly Goose today after work, and I promise I’ll be in a better mood than I was yesterday.