Category: Uncategorized

So, after saying all week I was going to be at the Slider Inn grand opening… I didn’t make it last night. Brooke, who moved over to the Slider Inn from Bardog, is going to kick my ass. She’s only about 5’2″ but I am legitimately scared of her.

It wasn’t an issue of transportation down there. I was at the Saucer with a friend, and he said, “If you want to split a cab, we can head down there.” Rather, it was an issue of beer. I was going through my signature Dos Equis Lager with extra limes the way a fish goes through water. Meanwhile, I was checking Foursquare and Twitter and seeing that the place was so packed that both outdoor decks were full and people were spilling over into the sidewalk. “The interior of Slider Inn only seats about 50 people,” I thought. “That means they’re probably not going to have a whole lot of bathrooms, and there are going to be super long lines tonight.” Just wasn’t in the mood to deal with that.

I do want to see the place though, and soon. If any Downtowners want to jump in a cab and head down there at any point this weekend or next, I’m game. I suppose I could stop there on my way home from work; just won’t be able to drink since I’ll have the car with me.

I’ve developed a new addiction: Reloading Foursquare every 10 minutes to see where everyone is. Been doing this lately to see if I knew anyone at Downtown’s two newest bars, Green Beetle and Brass Door, so I’d have an excuse to head over there. Actually did see two of my female friends check in at Brass Door, but I suspected it might be date night for them and didn’t want to intrude. So I just did my usual Friday routine of Saucer and Bardog, which is not a bad routine at all.

Speaking of Foursquare: I have a large number of Foursquare and Facebook friend requests that I haven’t responded to yet. Cases where the name doesn’t immediately ring a bell, and while I may well know the person sending the request, I’m not 100% sure it’s not someone who plans on spamming me or trying to redirect me to a malware site. If you sent me a request and I haven’t responded, just shoot me an email (paul@paulryburn.com) saying you tried to add me and how you know me, and I’ll approve it. I’m perfectly fine being friends with people who I haven’t met in person but who read my blog, too, so if that’s the case just tell me you read my blog in the email.

Just looked at Twitter. #Withyomonkeyass is a trending topic. I think I’m going to have to change my “trending” setting back to worldwide. Having it show Memphis trends is a constant reminder of how ghetto this city is.

Elvis Week starts this week. Here’s the schedule. Interesting fact I didn’t know: There are Elvis apps for the iPhone and Android.

Attention Commercial Appeal: Good article about how low-income seniors on the food voucher program are under-served, but, TERRIBLE HEADLINE.

Plans for today: Lots of important stuff. For example, I need to search for YouTube clips to see what happened on WWE Smackdown last night. After that I’ll probably go drink a beer.

 

Enough news to warrant a second post before I go out for the evening.

The Convention & Visitors Bureau has published an excellent Memphis travel guide: See Memphis Like a Local. I agree with a lot of what is written in this guide. If you have friends or family planning a Memphis visit, it’s worth forwarding them this link.

I wanted to attend the WordPress meetup last night, where WordPress guru Otto42 had an “Ask Otto” Q & A session. However, I was diverted at the last minute, when a Dos Equis Lager sent me a telepathic distress call that I needed to come to the Saucer and drink it. Luckily, local social media/communications expert Beth G. Sanders posted a recap. Lots of good stuff in there for those who maintain their own WordPress installations.

Tickets to Death Cab for Cutie, at the Mud Island Ampitheater October 5, are now on sale through Ticketmaster.

Plan for tonight: I’ll start at Bardog for Panda Manda Hour, then catch a ride out to Midtown for the Slider Inn’s grand opening.

Thanks to those who emailed and told me why the Brass Door, the new Irish pub on Madison, closed early in the evenings this week. They wanted the first week to be a “soft opening,” with time to work out kinks and train their staff, before going to regular hours. This week they chose to focus on lunch and happy hour business. That’s a smart idea, and it makes sense. The good news is that starting today, they will be open regular hours of 11 AM to 2 AM. Good to hear. I see myself spending considerable time at the Brass Door in the weeks and months to come.

I also talked to someone who ate at Thai Bistro across the street. Delicious food and big portions, I was told. I hope to get in there this weekend to give it a try. Those dollar mimosas will probably lure me in at some point on Sunday.

There’s a guest article by Beth Brock, president of the Memphis Farmers Market board, in the CA today that is a must-read. The MFM has found itself in the middle of an unplanned controversy the past couple of weeks. Recently, the Department of Health provided a fantastic opportunity for low-income seniors who receive assistance for purchasing food. For $10 they could get $20 worth of vouchers to buy fresh fruits and vegetables from Tennessee farmers. It’s a win-win: Seniors get to eat healthier and double their purchasing power, and farmers operating within the state get an extra source of income. However, the voucher program has led to an extra 1500-2000 people showing up on Saturday for the Memphis Farmers Market. Long lines in the summer heat were unavoidable, especially since only 4 of the vendors are Tennessee farmers and can accept the vouchers. I know some of the people who volunteer with MFM, and I know they are doing everything they can to treat all their customers – those with vouchers and those without – with dignity and respect, and provide a comfortable shopping environment. The guest article makes that point well.

Grill 83 is rebranding their happy hour as “5 to 7 @ 83.” They recognized that their old 4-6 PM happy hour was not convenient for many people, and so they moved the hours from 5 to 7. They are also rolling out a drink and appetizer menu with prices between $5 and $7. Specialty drinks on the happy hour menu include the Madison’s signature Sunset Margarita, the Sicilian Sangria, the Blood Orange Cosmopolitan, the Svedka Tonic, the Leblon Cachaca Caipirinha, the Firefly Bourbon Martini, and a selection of moscato wines, as well as Penfolds’ luxury merlot, cabernet and chardonnay wines. On the appetizer menu, you’ll find handmade spiced pork empanadas with avocado dipping sauce; fried calamari with marinara sauce; two Kobe beef sliders with shoestring potatoes; grilled bruschetta with sweet tomato jam, Manchego cheese and basil; and Mediterranean shrimp with tomatoes, feta, oregano and extra virgin olive oil.

Fun night last night. After starting at the Saucer for a couple of beers, several of us rode the trolley south to Max’s Sports Bar. We got there too late to play in the weekly poker tournament, but it was still fun to watch the participants battle it out. Congratulations to Jean/Kitty, this week’s winner. Afterward I rode the trolley north and stopped at Bardog for a beer or two. My three favorite bars all in one night – can’t beat that!

Plans for tonight: Going to check out the grand opening of the new Slider Inn in Midtown. It’s at the corner of Peabody and Cooper, and is the latest restaurant opened by Aldo of Bardog Tavern. A lot of Bardog’s regulars are making the trip. Downtown is about to invade Midtown!

This morning I got out of bed at 6:48 AM. I stumbled into the living room, sat down in front of the MacBook, and looked for WeatherBug in the system tray. I have it set up to report the temperature at AutoZone Park. Even at that early hour, already 86 degrees. “There is no torture worse than Memphis heat,” I thought.

Then I thought, “Except listening to karaoke.”

Last night about 9 I was walking down Madison, and noticed people in Thai Bistro eating. I had heard it opened this week. I need to get by there and try the place. I love Thai food. It’s on Madison between Second and Third, in the spot that was previously home to Cupboard Too and about a dozen other restaurants.

(Side note: I just looked at Thai Bistro’s specials. ONE DOLLAR MIMOSAS all day Sunday!!!)

I was in the area because I was planning to stop by the Brass Door for a beer. They were already closed at 9! I can kind of understand it though; Madison is still off the beaten path, and it probably doesn’t make sense to stay open late if people won’t find it. Hopefully as Madison becomes more well-known as a food and entertainment destination, there will be more foot traffic and the Irish pub will have more reason to stay open.

News Downtowners can use: Having trouble getting a Wi-Fi signal throughout your residence or business? Learn how to make a Wi-Fi booster out of only a beer can. I guess I’m going to have to pop open a PBR this weekend and give it a try.

Eat Local Memphis has a great post on Ferraro’s today. In addition to a caprese salad and small cheese and veggie pizzas, they tried “The Great 28,” a monster 28-inch pizza.

Lots of architects will be Downtown for the next two days. The Peabody is hosting the AIA convention today and Friday.

Speaking of the Peabody, they’re providing their employees’ 250 children with back-to-school supplies bags. There will be a bag stuffing party from 2 to 4 and the kids will get more or less all the supplies they need to start the school year. That’s a nice little perk of working for the hotel.

Tonight is the second-to-last Peabody rooftop party. Inner 61 will be the featured entertainment, along with opening band Crisis. “Lunchbox Favorites” will be the buffet theme, with peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, ham & cheese sandwiches, potato chips, Fritos, and grapes. In VIP they’ll have tuna salad sandwiches, a meat and cheese platter, and BBQ potato chips and onion dip. $10 to get in, which includes first drink; ladies free until 7.

Grace Askew is on the Madison rooftop tonight. $7 to get in, tapas menu and sophisticated drinks at a cash bar. Doors open at 5:30, sunset at 8:00.

There’s a WordPress meetup tonight at 6 PM at EmergeMemphis, 516 Tennessee Street across from the Lofts. Theme tonight is “Ask Otto,” with a chance to ask Otto, one of the key members of the WordPress community (where he’s known as “Otto42”), anything at all. Good opportunity to get answers about installing and administering the product, themes, plugins, and the future direction of WordPress. Meetup details are here.

Time for a quick run to Zaxby’s. Getting bored with the Nuclear sauce; think I’m going to step up to Insane sauce today. After work, I’ll grab a beer somewhere, undecided where yet.

A lot of people tell me they read this blog to discover cool stuff to do in Memphis. Well, I only have one link in today’s lunchtime post, but it should be enough. Memphis Magazine recently published an article on Sherman Willmott, author of Kreature Comforts: A Low-Life Guide to Memphis. Willmott also gives tours of Memphis, not of the sanitized tourist attractions, but of the real, historic Memphis, for people who don’t mind “a few rough edges.” I’ve got to get this book. Excited to hear there may be a Kreature Comforts iPhone app as well. Even if you don’t get the book, the article contains selected tips on where to eat (including Downtown restaurants Cozy Corner and Spindini), Memphis movies, and things to do in Memphis for free.

Plans for tonight: I’ll probably start at Bardog around 6 for Panda Manda Hour, then head over to the Silly Goose for team trivia at 8.

Downtowners are about to take a hit in the pocketbook. According to this CA article, MATA plans to raise trolley fare to $1.25 in November. That’s going to be really inconvenient, since drivers don’t carry change.

South of Beale made a number of announcements yesterday. The big one is that they’re going to have their 2nd birthday party from 5 to 7 PM Sunday, August 7. $2 Ghost River pints, $2 samples from their new menu (which will go live August 4), and some sort of dessert. They’re also planning to open for lunch beginning in mid-September. If you’re on Foursquare, be sure to show them your checkin; it’s good for $3 off any “plate” item on the menu.

The Brass Door now has a Facebook fan page that you can “Like.” Good way to stay in touch and hear the latest news.

Here’s a link many Downtowners can use: How to drink responsibly. Hmmm, now that I’m reading through the article it seems kinda boring… never mind, read this one instead… How to teach your dog to get you a beer from the fridge.

Plans for tonight: Probably some combination of the Flying Saucer (for Pint Nite), Bardog and Brass Door. Doubt I’ll make it to poker at the Silly Goose at 9; I really need to catch up on my sleep. It was quite a long weekend.

A couple of days ago, I posted that a new tattoo parlor called Skull X Rose had opened on Second next door to Raiford’s. Since I don’t have tatts, I knew I’d never be able to personally review it. However, a couple of friends of mine went there last night. They were very happy with the work they had done. They told me it’s open noon to midnight, and unlike many tattoo parlors they accept walk-ins.

Fun night last night. After an afternoon at the Brass Door, I went to the Saucer where about 40 of us said goodbye to our friend Gary. He’s moving to the West Coast. About 11:30 I tried to take three friends to the Brass Door, but they had closed at 11 because it was their soft opening. So back to the Saucer we went, where I ended up staying ’til the lights came on. Then I went home… of course, Bardog was on the way home.

It’s Sunday Fun Day, which means business as usual but one extra stop this week. Majestic Grille for brunch at 11, Saucer at noon, and Huey’s at 8:30 PM to hear British Invasion cover band Jeffrey and the Pacemakers. We had a huge Sunday Fun Day at the Saucer last week, with probably 20 people from our extended Downtown group showing up at some point in the afternoon. Here’s a pic from last Sunday of Christy chowing down on chicken fingers.

Time to hit Publish, drink a Mountain Dew Throwback, get dressed and get the day started. I have several posts waiting in Drafts, so I may publish one or two of them from my phone this afternoon.

This afternoon some friends and I checked out the Brass Door, the new Irish pub that opened today. It’s in the old Tobacco Bowl building on Madison across from the First Tennessee building.

Very impressed with this place. If you knew it used to be the Tobacco Bowl, you’d see some elements that were carried over. Otherwise, you’d have no idea this used to be a cigar shop. There’s a downstairs too. I didn’t take photos of it because they’re currently using it as a storage area. It’s going to be really nice though. It’s as big as the upstairs, maybe even a little bit bigger, with a bar whose size is equal to upstairs.

Only slight negative is that the upstairs men’s room is a one-seater (don’t know about the women’s). That’s going to make for some lines outside the door. I assume there are additional bathrooms downstairs, although it isn’t open yet.

One big bonus: It’s NONSMOKING! We talked to the bartender about this and he said they’re trying to “redefine what an Irish pub is.” Good for them. There is no reason for any bar to open as a smoking bar in 2011. There’s a side door to the alley where you can easily step out and smoke. With the Beetle and the Brass Door both opening nonsmoking and the Saucer going that direction, it’s becoming increasingly clear that smoking is an artifact from an era whose time has passed.

They’re open tonight “until everyone leaves” (so you’ll be open until 9 AM then?), then they’re taking the day off tomorrow to discuss what worked and what didn’t, and Monday they’ll start regular hours. They’re still figuring out things like happy hour and whether they’ll be open for Sunday brunch. Main TV was tuned to soccer and a lot of people were excited about the Manchester United vs. Barcelona match that came on at 6.

South Main Trolley Night last night was absolutely off-the-chain fun. Despite the heat, turnout for the monthly event was extremely good. My shirt was drenched with sweat, but I didn’t care.

In Harry’s Detour courtyard, Michael Patrick was handing out spring rolls, there was a lemonade stand, and at 7:30 there was a Memphis movie costume contest.

Lots of other stuff was going on too. Bravo had its opening event at the MPACT Memphis offices. Those who wore orange got free beer and wine. I don’t own any orange, other than that horrible jacket I wore when I was “Bruce Pearl” for Halloween last year, so I passed. I wandered in the Memphis College of Art gallery to get out of the heat, and enjoyed the excellent graduate student exhibit. There are some seriously talented people going to school there!

About 8:30 we ducked into Max’s Sports Bar to get out of the heat. “A couple of beers here, then I’ll head north to defend my Foursquare mayorships at the Saucer and Bardog,” I thought. That never happened. Max’s was so much fun that I didn’t want to leave!

Across the street, Harry’s Detour had its final night. After the restaurant closed, Chuck came over to Max’s, where he was presented with a gift for all he has done for South Main.

Later in the evening, several of us ended up on Max’s back deck. I noticed that it offered a lot of excellent opportunities for planking. It seemed like an especially excellent idea because of the umpteen beers I had consumed by that point.

Thanks to Lauren for driving me home, as the 12-block walk home would have been iffy at best, given my condition.

Fun day ahead. I want to give the Brass Door a try, and hopefully take some photos and post them later this afternoon. It’s a friend’s last day in town visiting, and another friend’s going-away party at the Saucer. Another weekend of excitement in Downtown Memphis!

 

Last night at Trolley Night I ran into Seamus, and he told me the Brass Door, the new Irish pub on Madison, will open for business today at 11. It’s between Second and Third in the old Tobacco Bowl building. Can’t wait to see the place.