Bulldogs at play: An Athens time capsule
Remember sitting out on the deck at T.K. Harty's Saloon in Athens?
I’m off today as usual, but I came across this piece I wrote for the Constitution 28 years ago in the archives and thought any Dogs fans who were in the Classic City around 1983 would get a kick out of it. It originally ran Sept. 23, 1983, with the headline, “Bulldogs at play: Where to party in funtown Athens.”
Several things strike me about it now: Much has changed, especially the prices. Also, we thought two dozen nightspots was a lot back then; now it seems like there’s that many bars and clubs in one block of downtown Athens. The Normaltown Flyers and Dirk Howell are still around, but I think the only surviving nightclub mentioned is the 40 Watt, and it’s long since moved to a different location. Man, I miss T.K.’s.
Anyway, I remember my brother Tim helped me do the legwork for this piece; I don’t think I exactly had to twist his arm. Think of it as an Athens time capsule. And for those who around UGA back then, I hope it brings back some good (if hazy) memories. …
ATHENS — This home of the University of Georgia is a partying town. Especially after football games.
Bulldog fans searching for post-game celebration can pick from well over two dozen nightspots in the Classic City. The entertainment includes balladeers, rock, country, new wave, oldies, jazz, strippers and disco. Places reserved for nothing more than serious elbow-bending are numerous, too.
On game weekends it’s best to arrive before 9 p.m., to avoid the rush. Also, bars in Athens stop serving at 1 a.m. on Friday nights and midnight on Saturdays.
Around half of Athens’ clubs are in and around the city’s charming downtown. Adequate parking is available at most if you get there early.
A good place to start a barfly’s tour of Athens is T.K. Harty’s Saloon (549-5052, 95 Hoyt St.). Located in a restored railway station a few blocks north of downtown, T.K.’s is the oldest nightclub in town now that the Last Resort, a legendary club founded as a coffee house in the mid-’60s, has closed.
The nicest thing about T.K.’s is the deck, where balladeer Bruce Chrichton accompanies himself on acoustic guitar. (He also plays before the game on football Saturdays). Beer ranges from $1.25 to $2.75 for a pitcher, mixed drinks are $1.50. A lot of students congregate here, but it’s actually one of the more sedate spots in town.
On the edge of downtown in the History Village hotel complex is another club located in a restored building. It’s called Bixby’s (546-0410, 295 E. Dougherty St.) and the stone and brick walls are remnants of the old Athens Steam Co. A small room decorated with lots of hanging plants, it features the jazz-pop of Bystander, an Augusta group. Beer is $1.25-$1.50, mixed drinks are $2.25-$3 and the crowd tends to be older.
A more raucous time can be had nearby at the Mad Hatter (549-4046, 450 E. Hancock Ave., in back of the Athens Flea Market). This place has a large disco dance floor, a small lounge equipped with large-screen TV and a 1,200-capacity ballroom in back (with one wall painted red and black and decorated with a Bulldog banner). Sidewinder will be rocking Friday and Saturday nights for a young crowd. Beer is $1.50-$1.75, mixed drinks are $1.75-$2.50 and there’s usually a cover charge.
Around the corner is the 40 Watt Club (548-9288, 382 E. Broad St.), mecca for Athens’ New Wavers but not exclusively devoted to that brand. In fact, this weekend the club features the country-pop-bluegrass harmonies of the Normaltown Flyers (one of Athens’ finest groups) and Athens rock pioneer Mad Dog Melton and his Dixie Grease (who might be familiar to UGA alumni from the late 1960s and early ’70s). Beer is $1.25-$1.75, mixed drinks are $1.75-$2.75 and there’ll be a $3 cover charge. Seating capacity is 200, but occasionally more than 500 folks have been squeezed in; don’t dawdle getting there.
The newest arrival on the Athens club scene is a familiar name to Atlantans: the Buckhead Beach (549-4921, 244 Oconee St.), located in what once was the B&L Warehouse. “After we sold the one in Atlanta,” said general manager Scott Hadly, “we were looking for a property and Athens just seemed a natural. We were drawing predominantly college age in Atlanta.”
This cavernous club, decorated with traffic signs and neon beer signs, has a raised dance floor, a long bar, a gameroom and bar in back and a very noisy college clientele. Capacity is 1,000, but it gets very crowded late in the evening. Beer is $1.50, mixed drinks are $1.75-$2.50 and there’s usually a cover charge. The Tams perform Friday at 9 p.m. and again Saturday starting at 6 p.m.
The coldest beer in town (and the nicest atmosphere) is available at O’Malley’s (549-3306, 271 Williams St.). This is yet another restored building (an old mill), located right on the edge of the Oconee River. The club’s extensive deck lets you sit outside while the water rushes beneath you. Live entertainment is booked occasionally, but mostly you’ll find students drinking and dancing. Beer is 75 cents-$1.25, mixed drinks are $1.25-$2.50.
Other attractions in the downtown area include Bourbon Street (546-6111, 247. E. Washington St.), a dimly lit club located in the basement of the Georgian Hotel and featuring all-nude dancing; the Frog Pond Lounge (546-8122, 513 W. Broad St.), a very small and extremely crowded room popular with the older crowd thanks to the vintage rock ‘n’ roll and country churned out by the two-man Dirk Howell Band; Daddy’s Dollar (543-6511, 230 N. Finley St.), a typical hotel lounge in the Family Inn featuring country-rock bands such as this weekend’s Joe & Tony; and the restaurant Friends (546-7693, 247 E. Washington St.) in the Georgian Hotel, which occasionally books acts in the old hotel ballroom. Gamble Rogers will perform next Friday night and Mike Reid the weekend after that.
Baxter Street, climbing the hill beside the high-rise dorms near Sanford Stadium, doesn’t offer much in the way of live music. There are a couple of lounges: Harry’s (546-7716, 494 Baxter St.) and Papa Joe’s (548-3481, 740 Baxter St.). Harry’s occasionally features entertainment and Papa Joe’s is beer and wine only right now.
Heading out Broad Street (which becomes the Atlanta Highway or U.S. 29-78), you’ll find Armadillo Palace (543-8847, 2194 W. Broad St.). Neal James performs Friday and Saturday at this 1,300-seat country-rock club. Beer is $1.50, mixed drinks are $2 and the crowd tends to be older than at most downtown clubs.
Students and alumni alike gather at the Fifth Quarter (353-9422, 2260 W. Broad St.), a sports-oriented bar and game room run by former Bulldog player Craig Hertwig and started by another ex-Dawg, Wayne Swinford. There’s a pre-game barbecue and two buses take customers to the stadium and back. Next weekend, the Normaltown Flyers will perform. The seats for the tables out front are old red bleachers removed from Sanford Stadium a couple of seasons ago. Beer is $1.25-$1.50 and mixed drinks are $1.75-$2.50.
The Night Owl Lounge (353-9328) at 3155 Atlanta Highway is a wild and wooly country-rock club with almost as many patrons sitting on cars in the parking lot as are inside listening to the band. Riverstreet plays this weekend. Beer is $1.50-$1.75 and mixed drinks are $2-$3. A mostly non-student crowd packs the place.
If you don’t mind driving a few minutes, you can also hit: the J&J Center (549-7009, Commerce Highway-U.S. 441), a 500-seat country music dance club featuring David Wills this weekend; Foxz (546-8209, 1294 Prince Ave, behind Allen’s), a bar-dance club located where Between the Hedges used to be; Brandy’s (353-1904, Jefferson Road in the Homewood Shopping Center), a lounge in a steak and seafood restaurant featuring guitarist Perry Mac (who does a pretty fair Willie Nelson) and pianist Jim Sherman; and the Lighthouse (353-7206, Lumpkin Street at Five Points), a restaurant-lounge featuring the Jim McKillip jazz trio.
Hit enough of these places and you’ll begin to understand why some folks in Athens think a Ph.D. stands for Party hard, Dammit.
Got a question for the Junkyard Blawg? Send it to junkyardblawg@gmail.com.
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178 comments Add your comment
Dirty Dawg
September 26th, 2011
6:56 pm
Wait a minute Bill…I thought you went back further than that. What about the Mitchell Bridge Inn (MBI Club for those that couldn’t remember what MBI stood for, or that it burned down)…the ‘29/78′, AmVets (the ’stomp’ night), Uppy’s, Old South, the original Allen’s (including downstairs), Harry’s (at 5 Points), Zippy’s, DAV (Disabled America Veterans, on bingo night, cheap drinks and cheaper beer), passes to The Navy School’s Officer’s Club on Friday Happy Hour (10-cent drinks and wonder where $10 went), drinkin’ ‘white’ (as in lightnin’) on Friday night, ‘Milk Runs’ to South Carolina…I’m sure there are some more to remember, but I forget.
adawgfan
September 26th, 2011
7:01 pm
Thanks Bill, I was there later in the 80’s. Anyone remember nickel night at TK’s? $5 cover but another dollar at the bar would make you have to walk home.
Bugsquacher Admirer
September 26th, 2011
7:20 pm
Bugsquacher is the most intelligent poster on this blog. His posts actually make a lot of sense, unlike most of the UGA homers.
riverdawg
September 26th, 2011
7:44 pm
Chazzo, the Baxter pizza place was called Harry’s (not to be confused with the other Baxter pizza place DaVinci’s). Spike, Miss Joe shot and killed Bubber as he lay sleeping on their couch several years ago. He was apparently a notorious wife beater. The last club manifestation of the B & L/Buckhead Beach was the I & I Club. I think it is ironic that this space is now the HQ for the UGA Police Dept.
E Nash
September 26th, 2011
8:34 pm
I was just out of high school and remember all those places well.. And went to Tk Hary’s just before I shipped out in the Army.. Great piece.. Thank You
Hello Gary
September 26th, 2011
9:40 pm
And the perfect next coach not named Richt is ??? He may be at one of your bars tonight.
Lakedawg
September 26th, 2011
9:40 pm
Not sure if Allen’s burgers were really that good are just the amount if suds beforehand made them seem so.
100 Proof
September 26th, 2011
9:47 pm
And thiry years later, we have the #1 party school in the country. A bunch of drunk students who grow up to be drunk fantards.
aarh
September 26th, 2011
9:48 pm
Ramble ON!!!- GT looks like they are much improved, & congratulations for that! Having said that though…they really haven’t played anybody yet. At least the 1st 2 teams UGA played were great. Might want to hold off on that trash talking.
Atlanta Gator
September 26th, 2011
10:11 pm
Do none of the AJC blog columnists think the SEC’s official acceptance of Texas A&M is worth a column today?
Good grief. Somewhere Tony Barnhart is spinning.
Mexdawg
September 26th, 2011
10:35 pm
The Rail/Dog House and the B&L were the best.But the absolute best beer in the whole wide world was an ice cold fish bowl mug of a draft at Cooper’s Bar.
Still@theBAR
September 26th, 2011
10:49 pm
Wow. I can’t read all the posts.
Dawgs don’t pick on DawgInLex. He is a DAWG to the BONE and a good guy.
I don’t think I have ever started a Re-Hab on the same day I pitched the job. I hurt. I was not supposed to do this type of labor. This Older man was not happy. We finished the tear-out and the New is going in tomorrow. Damn I was not ready to do the JOB today. HAHAHHA
That70sGAdawg
September 26th, 2011
11:05 pm
I was there ‘75-’79 Very Good Times. !
Pollyanna
September 27th, 2011
1:44 am
As student, was always the Railroad Tracks in front of the Cemetery for us – walking over from River Mill, which was just a great place to live. Actually, I went to Russell Hall when I walked on, and found studying even better there at Russell Hall. Would play basketball all day every day won a basketball championship made 23 in 30 seconds given a rebounder; won ping pong tournament with brother playing doubles and James was one of 2 single players. Loved it between Creswell and Brumby 1000 women both sides and those panty-raids were a hoot. Swamp Guinea after the games, always ordering the Swamp Guinea; before games it was Poss’ Bar-B-Q. Actually loved the Western Sizzlin’ as a night out, although you frequently found us walking across to the Krystal late at night. The Pizza place across from Russell Hall which looked like a Beach House, with all the natural wood, originally as I recall was a Poss’ Bar-B-Q then, Harry’s. Places like B&L Warehouse and Red and Black were not my hang-outs in college. I would study all night long 7 days a week; I was away at college; graduated in 3 years with 239 hours, overloaded every Quarter because Dean Fluellen signed my schedule for me; carried 3.88 into senior year; I knew what I was at college for. Women and an education. Didn’t spend my time getting drunk. Woke up 4 am and was Rabbit for Track team; my roommate was on Scholarship on Track Team. Always ate every meal at Williams, never Revoltin’ Bolton. Went to classes starting 7:50 am, never missed a class. Chose my Professors. Debate Team. Honor’s Day had parents come up from Atlanta with sisters Top 5 % there at Foy Fine Arts Building. I remember the Jackson Browne concert, how cozy it was in the Cow Palace that night with the ladies all over the guy. Linda Ronstadt concerts, several of them – one the worst ever and 1 the best. The best was when the PA was out, and she just walked to the front of the stage and bellowed out for all she was worth. Going to Cotton Bowl sticks out, Pig Sooey, and their mechanized hat, fumble-rooskie and blowing the lead before half – brought back Coors from Dallas. JAX – remember the 4th and Dumb Dickey later AD at TN, stuck 4th down marker under my Matt Robinson Jersey # 17 (got in locker room after Alabama win) and walked right out with it. JAX trips stick out; once told parents studying that weekend, then they saw us on TV – close ups, said oh that’s not me. Sugar Bowls – those stick out. Bars getting drunk ? Sorry, won’t see a lot of that in my college days – was not a frequenter of them. No memories at all of that. Everything else.
Pollyanna
September 27th, 2011
1:44 am
“Play Aaron Murray as a true freshman” what kind of lie is that DawgInLex, I wanted Zach Mettenberger in game 1 Cox with the flu to separate him from Murray and I never supported all this hype about Best in the SEC, and yes he is not Drew Brees – please.
Pollyanna
September 27th, 2011
2:06 am
As for supported Mark Richt, absolutely. Am I ashamed of that ? No. I can say that I figured it out long before you that it wasn’t what I thought we were getting – not now. Looking back, he beat the # 4 vols 2001 knocking lid off # 11 all-time wins program. Drank that Kool-Aid. We did lose 4 games that same year, right ? 2005 lost 3 games when we finally got DJ, 2 were injuries Joe III coming back to you ? 2005 ended up # 3 team in The SEC in AP Poll. 2002 ? Soft schedule, like this season. Lost to unranked team in Coaches’ Poll and AP Poll, going 0-11 on 3rd Down Conversions whole game. 2002 only 1 other SEC team finished in the Coaches’ Poll Top 25 # 14 Auburn. How great the 2 SEC Championships, just saying. 2007, Lost to cruddy 6-6 South Carolina team, not even in a bowl game. Sorry to burst that bubble but by then had long-since had it with this coaching staff of Mark Richt. Blow-out loss to vols 2007. Early in the season, it was over. Hosed by BCS in 2007 Mark Richt whined ? LSU beat two (2) teams finishing in the AP Poll Top 10, something we have not done around here in 6 seasons now, 2006, when we also lost 4 games. If you feel a need to post what I said, do yourself a favor. Go get my post. Post it. Anyway, you say fire him at the end of the season. I just want him gone the moment the Georgia tek game ends, that second. Don’t presume you can speak for me. Eidetic memory.
Pollyanna
September 27th, 2011
2:15 am
DawginLex September 26th, 2011 8:48 am
“Bill, your headline is wrong. Domination is when you score Touchdown after touchdown on an overmatched opponent. You don’t score 3 points and miss 4 FG’s and say you dominated anyone. I actually liked the playcalling except for the series where we threw the pick. Still hopeful but not by much.”
What’s the difference in that and what I say ? YOU said it. But, of course, only YOU can, according to YOU.
Pollyanna
September 27th, 2011
2:47 am
Still hanging around, can’t wait to see what I’ve got to say ? I’m sorry, but I don’t see you saying anything that rings a bell with me, son. Nothing. College days stand out in my mind. Yours ? You appear to have no memories like ALL the rest of us. So, because a guy is smarter than you, you are resentful of that. Ok, I was given much. So what ? I am a fan just like you. I see you no longer are able to make it stick that I’m a Georgia tek fan, or any other team. Now, it is YOU saying that you don’t any longer, either, have any faith. Me ? I have my Faith. I spent most days at the Baptist Student Center when my full day was done. DISNEYdawgs.com such as you want to be the ring-leader of, are just slow on the up-take. You already have come around. You just don’t admit it to yourself. I actually read the blogs. This is my hobby. Yours ? Bitter. Bitter about everything. There are now 27 scholarships this coaching staff of Mark Richt was given much credit for giving to them who have LEFT this football program. Yes, 3 left early to the NFL. 1 of the 3 is Caleb Darnell King, who flunked out. Another you whined about all Summer that he come back AJ Green. The 3rd is Justin Houston, who flunked the drug test at the NFL combines. Any other group of the 27 you wish to discuss ? I didn’t think so. So, go tell the blog how great you are and how ungreat we are because YOU support Mark Richt, his coaches’ play calls Saturday, and how you don’t have any or much hope left in your soul. I will research and post the facts, for you to attempt to come in here and speak for me, annoyed that that which I say, you have no come-back for. Then, sign your post, that you want wins or a new staff – like there is a great team we play this season with 10 cupcakes including the bowl game – another nobody opponent in the bowl game as every season for Mark Richt, when the nation will see on the national stage the coaches who are # 4 best coaches in America. You know the problem with your posts ? Nothing. They are fine. So why the animosity when what you actually say is actually exactly what I say ? Because you didn’t say it. We lose to the teams who finish in the AP Poll Top 10 all 11 years. We lose to teams who finish in the AP Poll Top 25 all 11 years. We lose, for good measure, to teams who would not end up in the AP Poll Top 25 even with their win over us, and for icing on that cake, we lose to teams who even with their win over us, don’t end up in the AP Poll Top 25. We have had a sorry bunch of coaches on Mark Richt’s coaching staff. We have wasted 27 Scholarships every one of which you ballyhooed Mark Richt getting here; now, they are ADDITION by ATTRITION all 27 we DON’T have for 2011 against this CUPCAKE SCHEDULE. Missy State, give me a break. Anything else you want to know ? I have had my job since 22 September 1991. How long have you had your job ?
Alabama Dawg
September 27th, 2011
8:06 am
Not only was the Odyssey my favorite, Classic subs was a great student hangout. For students remeber when TKS had to add the ZOO bus to get everyone home?
DawginLex
September 27th, 2011
8:49 am
pollyanna
You and I are on ignore mode with each other going forward.
Don’t respond to me and I’m dam sure not going to respond to you
We are done
chazzo
September 27th, 2011
8:59 am
The topic is drunken foolishness. Why are we talking about QBs? Oh yeah. I guess in Mettenberger’s case, you are on topic. I find it amusing that certain people knock Richt for not being hard enough on players and pine for Mettenberger who Richt chunked off the team.
If Richt wins out and SC loses and all the planets line up and we win the SEC (hypothetically speaking) there are certain folks who will always, always find something negative to say. Oh but he couldn’t beat BSU the first game.
I don’t care anymore. Get over it or move on.
bjohndawg
September 27th, 2011
9:02 am
I remember O’malleys, and one night when this smoking hot divorcee said, John take me home and have your way with me( something to that effect)….only one problem, I did not have my car.
At that moment, I was weak. Yes, I would have drove the ramblin wreck, if it was there.
I am ashamed to admit it.But I would have.
chazzo
September 27th, 2011
9:06 am
16-29-1 for 236 yds and 2 tds. Murray padding stats against #4 BSU.
19-29-1 for 248 yds and 4 tds. Murray padding stats against #10 South Carolina.
yearofthedawg
September 27th, 2011
10:13 am
T.K. Harty’s Long Island Tea…. ’nuff said. The only bar I’ve ever been to where they couldn’t get the vomit smell out of the bathroom no matter what they did! (And I say that with affection.)
Drink ‘n Drown at O’Malley’s on Tuesday… all you could drink for $4. Used to show up at 7:00 to get in before they started carding people, and had 28 beers before anyone showed up.
Halloween costume party at the Mad Hatter when my girlfriend dressed up like a hooker and was so hot and convincing it was disturbing.
Bill, all we need for the follow up article is something about the Spinnaker in Panama City… thanks for the memories.
Bulldog Joe
September 27th, 2011
10:40 am
What?
No Cleve’s?, No Manuel’s?, No Davinci’s?, No Uptown Lounge?, No Coopers?, No Gigi’s?, No Crazy Zack’s/Smoke’s?, No Blanche’s?, No Bubbers?, No Tyrone’s?, No Poss’ Lakeview?, No Abbott’s?, No Cinema & Draft House?, No George’s?, No Foxz?, No Crown Steak at Poss’ on the Atlanta Highway? No Paris Adult (oops)?, No Baxter Street Book Store (oops again)? no Whatever-the-name-of-that-place-in-the-Downtowner-motel-at-five-points?
Y’all didn’t get around much.
harold
September 27th, 2011
10:47 am
UGA FOOTBALL SADLY IS A VERY AVERAGE FOOTBALL TEAM NOW. AND RICHT IS A VERY AVERAGE COACH.
Bulldog Joe
September 27th, 2011
10:57 am
R.I.P. Mad Dog and Gamble Rogers…but you can still see Dirk, Randall, Davis, and the latest incarnation of the Normaltown Flyers playing around town to this day.
Hairy Dawg
September 27th, 2011
1:17 pm
Altamaha is right…
There was plenty of live music at Papa Joe’s…all you had to do was play Ernest Tubb, David Alan Coe, or Hank Junior on the jukebox.
The frat boys and sorority girls would stop their drinking games and the townies and hippies would lay down their smokes on the bar or the shuffleboard table and join in.
Athens was a lot more redneck back then.