A Night on the Hill Part One

Chapel Hill is one of the best college towns in the Triangle and it has the nightlife to prove it.  Whether it is the hordes of well-dressed college students, the culture of “barflies,” or the persistence of “last call Lucys,” the Franklin Street area has developed a personality of its own.  I have offered here a listing of some of the more popular bars and even provided a small synopsis of their specialties. 

-         Quiznos Night Life / The Q-Lounge

Yes, Quiznos Subs (the restaurant) has jumped into the melting pot of Chapel Hill nightlife with its 169 East Franklin Street location.  I was not sure what to think about this strange move, but the proprietor – a kind, unassuming family man named Hernan – knew what he was doing.  The venture, which does not sell liquor, has hosted a variety of student acts and performances, including a poetry reading by E-ROT, a UNC-based performance troupe.  If, on a Friday night, you find yourself walking down Franklin Street and see the strobe lights flashing at Quiznos, stop in and check it out, it may be worth your interest.

-         Players

If you have gone out on Franklin Street, then you’ve seen the line of anxious faces waiting for admittance into this popular club – get there early or you will be one of them.  Its popularity means that it is always a crowded affair, and sometimes a confrontational affair involving Chapel Hill’s finest.  However, if you gain access to this club, then you shouldn’t be disappointed by the diversity of clientele and the richness of the “Players experience.”  Long known as the hangout of the Carolina Basketball team, you’ll be sure to spot some high-profile figures enjoying the music and the dark dance floor.  This club charges a cover. 

-         Carolina Coffee Shop

At night Carolina Coffee Shop, or just the “Coffee Shop,” is known more for its great drink specials than its cup o’ Joe.  This Chapel Hill favorite usually charges a cover, but always offers a chalkboard special that will accommodate many students’ pockets.  The best thing about this dimly lit establishment is the juxtaposition of the classic wooden furnishings, the conservative décor, and the thumping of the latest hip-hop hit.  If you can find something you do not like about this nightlife staple, other than the small glasses, then you most likely have never been there. 

-         Top Of the Hill

Top of the Hill - affectionately known as “Top O’” - perches over Franklin Street as the premier bar of the area.  Whether you ascend the stairs or take the elevator, when the doors open, you will be whisked into a world entirely unlike that of the casual college campus.  The clientele would seem better suited to be wealthy heirs or baronesses than the same ones you saw downing a Pabst last week at the house party, but Top O’ has that effect on people.  The dress is chic, elegant, and just downright posh, so you should leave the T-shirt and sneakers at home.  The bar is fully stocked with enough top-shelf liquor to satisfy all but a rap star, and enough bartenders to ensure that you will get a drink in 10 minutes or less.  The best part of Top O’ is the large, heated patio that overlooks Franklin Street.  Expect no cover, but expect to pay premium prices for your drinks, even their in-house beers. 

-         Pantana Bob’s Restaurant and Bar

The home of Chapel Hill’s good ole boy network, P. Bob’s is a harbor for the university’s Greek life members.  Good fun and cheap specials means that this bar is a weekend hotspot.  But also, comedian open mic night on Wednesdays supplies the area with quality comedy acts for a steal.  The waitstaff will attend well to your needs, but on busy nights it may be best to send a friend to the bar with a list of drinks, a wad of cash and a tray.  Dress is casual, and a southern accent is a must. 

-         La Résidence Restaurant and Bar / Café La Rez

The inspiration for La Rez must have been a set for Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.  A large, segmented covered patio that seems to have been magically created by wood nymphs creates the idyllic atmosphere.  The white lattice and plethora of vines and flowers seems to surround you as you sip your cocktails.  The “regulars” look anything but, as they are dressed in cutesy evening dresses or fine spring suits.  You will find plenty of seating, even discovering a hidden corner or two protected by the flora.  The drink prices are not modest, but they are fair, and there may be a cover. 

-         East End Martini Bar

This classy establishment’s main draw is its menu of 101 quirky martinis.  The bartenders are capable and the servers don’t mind sharing their personalities, so you can sit back, or rather stand, and enjoy yourself.  The seating is very limited, so be sure to wear your comfortable-yet-trendy shoes.  The bar often presents live music, which can be an added treat, but can also be loud, so sign up for a text-messaging package before you go.  Most of the martinis are in the $7 and up range, and the cover is usually $5.  This bar has recently enacted a business casual dress code.

-         Deep End

Deep End is the public school brother of the preppy East End Martini Bar.  Located just below the martini bar, Deep End is a smoky cavern of cacophony.  Thursday nights usually see the most action, as this cult favorite offers domestic beers for a quarter each.  That means that, hypothetically, you could hospitalize an entire rugby team off of $20, including tip.  You pay your cover at the East End entrance and are awarded the freedom to meander between the two freely.  Dress is casual, but I would suggest wearing something that you do not mind smelling of cigarette smoke. 

-         West End Wine Bar

West End Wine Bar is another specialty bar that makes its niche with a variety of domestic and international wines – over 100 to be exact.  The selection is superb, the service is prompt, and the décor is grandiose.  The tri-level establishment includes a comfortable main floor with plenty of plush seating, an upstairs patio that allows for stargazing, and a downstairs “Cellar” that holds three 8-foot billiard tables and beers on tap.  Fitting in does not require having a great nose for wine, as they are all divided into taste categories and succinctly described.  You should, however, opt for understated yet fashionable attire.  The best part of this bar is the by-the-glass pricing that keeps a great wine under $6 a glass and encourages experimentation.   

-         He’s Not Here

“He’s Not,” another Chapel Hill favorite, is tucked behind the Franklin Street TJ’s convenience store and Caribou Coffee.  When you enter, you may first believe that you have paid for entrance into someone’s backyard, but the sketchy two-story building across the yard is actually the bar.  The He’s Not experience is best when the weather is nice, because the indoor area is small and lacks seating.  This means that you should grab a drink and head outside where the party is.  Keep your eye on the Budweiser and Miller Lite representatives that frequent the yard because they usually offer goodies for participating in their games.  He’s Not claims Tuesday nights with their three dollar Blue Cups – huge 32-ounce Carolina blue cups of any beer.  By the way, they do not accept credit; so stop at the ATM before you go.

-         Aladdin’s Café

If the exterior of Aladdin’s Café doesn’t excite you, then the view of college students surrounding ornate hookahs and gazing out of the panoramic windows will.  Since its redesign about a year ago, the Mediterranean restaurant began keeping its doors open late and welcoming scores of customers eager to escape into another culture.  The seats fill up quickly, and there is always a waiting list for hookahs, so go early.  The seating consists of two long padded benches that line the walls, chairs and tables complementing the benches, and two pillowed areas posted in the bay windows.  If you are lucky, you may catch a belly-dancing performance, but otherwise, the in-house DJ will provide you with nonstop hits.  Dress is casual and there’s no cover.

-         Goldie’s Grille

Goldie’s has made its place on Franklin Street with friendly service, sufficient seating, and a patio that boasts a beer pong table.  The music level is tolerable, so you can enjoy your favorite song, or sit down and talk with a group of friends.  If your feeling in the competitive mode, grab a pitcher of beer and some cups and takeover the outdoor beer pong table, or bring some quarters and shoot around on the pool tables in the back room.  The bar features a spacious brick patio and a large leather sofa for those that prefer comfort.  The feel of Goldie’s is comfortable, and thus there is no dress code and no cover.