Uptown Downtown

By Tom Nepomuceno

Located at the corner of Main and Court St. Uptown Downtown offers patrons two kinds of satisfaction.

If you’re looking for someplace different, more youthful, with loud music blasting in your ears and a place to dance, head up the stairs to Uptown. If you’re out looking for a place to have a brew and watch the game with your friends, sit down in Downtown. No matter which one you choose, you’ll have a good time.

Downtown
“We try to have a different image than the other bars,” said co-owner John Hobbie. Hobbie, along with his older brother Jeff, runs Uptown Downtown. Walking in the door, you can tell that the owners strive to keep this bar a cut above the rest.

The bar is well stocked, and neatly organized. Bar stools are neatly arranged, the bar is polished to a mirror shine, and the floor is swept. Walking in you instantly know that Downtown is a sports bar. Eighteen large TVs line the walls offering patrons a wide range of sporting venues such as: MLB, NHL, NBA sports package, Sunday NFL, WWE and all UFC pay-per-view events, according to their Myspace.

“During the day, we get a lot of town people and we get the students at night,” Hobbie said. “The same ten people come in everyday.”

The atmosphere is relaxed, ESPN flows through the crowd, patrons sip their drinks. Their attention divided between the game and their friends.

If you’re looking for a place to watch the game with friends, Downtown has you covered.
Should you choose Downtown, know that it is a 21 and over bar. 

“We’re strict about checking IDs,” Hobbie said.

Uptown Downtown: 419.352.9310.

Uptown
Featuring a large dance floor and themed nights, Uptown caters to a younger crowd. The 18 and over dance club is located above Downtown and features a large dance floor, pool tables and booths for taking a break in between songs. Speakers belt out club remixes all night long from artists who go along with the theme for the night.

Loud music, alcohol, and a dance floor provide the ingredients for a club atmosphere. The crowd here is mainly college kids out looking for somewhere to dance.

“People here are friendly,” said bartender Kristen Mednes. The atmosphere is relaxed, patrons sit at booths talking about whatever, and the sound of pool balls colliding resonate from the back room.

If you’re looking for a laid back club that likes to mix it up, check out Uptown. The themed nights will satisfy a need for change and the music and dance floor will ensure that you dance until the sun comes up.

For more information about the themes for Uptown here’s link to their Myspace.

Beckett's

By Tom Nepomuceno

Across the street from Tubby’s and a building over from Uptown Downtown, there’s Beckett’s.

A change in pace from the other bars, Beckett’s is a great place to go to get a drink, a bite to eat, or hang out with friends.

The atmosphere here is laid back, patrons sit at their tables sipping their drinks, enjoying their dinner while watching the game or chatting with friends.

A pool ball motif adorns the walls. The bar is well stocked, and the bartenders are quick and friendly. If you’re in the mood to shoot pool, Beckett’s has free pool at their two pool tables. Beckett’s also has a dartboard should darts be more to your liking and, like in other bars, LCD TVs are located on the walls so patrons can watch their favorite teams.

If you’re looking for something to eat, Beckett’s has you covered. Their menu, along with daily dinner specials, offers a diverse selection of appetizers, sandwiches and soups.

“Every night we have something special,” said bartender Maryann Mason. Beckett’s has a daily dinner special including fifty cent tacos, twenty five cent wings and even a steak dinner.

The crowd at Beckett’s is mixed, but the atmosphere remains the same.

“We get a lot of town people and we also get a lot of college kids,” said Mason. The scene at Beckett’s is mixed. Townies can be seen sitting amongst college kids in the earlier hours around 5 p.m. but as the night drags on, the townies will leave and the college kids will move in.

Wednesday nights are one of their busier nights and there is always a decent dinner crowd, according to Mason.

Tubby's Tavern

By Tom Nepomuceno

"Whiskey in a jar"

Tubby’s Tavern, located next to the Clazel, has been making a name for itself in the BG bar scene. From the street, Tubby’s doesn’t look like much. A glance at the blacked out windows and the sign, one could assume that Tubby’s is another hole-in-the-wall pub, which it is. Yet given Tubby’s claim to fame, the appearance is fitting.

 

“We’re known as a whiskey bar,” said bartender Matt Poca. With eight kinds of whiskey in stock, Jack Daniels being the most popular, Tubby’s whiskey selection is what sets them apart from the other bars. If you’re a tequila fan, you might want to consider another bar. For a while Tubby’s only tequila was Cuervo, but due to demand they have started stocking Patron, according to Poca.

 

If you enjoy beer Tubby’s has a variety of bottled beer, along with beer on tap.

 

The crowd tends to vary, occasionally a townie can be spotted at the bar drinking their beer quietly while watching TV but Tubby’s is predominately a college bar.

“On Monday I open a little earlier because of Monday Night Football,” said Poca. “Occasionally an adult or two may wander in, but for the most part it’s college kids.” 

The interior of the bar is clean, but narrow. It doesn’t have the luxury of size like other bars. There are pool tables in the back and LCD TVs hung over the bar to keep you entertained and a chalkboard display the drink specials. Several tables are strewn about the bar. Tables in the back are unoccupied and for the most part patrons stay in the front of the bar where the music and booze is.

Due to Tubby’s size, the music is closer to the bar which means that you’ll probably have to yell to be heard. Couple that with a bunch of friends out celebrating someone’s 21st and the noise level becomes unbearable.

There are other places on Main that are bigger, but if you’re looking for a good time or want a shot of something fierce, Tubby’s is your place.

Tubby’s Tavern: (419) 352-4444