New Year’s Eve is inevitably built up to be a much bigger deal than it ever actually turns out to be. I’ve found the best plans are those hastily made and loosely organized. So this year what better way to cruise into 2011 than with a few of my hundred closest pals at Durham’s best new music venue, Motorco Music Hall.

The evening was themed in cruise wear and yacht rock style complete with captains hats, mustached men, and a least a few disoriented parrotheads. The bands and DJs were fabulous dance funkadelic, and if I hadn’t been so tipsy and could recall any more details, I would tell you about them. I’ll just say this, it was a fantastic way to bring in the New Year and everyone had a great time. Thanks to King for organizing yet another awesome party.

Motorco is a superior music venue to Cat’s Cradle in Carrboro in at least three ways:
1. Bleacher-style seating for the short statured.
2. Full bar with a large selection of rotating taps and bottles.
3. I can walk there from my house.

It’s a large venue and they seem to have shows or other events happening most nights, and often without any cover. It is a member’s only club, so come as a guest or shell out a few bucks and join, it’ll be worth it. Check out upcoming events on their website or facebook page, like the monthly Spelling Bee. Yup, spelling and beer. See you there.

Cheers.

-sc

adamcreech:

November 19, 2010.  Axis of Cool.

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/19/t-magazine/21remix-scene.html

triv·i·a ¹ \ˈtri-vē-ə\

Insignificant or inessential matters; trifles.

The act of answering questions regarding information that is often useless or inapplicable. An excuse for the uneducated to feel knowledgeable.

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I’ve been a regular at Bull McCabes in downtown Durham for some time. It’s probably one of my favorite standbys, not only for the great beer selection, friendly patrons and awesome spicy veggie burger, but for the legendary Wednesday night trivia.

The competition is fierce and the bar is always packed, so get there early, like way early, and fend off the hoards of people trying to stalk your booth. Teams of 2 to 6 players compete through three rounds to win a bar tab for the evening. The second round is reserved for a special topic. This is the time to call upon your weird Trekkie co-worker or neighbor from Canada to join the team. Favorites from the past include audio rounds, Las Vegas, astronomy, TV sitcoms, literary first lines, famous sidekicks and “Rock and Roll Will Never Die, But I Might.” The real entertainment, besides the jokes about Gee’s mom, is the battle for the best team name. Here’s a hint: be creative, current, and moderately vulgar, and you stand a good chance of winning a pitcher of beer for your team.

Besides trivia, Bull McCabe’s often has special themed parties and events. It’s a pretty rowdy and juvenile crowd on St. Patrick’s Day, but the rest of the year it seems to attract a more mature group of patrons. Graduate students, young professionals, barflys and locals. The bar is large and good for groups, dinner and first dates.

Also, the french fries here are fantastic.

Bonus: The walls are filled with old books on subjects like Junior High Chemistry, British Legal Procedure and how to bake a perfect pineapple upside down cake. It makes for good conversation or an easy diversion when your date is super awkward.

Cheers.

-sc

Someone who likes me should get me one of these. Mmmmm, beery.

It’s Christmas evening and my dearest friend Martha is in town visiting. We’ve drank most of the leftover Yuengling and PBR from the holiday party in my fridge. As the snow starts to float down and coat the sidewalks, it’s time to venture out in search of libations.

For the third year in a row now, I’m spending Christmas evening at the James Joyce in downtown Durham. It seems to be the only place open regardless of weather or national holiday. And it happens to be Martha’s old stomping ground, and where about half of Durham, at some point or another, has come to drink.

The Joyce is modeled after a traditional Irish pub, motherland of owner, Fergus Bradley. In the front you’ll find some cold smokers huddled around the fire pit. The interior is dark and cozy. There are plenty of taps both domestic and European, and a row of locals wrapped around the sturdy wooden bar. On Christmas night the crowd is small at first. A few solo drinkers, some Indians who look to be graduate students, and a few old friends reuniting. Owen, the ever-smiling and excellent bartender, pours me a Fullsteam Lager. On special tap tonight is a coffee stout, that’s appealing and smooth. We sit and chat and the pints seem to refill themselves.

The James Joyce is the kind of place to catch up with an out of town old friend, start a conversation with a friendly stranger, and swap stories over beers. The food is pretty decent, mostly traditional pub fare.

A few years ago the power went out on Christmas and rather than close the bar, Owen lit some candles and we kept drinking. I kid you not, a guy busted out a violin and started playing Christmas songs and the whole bar started to sing along. It’s just that kind of a place.

Joy to the World. The Joyce is always open.

What you need to know:

• “Cheers” factor: 8 out of 10
• Bathroom quality: 7 out of 10. Single stalls, usually tidy.
• Trivia: Hard as hell, on Tuesdays I think.
• Service: Excellent.
• Mood: Dark and friendly.
• TVs: Yes. Usually playing soccer, er, football.

Cheers.
-sc

Best bar in town. My place.