When the sun sets and the temperature drops, you might want to focus
your attention on indoor games.
Fortunately,
this area has no shortage of fantastic nightspots for wining, dining
and sharing a joke or two. Like live music? We’ve got plenty
of venues featuring everything from jazz to country to dance music.
Want to watch some sports or play some video games? There are several
sports bars in the area that feature karaoke, trivia games and the
big screen televisions so wide that watching tennis on them will give
you a sore neck. Looking for a quiet getaway for some serious face
time with your new romantic interest? Nothing beats the atmosphere
of a private booth at one of our mountainside restaurants.
Availability of libations varies from community to community. Some
areas such as Deep Gap are totally dry. In Boone you can purchase
beer and wine in a restaurant but can only buy liquor in state-run
ABC stores. Some restaurants have “brown bag” permits allowing
you to bring your own liquor and have drinks made by restaurant staff.
Banner Elk and Blowing Rock restaurants have beer, wine and liquor
by-the-drink available for purchase. The selection available is up
to the individual restaurant.
Boone
Angelica’s
Making an early evening of it? Enjoy the sunset from the deck at Angelica’s
Vegetarian Restaurant & Juice Bar on King Street. The restaurant
features occasional live music and the finest in organic eats in the
High Country. Call (828) 265-0809.
Baxter’s Blues and Barbecue
Looking for a way to lose the blues? Well, walk on into Baxter’s
Smokehouse Blues and Barbecue in Boone, a new restaurant located across
Hwy 321 from the Holiday Inn. Great food, a bar with big screen sports
and casual dining is the name of the game at Baxter’s. Currently
the restaurant is scheduling live blues musicians and other entertainment
on Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. For more information,
call Baxter’s at (828) 262-0002.
The Bistro
Located in the New Market Center, the Bistro is your one-stop shopping
headquarters for the finest in food, beer and wine. The restaurant
has just added an outdoor seating area and is conveniently located
across from Regal Cinemas for that post-movie drink. Call (828) 265-0500.
Black Cat Burrito
For the finest in fresh burritos, nachos, salads and other food. The
downtown Boone eatery has scaled back its late night entertainment
but still features occasional live music in the jazz, bluegrass, reggae
and folk veins. Call (828) 263-9511.
Boone Bowling Center
You don’t have to be a league bowler looking for your first perfect
game to enjoy the Boone Bowling Center, located on Boone Heights Drive.
The center features plenty of lanes, electronic scoring, one of the
High Country’s most diverse jukeboxes, electronic games, and
other fun stuff. Check out Cosmic Bowling on the weekends! For more
information, call (828) 264-3166.
Boone Saloon
Located in the building that formerly housed the Caribbean Café,
the Boone Saloon is the newest member of the downtown nightlife family.
The restaurant features pool tables, occasional live music, draft
beer, sports on TV and a jukebox. Grab a beer and prop your elbows
up on the beautiful handcrafted hardwood bar. Call (828) 264-1811.
Café Portofino
Located on the site of the old Boone Railroad Depot on Rivers Street,
Café Portofino is home to some good food plus sports on TV,
darts, billiards, a rockin’ jukebox, occasional live music and
plenty of downtown Boone-style fun. Right now the Tap Room at Café
Portofino features Karaoke on Thursday and Aloha Fridays. Call (828)
264-7772.
Geno’s
Located at the High Country Inn on Hwy 105 in Boone, Geno’s has
everything imaginable to keep you fully entertained. Walk downstairs
for live music and stand-up comedy in the spacious Red Room. Or stay
upstairs in Geno’s Lounge for big screen sports, video and electronic
trivia games, and karaoke. A favorite destination for the college
crowd. Call (828) 264-1000.
The
Library Restaurant & Pub
When this new nightspot first opened, everyone was talking about the
waitresses’ school-girl uniforms. Now, everyone is talking about
the great food, fun times, and live entertainment at the Library.
The restaurant features live bands, darts, more televisions and big
screens than you can shake a stick at, and one of the largest selections
of beer and wine in the High Country. For more information, call the
Library at (828) 262-5772.
Macado’s
Late night munchies, games and fun make Macado’s a required stop
while visiting downtown Boone. The atmosphere is casual and the walls,
booths and ceilings feature rock & roll and movie memorabilia.
Call (828) 264-1375.
Makoto’s
Makoto’s Seafood & Steakhouse of Japan in Boone features
a restaurant where you can see the chefs prepare your meal, a bar
with television sports and a sushi bar. Check out their beautiful
new building in Boone! Call (828) 264-7976.
Moonshine Café & Lounge
Located on Water St. in Boone, the Moonshine Café & Lounge
features great international cuisine, patio and porch dining, and
occasional live music by some of the great acoustic bands of the area.
Always an experience to cherish, this is the new place folks are talking
about. (828) 262-5000.
Murphy’s
Located on King Street in downtown Boone, Murphy’s has been a
tradition for folks looking for late night fun for over 15 years.
The bar features big screen and other televisions for the latest sports,
video games and live music just about every night. The game room has
four full size pool tables, jukebox, and regulation size shuffleboard.
Look for live music on the deck during Friday afternoons! Call (828)
264-5117.
Blowing Rock
Bistro Roca
Antler’s Bar at Bistro Roca Restaurant in Blowing Rock is a name
that many longtime residents and visitors are familiar with. Unlike
the Antlers of old, this bar is cozy and upscale with all ABC permits
and occasional live music. It also features a large flat-screen TV
for sports viewing. Open until midnight. For more information, call
(828) 295-4008.
Canyons of the Blue Ridge
Featuring one of the most spectacular views you’ll see in the
High Country, Canyons is located just south of downtown Blowing Rock
on Hwy 321. The nightlife is always terrific and you can enjoy free
live music by some of the best in regional and touring acts four nights
a week. Call (828) 295-7661.
Headwaters Pub at Chetola Resort
Located by the banks of the beautiful Chetola Lake in Blowing Rock,
Headwaters Pub at Chetola Resort features both a martini bar and a
bloody Mary bar. There’s a television for sports, a beautiful
lounge area, and an intimate bar. The pub now features live entertainment
and a regular after-work gathering area. Call (828) 295-5505.
Meadowbrook Inn
One of the nicest hotels in Blowing Rock is also a well established
night life spot. The bar at Meadowbrook Inn features indoor and patio
seating, a large screen TV for sports, and a knowledgeable bar staff
to whip up any libation you can name. Meadowbrook is also the site
of the Second Sunday Jazz Series sponsored by the Blowing Rock Jazz
Society. The series brings the best live jazz in the Southeast to
the mountains for an early evening concert each month. Call (828)
295-4300.
Six Pence Pub
Located on Main Street in Blowing Rock, the Six Pence Pub feature
English food and drink in a cool yet upscale setting. When you want
to actually hear what your friends are talking about without having
to shout over a live band, think of the Six Pence. Call (828) 295-3155.
Tijuana Fats
Located in the heart of downtown Blowing Rock, Tijuana Fats is the
last remainder of a once mighty chain of Mexican restaurants that
stretched from the mountains to the beach. Fats features indoor and
outdoor eating areas plus occasional live music. The informal yet
classy setting makes it an ideal place for socializing with friends
or strangers. Call (828) 295-9683.
Twigs
For an entertaining time you won’t soon forget, join the eclectic
mix of visitors and locals who frequent Twigs. The atmosphere is both
casual and classy and the bar features darts and live music each weekend.
Call (828) 295-5050.
Woodlands
Woodlands Barbecue and Picking Parlor is just what the name implies:
A great, laidback joint where you can eat, drink and listen to some
talented musicians. Upstairs at the restaurant you can hear free live
music seven nights a week ranging from jazz to country to bluegrass.
The music starts each evening around 7 p.m. The bar area features
games and television sports. Call (828) 295-3651.
Banner Elk
Bayou Smokehouse & Grill
Located in the Center of the Village Shops in downtown Banner Elk,
the Bayou Smokehouse & Grille specializes in Texas and Louisiana
cuisine including the tastiest ribs this side of the Mississippi River.
Open late on Friday and Saturday, the fully stocked bar features a
pool table and video games. Look for live music this summer. Call
(828) 898-8952.
The Blackboard Restaurant
Gourmet cuisine is what brings folks to the Blackboard Restaurant
in Banner Elk. Live entertainment is what keeps them there after they’ve
devoured the last crumb on their plate. The restaurant, located in
The Great Train Robbery, features live music Thursday through Sunday.
Reservations are suggested. Call (828) 898-2321.
The Corner Palate
A Banner Elk institution for years, the Corner Palate is known for
its friendly atmosphere, covered deck and convenient downtown Banner
Elk location. Open until 2 a.m., the bar plans to have frequent live
music this summer and also features sports on TV plus a pool table.
Try the Sunday brunch with live music and Bloody Mary Bar. The sushi
is a must. Call (828) 898-8668.
Jackalope’s View
Jackalope’s View at Archer’s Inn provides intimate dining
and plenty of fun. The wine list has been voted “One of the 200
Best” by Wine Spectator Magazine and Jackalope’s also features
outside dining and live music upstairs. Call (828) 898-9004.
Louisiana Purchase
Featuring over 20 wines by the glass and one of the only Cruvinets
in the High Country, Louisiana Purchase is one of those places where
romantic memories are made. Join the friendly mix of locals and visitors
at the upstairs bar for drinks and mingling. And don’t forget
about the live jazz! Call (828) 898-5656.
The Mountain Tavern & Grille
Located on Hwy 105 in front of the Lowes Foods Shopping Plaza, the
Mountain Tavern & Grille opens at 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
The fully-stocked bar features TVs and a casual yet classy atmosphere.
The restaurant hosts special wine dinners twice a month during the
summer. Look for occasional live music on the weekend. Call (828)
898-8887.
Nick’s Restaurant & Pub
Located at the Shoppes of Tynecastle on the corner of Hwy 105 and
Tynecastle Hwy, Nick’s is open seven days a week and features
smoking and non-smoking dining areas. Entertainment at Nicks includes
live music, karaoke, and plenty of big screen plasma televisions for
your favorite sports action. The bar features all ABC permits. Call
(828) 898-9613.
Club Z at Zuzda
Zuzda Tapas Restaurant and Club Z Bar are Banner Elk’s newest
offerings for nightlife. The restaurant features a huge selection
of appetizers and the bar has all ABC permits. Club Z is a “Miami-style”
upscale nightclub featuring live jazz and dance music. Look for martini
and cigar night specials. Live entertainment starts at 7 p.m. and
club night entertainment starts between 9 and 10 p.m. For more information,
call (828) 898-4166.
Foscoe
Foscoe Family Billiards
Just the idea of a smoke-free, alcohol-free pool parlor is enticing
for family fun. Add to that the vintage and new video games, jukebox,
big screen televisions and one of the best hamburgers in the High
Country, and you have a recipe for a great time. (828) 963-6260.
Other High Country Locales
The Dawg Star Bar at Sirius
Now in its second full season, the Dawg Star Bar at Sirius Restaurant
is located on Shulls Mill Road one-half mile past Poplar Grove Road.
The establishment hosts live music events and is always ready to cater
special parties and receptions. Call (828) 963-6646.
The Gamekeeper
The Gamekeeper Restaurant & Bar on Shull’s Mill Rd. between
Blowing Rock and Hound Ears is one of the best-kept secrets among
folks looking for a classy yet cool bar. The bar has full ABC permits
and features rustic décor and great views, especially for our
leaf-looking visitors. The Gamekeeper is definitely worth the trip
on curvy Shull’s Mill Rd. Call (828) 963-7400.
Village Music House
For family fun, great music and a spacious dance floor, it’s
hard to beat the Village Music House in Deep Gap. Currently, the venue
features live bluegrass music on Friday nights and Beach Music with
a DJ on Saturday nights. This alcohol-free venue opens early (usually
around 7 p.m.) and the music ends before midnight, so it is a great
spot to go with the kids. It also features one of the best sound systems
in the High Country so you can hear the pluck of every mandolin string.
Admission is $8 for live music events and $5 for DJ events. The Village
Music Hall is located on Old NC 421 in Deep Gap next to the Deep Gap
Fire Dept.
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