During the day, the tables at Bad Dog American Pub in University City hold burgers and fries. But on a Wednesday night, tables slam together for a beer pong tournament that creates the ultimate college bar.
The bar was crowded, but mellow with music like Modest Mouse and the Red Hot Chili Peppers playing in the background. A few young women stood at the bar and swayed back in forth as they talked to guys on bar stools.
The atmosphere caters to a younger audience with arcade games in the corner. Murals of Jack Daniels and Blue Moon are on the walls, with a taste of Charlotte thrown in with Carolina Panthers gear.
If you want to escape the crush of people inside, the bar offers outdoor seating that overlooks a small lake. A breeze off the water will cool you off and quickly get you back in the beer pong tournament.
Seats in the booths that line the wall were the perfect spot to view people coming in and out of the bar that night. If I've learned anything on this journey, it's to sit back and watch the action. The only thing that broke up the college crowd that night was an older man gambling on Triple Towers. I wouldn't have noticed him hidden at the end of the bar, but every time he won he stood up and clapped to congratulate himself.
Everyday specials at Bad Dog include $1 PBR bottles, $2 Michelob Ultra, $5 bombs and half-price appetizers from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Mondays offer $6 Bud and Miller Light pitchers; Tuesdays are $1 wells; Wednesdays are $6 Bud and Miller Light pitchers, $8 anything on tap pitchers, and a beer pong tournament that starts at 10 p.m.; Thursdays are $2 Coors and Miller Light bottles, $2 house bourbon whiskey, $3 pinnacle whipped flavors, and it's ladies night; Friday and Saturdays are $1-2-3 night with a DJ starting at 11 p.m.
Friday and Saturday nights there's no cover charge with a student ID.
Bad Dog American Pub
8933 JM Keynes Dr.
Charlotte, N.C., 28262
704-717-7177
http://www.baddogspub.com/
Brittany will blog about the Charlotte-area bar scene the month of July. Got a bar suggestion? Email penland.brittany@gmail.com.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Bad Dog caters to college crowd
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18 comments:
Here's something that would have been worth mentioning...the food?
It's also a burger place. A special one too in that that all their beef comes from a local grain fed cattle farm. (I know that because if I remember correctly--THAT'S ON THE MENU.)
For burgers, you could put Bad Dog next to any of the boutique burger joints we now have in Charlotte and they would be a top contender. (I know that -- because I ACTUALLY HAD ONE.)
Experience something other than session beers and the typical bar activities. The menu is a good place to start--even if you just read it.
Find something unique about the places you go. Dig a bit deeper and get past the obvious details of an establishment and the things that are fairly basic to every bar. e.g. outdoor seating...most places have it -- and is really not a deal breaker one way or another.
Research Zane Lamprey's Drinking Made Easy and you'll get a taste of what folks are expecting. http://www.drinkingmadeeasy.com
I was there last night too. Pretty tame compared to Wednesday nights during the school year. Definitely a frat bar with some surprisingly good food.
Now it is clear you're not eating out every night at these establishements, that would be frightening for 30 straight days. If so, would like to see your picture in 30 days...25lbs heavier? lol. My apoligies for asking for food critic material. Great blog, covers what you're asked to do.
Let me guess. Your food and drink is on the house now. So everything is just perfect.
13 reviews. 7 uptown, 3 NoDa, 3 UNCC. No South Park, no Arboretum, no Matthews, no Lake Norman, etc. Definately need to spread out some! Also, not everyone who goes to bars is 25 and under. How about more places for people age 40-50 to relax. Good job on what you have done, just need to incoroporate more areas and more age groups.
This article makes it sound like the worst bar on earth...food doesn't warrant a mention, nor do any beers but the cheapest swill available. Crowd is college douchebags and some crazy old guy at the end of the bar. Sounds like a real hoot.
Man, people will complain about anything. I enjoy your blog, thanks.
Wow, a lot of comments from obviously overweight and miserable folks... jeez.
But we all get so tired of hearing about all the cool stuff in South Park, Matthews and Lake Norman.
Once again, another blog post about the people, what they were wearing, how they were moving around, etc. Nothing about what makes this establishment worth patronizing.
I love how people are so quick to judge her writing. Its called a blog for a reason. She can write whatever she wants about the bar she goes to. Its her experience. People need to look at it in a different way. She is saving you time and money by going to these places and writing so that you don't have to go to a place that you don't like. She is helping the community by saying good things about places which in turn is helping the small business in Charlotte and its only 30 days I'm sure there are more than 30 bars in Charlotte.
i like reading your blog. just remember people will always say negative stuff. keep touring around town. put a link to each places website in your article then these nerds can read the whole menu and whatever else they need to not complain.
There are bars in the Arboretum?
Anon 12:03 -
Like people complaining about people complaining?
"How about more places for people age 40-50 to relax".....try home, it works and is so cheap.
Keep up the great work. You are young and still learning your craft. Take the well thought out feedback and apply it to your writing. Take the negative criticism and use it as fuel towards your success.
Last thing, the people who say negative things are posting "Anonymously." They have not the heart nor spine to put their names and contact information in their posts as they hide behind their computer screens. That alone says enough about their character.
Kacey
They do have killer burgers and the couple of times I've been there the staff has been very friendly.
Go to the Thirsty Beaver on Central Ave!!!!
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