From the road, there's nothing special about the faded red building of Philosopher's Stone Tavern, but the crowd of people in the parking lot suggested otherwise.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I entered the Elizabeth neighborhood tavern, but I was surprised that the inside of the bar wasn't as packed as the outside crowd suggested. I later learned that the clump of sweaty people in athletic gear outside were a part of Charlotte Runners. The group meets every Thursday for a 4.5 mile run, then hits up the Stone for a few beers and delivery pizza on the back porch.
Inside, the bar was very low key and casual. A pool table and vending machine sit to the right of the bar, opposite the high-top tables in the dining area.
My friend and I sat at a table facing the games and watched as two guys playing foosball jammed out between scoring to music coming from the jukebox. One guy had to completely stop playing so he could throw his head back, clinch his eyes shut and lip sync.
The decor of the bar is simple, but suits its personality. Rustic beams run low over the worn wood dining tables and the floor is concrete. The dark wood bar is tucked in the corner and seems to have just enough space for the two bartenders working that night.
The only downfall of the small bar was how hot it was inside, because people were constantly coming and going from outside porches to get beers. If it manages to be cooler outside, I say take advantage of the Stone's front deck. There, bar hoppers can enjoy live music and play corn hole with friends.
Specials on Monday include half-price wings with the purchase of a beer tower from 5 to 8 p.m. and trivia at 9 p.m.; Tuesdays are acoustic dinner with Quincy on the patio from 6 to 10 p.m., a pool tournament at 9 p.m., and $3 pint night; Wednesdays are home to Early Evenin' Pickin' with the PStone Pickers on the screened-in porch; Thursdays are ladies night, $3 well drinks, and $2 drafts and domestic bottles; Fridays are half-priced appetizers from 5 to 7 p.m.; Saturdays feature a bloody Mary bar; and Sundays offer the bloody Mary bar, free live music from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and breakfast is served until 3 p.m.
The Stone also offers a full menu including burgers, crab cakes, wraps and desserts.
Philosopher's Stone Tavern
1958 East 7th St.
Charlotte, N.C., 28204
704-350-1331
Hours: Open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
www.philosophersstonetavern.com
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Basic works for Philosopher's Stone
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12 comments:
It's must be difficult to make to interestin each day. Tell us about how these bars make sure no one leaves drunk with car keys in their pocket.
The place is a dump.
PS is one of my favorites.
The food here is actually really good!
I've been going there for a long time; Mac Macs,Bijouy Kitchen and the P Stone. The place has been the hub of Stanleyville it was the headquarters of the "Mayor of Stanleyville" Lottie,back in the day. The "Rank Outsider"w/Bill and Gigi were the house band for years .
Were you in the main part of the restaurant/bar when you visited there?
I love "runners" that finish up a good run with pizza and beer. First: torture the system by pounding pavement and taking cardio to the edge of existence in this heat. Next: torture the stomach, liver and digestive system by pouring in cheese and bread and beer. I say skip the running part, and drink booze instead of beer!
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I'm one of the runners from this group. We meet up at P-Stone every Thursday at 6:30pm. See meetup.com for details.
Regarding the "clump of sweaty people" -- after the run, some of us (me) take a shower before going to the bar, but that's only because we (I) live nearby.
Regarding the pizza...it just so happened that someone brought pizza that day, but this isn't normal. Normally, we support P-Stone by eating their food. It's awesome food for a bar!
Regarding the heat...that's an exception, too. It was hotter than normal, but most (if not all) of us run on a regular basis, so we're conditioned to the heat.
@8:55, I take it you have the credibility of a serious athlete to criticize recreational runners for indulging in a little pizza and beer, but my imagination suspects a 300-lb. couch potato who can't finish a mile.
Did you even bother to go into the main part of the place?? It sounds like all you did was go into the back bar, which is usually pretty empty unless there is a large crowd or band playing inside. If you had gone through the doors you would have found yourself in a screened in porch dining room with a fireplace and a door leading out to the large and unique outdoor patio, the main draw of pstone, complete with outside bar, lights, tiki torches, an outdoor pool table, foosball, cornhole and a stage for bands, which play frequently. Through those doors you will find the small dining room which is connected to the main bar, usually full of neighborhood regulars. I'm glad you checked out the stone, but if you're going to write a review of the place, please check out the whole bar first.
My good friend (who shall remain nameless) and I were the two playing foosball. I can't recall the exact moment when my ginger friend started lip syncing, but I am sure of this... The only thing more embarassing than the mock-karaoke performance I was subject to, was the beating he took, like the red-headed step-child that he is, during that game.
there hasn't been a Tuesday night pool tournament there since last spring, from what I understand.
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