There are not many things that can take you back to memories of tailgating in a parking lot on an early fall day before a football game. But a few worn bean bag sacks and two plywood boxes will do the trick.
I never thought I'd be reminiscing at Charlotte's EpiCentre about how I spent my college Saturdays watching my Mountaineers play, but a little corn hole at Mortimer's Pub felt like home.
The bar was completely packed when I went with a few friends, and the crowd was lively to say the least. Patrons brushed shoulders trying to squeeze in and up to the bar. After ordering a few beers we moved outside to the patio for a little relief from the sticky heat.
I was sitting under an umbrella at an iron patio set waiting for my turn to play the winners in corn hole, when I struck up a conversation with a young couple from Louisville, Ky. The two were in Charlotte buying a car and decided to spend the night exploring uptown. Carla spent some time talking about how she missed her kids and Trent sported their silly bands as a reminder of home.
In the middle of my conversation with the sweet couple, a commotion broke out in corn hole. A woman probably in her mid 40s was easing her way over to my friend. She sashayed her way down the alley with her long, army green skirt flowing and her worn flip flops slapping the pavement. She had a sassy look on her face and her hands placed firmly on her hips.
When she finally reached Andrew, who was now completely distracted from the game and didn't know what to say to this forward woman, she stopped, stared, and didn't say a word.
Then with cat-like reflexes she snatched the black sunglasses he had sitting on his head and sprinted back inside. Through the wall of glass windows, her husband and friends killed themselves laughing. Nothing like watching a group of fortysomethings play true or dare at a bar and flirt with college kids.
Mortimer's was the perfect environment to catch a variety of different age groups and have a guaranteed good time. You could find a mix of wallflowers lining the bar and a carefree group dancing to the reggae/beach music playing that night.
The decor of the bar was simple yet classic with its beige walls and black and white photos.
The pub offers decent specials throughout the week. Mondays: Mason jar Mondays, $3 Miller Lite bottles, $4 mason jar cocktails. Tuesday: Open mic night, $3 Bud Light bottles, $4 rum and Coke. Wednesday: Civil War Wednesday (25 percent off all menu items), $2 PBR tall boys, $5 Long Island iced tea. Thursday: Mad Men Thursday, $3 Coors Light bottles, $4 Jim Beam. Friday: Luck be a Lady Friday, $3 Bud Light bottles, $4 house wine, $5 Absolut martinis. Saturday: Sinatra Saturdays, $3 Miller Lite bottles, $4 old fashioned's. Sunday: Bloody Sunday, $3 Yuengling bottles, NFL Sunday ticket, $4 bloody marys.
Mortimer's Pub
210 East Trade StreetCharlotte, N.C., 28202-2538
704-688-0366
http://www.mortimerspub.com/
Hours: Monday through Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Posts
18 comments:
This is great writing! I feel as though I was there with you. Great job with the review and keep up the good work, Britt!
- Adam
I disagree....I feel more like I'm reading the facebook post of a gossiping teenager than a review of a bar. Sorry....I just don't getting it...
The only real description of the bar is:
"The decor of the bar was simple yet classic with its beige walls and black and white photos."
...the rest of the article is pretty irrelevant.
Also, why would you go OUTSIDE to escape the heat? Just wondering.
***just not getting it (sorry for the grammar mistake)
After reading Adam's profile---I suspect he's friends with the author. ;-)
Regardless, the writing is just fine and enjoyable to read. That said---for the intended purpose of this blog these commentaries I think continue to miss the target.
Before I go further---I just want to say that my tone is not hateful or sarcastic...truly trying to provide some constructive critiques.
IMHO, I believe there needs to be way more substance regardng the actual bar, environment--and people (which this particular post sort of got into). Give us some history. Tell us about the owners. Tell us who the bar is meant to cater to. What is the theme/ambiance/purpose/intent of the bar? Is it a hang out bar to drink session beers? Is it bar to enjoy craft beers or wine? Frequented by professionals/college/bikers/all the above? etc. etc. etc. W.W.W.W.W.H. Who What Why Where When HOw.
Also---it'd be good to see some more destinations that are outside of the 277 loop...and that aren't the "typical" destinations. Uncover a true local place with some "flavor" and history. Something off the beaten path that is unique. Someone already mentioned Zane Lamprey...Watch some Drinking Made Easy episodes (http://www.drinkingmadeeasy.com/) and you'll get an idea of what folks are expecting in this blog.
Again--the writing is just fine. Content is just off target.
It definitely takes skills to pull this off and I applaud your efforts. Keep trying and continue crafting and honing your skills. Don't get discouraged by the criticism. Take the crticism that you can learn from or use...and leave the other behind. If you do, I think by the last week of your "30 days" you'll be posting some really great stuff and the comments will show it!
Looking forward to the next entry!!!!!
Agree with you Andy, the writing sounds like a rewrite of a paper for a freshman creative writing class - very forced.
"She sashayed her way down the alley with her long, army green skirt flowing and her worn flip flops slapping the pavement. She had a sassy look on her face and her hands placed firmly on her hips."
Andy - Are you going to post the same comment for every one of these?
While my comments have been critical, they sure haven't been the "same" comments every day. I'm sorry...but with all of the great writers that the observer has laid off lately this is just disappointing to read!
I think Mortimer's is a great place to hang out any night, regardless of the blog-writing skills. I get a great feel of Mortimer's from this blog! Every night at Mortimer's is a little different, but always sure to bring a good time. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Brittany, I love your blog and I think you're doing a great job. To quote Willow Smith...
Don’t let haters get me off my grind
Whip my hair, if I know I’ll be fine
Keep fighting until I get there
When I’m down and I feel like giving up.
Just whip yo hair, girl.
Demographics, demographics, demographics.
A sexy, pretty face that is (daily) on the homepage of the CO will draw clicks, regardless of the quality of the journalism.
Also, the CO knows that they need to draw younger readers (read 18-35 demographic). And what better subject matter combination than a pretty face writing an alcohol soaked, 30-day pub crawl diary.
I think this series could have had a hint of credibility if the 30 day period had ended before the diary/blog was posted. Think of the "special" treatment that BP will draw from ANY bar, pub or drinking establishment that BP walks into and is recognized by the management.
And don't get me going about listing all the prices and specials...if the atmosphere and theme are enticing enough I don't need a drinks menu/pricing summary.
Come North, you need to came North, to Lake Norman. Maybe to Galway Hooker, in Cornelius, no not Birkdale!
You get how many thousands of people viewing this blog every week?
A few people write about how unhappy they are with your view of the bars and share with us how jealous they are. Keep your head up and keep telling us how it is. If you stay honest then who cares what the life-less losers have to say about your opinion of a few bars. Especially the ones so pathetic and so life-less that they continue coming back to a blog "they hate," just to comment.
Grow up, cry babies.
Good job, Brittany.
@Anonymous 9:05-
This is a public forum, therefore everyone is entitled to their opinion. This drivel is getting on a lot of people’s nerves because they are tired of seeing this cr@p on the front page of The Disturber’s site everyday! Perhaps we wouldn’t be inclined to waste our time clicking on and reading this garbage if it were actually in the Living Here – Food section. But so far a lot of people have clicked on each blog thinking it’s going to be a well-informed review only to see that it sounds and looks like “the Facebook post of a gossiping teenager than a review of a bar” as Andy well stated.
We expect The Disturber to look and sound professional when delivering news and reviews. Not stoop to the level of this girl who sounds like she’s writing a gossip column for a sorority newsletter!
Good Job Brittany. As a fellow Mountaineer Alum, it's great to see that you are achieving such success right out of school. As has already been mentioned, there will always be sad, bitter, jealous people who have nothing better to do then try to and bring you down. Don't let them, you are doing a great job.
Yes, 11:14-Nothing says success like writing a series of throwaway party night reviews. I'm sure it's just the kind of thing they trained their journalism majors for in Boone.
You guys are just as bad for turning this into a gab session. Just quit reading it if you don't like it.
Seems a different name could have been chosen for this game..........too many sexual connotations...........
tailgating in boone for an APP state game is nothing, try tailgating at ANY SEC game...
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