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Monmouth77
03-13-2017, 03:31 PM
For those in and around Greenville: a plea for some local intel.

My Dad and I will be in town for the Tournament starting Wednesday night. We have tickets to the games Friday and Sunday but need suggestions for TV binge-watching the rest of games on Thursday and Saturday.

Criteria for sports bars in descending order of importance: (1) a minimum of 4 flatscreens with all the games going (strong preference for more TVs with good sightlines to several tables); (2) a good to excellent draft beer list; (3) a real kitchen and/or ability to order in takeout from someplace good nearby.

I've checked Yelp and the like, and see that there is a Yardhouse and Carolina Alehouse, among other chains. Just wondering if there is a local proprietorship worth exploring.

Thanks in advance!

Olympic Fan
03-13-2017, 03:38 PM
Not a sports bar, but last night on radio, I heard Roy Williams recommend Hall's Chop House to John Thompson.

It's a fairly high-end steakhouse. I assume its associated with the Capital City Chop House and the Port City Chop House (which I've sampled and are both very good).

We need to ask John Boeheim .. not long ago, defending himself from charges that he's New York-centric, he claimed that the best restaurant he ever ate at was in Greenville, SC.

Just not sure which one he's talking about.

camion
03-13-2017, 03:59 PM
I live about 10 minutes from G'ville downtown so we'll start there. Here are a few places I've been more than once. I'd classify these as sports bars with various other offerings. I'm not a microbrew expert so I won't get into that part yet. I do know people whom I could ask. Brew pubs and microbreweries seem to be popping up weekly. I'd be happy to discuss regular restaurants too.


Carolina Ale House (https://www.carolinaalehouse.com/)
Your basic sports bar.

Three in a row. The next three are in the same block. Trappe Door is in a basement with only a door, between the other two.
Barley's Taproom (http://www.barleysgville.com/)
Good pizza and about 50 taps.

Trappe Door (http://trappedoor.com/)
Not a sports bar, but good Belgian beers, singles, doubles quads. I also like their mussels.

Wild Wing Café (http://www.wildwingcafe.com/locations/greenville-sc)
Wings, beer, sports on tv.

Liberty Tap Room and Grill (http://www.we.libertytaproom.com/home)
Food, beer, tv

Macs Speed Shop (http://www.macspeedshop.com/)
Beer, bikes and bbq. That's their slogan.


I can add more later. There are a ton of restaurants around. The above list is just along main street and not complete even then.


I will add one more that doesn't qualify as a sports bar, but is worth a visit if you're serious about smoked meats. They smoke their own.
Bacon Brothers Public House (http://www.baconbrospublichouse.com/)

cruxer
03-13-2017, 04:29 PM
Not a sports bar, but last night on radio, I heard Roy Williams recommend Hall's Chop House to John Thompson.

It's a fairly high-end steakhouse. I assume its associated with the Capital City Chop House and the Port City Chop House (which I've sampled and are both very good).

We need to ask John Boeheim .. not long ago, defending himself from charges that he's New York-centric, he claimed that the best restaurant he ever ate at was in Greenville, SC.

Just not sure which one he's talking about.

Halls is a very very fine steakhouse. The Charleston edition fed me the best steak I've had. It's actually owned by a Charleston family and they're often there! They also own High Cotton and some other restaurants in the Charleston area. But bring your checkbook. It's pricey. They do have good live music every night and it's a free trolley ride down Main St from the Well. In fact almost all of the restaurants and bars in the downtown area are within a block of Main St.

My recommendations for good libations and reasonable food (listed by proximity to the Well) include: Willy Taco* (https://www.yelp.com/biz/willy-taco-greenville-2), Ink N Ivy (https://www.yelp.com/biz/ink-n-ivy-gvl-greenville) (they don't typically do sound on all floors, though they may for the tourney,) Carolina Ale House (https://www.yelp.com/biz/carolina-ale-house-greenville), Brazwells (https://www.yelp.com/biz/brazwells-premium-pub-greenville-greenville), or Mac's Speed Shop (https://www.yelp.com/biz/macs-speed-shop-greenville).

For good food/drinks but a more restaurant/less sportsbar vibe: Roost (https://www.yelp.com/biz/roost-greenville), Trappe Door (https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-trappe-door-greenville), Soby's (https://www.yelp.com/biz/sobys-greenville), The Lazy Goat (https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-lazy-goat-greenville), Velo Fellow (https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-velo-fellow-greenville), or Pomegranate (https://www.yelp.com/biz/pomegranate-on-main-greenville).

If you aren't staying downtown, there is another cluster of sports bars around Woodruff Road like Yard House (https://www.yelp.com/biz/yard-house-greenville-2), another Carolina Ale House (https://www.yelp.com/biz/carolina-ale-house-greenville-3), and Bar Louie (https://www.yelp.com/biz/bar-louie-greenville).

There are also a couple of really good microbreweries that don't sell there stuff anywhere but on property, so check them out too. Both would be an Uber or drive from downtown and most hotels so plan (and imbibe) accordingly: Birds Fly South (https://www.yelp.com/biz/birds-fly-south-ale-project-greenville-2) and Swamp Rabbit Brewery (https://www.yelp.com/biz/swamp-rabbit-brewery-and-taproom-travelers-rest). Saturday, when it's supposed to be warmer, will be better for either of those options. They both have relatively small inside seating and BFS is pretty open air.

* Not on aforementioned main loop but a close drive from the Well

Lunchab1es
03-13-2017, 06:23 PM
To follow up on what cruxer said, here are my favorite Greenville microbreweries:
Shoeless Brewing Company (located inside of Grape and Grains brewshop) - this is a tiny, father and son brewery inside of their DIY brewshop. IMHO, they have the highest quality beer in Greenville. Unique flavors without being too "out there". They have an emphasis on IPAs but always have good variety. The father and son are both super laid back and LOVE talking beer, so it's a great spot to get your beer-nerd on, if you're into that. It's basically just a tasting room, so not a busy atmosphere unless at peek hours (although they do have a TV so the games will probably be on).

Birds Fly South - has one of the best atmospheres of the in-town breweries. It's got a cool indoor/outdoor space if the weather gets warmer. They have a strong focus on saison/farmhouse ales and sours (but carry a few alternatives). I've seen a foodtruck in the parking lot which is fun.

Swamp Rabbit Brewery - actually up in Traveler's Rest, this has a quality selection. Also it's a walk down the street from Sidewall Pizza which is delicious.

Thomas Creek - one of the oldest Greeenville breweries, this is one you're the most likely to find outside of the brewery itself. Their Red Ale is my favorite of what I've had. The brewery tour and atmosphere are a bit generic, but they've got decent beer.

Community Tap - not a brewery, but an awesome beer shop with great tap selection. Plenty of seating, and they arrange for a different food truck daily. Crowd-pleaser for sure, and one of the closest to Bon Secours.

cruxer
03-13-2017, 06:49 PM
To follow up on what cruxer said, here are my favorite Greenville microbreweries:
Shoeless Brewing Company (located inside of Grape and Grains brewshop) - this is a tiny, father and son brewery inside of their DIY brewshop. IMHO, they have the highest quality beer in Greenville. Unique flavors without being too "out there". They have an emphasis on IPAs but always have good variety. The father and son are both super laid back and LOVE talking beer, so it's a great spot to get your beer-nerd on, if you're into that. It's basically just a tasting room, so not a busy atmosphere unless at peek hours (although they do have a TV so the games will probably be on).


I didn't even know about this place but I'll be sure to put it on my list to check out!

-c

camion
03-13-2017, 07:16 PM
Also on Main Street for the NOT BEER crowd:

Dark Corner Distillery (https://www.darkcornerdistillery.com/)
Corn Likker, made and sold in Greenville, SC. A tasting area, but no food.


Stellar Restaurant and Wine Bar (http://www.stellarwinebar.com/)
Wine, scotch, bourbon, martinis and "fine food."

BigWayne
03-13-2017, 10:15 PM
Not a sports bar, but last night on radio, I heard Roy Williams recommend Hall's Chop House to John Thompson.

It's a fairly high-end steakhouse. I assume its associated with the Capital City Chop House and the Port City Chop House (which I've sampled and are both very good).

We need to ask John Boeheim .. not long ago, defending himself from charges that he's New York-centric, he claimed that the best restaurant he ever ate at was in Greenville, SC.

Just not sure which one he's talking about.

I am guessing this is Boeheim's favorite. (http://chophouse47.com)

DukieTiger
03-14-2017, 06:17 AM
I'll chime in with a variety of thoughts.

For the coffee snob:
Methodical Coffee (https://goo.gl/maps/CguAq62zDtn) is similar to some of the better coffee shops in the Triangle (Cocoa Cinnamon, etc.)


Another good place to grab drinks:
It's a short trolley ride from the arena, but I haven't seen anyone mention. Pour Taproom (https://goo.gl/maps/rfJP4D7df9P2). It has the added benefit of being directly adjacent to the beautiful Falls Park (https://goo.gl/maps/db88Gd2Nrvu).


For food, I agree with what's been mentioned already. A couple of other spots:

If you are sticking downtown, in addition to the other options that have been mentioned, I'll commend Smoke on the Water (https://goo.gl/maps/N5yGwfiV5iy) - for southern/BBQ cuisine. Order the ribs.

If you want something a little lighter, and/or would like a good view of the river, The Lazy Goat (https://goo.gl/maps/oG4TaZVAQyR2) is a popular choice. Assuming it's warmer this weekend, try to get seated on the patio. Mainly Mediterranean fare.

It's an Uber ride away, but Sidewall (https://goo.gl/maps/DxP6bjWXzu22) is the best pizza in Greenville. If you want to get out of town, head out to Traveler's Rest (https://goo.gl/maps/ssZwVzmE2KN2) to the original location.

If you're bringing kids, or wanting to soothe your sweet tooth: Spill the Beans (https://goo.gl/maps/TzSv1xHRZgm) is your place for ice cream.


Finally, for the biking and/or running enthusiasts, I'd be remiss if I did not mention the Swamp Rabbit Trail (http://greenvillerec.com/swamprabbit/).

FadedTackyShirt
03-14-2017, 09:11 AM
Thanks for a useful thread for future forays to Upstate SC for Duke/Clemson hoops/football. Our crew is always up for games in Durham, but need incentives (i.e. microbrew crawls) for ACC roadies. Couple of questions:

-Better to stay in Clemson or Greenville for games based on pre and post game food and drink?

-With the German auto influx, are there any good local German bars and restaurants?

-Any decent dining, drinking, and lodging options in Spartanburg?

Lunchab1es
03-14-2017, 10:46 AM
I'll chime in with a variety of thoughts.

It's a short trolley ride from the arena, but I haven't seen anyone mention. Pour Taproom (https://goo.gl/maps/rfJP4D7df9P2). It has the added benefit of being directly adjacent to the beautiful Falls Park (https://goo.gl/maps/db88Gd2Nrvu).



Yes! I forgot about Pour! As DukieTiger said it's right by the park, so great walking area. It has 70 drinks on tap, and its self-serve, pay by the ounce. Cool concept. Also, you can order amazing Tacos from nextdoor Gringo's (http://gringos911.com/) at and they will bring it to your table at Pour.



Thanks for a useful thread for future forays to Upstate SC for Duke/Clemson hoops/football. Our crew is always up for games in Durham, but need incentives (i.e. microbrew crawls) for ACC roadies. Couple of questions:

-Better to stay in Clemson or Greenville for games based on pre and post game food and drink?

-With the German auto influx, are there any good local German bars and restaurants?

-Any decent dining, drinking, and lodging options in Spartanburg?


I can't speak to staying in Clemson, but obviously its more convenient. Greenville is a pretty awesome city and as you can see from this thread dozens of great restaurants within walking distance to a downtown hotel.

I don't know of any German restaurants, but the aforementioned Trappedoor (http://www.trappedoor.com/) has great Belgian food and beer, and Addy's (http://www.addysdutchcafe.com/) has got authentic Dutch food and beer. I know neither are German, but at least we are geographically close to the cuisine you are seeking! :cool:

Spartanburg I know less about, but is a decent drive from Greenville proper, especially during rush hour. I haven't heard much in the way of exciting things about Spartanburg.

DukieTiger
03-14-2017, 11:51 AM
Thanks for a useful thread for future forays to Upstate SC for Duke/Clemson hoops/football. Our crew is always up for games in Durham, but need incentives (i.e. microbrew crawls) for ACC roadies. Couple of questions:

-Better to stay in Clemson or Greenville for games based on pre and post game food and drink?

-With the German auto influx, are there any good local German bars and restaurants?

-Any decent dining, drinking, and lodging options in Spartanburg?

For football, stay in Clemson (if you can get a room) for the atmosphere alone. They're slowly getting more good restaurants, but you'll want to hit up Smokin Pig and/or tailgate. Esso Club for drinks. Even if there's the not a ton of cosmopolitan culture there, Clemson football weekends are just the best.

For hoops, meh- only stay in Clemson if you can get a place on the lake or can't tolerate a 45 minute drive for the game. Greenville has MUCH more to offer in terms of food, activities, lodging, etc.

camion
03-14-2017, 12:02 PM
I don't know of any German restaurants, but the aforementioned Trappedoor (http://www.trappedoor.com/) has great Belgian food and beer, and Addy's (http://www.addysdutchcafe.com/) has got authentic Dutch food and beer. I know neither are German, but at least we are geographically close to the cuisine you are seeking! :cool:

Spartanburg I know less about, but is a decent drive from Greenville proper, especially during rush hour. I haven't heard much in the way of exciting things about Spartanburg.


I'll take German restaurants for $20.
Schwaben House (http://schwabenhouse.us/) on Laurens Rd.
The exterior is boring, the inside is nice.

Indian Food - Recommendations from my British friends
Handi (http://handiindiancuisine.net/) - downtown - generally not crowded
Saffron (http://www.saffrongreenville.com/) - my favorite, but definitely NOT downtown