Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1029086
SEPTEMBER 19-25, 2018 UCW 15 Best of Fayetteville Best Place for Girls' Night Out Paddy's Irish Pub 2606 Raeford Rd. 910-568-5654 or www.paddysirishpub.com Drinks. Music. Games. What else could you be look- ing for, except maybe a performance by owner Paddy Gibney himself singing one of his comedic songs with original lyrics. Regulars praise the staff, the fun atmosphere, the huge selection of beer and liquor – all of which make it the ideal destination for a girls' night out. Paddy's caters to local bands if live music is your thing. Or you can try karaoke on Wednesday nights. With a database of more than a million songs to choose from, you and your gal pals are sure to find just the right tune to croon. Also on Wednesdays, at 7 p.m., check out the steel-tip dartboards tournament, where everyone helps with the math. Paddy himself says this is the place where rules are just guidelines. Walking into Paddy's means you've left everything else behind and that all you want to do is have some fun. "We're an Irish Pub. We don't do anything else," he said. Best Neighborhood Bar Last Call Sports Bar 5395 Ramsey St. 910-822-8400 or AU30@aol.com or www.facebook.com/Last-Call-Sports-Bar After 16 years in business, owner Ann Uleman knows that in order to bring customers back, you have to offer quality service, selection and enter- tainment. She credits her loyal and hardworking staff with creating a fun atmosphere that feels like home. Many of Last Call's regular customers refer to the place as "Cheers" because it is a place where friendships are made and people are treated like family. In addition to a vast selection of beer and liquor, Last Call offers a unique vari- ety of games that includes pool, darts, Jenga, beer pong, corn hole, foosball and a lottery vending machine. Entertainment ranges from DJs, karaoke and live music to a variety of sports on the 13 televisions. Uleman said she feels blessed to run a neighborhood bar where she gets to meet with regular customers and new faces daily – "they are like family to me." Best Biker Bar Mac's Speed Shop 482 N. McPherson Church Rd. 910-354-2590 or www.macspeedshop.com With "more beer choices than days in a year," it is easy to see how Mac's would appeal to the drink- ing crowd. But don't be fooled by the cat- egory – Mac's Speed Shop is much more than just a biker bar. Sure, the Char- lotte-based North Carolina chain was founded by a group of bikers who wanted a place to hang out and have a drink. But, since 2012, Mac's is also one of the go-to restaurants in Fayetteville for North Carolina-based barbecue. Award-winning barbecue is their thing. Mac's has won titles at World Championship of BBQ Memphis in May, When Pigs Fly, Big Pig Jig, and the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, to name a few. The North Carolina 'cue-focused menu is impressive, and Mac's elevates comfort-food favorites mac 'n' cheese and baked beans to a new level. The menu also offers burgers, sandwiches, wraps and "Mexicue" fare including quesadillas and tacos. It also has a selection of more than 300 brews that will impress even the most finicky beer drinkers. Mac's is also a great music venue with live performances by local bands every Thursday and Saturday. If you haven't visited, check out this friendly watering hole with a laid-back atmosphere. Barbecue, beer and bikes blend to create a truly unique experience. It's fun and appropriate for the entire family – whether you are riding a Harley or driving a minivan. Everyone is welcome. Best Sports Bar Bubba's 33 500 Westwood Shopping Center 910-223-2601 or www.bubbas33.com When you walk in the doors of Bubba's 33, you know you're at a place with some charac- ter. No matter where you sit, you have a front-row seat. The walls are lined with TVs, sports jerseys, neon signs and plenty of Fayetteville flair. Bubba's 33 opened in Fayetteville in 2013. It was the first Bubba's in the country, and it set the bar high for those that fol- lowed. Today, there are nearly 20 locations nationwide. Founded by University of North Carolina grad Kent Taylor – who is also the founder and CEO of Texas Roadhouse – Bubba's is a restaurant specially designed with fun, friends, families and sports team enthusiasts in mind. In making this a gathering place locals would want to come to, Taylor knew great-tasting food and community involvement would be key. So, at Bubba's 33, all the food is made from scratch and customer service is a top priority. If the sound of stone-baked, hand-tossed pizzas, fresh burgers with 33-percent bacon grind and ice-cold beer makes your mouth water, then Taylor and Fayetteville manager Joshua Burris are doing it right. Best Pool Room Corner Pockets 2443 Hope Mills Rd. 910-779-0101 or www.facebook.com/Corner-Pockets With a new location, Corner Pockets regains the title of Best Pool Room in Fayetteville this year. Owner Thomas "Commish" Greb has a remodeled 5,000-square foot building with a huge private parking lot and much more to offer customers. Corner Pockets is a great place to shoot pool or just hang out and watch a few games – something loyal regulars already know. There are eight 7-foot Diamond tables and two 9-foot Diamond tables (newly recovered earlier this year), a room dedicated to playing darts, a full-service kitchen and a 50-foot bar to sit, dine and drink. Customers praise the friendly, welcoming atmosphere, the bartenders and the all-around service.