Greenville Avenue in Review
A great place for a night on the town
Colleen Sweeney
Issue date: 10/2/07 Section: Arts & Entertainment
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The legendary Greenville Avenue is a strip of bars frequented by the young, trendy, and sometimes shady. On Saturday, my roommates and I visited four bars on this strip: Zúbar, Suede, Fireside, and Sugar Shack. The five of us shared a car with a very special designated driver. Finding a parking spot was stressful, so we eventually decided to use the valet parking services at Zúbar. The seven dollar cost was minimal when split between us, and the DD should never be put through more stress than necessary.
The bouncer at Zúbar was courteous and friendly; he took our out-of-state IDs with a smile. Zúbar has an inviting outdoor porch, a classic bar with couches inside, followed by a narrow hall lined with private booths. The hall leads into a dramatic candle lit room with a glowing red bar. A funky DJ played techno and our party sat comfortablyat a couch with a table. This was the only bar we visited twice, and at the end of the night, it had livened up and I danced with two guys from Pakistan. Someone bought my roommate a drink and we left only once the lights switched on around 2 am.
Suede Bar was next and the crowd was younger, the music louder, and the energy higher. A DJ mixed on an elevated stage in the corner by the entrance, and a large bouncer stood on the border of the stage, arms akimbo. Security was on the look out and I had trouble with the entrance bouncer accepting my Illinois ID. I had to argue that my ID was legit before he reluctantly let me pass. My turtleneck/skirt combination was not the most appropriate for the barebacked, spiky heeled atmosphere, but we had fun there and briefly danced to the pop music before taking off to our next destination.
Firehouse Bar was beautiful and spacious. Upstairs, there was a fire pit with tables scattered over the outdoor rooftop. The crowd was edgy and hip. The bathrooms are right next to an interesting looking bar with wood and rope swings swinging on one side. Each swing was occupied, most with women who looked dangerously about to fall off. This review is making Fireside seem shadier than it really was, but I have confidence that this bar could be a blast with the right group of friends.
The bouncer at Zúbar was courteous and friendly; he took our out-of-state IDs with a smile. Zúbar has an inviting outdoor porch, a classic bar with couches inside, followed by a narrow hall lined with private booths. The hall leads into a dramatic candle lit room with a glowing red bar. A funky DJ played techno and our party sat comfortablyat a couch with a table. This was the only bar we visited twice, and at the end of the night, it had livened up and I danced with two guys from Pakistan. Someone bought my roommate a drink and we left only once the lights switched on around 2 am.
Suede Bar was next and the crowd was younger, the music louder, and the energy higher. A DJ mixed on an elevated stage in the corner by the entrance, and a large bouncer stood on the border of the stage, arms akimbo. Security was on the look out and I had trouble with the entrance bouncer accepting my Illinois ID. I had to argue that my ID was legit before he reluctantly let me pass. My turtleneck/skirt combination was not the most appropriate for the barebacked, spiky heeled atmosphere, but we had fun there and briefly danced to the pop music before taking off to our next destination.
Firehouse Bar was beautiful and spacious. Upstairs, there was a fire pit with tables scattered over the outdoor rooftop. The crowd was edgy and hip. The bathrooms are right next to an interesting looking bar with wood and rope swings swinging on one side. Each swing was occupied, most with women who looked dangerously about to fall off. This review is making Fireside seem shadier than it really was, but I have confidence that this bar could be a blast with the right group of friends.
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