A statue of Jack Daniels greets customers at General Beauregard's, the bar that replaced Mean Mikes on East Clayton Street.
Posted on 09/04/2003 5:22:06 AM PDT by stainlessbanner
Students are at odds over the arrival of downtown Athens' newest resident: General Beauregard.
But it's not just that the bar, located at 164 E. Clayton St., is named after the Civil War general, it's the Old South interior design that's causing rebellion.
Three flags hang over the bar, reflected in giant mirrors along the opposite wall: The Confederate First National Flag ("the stars and bars"), the Virginia Cavalry Jack ("the rebel flag") and the Bonnie Blue Flag, designed by Gen. Stonewall Jackson to represent the unified states.
It's a risky theme in a University community where minority enrollment is a constant challenge and in a state that recently dealt with Gov. Sonny Perdue's efforts to change the state flag.
Still, Daniel Simmons, owner of General Beauregard's, said, "It felt right."
"Athens is such a great Southern town," he said. "We're just trying to bring it back to life."
Gardner Dominick, co-owner of the bar, said they didn't give the bar's theme much thought and were just trying to provide an atmosphere Athens hadn't seen before.
And they succeeded.
The bar is half antebellum home and half Southern ballroom. It features rocking chairs, framed Cotton Planters Loan Association currency, a glittering chandelier and a painted statue of Jack Daniels that looks similar to General Beauregard himself.
The bar prefers Hank Williams Jr. to 50 Cent, and even has a signature drink: Dixieland Tea, which is Kentucky bourbon and sweet tea in a mason jar.
"I'm definitely surprised by (the theme)," said Melvin Hines, a black sophomore from Albany. "I thought that after all this time things would have changed. People don't see it actually offends other people."
Hines also said a bar like General Beauregard's does more to separate the University, and in the long run, the state as a whole.
However, separation isn't on the owner's agenda.
"We've heard nothing but positive feedback," Simmons said. "We're not trying to be racist."
Dominick added that it's not about racism, it's about giving Athens something new.
"(The bar) is really laid back and awesome," said Becca Taubel, a white sophomore from Gainesville. "The music is different, too ... you don't have to wear earplugs when you walk in the door."
And Taubel said she didn't even notice the flags.
"I believe in Georgia, especially, there's not too much that separates races other than the rebel flag ... and knowing it's here really just deepens the wound," Hines said.
A statue of Jack Daniels greets customers at General Beauregard's, the bar that replaced Mean Mikes on East Clayton Street.
In other words, nothing but "refuse to NOT be a victim" posturing. Cry me a river, build a bridge, and get over it!
(And that's "Jack Daniel," possessive is "Jack Daniel's.")
He probably said this in the confines of the Black Student Union while planning the separate black graduation ceremony for this year.
If he could read it....
An unforgivable mortal sin is defined as adulterating Kentucky bourbon like this - and I'm not sure if there are degrees of unfogivable mortal sins, but if there were, making something as nasty sounding and unpalatable as this while adulterating the bourbon would be at the top.
I'm also disturbed by the image of Jack Daniels, and have a fear that this joint is selling that Tennessee dog piss while pretending it is bourbon.
;)
You must have gone to GT.
You mean that trade school off of North avenue?
51-7. (Nerds.)
I concur. That combination would make a billy goat puke.
There is absolutely no doubt concerning the accuracy of your remark.
OK, Odds that Melvin is gay and supports fleecing the people of Georgia for courses in how to be gay, gay studies, and gay subculture, and wanders around kissing his "boyfriend" in public.
Earth to Melvin: The bar is enclosed. Everything that goes on there is behind closed doors. If you are offended, don't go inside. End of transmission.
Shalom.
I wouldn't do it to Woodford Reserve or anything, but Bourbon and iced tea do go together well. Of course, I'm a Yankee so I don't use the sickly-sweet "Sweet tea" found in the south.
SD
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