First of all, the way that the midtown area is set up makes for some great weekend adventures. There are a very diverse number of bars located within walking distance from one another. It's a great destination for those who don't like to stay in one place for too long for fear of commitment.
My favorite bars in midtown are the Filling Station and Waterworks due to their solid beer selection and their ability to always deliver a good time. This past weekend I started off with a few beers at the Filling Station and I was surprised to see so many people doing the same thing. Not to say that the place is usually desolate, but I swear that the word must have gotten out about the bar because it was packed.
When I went in to get a tasty beer (Widmer Brothers Pitch Black IPA), I had to wade through some sharply dressed patrons. The implied dress code didn't leave room for any t-shirts and jean shorts. People went there to look good and drink well. The bar catered to the somewhat classy individual, the one who cleans up nicely and can handle their liquor.
Moving on from the classy clientele, the configuration of the bar sets out to accomplish quite a few things. While there is a long row of stools where you can sit and try to buddy up with the bartender in order to keep the drinks flowing, there is also a lounge area to sit down and try to get to know one another. A dance floor is towards the back and oddly enough there is a ping pong table set up there. It's a quirky addition made for those who have had enough drinks to want to play ping pong on a Saturday night. My favorite part of the Filling Station is the outside seating area because there is plenty of it. I love finding a place to perch and enjoy a pint with the company of some good friends.
Waterworks is just a pit stop at Whataburger and a short walk away. Stepping into Waterworks is like stepping into a different reality. The lights are dim and there is a surreal beach side vibe going on. The surreal aspect comes from the custom windows they have installed. From the inside looking out, it always looks like it is raining. Water continually crawls down the windows throughout the night. It's a neat trick that makes me feel comfortable while I'm safely inside and away from the faux downpour going on outside.
Even though I always thought of myself as favoring beer over cocktails, Waterworks makes a mean White Russian. It's the first recommendation I make to anyone I'm with and I've never heard a complaint. You can either order it in its regular form or you can sweeten it up by having it blended. It becomes a delectable milkshake-like beverage that could lighten up any rainy night. They also have pretty large assortment of microbrews for the beer enthusiast to go though.
Be sure to check out Midtown's other bars as well, but I would definitely start with the Filling Station and work your way north.
Tags: Bars, Beer, Filling Station, Friday, Liquor, Local, Midtown, Saturday, Tallahassee, Waterworks, Weekend, White Russian
Pedro SemperteguiPedro Sempértegui is a recent graduate of Florida State University's English department. After growing up in the quiet suburb of Coral Springs, Fl, he moved to the capital to pursue writing. Since Tallahassee's nightlife has introduced him to new music, awesome food, and delicious microbrews, it's only right that tries to pass on that knowledge.
