The groups of bars around Tallahassee reflect some very distinct cultural clusters. The strip of bars on Tennessee Street caters to a younger crowd. It's the place where many graduate from their fake IDs and move on to their horizontal legitimate ones. In contrast, the bars around Midtown offer a calmer, slightly more sophisticated drinking environment without being stuffy.
If you've gotten past going to The Strip and are in need of something different than Midtown, the Gaines Street area has some great alternatives. St. Mikes and The Warehouse are low key bars that offer great beer selections and plenty of pool tables. Both are smoker friendly so those who enjoy a cigarette with their beers won't have to brave the elements in order to light one up.
St. Mike's is an awesome bar that has surprisingly cheap microbrews so you don't have to spend too much to stretch your palate. I suggest buying pitchers with your group and try something new each round. Who knows, maybe you'll find out that the "triple hops brewed taste" of Miller isn't enough and you find Dog Fish Head's 60 minute is where the hops are. Finding a great beer is all in the journey, not in the marketing.
Countless games of pool are to be had at each location. After a few pitchers everyone becomes a professional billiards master. Thankfully the tables aren't that close together so bumpage between neighboring players is kept to a minimum.
Live music happens every so often at The Warehouse and St. Mikes. Local bands are featured during blues nights at The Warehouse and if you're into the Tallahassee music scene, you can definitely see some familiar faces. The thing that sets The Warehouse apart from most bars is that it often plays host to many of Tallahassee's aspiring poets and writers. Also, the open mic nights at the Warehouse welcomes many students of Florida State University's English and music department. It's a great place to see some of the young talent in an intimate setting. And on the non live music nights, the music from the jukebox is great. They play a lot of different genres and it is loud enough to enjoy but it doesn't disrupt conversation.
Another great bar in the area is Fermentation Lounge. I've already written about how much I love the place, but for an update, they've opened a new market just next door. I plan to go this weekend and see what exactly they have going on there. It seems to me like it is a similar set up like the Proof and Liquor Loft combination. A "Good Cop/Bad Cop" situation where you have bar prices with social atmosphere on one end, and liquor store prices with a grab-and-go atmosphere on the other.
On any weekend stop by the Gaines Street area for some new experiences that are coupled with great beers. Shoot pool and have a few pitchers at St. Mikes and listen to some music or spoken word at The Warehouse. If you're not in the mood for hanging out at a bar, pick up some exciting microbrews at the Fermentation Lounge Market. Try something nice and take your time with it. Remember, some beers are meant to be appreciated slowly, not thrown back.
Tags: Bars, Beer, Fermentation Lounge, Gaines Street, Nightlife, St Mike's Pub, Tallahassee, The Warehouse
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.
