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People complain all the time that there is nothing to do in the Shoals, yeah there may not be much a variety, but there are places to go and things to do, but when there is actually something going on that is different, is anyone going to show up? That's probably another reason that downtown Florence looks like crap because of all the empty buildings. Why would someone want to open their own business in downtown Florence when no one is going to support it. I almost made the mistake of running for Florence City Council but I decided not to because this city is too stuck on religion and not concerned enough to step up and speak out (besides on an online forum where they can hide under a screen name where hopefully Mr. General Public won't see them at church on sunday and think bad about them...I would HATE to see that happen) if the city that they live in and the city they complain about (privately) is going to the crapper. Get out and see a show! Support the "Musical Heritage" that we hear so much about and quit complaining because you're sitting at home with your thumb up your ass because you'd rather do that then complain about it instead of actually seeing what's going on!
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Depends, on what week you're talking about. This week Girls Gone Wild! haha

As far as any other Saturday night, it does depend on what's going on where. Florence is limited now as far as places to go, but since the Shoals is suppose to have such a rich musical heritage, wouldn't you think that more people would actually go out and hear some of the talent in the area. I know it may not be Handy fest or anything, but i do think it's ridiculous that people will pay $10-$15 to see a band on Handy week that they can see any other time throughout the year for $5. But I forgot that God allowed people in Florence to go out ONLY during Handy fest. My apologies.
I'm gonna stay home during Handy week and play with the kids! handy week has gotten so bad the past few years that it really isn't any fun anymore.

Like Mr. Green said you pay $10-$15 to see a performer that you can usually see most ather time for much cheaper. I always thought it was so much more fun when they had the big street parties, plus you didn't have to look through 10 pages of ad's to find out who was going to be where and which night.

The street parties were nice because you didn't have to be in the middle of all the drunks to still hear the music and enjoy yourself.

Now every resturant, bar, grill, lounge, and package store wants to have their own event every night. I guess it's all about making a buck now huh?
There are the same options now as when I was living there 7 years ago..

If you're not in the mood for one of the few non-chain restaurants (no matter how good Ricatoni's is, you'll tire of it eventually), go to Appleby's or another generic place and complain about how you don't have a certain other chain restaurant (Hooters, TGI Friday's, etc..)

Then there's the one new and unimpressive theater with the smallish lobby to see a movie.

Not in the mood for a movie? Well, Books a Million and Wal Mart are open.. (SAD)

There's always the couple of bars that exist under some name including a Mad Lib of the words "Den", "Iron", "Club", "Ain't", "Place", "Lion's", etc..

There's the one coffee shop. Or..Riverside, if you're looking for a place with paintings of John Wayne with a disproportionate head.

The mall seems like a ghetto mall now, in a city with no alternative, and it's only saving grace would be if it were still a time machine back to '78 when it opened.

What there would be an interest, fan base, etc.. there for - a local 'watering hole' based around local musicians, beer, and college students [skip over the graduates that have left town..not a whole lot of young professionals..] and folks in their 40s++ that want to get out and have a good time - that sort of business is frowned upon by the local leaders and deemed evil by the holier-than-thou crowd. Even so, the reality is, it probably wouldn't be financially viable.
joeycuda, you are so right. many of my friday nights have been spent at applebees, and then saturdays i would go to huntsville, but with gas now, i just dont seem to go as much. smokehouse was cool at one time as well, til they started charging a cover EVERY weekend and crappy bands started playing there. you would think there would be more music around here, and perhaps there is, maybe i just dont hear about it, if so i wish someone would work on promoting their band better, but hey, i'll stick with going to applebees i guess. and i knew the guy who started this topic couldnt list much to do around here
On Friday Nights, Sidepockets usually has someone playing music and has been having a "radio show" as well with the local talent as the stars.

On Friday nights, you can go to Jonathan's in Muscle Shoals and hear Stu and Mitch play til about 830 or you can go to Jonathan's in Russellville and hear the Kerry Gilbert Band play til about 9pm. Both shows are family friendly and the food at the Shoals location is usually good.

On many Saturday nights you can go hear Fastback Hillbillies, Hillbilly Delux, Mojo Mixers, Byron Green, Brewer, and many other local talents at places like Sidelines, Side Pockets, Something Fishy, The Smokehouse, or PJ's. There are many others, but those are the ones off the top of my head.

During the warm months -- there is Music in the Park, First Fridays and numerous other "events" that one can enjoy the local talent in art and music.

Part of the problem with the "there aint nothing to do" attitude is that people don't want to make an effort to attend anything and support it. Someone said Handy has gotten bad -- I agree, they get the same groups every year and they have no new material to entertain with. I, too, wish they would come back with the STreet Parties. It was more enjoyable and free-er -- with or without alcohol was of no preference to me, but the atmosphere and community coming together was what was great about those.

If you have nothing to do -- then you must not want to do anything -- Florence is what you make of it -- like it or hate it -- it is a great place!
Well said Joey, you perfectly described the Florence night life.

The city leaders need to lighten up and allow the entertainment district to become just that. 4 or 5 nice pubs, bars, and late night coffee shops right next to each other. A great place for bands to perform, watch the big game, or just relax after work.

The only thing city leaders can find to argue against this is underage drinking. Four simple words tear that argument apart, card at the door.

Until the antiquated leaders of Florence can see that there is more to a social life than a church pot luck, the entertainment district will never really exist.
From what I hear, Brinley's is starting to fill the niche of being the "college bar" for the area. I really don't think there are enough young professionals and adults that go out in Florence to support a nicer or slightly more upscale pub(s). But that's just my opinion. It seems like everytime someone opens up something in Florence it starts out as being nice then slowly goes down hill.
quote:
Originally posted by joeycuda:
"Where Quizno's used to be"?

How quickly does a restaurant go out of business in Florence? That's a sign of the economy.. There must be a half dozen or so Quizno's in Huntsville.

I didn't realize Brinley Bros was closed. Only positive is opportunity for a 'Bring Back Western Steer' campaign.


Brinley's isn't closed. I talked to my friends who were there last weekend. Maybe something happened since. They did close to remodel a while ago however.
Speaking of "something different", did anybody go to the Alabama Studio Weekend events? I took my daughter and her friend to Ivy Green for the dinner and storytelling/music and we had a great time. They got to sample some wonderful Alabama-grown food and I got to have some interesting Alabama wine. I didn't even know there were vineyards/wineries in Alabama. The music was very good, a 3 piece string band ala Nickel Creek and the storytellers told some good yarns! The headliner was an older lady from Ireland and I loved her accent. I wanted to go to more activities, but family/work obligations prevented us. The night ended at GAS Studio in Tuscumbia with desserts, BYOB and a indie film screening. I wish we could have gone.

There are things to do in the Shoals, but sometimes you have to look for them.

The link to the Alabama Studio Weekend is HERE.
quote:
Originally posted by joeycuda:
"Where Quizno's used to be"?

How quickly does a restaurant go out of business in Florence? That's a sign of the economy.. There must be a half dozen or so Quizno's in Huntsville.

I didn't realize Brinley Bros was closed. Only positive is opportunity for a 'Bring Back Western Steer' campaign.


Brinley Bros. closed down for a little while. They expanded the place to be more of a "pub/bar" inside. They now offer the largest selection of beer on tap in Alabama. They were second, but are now #1. If anyone is a beer connoisseur, check it out.

They offer far more than Bud Light. For those who can't travel this summer, you can at least sample beer from all over the world. Wink


I was thinking of the Quizno's location because it has an older brick exterior and could look very "Irish".

Brinley's doesn't HAVE to be just for college kids, older folks who like a good brew can go out and support it too. I did!
quote:
Originally posted by kchrisgreen:
There is a new place opening sometime this summer on court st called On the Rocks. Some guys that bartend at Logans are opening. From what I've seen on the inside, it's going to be really nice. It's in the old Nolan Cole Art Gallary Building/Motzi's building on court st.


That's a good building. I know most of those guys that bartend at Logan's. Hope it works out for them. I think a biz that is ran right could work there. Hopefully it will be a tad more upscale than some of the other bars around.
quote:
Originally posted by thomaswayne0907:
joeycuda, you are so right. many of my friday nights have been spent at applebees, and then saturdays i would go to huntsville, but with gas now, i just dont seem to go as much. smokehouse was cool at one time as well, til they started charging a cover EVERY weekend and crappy bands started playing there. you would think there would be more music around here, and perhaps there is, maybe i just dont hear about it, if so i wish someone would work on promoting their band better, but hey, i'll stick with going to applebees i guess. and i knew the guy who started this topic couldnt list much to do around here


The cover charge is not just pure profit for the establishment. Bands are usually playing for whatever the door makes. Smokehouse has the cheapest cover in Florence. Do you realize the talent that is in your city? And you are complaining about paying $3.00 to see a band??

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