Double Door Inn

Double Door Inn has it all in terms of music variety. They play samplings from about every genre out there to sampled. Sometimes they've got the upbeat rock bands, some nights they do the sway in your seat jazz best suited to a glass of wine. Either way they've got the venue, and the bar, to cover it.

I'm most acquainted with Tuesday nights here which appears to be a sort of "open-mic" night for jazz soloists. A friend of mine makes his way into Charlotte to show folks what 15 years of saxophone study will do for ya. There's a regular bunch on the stage that provides backing by way of piano, drums and bass. Then, they seem to pick from whoever wanders in with some brass and bravado to join them onstage with their trumpets, saxes and the like to reinvent the jam-session. I once even saw them pull a violinist onstage. It made for a quirky mix-up.

The drinks are well priced and they have specials on the regular. But I have to say the most disappointing thing is the cover charge. It's pretty high for Tuesday night and I wonder if it changes depending on who's playing. So I imagine if the casual atmosphere costs $12 plus whatever I want to drink, how much do they want on other nights? Either way, I'll keep going back at least as long as my friend keeps dropping his excellent saxolos there. Even if them name still does throw me off...

I don't hit up too many late night spots these days. I've attended about 3 or 4 events here over the last few years. It's a small, intimate venue with a lot of character. After you order a Roanoke Railhouse (one of the few places it's on-tap in Charlotte right now), be sure to spend some quality time scoping out the wall decor. There's a lot of history and humor hung up there. There are tvs around the bar to keep you up to date on sports and news. In the back is a patio and a gameroom with a few arcade/pinball games and a pool table. The key part of this intimate setting is that as soon as a band takes the small stage, you can't help but start grooving to their tunes. Even if you're not digging the music too much, everyone else dancing and enjoying themselves becomes infectious. The downside to the small venue is that it can become hard to talk with other folks. If you're with a group and want to chat, head to the back for some space and a few less decibels.

Sketchy parking, sketchy street-side appeal, sketchy entrance, rude staff, dirty interior, games in the back, $2 tall boys, totally awkward but amazing re-purposed seats, and.....house-made sandwiches at the bar? Sign me the eff up. This place is so gnarly. Been kickin' it for 30+ years as a Blues club and they've got the lore to prove it. It's a low ceiling, smoker-laden, semi-crumbling venue with tons of personality.

Had been a few years since I'd been back, but paid a visit last week to see some friends play a straight up rock n' roll set. Boy, did I miss this place. So much history and so much love, heart, soul, and time has been poured out on that stage. Probably a few too many beers have been poured out on the stage, too. It's due for a scrub down.

Suffice is to say that I love this spot. Probably wouldn't come in to enjoy a Miller High Life on the regular, but count me in for a blues night or a good show anytime.