Orange County Social Club

I enjoyed trivia night recently here at OCSC. I normally am not a fan of bars- loud music, uncomfortable/awkward seating, crowded, sometimes smoke-filled- but OCSC was different. Lots of comfortable seating, the music wasn't too loud, and it's a nice location. I'd also recommend their trivia nights- lots of fun. The music between rounds was still loud enough to prevent this review from being 5 stars, but still pretty good all-around.

Great place! I've walked by here longingly many times, wondering if I can even come in if I'm not a "member." (I don't know how these weird rules work yet, but they exist here and there in Chapel Hill/Carrboro). Mainly I pined to watch some sports games on their giant projection screen whilst sitting on a leather sectional.

However, when the weather is nice, there is also a cool outdoor seating area. Just watch out. Sometimes in the early evening there is only one bartender, which makes ordering drinks take a little longer. The jukebox is probably lacking given the cursory glance I gave it and the type of music that was playing on the speakers, but ah well.

When I moved to Carrboro, I heard so much about this place, how cool it is, how friendly it is, how Social the patrons are. How AMAZING the juke box is. I don't really agree with any of those assessments.

Orange County Social Club is the kind of place that is cool to go to with friends, and a big bummer to go to by yourself, trying to make friends. In other words, it has a very cliquey feel. Everyone there seems to be with a big group of people. I think part of the reason for this is that the place is just so dark that you can't see more than a foot in front of you. Not ideal for someone out trying to socialize.

Orange County Social Club is the epitome of "Gritty Chic." They put up the kind of decorations and have the accoutrements of a bar that would be gritty. But if you ever see the place with the lights on, everything is sparkling clean. It's just such a strange thing, to put a veneer of  grit on the place. I guess you need to do that to attract the hipsters, and the people that don't fit in with the Golden Children of UNC.

The back porch area looks really pretty at night, with all their bright pink lights lending a fairy-tale kind of feel.

They have a rotating menu of special cocktails, some of which are interesting and really good.

As for the vaunted juke box. Both times I 've tried to use it, the stupid thing, it malfunctioned. When I asked for my money back, I was denied. Bad customer service there.

In terms of hipster bars, I prefer Bowbar, down the street.

Verdict: Fun place to go get hammered with a group of friends, not so good to go to just as a neighborhood bar.