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.
Review Source: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.
Came here last night with a friend because the place is usually pretty empty and we wanted to have a quiet conversation, and now I understand why business has tapered off. Â We were there less than five minutes before witnessing the bartender have what can only be described as some sort of a breakdown.
After spending $18 for two drinks, the bartender sat down at a stool to have an electronic cigarette. Â My friend wanted a straw for her drink, so instead of disturbing the bartender on his smoke break, I reached over to get a straw from the container next to us. Â
Had I realized that the guy would get so upset by this, I would have waited for him to get up off the stool to hand her a straw, but instead he comes over and says "Hey, guy, just so you know, in the future, don't do that." Â I had no idea what he was talking about so I apologized and asked him what I did wrong. Â He said he didn't like me touching the straws, and so I said "I'm sorry, but if you didn't want that to happen why would you leave them on middle of the bar top?" Â This sent the guy over the edge and he said "How would you like it if I came into your home and put my hands all over your food? Â I don't know where your grubby hands have been!"
WTF? Â We both were dressed well, sober, and were initially polite in our interactions with the guy, so this was way out of left field.
At this point, my friend had this shocked look on her face and I told him that was a pretty rude thing to say. Â He said "Well, I can say it, because I'm running this place and you're not. Â In fact, I think you should leave. Â You are disrespecting me in front of my friends." Â Seriously, what? Â I was thinking this guy was either on drugs or crazy, but we were not exactly itching to stick around, so I told him that if he gave us our money back we would leave right away. Â "No, I get to decide that. Â What I say is the law in here." Â He then took our drinks, which we had literally just had a single sip out of, and dumped them down the drain. Â The whole bar was looking at us we got up to leave, and I said "All this over a drinking straw? Â We're never coming back here again." Â The bartender says as we are walking out "Good. Â You're not welcome to. Â In fact, if I ever see you again I will kick your ass." Â
Wow. Â Just wow. Â
My friend could not believe what just happened. Â We walked across the street to The Station and the bartenders, upon hearing the story from her, apologized for our experience in town and took really great care of us. Â
This has to have been the craziest, most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to me. Â All the positive reviews must have gone to this guys head, or maybe he just forgot to take his meds this day. I don't know what type of eggshells you have to walk on at OCSC, but frankly, I don't understand why someone would bother.
In short: Â Stay away.
OCSC is a lot of fun. Â With its nice chill atmosphere, it's the perfect place to grab a beer and just hang out. Â They have nice couches, pinball machines, bathrooms with pictures of dogs drinking Yuengling, a decent beer selection (from good stuff to cheap PBRs/High Life), and a nice cocktail menu for those of you who want something slightly harder. Â
They also have a nice outdoor area, perfect for a nice brisk spring evening.
So if you want to grab a beer and hang out, it's a nice chill place to do that, and across the street from Spotted Dog to boot!
This place must have been transformed by the smoking ban, I feel like my jacket smelled like smoke if I Â just walked by.
I can see how it's not for everyone, but I just love this place. Feel like a $1.50 PBR? Check. Feel like a proper cocktail? Check.
Also the jukebox kicks ass.
The bartenders are AWESOME. Without telling the long story, let me just say one of them stopped a fight from breaking out just by grabbing another chair.
One night I stumbled in for a "private" party where this dude got roasted for his 40th birthday. I didn't know any of the people or any of their inside jokes but it was still funny as hell, they had slides and videos from out of towners who couldn't make it and sh--.
The OCSC just has a great vibe.
That sort of neighborhood, locals, regulars, nothing-bad-can-happen-here kind of vibe that makes newcomers want to keep returning until they're another familiar face.
Since the smoking ban, looks can be deceiving... from the sidewalk you might be surprised to see that place more empty than full on a warm Friday or Saturday night. Â But if you wind your way out the back, you'll find its standing room only on the small back patio.
I find the drink selection to be average... better off heading down a few doors to Tylers if you want to sample a wide range of beers. Â As for the PBR option, I think the only reason to swill it is if your goal is getting drunk... and if that's your goal then liquor is quicker.
IMHO, I think you should save retro ironic kitsch for whatever fasion trend you're into, ignore the PBR and support your local NC brewmasters.
My last review was pretty incomplete and somewhat incorrect.
Aside from 1.50 PBRs, which are a revelation, their micro selection is great (and cheap - Victory Prima Pils for $4), their mixed drinks are strong and also pretty cheap (big ass Wild Turkey on the rocks for $5). Â We went on a weekend night (the Sunday before Memorial Day but still) and there was plenty of seating and space to hang out.
The jukebox is seriously fucking great - Archers of Loaf, Husker Du, Minor Threat, Guided by Voices.
Basically, I'd kill to have this be my local.
Best bartenders in Orange County. Â The patio is awesome, but can get a little smoky and crowded now that the inside area is non-smoking. Â But yes I said non-smoking! Â Yay! Â You'll always run into old/new/potential friends at OCSC, and people that say it's stuck-up or too cool for school obviously do not know what they are talking about.
Review Source:Really and truly, if you're a Carrboro/Chapel Hill social climber, this is the place where you want to be seen with your cigarette and PBR. Â They have other drinks, but don't fall for that. Â It's a trap. Â Not enjoying a cheap PBR (like there's any other kind?) will immediately put a sign over your head indicating that you do not belong there. Â This will not always be looked upon as a negative by the folks hanging out there, to be fair, but it will be harder to weasel your way into the hipster elite.
On the plus side, they do actually have the best juke box ever. Â If you're like me and have fallen waaay out of what's new and good in music, you'll get a few ideas of what to go shopping for at your next trip to wherever you pick up your tunes these days.
Whether that's worth the membership fee and the guilt trip for wanting a beer that tastes like beer is a question I'll leave to you.
Today on Mythbusters, we'll be putting to the test the urban legends and folklore surrounding the Orange County Social Club.
MYTH #1:
OCSC is only for stuck-up hipsters and indie kids.
OK, I can understand why some people would label OCSC as a hipster bar - it IS in Carrboro, after all. But in the times I've been, I've never once gotten a 'better-than-you' vibe from anyone. Not to mention, they have $1.50 PBR...that's so anti-hip it just might be hip after all.
VERDICT:
OCSC may be a frequent hangout for the tragically hip crowd and the indie scene, but even a local yokel like myself can feel right at home.
MYTH #2:
Only heavy smokers and astronauts can survive in OCSC's atmosphere.
I smoke, so I'm probably not the best judge. Most of my friends, though, don't. Of all the people who've accompanied me to OCSC, not one has ever even mentioned the air being smoky.
VERDICT:
Rumors of the smoke-laden air may have been greatly exaggerated, but you'll just have to try it for yourself and determine your comfort level.
MYTH #3:
OCSC is the best bar in town/the Triangle/the state/recorded history.
I really like the OCSC for its cheap beer, friendly bartenders, great music selection, and mad comfy seating arrangements. I gave it a 5-star rating for that reason. But there are definitely other bars in the area I like more...
VERDICT;
OCSC is a great place to drink, relax, and enjoy an evening at what might be the most aptly-named bar I've seen in a long time.
Many people are absolutely apeshit about OCSC and believe its the best bar in town. I'm not one of those people..BUT if you get a seat in the very social back patio then it's a pretty great place to drink at.
The bartender with the southern? accent is great. Sure, its a pretty hip place but I've never witnessed anything rude there like some other people seem to have experienced.
The seating at the window up front is nice also. Best jukebox in town ..hands down.
This is my favorite bar in Carrboro. Â It's super laid-back and casual, albeit a bit smoky. Â The bartenders are friendly and accommodating, and the clientele is chill and sometimes pretentious. Â But in a friendly hipster kind of way.
And there's buck fifty PBRs. Â What's not to love?!
I've only been here once, with a friend who was a member, and I have yet to find the need within myself to go back.
The smoke is problem for me, which means that I'm usually relegated to the outside, bollox. Â The inside is very angry chic, if such a thing could be said to exist, which more often than not works pretty well as a theme for them. Â The regulars are absolutely devoted to this place, so you've got an instant sense of comraderie for making new friends, always a plus.
The beers are pretty cheap, though the selection isn't the best... I can enjoy PBR as much as the next guy, but I don't usually go out to bars for it.
The coolness of OCSC escaped me. Some of my friends make this their favorite hang-out. And while I thought it was decent -- decent, if not a little shabby-chic, atmosphere; decent beer selection; decent service -- I just didn't find it to be all that alluring. It's clear that this is a place for regulars, really cool regulars plus the occasional Carrboro wacky persona. I do hear that it's a good place to go for a game -- since Franklin Street gets overrun and people turn to sports bars for that kind of thing, OCSC is like the silent player for a game night. They have a big, descending screen and a projector that make their way out for UNC fanfare.
Review Source:The times that I've gone to OCSC I've gone with friends who are members already-- which works out too!
They have a huge 51" TV in there and it was so much fun watching a basketball game with all of my friends and other people. Â There isn't a a lot of space on the inside for sitting especially once folks start rolling in. Â They do have additional seating outside-- it's lovely on a warm summer night.
The owners are phenomenal-- they both work behind the bar a good portion of the time-- always with a smile and doing everything they can to make their clientele happy.
Oh Social Club, how I miss thee. Â It's been 2 months since I moved away, but my pangs of desire for some OCSC are still going strong.
OCSC is a membership bar, but the process is a breeze, and the $10 membership is for a lifetime. Â What you get is a chill, down-home bar environment, strong drinks and cheap beer poured with love by the best bartenders in the Triangle, and a gorgeous back patio perfect for whiling away long afternoons or late nights. Â Also, the jukebox is stacked, you can bring in food from local eateries to munch on, and they show EVERY Tar Heel basketball game of the season, projected onto the wall (get there early - diehard Tar Heel fans abound here).
Downsides include its smokiness, even when it's not that crowded, and it can get very packed on weekend nights, especially after a show at Cat's Cradle. Â The overall awesomeness of the place far outweighs these minor details.
There is not a better bar for my money. Great bartenders, cheap (& strong) drinks, lots of regulars, smoky and damp on the inside, like your cool uncle's patio outside. Your out of town friends will think you are the absolute coolest dude around when you take them here.
Meet for $1.50 PBRs after work or after a show, and tell Lee and MattI said what up.
Ah the OCSC.  Where the hipsters go be hip - and smoke and  where the jukebox is ALWAYS better than your music collection.  This was one of my favorite bars in the area.  The smoke barely ever bothered me and you can't beat Stella on tap and $1.50 PBR.   Great bartenders - thanks Lee.  The most competetive pool in Chapel Hill.  The coolest bar surface I have ever seen. I will miss this place, living in SoCal  Thank you Trish, for providing a place for me and my friends to have so many great, drunken nights.  Hooray for walking home.
Review Source:Now that I'm in smoke-free California, I don't miss going home smelling like an ashtray after a few beers on your comfy couches. Â However, I had many a fun night with great friends. Â When I go back that way, I'll be sure to pop in and see if my membership card is still good for another cheap beer. Â Of course, I'll go home and shower immediately afterward though.
Review Source:
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