Shady Tavern

Ain't nothing shady about Shady Tavern. It's a friendly, no-frills, everyone's welcome kind of neighborhood bar.

Stop in after work for a cold pop or just before bedtime for a nightcap. It's a small ice house with everything that you need - beer. And a seat.

Other things to know:
Dogs are welcome.
Local food trucks swing by.
There are a few old TVs showing sports, and a projection screen (bad quality though).
Live music every now and then
Street and gravel lot parking

A RAGING HANGOVER took place the day after visiting this bar.  Somehow I got it in my head that I could still drink like I was 22.  The next day was an excellent reminder that I haven't seen my 20's in several years, but we had such a fun, great time- it was ALMOST worth the 2-day recovery it cost me.

Inside, you have a small, claustrophobic bar area, horribly stinky bathrooms, and delightfully sarcastic bartenders. Outside, a huge patio/yard area and since it was cold outside, a firepit was going. We ended up hanging out at the fire pit with the other bar patrons and it somehow transformed into feeling like we were at someone's house party in their backyard w/ friends we've known for years. Hence, the whole "drinking too much" thing.

It's beer & wine only- so you'll have to save your "Shots!" plan till another night, but you're probably going to have such a fun time, you won't care.

Three stars is what I would consider this place for the general public.  It's basically a poor man's West Alabama Ice House, as the business model is basically the same with some notable differences.  It is pretty much a small beer stand set just off the west end of 20th street, with a large outdoor area and a small stage.  I've seen some pretty stellar Saturday afternoon concerts here of all different genres.  The daytime crowd consists mainly of the local mix of the young residents of the area; equal parts Heights hipsters and the rising gentry of the Timber Grove/Oak Forest/Garden Oaks set.  It's a good mix.

The second half of the massive double lot extends over to 19th street and is separated by a gated fence; here is where it gets into the 4* category.  This is where you seem to be able to do damn near anything you please.  They are extremely accommodating to large groups taking over this area for parties, fundraisers, and the like.  They don't charge you, and they're routinely understaffed, so there's no one there to remotely police whatever shenanigans happen to occur.  Perhaps it's a telling point that a lack of supervision is what bumps this place to 4*'s for me, but it's true.  

If I just came here to drink beer, and not because of private parties and events, I'd be more ambivalent.  The staff is an issue every time I come.  They seem typically overwhelmed and somewhat surly.  This stands out because they typically are young-ish, and general cute females with a couple of dudes sprinkled in.  I'm not sure that I've ever seen the same person more than twice despite going on three separate Saturday afternoons.  I'm a dive bar guy, so it's odd that the service here is even on my radar, but it is.   Decor and furnishings are odds and ends, generally haphazard, but let's go with the more forgiving "bohemian."  Bonus: it's BYOL and there's a liquor store in walking distance.  Added bonus: they seem to run out of wine and then they don't care of you bring that in either.

Shady Tavern could turn into something pretty special while keeping it's laid back vibe with a few tweaks here and there.  The problem is that minor improvements might signal the crowds to begin to flock here and that would ruin some of the best parts.  Where's the happy medium?  I don't know.  What I do know is that it's a great place to throw a party, but maybe not my in my top 5 places to grab a beer in this part of town.