It seems
at least one TV in every bar you go to lately is showing
a Texas Holdem tournament. Either Matthew Perry is
kicking Dennis Rodman with a pair of aces or an
announcer is making a fuss (in his best golf-voice) over
two chubby guys in rose-colored sunglasses.
You have to admit, though, it looks like fun. Some folks
at Café de France and Slick & Reds Saloon thought so,
too.
At 9 p.m. each Tuesday at Café de France, amateurs are
welcome to pull up chairs to one of several felt-draped
tables and test their nerve.
Not only will the winners from each table advance
throughout the night, but if you have to leave early,
you can also cash in your chips.
Players "buy in" for $5 to $10. But because gambling is
illegal in North Carolina, you don't win money. You win
"Forum Bucks" to redeem at participating Forum shopping
center stores. So far, Café manager Jennifer Rayle, has
rounded up bucks for Spectrum Gallery, blue, Vino 100
(my personal favorite) and Blue Hand Home.
"It's a good way for us to cross-promote with other
businesses in The Forum," Ms. Rayle said.
No poker game would be complete, however, without drink
specials. Café de France's poker night is swimming with
Pinot Noirs from various countries, pilsners and
microbrews.
At Slick & Red's Saloon, 2501 S. College Road, patrons
can play poker at 7:30 p.m. each Sunday. You play for
points. But the points have already started accruing and
will continue to for the next five weeks.
"If somebody wanted to get in, they'd be a little behind
now," said bartender Angela Marzuki.
But if you want to play for fun, you can always join the
tournament. Prizes range from poker chip sets to the
grand prize – a trip to a new Harrah's Casino.
Ms. Marzuki said she was not sure if a new tournament
will start after this one. It depends on turn-out.
A new bar of sorts has opened up recently. Brookelynn
Premium Cigars moved out of the Wine Etc. space and
hosted its grand opening Oct. 29 at a larger suite next
door, 7134 Market St.
And while it might not be the first thing that pops into
your head when someone says "bar," it is definitely a
cigar bar. (The name has nothing to do with the New York
borough. It's named after the owners' daughter, Brooke
Lynn Gimello.)
There's no physical bar, though, a couple of plush,
leather couches and a big armchair in front of a TV that
was showing – I am not making this up – a Texas Holdem
poker tournament, made me feel quite at home.
"Restaurants and bars around here aren't too much on the
smoking-friendly side," said Mindy Gimello, whose
husband, Stephen Gimello, owns the store.
The big draw here is the special programs. I saw a
Travel Channel show one time on a beer garten in Germany
that gives locals their own lockers to store their
favorite steins.
At Brookelynn, customers can pay for a private, locked
humidor. Depending on what level locker membership you
choose ($20, $30 or $40 per month), every so often you
will find a free cigar in your locker, along with other
benefits.
"You get to taste cigars that you wouldn't normally buy
for yourself," Ms. Gimello said.
You can also join a cigar club, without the locker, that
offers discounts and special gatherings.
The store also sells home beer and wine-making supplies,
it offers a walk-in humidor, lighters, blend-your-own
tobacco and other products.
Chester's All American Steakhouse in Lumina Station on
Eastwood Road is more of a restaurant than a bar, but
when someone offers half-price martinis, they're worthy
of mention in the Hotz Ticket.
Each Tuesday and Thursday at Chester's, patrons can get
any martini from the menu for half-price all night long.
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