Gay bars in vidalia ga

Located in the historic Harrisburg community south of Milledgeville, this was originally the home of the Do-Drop-In, a legendary local juke joint established by Sam and Iola Finney in the late s. James, and later Alma Finney, were subsequent owners. Since her death inthe club has been owned by Clifford Holsey.

The original structure has been expanded by additions throughout the years, but retains its roots. This cinderblock building, originally home to a neighborhood store operated by Bill Renfroe in the s, became a jazz club known as the Blue Note, in the s. According to Evan Leavittit was operated by Barry Jarrett, and by the late s, hosted local bands such as Gloria Walker and the Chevelles.

It was still operating as a night spot into the late s, operated by Jesse Barnett, and lastly became a beauty shop in the s. The original section of the restaurant feels like a neighborhood gathering place, and the bar, added in the s, has the ambiance of a classic dive. The food is really good.

I visited with my parents and my aunt. The fresh Georgia shrimp was excellent, as it must be in a place like this, and it was accompanied by the most vidalia fried hush puppy to be found, amazingly light and flavorful. My mother and I agreed we could have made a meal of the hush puppies.

Mississippi soaks up all the attention for juke joints, and rightfully so, but they were once common in Georgia, as well. When I was growing up, there were still a few around and I remember that the word juke fascinated me. Some contend the origin of the term is the African word jugameaning bad or wicked.

Others suggest it gay from juicewhich referred to early electric guitars and those who played them. It also served as a pool hall and sold gas and perhaps sundries from time to time. I got the impression it meant a lot to this community and luckily, the owners have preserved it as a landmark.

My guess is that it dates from the late s to about It obviously grew in popularity over the years, as evidenced by the addition of this green cinderblock wing. The gas pumps were probably a later innovation of the business but indicate that it was a successful enterprise. Juke joints were places of revelry and community but they were also usually operated in a very business-like manner.

Masterpolis loved politics and over the years local and state elected officials made unofficial campaign stops here. An urban legend that Jimmy Carter announced his presidential run standing atop the bar has been refuted but Carter dropped in on the evening before St.

It was a dive bar in the truest since, serving cheap American tallboys and never taking credit cards. The booths and seats were often sticky and the smell of stale beer and cigarettes long after the smoking ban lingered in the air. You had to walk up to the bar and bar as there was no table service. And fist fights were common from time to time.