Not a fan of big families for any number of reasons. I prefer the way plants reproduce, like by…read moregerminating seeds or even better by grafting. Seriously, or nearly so, think how much better, as compared to standard issue childbearing, grafting would work for humans, like first of all no more Lamaze breathing classes for dads (after all of which are done, many moms go for the drugs anyway). then as one generation runs out of things to do in life, rather than uproot the whole parent just insert the next generation into the trunk, thereby hopefully eliminating adolescence when most of the body develops. Fungi and molds are even better as they mature in hours, are much more resilient and easier to distribute plus they're totally anonymous: parents don't have to see how their best intentions didn't bear fruit, and their offspring have no one else to blame. the spores of these life forms are quite durable, even tolerate the conditions found in outer space. Future myco-human lifeforms could be launched by the billions from earth unceremoniously, hoping a few might land somewhere favorable to germinate rather than being sucked into and incinerated by a star. And no alphabet or arithmetic to learn in grammar school. Being a family mammal on the other hand has major downsides. an example being that if you're known to be ever-ready to venture wherever someone will buy your plane ticket, they call upon you to go see how cousin Luke or uncle Amos or whoever is doing. The boring relatives stay put back home but the black sheep migrate over the years to places you would likely not otherwise go. So it is that I was driving through central Virginia on a moonless night, on just such a family mission and frankly need a roadie, a restorative for my lagging spirits, which is why I turned off the state highway and onto a county road to see where it went, and came to this town which is how I happened onto rocky mount's finest establishment, The Alley Cat Bar. It's great to find places like this and is the reason I prefer to drive in unknown territories using old outdated AAA maps instead of gps. Not every side road exit brings you to an historic and quaintly cool town like Rocky Mount, but it's the occasional one that ends in Rocky Mount that keeps you in the wanderlust game. It' was just what I was looking for at this moment, a break from driving the dark rural Virginia roads, local music and a friendly beer crowd. I was ready. Most small towns, not much to do, so can't be too choosey but lucky here to have this place, among others by the way but none so much my kind, live music potentially a little rough around the edges crowd but, after all, it's central va. Incredible selection of beer. I missed the Tuesday nite trivia contest as well as a visit to the moonshine distillery but I had miles to go before I slept.

They are connected with the Old Town Social House which is upstairs. The Alley Cat is a dark,…read moregrungy, bar with loud music, sometimes live loud music and a very good beer selection. The food is just ok, I haven't been super thrilled by anything I've ordered from either them or the social house (same menu, same kitchen). There is a lot of seating and I can see this is popular with the locals. The chairs and tables are like cafeteria chairs and it feels very open and not like a cozy bar but like someone's basement. It's ok. If you want to listen to music while drinking some good beers it's probably not a bad place to hang out.

I've been to Flat Iron for a variety of events over the years, live music, dance/rave nights,…read morerandom events on Monday. I've always had a great time. It's a small, intimate venue, which makes every event feel more personal and creates a great connection between the performers and the audience. The owners are musicians themselves, and it really shows. They understand what makes a great venue and consistently bring in a diverse lineup of entertainment. While Flat Iron is a bar, they also allow guests under 21 to attend many of their live music events, making it an accessible spot for music lovers of all ages. Their drink selection is solid too, with sodas, beer, wine, cocktails, hard seltzers, and THC beverages available. As a locally owned and operated business, Flat Iron is one of those places that helps make Greensboro's music and arts scene special. I'll definitely be back the next time I see something on their calendar. If you're interested in checking them out, give them a follow on Instagram for the latest shows and events. you never know what fun you'll discover next, they have up and coming artists and even nostalgic local bands and artists from the past.

Great music venue -- really intimate, which was nice. Appreciate that the performers hung around…read moreand interacted with the crowd. Fast drink service too. One FYI: they charged an extra $5 for my brother at the door because he's under 21, which wasn't disclosed during online purchase or listed anywhere on the site.

I've been coming to Floyd for the past 15 years, and Dogtown used to be a staple. Unfortunately,…read moreit's gone seriously downhill. The vibe just feels off now and what once felt welcoming and authentic feels more exclusive and self-important. :( The service is especially disappointing. You can stand at the counter forever waiting for someone to even acknowledge you. Basic hospitality goes a long way, and it's frustrating when staff can't even acknowledge you with a simple "we will be with you shortly" or even offer a simple smile. There's an attitude from some of the front-of-house staff that comes across like they've "arrived" and are above basic customer service. Floyd has always been about community and authenticity, and it's disappointing to see a place that once embodied that lose sight of what made it special.

BEWARE DOG OWNERS AND SERVICE DOG HANDLERS…read more When we arrived at Dogtown Roadhouse in Floyd, VA, my husband brought his federally protected service dog. Upon arrival, the hostess informed us that service dogs were not allowed inside the restaurant and directed us to sit on the outdoor porch instead. As soon as we reached the porch area, two unleashed dogs--a German Shepherd and a blond pit bull mix--charged at my husband and his Golden Retriever service dog. During the attack, my husband was bitten on the hand, and the service dog was bitten on the neck and pinned to the ground. The hostess stated that she witnessed the entire incident. We immediately notified the manager, James, and contacted law enforcement to file a police report. The owner of the attacking dogs left the property within minutes of the attack. What was equally disturbing was the response from management. When we brought the attack, the injuries, and our concerns to the manager's attention, we felt the situation was largely dismissed rather than addressed with the seriousness it deserved. The response we received gave us the impression that the attack and its consequences were not considered the restaurant's responsibility. Afterward, we asked management why unleashed dogs were permitted in a public dining area. We were told that the dogs belonged to "good people" and that the restaurant does not enforce leash requirements for customers' dogs. What is particularly concerning is that the restaurant's website states: "Well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome to join you at outdoor tables on the covered porch while you enjoy your meal." Additionally, we will be filing a complaint regarding the restaurant's refusal to accommodate a service dog indoors, as service animals are protected under federal law. This was an extremely upsetting and preventable situation. We are disappointed by how the matter was handled and by the apparent lack of enforcement of the restaurant's own stated leash policy. Based on our experience, we will never return and would strongly encourage dog owners and service dog handlers to use caution when visiting this establishment.

This establishment is a fun place to go on Saturday night. It's "NO ALCOHOL" so you don't have to…read moreworry about dealing with drunks. If you are in to line dancing,two stepping, and slow dancing bring your partner or being a friend. There is a food bar with drinks. So if you are into country music and want to show off your moves this is the place. Great family atmosphere for the entire family.

How fun was this place! We came here because the BF randomly found it when we were going to visit…read moreNC. It seemed like a fun idea and so we went to the middle of nowhere (thank you GPS) and found it. We came late so they only charged half price since we missed half the show, which was very nice of them. Owners/employees were beyond friendly. It's basically a band that sings on stage and a bunch of people get up to dance (you can eat there, too... we didn't, though). The front section is for the line dancers. Back section is for anyone who just wants to boogie. I guess they also teach line dancing in the beginning and middle of the show, which we missed. But it was nice. Warning, though, it is a (much) older crowd... I didn't mind :-). One of the men (in the cow bell dance where you have to switch partners each time it gets rung) asked me if I minded dancing with an old man. I said not at all... which his reply was, "Great, if I find one I'll send him your way." Hahaha!

Got to visit the Ramkat again recently for Somewhat Petty, a Tom Petty cover band out of Asheville…read more I really enjoy going to shows at the Ramkat. It's small, making for more intimate performances, but not too small, so they get some decent acts coming through. They offer a full bar with beer, mixed drinks and even THC seltzers. They've got some tables and seating, though you have to pay extra for the seating. Ramkat is located in a great part of town with several dining options, and breweries near by. There are paid lots for parking, but also plenty of free street parking if you arrive early enough.

Great small venue! I recently did generally admission for the Morgan Wade show. There were some…read moreissues with the sound equipment that produced some feedback for part of the show (not sure if that was due to the artist or the venue). However, the quality of the performance more than made up for it. There were a lot of specialty drinks available, but I just opted for some sodas. Service at the bar was friendly and they were making their way through the line quickly. The energy in the space was good and it seemed like a true music lover's haven. One challenge I had was that there didn't seem to be any seating options for general admission. Even offering a couple of off-to-the-side seats for a rest would be handy, since staying on your feet for a few hours straight can get a little tiring. Perhaps that was a possiblity and I missed it. There was seating in the VIP sections though and the price differential didn't seem too dramatic. Seriously, no bad view in the place due to the venue being so small. I'd absolutely recommend checking out a show here!

Great little dive bar! As long as you keep that in mind, you too will enjoy it. Excellent prices on…read morethe drinks. They have an outdoor space where you can talk and hangout. They also have a coin operated pool table ($1/game) that gets the job done. Downstairs there are several arcade games, some of which are free! I did not know this gem was here but will definitely go back.

This place charged $12 for a drink, proceeded to say "I don't work for free" and then stole my…read moremoney and trespassed me because apparently tips are mandatory at this establishment. I would stay far away if I were you these people are crooks. And yes the owner supported the bartenders actions saying that because I "caught an attitude" I don't deserve a refund or service for what I paid for. God bless your poor soul Jimbo. Hire better help.

We came in for a show and loved the dive bar vibe. The show we saw was a NOLA style brass band and…read moreit was so fun. My only complaint was not having more seating. Everything else was great. We will be back to catch more shows soon.

Must-Visit Bars for a Night Out in Durham…read more This bar has an excellent selection of music, and the vibes are always on point. I really enjoy the themed nights--they're a blast, and it's great to see so many people get dressed up. I feel completely safe and comfortable here, making it one of my favorite spots.

This renovated textile mill is a great space for an event. We attended a wedding dinner/reception…read morerecently and thoroughly enjoyed the space. Coming off the elevator on the fourth floor, you enter a "courtyard" splashed in sunlight from the large skylight. Off the courtyard are several rooms of varying size which gives several options for configuring your event. The main room is an expansive room with large windows on three sides and high ceilings. There was ample room for the sit down dinner for 250 plus ample room for dancing. Ample parking is available on site which is a plus given the downtown location.

Beautiful venue. Located in the heart of downtown High Point NC. Hidden treasure. Appears to be…read moregreat for any type of event. Parking is good. Location is good. Appearance is good. Win win situation. Adds that nostalgia to a party setting.

Nice environment, friendly staff and a decent selection of alcohol. We enjoyed our time here and…read morewould consider returning. You play and afterwards you pay.

Great food, atmospheric, bands We love this place. Love…read morethe toyz band that plays there.