My heart glows more fondly for Charlotte knowing Smokey Joe's exists.
At Smokey's you can feel the communal collaboration in the paraphernalia-laden walls and ceilings, evidence of a true hometown workin' man's bar.....
You can sit by the wood stove in the winter or out on the porch swing in the summer. You can play every standard bar-game known: pin ball, fuss ball, pool, darts, ping pong, or you can ask to roll the dice at the bar for 50 cents to win the pot.
Yes! There is a stone mason built waterfall in the rafters. There is also a stage with full PA and lighting that long-time sound man "Hooter" operates with skill.
There is the bar cat named "Puff" and a great jukebox.
You can drink Jameson or Bushmill's or PBR. And you can feel secure perching your buzzed hindquarters on the "never tip over" stools at the bar.
This place doesn't have to try to be something because it inherently IS and the people who go there regularly are just the same.
Try going at a time when you can just enjoy the space or on a Tuesday open mic night with the house band (just heads up- sometimes it starts a little late).
The only thing Smokey Joe's Cafe doesn't have is a kitchen- but if i'm hungry I'll bring in some chili from Lupies about half a mile down the way.
Long live Smokey Joe's.