Wednesday, March 05, 2008

The end of an era

Durty Nelly's, we bid thee farewell.

For many Fridays and other days, we congregated at the Grand Ole Irish Pub on North Market Street in Chattanooga.

There were many an evening we sat at the bar with old friends, dear friends who have now left Chattanooga.

There was that time during The Blizzard of '93. The ole pub was open for St. Patrick's Day even if there was two feet of snow and three feet and more of snow drifts. Who still has a t-shirt from there that says, "I survived!"

There were the Irish folk songs - sing along, I know you can.

There were many a Friday that the Sigma Chis sat in one corner, the Sigma Kappas sat in another corner and the beer flowed like wine. No fake IDs there.

There were the people who threw their peanuts on the floor and at people, heck, even the hired singers.

There was the drinking glove - I still have it - 15 years later.

There was our old friend Clancy, who is no longer with us. I drank one last more for you, my brother.

There were the times we gathered with family. Ole Sideboard loved the place.

There was the Onion Orgy. The Durty Burger. The Nacho Colosso. Fish & Chips. The Shannon Salad. Oh, and the Bread Pudding.

There was the Purple Snake (port wine and Guiness)


And so it ends. On February 29, 2008, a day that only happens once every four years, Durty Nelly's closed its doors for good.

We had to drink our dinner since there was no food being served. Guiness and Killian's in a clear plastic cup and the Styrofoam when the fine plastic was gone.

Some of the last food eaten at the ole pub was an Irish favorite, Pizza Hut, delivered hot and fresh to our table, via ordering delivery.

Some old faces and new friends made their way in the doors one last time. We closed the place down one last time. Pour out a little liquor for the homies.



One more time, for old times sake . . .

There was green alligators and long-necked geese
Some humpty backed camels and some chimpanzees
Some cats and rats and elephants, but sure as you're born
The loveliest of all was the unicorn!