Three local bars mix libations with the outdoors

The beer garden is one of the most frequented locations in Carbondale. Opening in the spring and closing in the fall, the beer garden is a valuable asset for students and area citizens alike, particularly as the summer approaches.

Not only is it a place to drink and socialize, but it is often a place for sampling some of the best in area and regional live entertainment.

In fact, there are currently three key beer gardens in the city, those being associated with Booby's, Sidetracks and Pinch Penny Pub. Each of the three caters to slightly different interests, but each has found their own niche.

Booby's beer garden is the furthest garden north on the Strip, located at 406 S. Illinois Ave.

According to Manager Christy Nurnberg, the beer garden's bar has six or seven draft beers, import and domestic bottles and a wide range of liquors. The beer garden also has nightly drink specials, and on select evenings also features live music.

"We have everything from punk to reggae; jam rock, indie rock and sometimes we have DJs play," Nurnberg said.

The beer garden is usually kept open until October. The garden operates Monday through Saturday from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Pinch Penny Pub's beer garden, located at 700 E. Grand Ave., is the largest beer garden in town with a maximum capacity of 520 people.

According to the pub and beer garden's proprietor James Karayiannis, the beer garden stays open until around Homecoming weekend.

"Until mother nature says no more," Karayiannis said.

The beer garden carries almost everything that the main pub does except for the higher-end Scotches and other liquors.

"Anything anyone could possibly want," Karayiannis said.

Otherwise, the beer garden is equipped with a heavily stocked island bar in the middle of the garden, and a Daiquiri bar that produces frozen drinks and houses the garden's DJ. Patrons are also given full access to the pub's food menu.

As far as live entertainment, the garden features live music on the weekends that include everything from original and classic rock to reggae, alternative and hip-hop. The garden also hosts popular cover bands. A fountain in the garden is the foundation for an elaborate copper dragon named Penelope that breaths fire at certain intervals throughout the evening. Karayiannis said the bar Copper Dragon got its name because of the copper dragon in Pinch's garden.

At various times during the open garden season, Pinch hosts pig roasts, beer festivals and costume parties. During the summer, Karayiannis said the garden is a popular hangout for people on Thursdays after the Sunset Concerts.

The garden was renovated a year-and-a-half ago, but Karayiannis said the owners have talked about eventually making the garden multi-leveled.

"But that's years down the road," Karayiannis said. "The owners are always more than willing to put money back into the business. Anything to make the customer happier."

Pinch Penny Pub's beer garden is now open Monday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Sidetracks Bar and Grill, located at 101 W. College St., is home to a stage that has an interesting lighting system that takes full advantage of its location. A rig that resembles a set of railroad tracks arches over the back of the stage, and its network of lights resembles that is reminiscent of a railroad crossing. Given the establishment's close proximity to the west College street railroad crossing, this is a rather clever feature.

The garden features live music by area and regional pop musicians, various degrees of rock and at times, heavy metal. Patrons in the beer garden may also order from Sidetracks' extensive grill menu, which includes various styles of burgers, sandwiches and other pub grub.

Although Carbondale summers are typically hot and humid with little rainfall, spring and fall can be detrimental to beer gardens as far as weather if concerned. It is advised to call these establishments in case of early closing on account of rain or for other information pertaining to entertainment or drink specials.