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Barbecue, brews, and live beats beckon visitors to North Georgia
Music is in the air in Blue Ridge, Georgia, about 90 minutes north of Atlanta via Interstate 575. Crisp notes of mountain air whisk visitors a world away while vacation vibes have everyone whistling a tune. Find out the top five toe-tapping ways to make the most of music in this North Georgia mountain town:
- Make your way to the Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ event, September 16-17. A Blues Crawl will take place at 7 p.m., September 16, with live music and specials at several restaurants throughout the downtown area. Crawl through eight different restaurants enjoying live music, savoring food and drinks and celebrating the start of the Blues Weekend in the mountains. Pick up an Official Blues & BBQ Festival Rack Card from area Blue Ridge lodging providers, the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce or a participating Crawl restaurant. Carry it with you on Friday night as you Crawl. Get all eight stars punched and have the opportunity to get into the Blues & BBQ Festival free the next day. Climb aboard the Blue Ridge Railway for the Blues Train, also on September 16, featuring a Blues Band on the train, with a street dance following. Tickets include food. Wrap up festivities September 17 with an all-day music and food event in Downtown Blue Ridge. The festival will include over 10 local and regional vendors serving barbecue-style culinary delights. https://www.facebook.com/BlueRidgeBluesandBBQ/?fref=ts
- Weekends are meant for celebrating and you can do just that at the Boat Dock Bar & Grill at Lake Blue Ridge Marina, located on the lake with a decidedly relaxed atmosphere. Or, head to Blue Ridge Brewery and savor sudsy sips outside or in the bar’s live music area. Local beers are on tap and juicy burgers complement drinks. Also in downtown, Christy Lee’s Courtyard Grill’s menu features tantalizing temptations like prime rib sliders, calamari and crab cakes made even more enjoyable against the ambiance of music in the courtyard–the ultimate al fresco dining opportunity.
- Head to the theatre, Blue Ridge Community Theater, to be specific. Musicians take the stage for regular concerts, September-November.
- Downtown is always a winning choice for entertainment in Blue Ridge. Check out Chester Brunnenmeyers for rustic American bites, signature cocktails and regionally crafted beer all served alongside live music. Call 706-258-2539 for details about live entertainment dates and times. Nearby, The Vine Wine Bar & Bistro of Blue Ridge, offers chocolate and wine pairings each Friday, sometimes accompanied by live music.
Nothing goes better with beer than…music! Try Grumpy Old Men Brewery or Fannin Brewing Company for regular live music events and brews. Grumpy Old Men Brewing, a “nano brewery,” is home of sought-after beers like Moon Over Blue Ridge Wheat, Aska Pale Ale, Devils Den IPA and Hells Holler Porter. Established in 2012 by two “old retired guys” who were home brewing in an outdoor shower and graduated to their brewery on East Main in Blue Ridge, Grumpy Old Men Brewing’s corporate mission is simple: “If we don’t like it, we don’t drink it. If we don’t drink it, we don’t sell it.” Open for tastings from 1 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Call 770-331-8870 or 404-966-2665; www.GrumpyOldMenBrewing.com. Fannin Brewing Company’s Tom Fennell brought his brewing skills to Fannin County for two simple reasons: Fresh air and fresh water make for fresh beer. Being local is important to Fannin Brewing; it’s in the name of their beers: Hiawassee Golden Ale, Toccoa Brown, Dahlonega Gold. They also source local ingredients in many of their beers. Their Tasting Room and Beer Garden is open on Thursday-Friday from 4-8 p.m., and on Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. Call 706-258-2762; www.FanninBrewingCompany.com.
If you go
From lake-view with a mountain vista and room for 20 to cabins hidden away and built only for two (hot tub included!) find links to cabin rental companies at www.BlueRidgeMountains.com.