Shaquille Blackstock
          Staff Writer

Any thriving city has one thing in common: older staple bars for adults to wash the daily grind from their bones with a beer, a shot, and some hot wings. Greensboro is no exception, boasting places like “Natty Greene’s,” “The Mad Hatter” and “Westerwood.”

These places not only have a cool, low-key atmosphere and friendly bartenders, but they usually have their own personalities or stories to accompany them.

“Natty Greene’s” brewery is an old-fashioned blast from the past downtown, that has been keeping clientele hooked on its signature brews and beers for 12 years now. It’s a historic building with a reputation to accompany the old southern, homey feel that it exudes.

It was once a hotel and also a brothel many years back. On a normal Saturday, “Natty Greene’s” can seat up to 300 people, and there are 12 brews always on tap downstairs and a 13th on the top floor.

The usual crowd consists of people in their mid-30’s and upper 20’s, and while there are some college students, they are not their main demographic.

According to one of the bartenders, “The look of the building and the knowledge of historicity help bring people in. This used to be an area called Hamburger Square, because there were shops on all corners and no McGee Street.” Their specialty beers include: Full moon, Mt. Mitchell and Southern Pale Ale.

Speaking to the manager, Doug, about business and growth, he said, “Our main goals are growing more each year as well as focus on distribution. We take care of bottling on Gate City. We’re about to outgrow the current building, and open up a new facility and become a regional beer. Local business propelled the whole thing because initially we had no vision of bottling.”

Two years later, the Grasshopper stadium wanted a local beer. They contacted the owners of Natty Greene’s and initially wanted 10 kegs of beer. However by the third inning, they ran out. They had to go get the kegs, clean them, refill them and send them back until they had enough money to buy more kegs to send to the stadium. This showed the owners how much local demand there was for beer, especially considering that “Natty Greene’s” was one of the earlier Greensboro breweries.

Regarding locals and what keeps them coming back, Doug said, “The locals wanted beer, and the community supplied support for growth. One of our best performing brews is the Southern Pale Ale, which is a consistent and flavorful beer that keeps people coming back for more. Most of our beers are brewed within a week or two. Mt. Mitchell, the bottled beer, is brewed every Tuesday.”

The second signature bar is the “Mad Hatter,” which features signature neon lights that draw patrons in like moths to a flame. The bar and restaurant has been open since the week of Christmas of 2013. They are more known for burgers, pizza and their unique bloody Mary and mimosa recipes.

“The Mad Hatter” prides itself on putting out a good product and being a good place for customers to go to. They feature a good deal on nine dollar crafts, and specialize in brunch. On Saturdays and Sundays patrons can order brunch anytime.

Curtis, a bartender at the Hatter, spoke on what keeps customers coming back, “I think what keeps customers coming is us, the bartenders. Most of our customers are regulars who are attracted to personalities.” The Mad Hatter has an eclectic, artistic vibe to it.

There are chandeliers made of silverware and crystal, marble floors and counters, black lights behind the bar and lots of alternative and electronic music to accent the almost cosmopolitan vibe of the interior. The manager is French and so many aspects of the bar are of European influence. Broken Bells station on Pandora was playing at the time.

Another bartender, Courtney, spoke about “The Mad Hatter,” “I used to bartend at ‘The Pour House,’ and my boyfriend owns ‘Mother Tuckers,’ which stays open all night. I know the sports bar scene more than anything, and that teaches you to be able to talk to people. You attract a better clientele that way, and here you don’t run into as many drunken frat boys.

“We have good live music here on Wednesdays, mostly comprised of reggae music. We also have half off wine Mondays and Wednesdays, and there’s an outside bar too,” said Courtney. “The Mad Hatter” specializes in brunch; Carolina style eggs benedict barbequed is a favorite, as well as chicken and pancakes.

The final bar was “Westerwood,” a place tucked away off West Market, in between UNCG and Greensboro College. It’s been a bar since the ‘60s, but only became its current incarnation between ’05 and ‘06. The current owners have only owned the bar for five years.

Thursdays are $1.50 jello shot nights, and there are other specials like $3 shot nights as well. According to the bartender on duty, “Here’s the biggest thing about us, all bars offer the same thing: alcohol. We emphasis customer service at ‘Westerwood,’ as well as fundraising and giving back…we’re shooting for a distinguished vibe without pretension.

“The goal is to be a place to hang out, not [necessarily for] college kids or old people. Following that module, we continue to thrive and be successful and we are very grateful to the community for that success. ‘Westerwood’ is a neighborhood bar that constantly attempts to market itself in the best ways possible.”