The Kraken

this review is for the Kraken on tuesday nights — (‘odd’ tuesdays only, that is) — when the place rocks out with 20+ musicians playing Old-​Time So. Appalachian music — fiddles, banjos, guitars, bass, harmonica, bones, and dancers — a unique and fun experience, and no cover! beer choices are good, too! I can’t comment on the other nights, but this is a chance to hear some exceptional musicians playing in the old-​time tradition.

The Kraken has its own crowd and personality, that’s for sure! Best dive bar you’ll find. Off the beaten path and away from students and typically the hipster crowds as well. Everybody is friendly and there’s always a conversation to be had. Bartenders are the best, dogs are welcome and great indoor and outdoor space. Great music and nice events every once in a while with a potluck type of feel. Regular crowd but welcomes a bunch of different types that make it out for certain shows. Usually visit once a week or so. Will continue to be a regular there myself. Worth the trip out — really not that far!

As a dive bar, this place is great! It’s a bit far out so you don’t get all the annoying college kids, the crowd is actually really diverse when it comes to age. They don’t really have many choices when it comes to beer, especially on tap, but it’s a small place so I wasn’t expecting a huge selection. We went to see Crystal Bright play here, and the opening band was an awesome ragtime band out of Atlanta, it surprised me that this bar attracts such talent! The outdoor areas are what really make this place special, there was a bonfire out back, a covered patio in the one corner of the parking lot, and a front deck with lots of seating. People were even bringing in their dogs! I wish it wasn’t so far away for me (40 minutes) but I’ll definitely be back!

Absolutely do not like the place. I will not go there. I would not recommend anyone to go there.

I’ve driven by here countless times thinking I really should stop and check it out… with 7 other friends. They had a cool band line up there and this place was hopping on Friday night. Outside had lots of seating, benches, tables, chairs and just a fun place to hang out. Inside you walk into a bar area with a few local taps and bottles/​cans of beer. They had hard liquor as well. The bartender was really nice and friendly and let me exchange this hot chili beer I thought I wanted for something more «pilsnery».
The second room is a stage and dance floor, pool table and some seating. If you aren’t going to dance, you may not want to be in there at all. But of course you do! They have separate men/​women facilities that were clean (well at least my cohort’s were.
I love the mix of people here. You have 20 somethings but also locals from all ages and backgrounds. Everyone is pretty easy going and trashed. I’d go back. The owner was a hoot and welcoming and made sure to thank us when we left. It’s a great taste of local flavor and music.

This is a a little dive bar in the middle of nowhere. I came because my friend and his band play a regular gig here.
Took me a long time to find it, until I realized it was the only thing with lights at the corner of NC54 and Dodsons Cross.
Pulling into the gravel lot, I saw a little wooden shack, possibly built out of repurposed woods from abandoned house and whatnot, and there was a group of people, just chilling and grilling. Later on, they were bringing in sausages and burgers and just giving to people.
All the bartenders have beard. Not necessarily impacting the rating. I just want to mention that, if you ever comes here and looking for the guys that can open the fridge to get you beers.
Like I stated, it’s a dive, but it got everything it needed; Some tables and seats, a pool table, TV near the bar if you need to keep track of sports scores, and a live music stage that seem to feature small local and traveling bands. The regulars here are nice enough; of course then there’s my crowd that comes when my friends playing.