The Nags Head — Cheap Drinks, Stiff People

The Nags Head -- especially awesome for people who like colors

Okay, so this hilarious title refers to the fact that every time I used to walk by The Nags Head on Geary before 10pm, the only people I could see inside (and it’s not a big place, mind you) were REALLY old.  I mean like one-leg-in-the-c0ffin old.  But you know what?  Sometime those olds are the most interesting people — not because they have life experience or any of that shit, but because they’re loaded and just want to buy a pretty little young thing like you a drink.

Just kidding.  Ew.  I  mean, I would feel like I was taking advantage of my grandpa (who’s dead) if I took a drink from anyone at The Nags Head, but the clientele actually is really interesting and diverse.  While it’s still true that if you go too early, you’ll be surrounded by many, many year regulars (which is sometimes what you want as opposed to an always-packed, impossible-to-get-a-drink-at hipster bar), late at night and on weekends especially, the little place gets a little more crowded with overflow from McKenzie’s a few doors down and perhaps even Trad’r Sam when the guys can’t stand watching the gals try to suck down scorpion bowls anymore.

The Nags Head won’t give you a scorpion bowl (thank G0d).  The drink specials are plastered behind the bar on neon-colored construction paper and are almost unbearably cheap at all times — no happy hour bullshit here.  A Jack and Coke runs right up about five bucks and they have a shot called a “death wish.”  It’s like Cheers, but grittier (that’s also not true because all the bartenders are really nice).  Whatever.  Just GO HERE, get a cheap drink and listen to one of Ernie’s stories.  You’ll know him when you see him and won’t be let down.