The Augusta Commission’s vote restricting New Year’s Eve Sunday to comply with Georgia’s blue laws has put a hamstring on the city’s bars, particularly those close to downtown.
Some local watering holes have opted to organize private, ticketed or reserved events as a workaround. Savannah River Brewing Co.’s 70’s themed “Disco Fever” New Year’s Eve event has already sold out most of its tables this week.
While Pedal Pub has a bar and event venue on 12th Street, the business cut its teeth on operating a party bike business with city ordinances forbidding open containers of alcohol. Even amid the dearth of open downtown taverns, Pedal Pub Augusta is still offering prospective riders the opportunity to countdown on the road, come Sunday.
Most Broad Street nightlife staples, however, such as Firehouse, Soul Bar and The Loft, are staying closed the night of Dec. 31.
“Normally… it’s a party and a half,” said Chris McCarthy, manager of 8th Street dive bar Joe’s Underground. “Most people have a DJ or a live band playing and, especially lately with all the college football playoffs, you probably open it a couple of hours early, so guys come down and watch the ballgame.”
This year, Joe’s is among the popular night spots that won’t be ringing in the New Year with doors open, a situation that McCarthy calls “frustrating” for local bar owners and managers.
“That’s a big night for us… thousands of dollars in sales just to kick off the next fiscal year,” he said. “We took a risk of opening a bar in the first place, all year long we’ve got to adhere to changing trends, what the crowd wants … and now it feels like we’ve got to fight the city.”
Some venues, however, have opted for Saturday night New Year’s parties. Broad Street nightclub The Scene will kick off its “New Year’s Eve Eve” at 10 p.m. on Saturday night, The Loft will be hosting its “Pre New Year’s Eve Party,” and neighboring Dirty Boots will have a New Year’s event a day early complete with live music and champagne at midnight.
Joe’s Underground kicked of its festivities to bring in 2024 on Friday night, and is booked to start again Saturday night, also with live music, a DJ, champagne and a pajama party, with a $5 cover. McCarthy noted he’s also open to the possibility of a countdown at the end of the night.
“We’re going to throw two parties instead of one,” McCarthy said. “It’s the biggest ‘non-event’ of the year, and the clock ticks over whether it’s on Saturday night or Sunday night. Let’s have a party, and then I’ll sit on my couch Sunday and watch football.”
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
