The rain fell hard on Friday, Oct. 8, but the deluge couldn’t stop us from going out to dinner. It was the end of a rough week, and I just didn’t feel like cooking. A quick search on Facebook earlier that day alerted me to local singer Brandon Henson. He was scheduled to perform at Carolina Ale House beginning at 7 p.m., so we decided to drive over for dinner and music. Dean and I hadn’t been to the restaurant in years. In fact, the first time we visited was shortly after the place opened in the summer of 2010.
We were surprised to find parking when we arrived and figured the weather might’ve kept some people away. When we opened the door and walked inside, the cares of the day melted off me. The restaurant felt comfortable from the moment we entered. Hard to explain, but even with the sports bar vibe it felt like home. Our host was most engaging, and when I asked if we could sit near the music, he placed us out on the patio as close as he could to the stage.
The patio at Carolina Ale House wraps around one corner of the building, and it is possibly the most inviting seating I’ve experienced in a chain restaurant. Enclosed and safe from inclement weather, the walls of windows give the space a wide-open feel. Several of the windows were open that evening, inviting in the post-storm breezes. The cool air felt so good and relaxing, adding to an already lovely evening out.
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We studied the menu and quickly ordered the beer battered cheese curds. Accompanied by a sweet and spicy dipping sauce, the Milwaukee-style appetizer made Dean and I homesick for his hometown.
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Brandon Henson set up in the back corner of the bar and began to play as our meals arrived. Armed with an acoustic guitar and a beautiful voice, he played a mellow set of songs that included a wide range of tunes from multiple artists including “There Goes My Hero” by the Foo Fighters and “Simple Kind of Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. The songs he played were swoon-worthy and tugged at the heartstrings. As the evening progressed, Brandon’s take on the songs “Can’t Stop The Feeling” by Justin Timberlake and “Chasing Cars” by Snow Patrol flowed from the PA system.
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Brandon’s set list was eclectic and romantic, offering the perfect complement to a much-needed night out. Though the televisions in the bar were tuned to football games, it was obvious by the low din that the gathered sports’ fans had an ear tuned in to Brandon’s performance.
On our way out, we thanked him for a great evening then tossed a tip into his open guitar case.
Prior to that night, I had never heard of Brandon Henson, but I know I will go out and hear him perform again. If you see his name anywhere online and you need a calming dose of smooth romantic sounds, do yourself a favor and go see him. Brandon has a personal Facebook page, so keep an eye on his public posts for notification of future shows. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=33023178
Carolina Ale House has locations across the Southeast and offers a wide variety of beers on tap to complement its extensive menu. Visit online at carolinaalehouse.com
Looking to have some fun and unwind this weekend? Check out The Rockin’ Chairs at the Village at Woodside in Aiken. Show starts at 6 p.m., so get there early and bring a blanket or chair. Also in Aiken, Guns for Hire play the Tailgate Tavern in the Aiken Alley beginning at 6 p.m. On Saturday, see One Stop Shop at the Hammond’s Ferry Larder in North Augusta. Show begins at 6 p.m.
Francie Klopotic is an author, artist and music aficionado living in Augusta. She writes The Night Beat column the first and third Friday of each month.
