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Get into the groove in Chapel Hill
By Matt Konigsmark

Sandwiched between the tobacco industry and cotton country surrounding Chapel Hill is a meaty scene. At first glance Chapel Hill appears to be nothing more than a basketball-frenzied college town set amid colonial-style houses and a quaint downtown area. But scratch that surface and you're likely to find one of the more vibrant music scenes in the South. Here's a quick and dirty guide to finding "the scene" in Chapel Hill, including cool places to sustain thyself.

Franklin Street is the main drag through the downtown area, and its intersection with Columbia Street is ground zero. Generally, the haunts of college students and the Greek crowd are found at the eastern end of Franklin while the western end is more geared to "townies," grad students and local music scenesters. Here's some places to check out:


ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK

The Cat's Cradle: 300 E. Main St. 919-967-9053.
Really located a hop and a skip outside Chapel Hill in Carrboro, this club is the largest and best known in the Triangle. Chances are it's the place where that nationally touring band is going to play when they're in town. Club owner/booker Frank Heath never neglects the locals, though. If there is a coherent "scene" in Chapel Hill, the Cradle is its home, consistently booking well-established local bands alongside newcomers. (Incidentally, and of little note to locals, on Sonic Youth's "Dirty" album, the song "Chapel Hill" includes the line "... and the Cradle's rockin'," among other obscure Chapel Hill references.)
The Cave: 452 1/2 W. Franklin St. 919-968-9308.
The name says it all: damp, dark, narrow and low. The Cave is the oldest bar in Chapel Hill and a cornerstone of the music scene. It features traditional music, blues and occasionally new alternative acts. Pool tables and video machines are located in the rear of the club. If you happen to be in town on Thanksgiving, drop in and eat some turkey with the locals at The Cave's annual feast.
Crescent City Music Hall: 504 W. Franklin St. 919-932-3820.
Located above Local 506, this club features roots rock, salsa and zydeco performers.
The Lizard and Snake: 110 N. Columbia St. 919-929-2828.
This burrito joint packs them in day and night. By day, it serves cheap but good and filling burritos and beer. At night, it opens the space up to local alternative and acoustic performers. Unfortunately, the stage is little more than an elevated corner and the sound kind of muddy. Frank Heath, of Cat's Cradle, books bands here that wouldn't fill up the Cradle.
Local 506: 506 W. Franklin St. 919-942-5506.
Great club space with a good sound system, specializing in "alternative rock and more," which translates into garage, rock-a-billy and country bands. There's a pool table up front and a good selection of microbrews and cheap beer at the bar. Local 506 is also the home of Sleazefest, a three-day event each August featuring 21 bands.
Skylight Exchange: 405 1/2 Rosemary St. 919-933-5550
This deli serves up good sandwiches and acoustic music. It also sells books and CDs.

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Local rockers blow the roof off The Cave. Photos by Matt Konigsmark.

EAT AND DRINK YOUR WAY THROUGH CHAPEL HILL


Bandidos: 159 1/2 E. Franklin St. 919-967-5048.
Great cheap Tex-Mex fare and margaritas in a so-tacky-it's-great setting. If you want it, be prepared to hunt for it as it's off the beaten path and down a narrow alleyway.
Carolina Brewery: 460 W. Franklin St. 919-942-1800.
A bit overrun by the local fraternity and sorority scene, this trendy brew-pub, nevertheless, serves up four delicious beers, including an ale and a stout. Accented with gleaming copper tanks and polished blond wood, this two-story dining area provides a glitzy backdrop for dining and sucking down suds. There's a fairly extensive menu, featuring better-than-average sandwiches, burgers, pizzas, seafood, pastas and munchies. The meatloaf sandwich, in particular, comes heavily recommended.
Dip's Country Kitchen: 405 W. Rosemary St. 919-942-5837.
Country cookin' at it's unrestrained finest. Mama Dip is known far and wide for her fried chicken, pork chops, and Southern veggies. It's even said that UNC grads Michael Jordan and James Worthy can't return to Chapel Hill without stopping by for a meal at Dip's.
Henry's Bistro: 403 W. Rosemary St. 919-967-4720.
Join the late-night cocktail crowd and mingle with hipsters and musicians at this smoky hotspot. It's where those in the know, including R.E.M.'s Mike Mills, go when the show ends to find out where and when the party begins. Drinks are served 'til 2 a.m. An eclectic menu of mid-ranged to pricey European-style cuisine is served until 10:30 p.m.A late-night menu is served until the drinks stop flowing.
Indian Palace 508-A W. Franklin St. 919-942-8201.
Good Indian grub for a decent price.
Pepper's Pizza 127 E. Franklin St. 919-967-7766.
Delicious, mouth-watering pizza for rock-bottom prices. A favorite with hipsters, hip-hoppers and college kids, alike.
Pyewacket Restaurant 431 W. Franklin St. 919-929-0297.
Semi-upscale dining and neighborhood hangout for townies, grad students and the professorial type. Originally a vegetarian eatery, this local institution has recently rounded out its menu with seafood and meat entrees in the $8-$17 range. The lounge doubles as a popular meeting point.
Silk Road Tea House 456 W. Franklin St. 919-942-1533.
This comfy carpets and cushions house, caters to vegetarians and fans of new age and world music.
35 Chinese 143 W. Franklin St. in University Square 919-968-3488.
Really good Chinese buffet at bargain prices.
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Mama Dip is know far and wide for her fried chicken, biscuits and country breakfasts.

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