One of the most lucrative industries in a college town is the nightlife. However, there are many people that do not know what Commerce has to offer.
The next time boredom sets in and there is nothing to do on week night, remember one of these places is always open and willing to hang out.
Opened in mid September, the Drunken Mule has quickly become popular with students and locals alike. Located at 1205 Main Street, the Mule serves 18-and-up with a cover for minors and a cover on nights they have bands. This honky-tonk country bar features different music and, according to owners Tim Johnson and Dr. Bill Taylor, the Mule, “has a band every Saturday night.”
“I love it. I can come out and dance,” Ashley Wisdom, a junior majoring in social work, said.
Anther popular place on the downtown square the Spot: Sports Bar and Grill aka The Spot, or The Spot Brewery. Darts, video golf and pool tables keep guests occupied. This bar features a little bit of Dallas living with beer, wine, hookahs and “an extensive food menu,” owner Deryck Gorman said.
The Spot allows 18-year-olds and up with no cover most evenings. They also have a band or a live deejay every Thursday night and show most major sporting events on broadcast television and pay-per-view. They have a daily $2 bottled beers and free Wi-Fi Internet for students who want to do homework.
Lori Burden, a junior in business, said she comes to the Spot, “because it gives great service, they care about their customers and they have a great selection of beer.”
A longtime hangout for locals has been the hotel bar on the highway headed back to Interstate 30. Currently, the Red Baron Lounge and Temeraria’s Mexican Restaurant make up some of the area’s best food and drinks. This establishment features Tex-Mex cooking and a fully stocked bar with four beers on tap.
According to Temeraria’s manager Brian Taylor, the bar is “classy and comfortable versus a regular bar.”
Although family establishment while the restaurant is open, the Red Baron Lounge becomes 21 and up at 10 p.m. Reservations for parties are available and they have drink specials Thursday through Saturday. The bar and restaurant are located inside of the University Inn at 3000 Hwy. 50 on the edge of Commerce.
The Drunken Mule opens at 8 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. They close at midnight every night except Saturday, when they shut the doors at 1 a.m.
The Spot is open 5 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, and noon through midnight on Sunday for NASCAR.
The Red Baron Lounge and Temeraria’s operating hours are 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.-9 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m.-midnight Friday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to midnight on Sunday. The restaurant closes at 10 p.m.