Spend a few minutes in this beer joint on West Montrose Avenue, and you'll start to realize that people have begun to use the phrase "dive bar" a little too loosely. Like an aging prize-fighter, HRM is the type of bar that has earned the right to tout itself as such the hard way. Standing in the same spot for over 30 years—with all the same carpet, decorations and jukebox—this is the ideal place to cry a tear into your beer.
Though the neon sign out front boldly advertises suds "On Tap," only bottled beer and mixed drinks are available behind the bar. Offering domestic staples for a thrifty $2.50 a pop and a few standard imports (Becks, Heineken and Corona) at $3.50, the prices are hard to beat. In fact, customers will be hard-pressed to find anything topping $4.00, including the mixed drinks.
Adding to the delightfully dated ambiance, Cathie, the old barkeep who makes sure to change her rosaries each day to match her clothes, is the kind of steward of spirits that could make any bar legendary. With witty banter to spare and an exceptionally light but world-weary attitude, she's always ready for a drunken chat.
The rustic pool table is only 50 cents a game and the jukebox plays three songs for a dollar. You'll have to ask the barmaid to turn it on, though, as it isn't used much anymore. Apparently The Who, Elvis, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard aren't as popular as they once were.
So, if your scene is hip, clean bars with throbbing techno, steer as far away from HRM as you can. But for those looking to be transported to the late '70s in a bar where cocktails are served starting at seven in the morning and Jager shots are $3.25 (bring your own Red Bull), look no further than HRM.
Centerstage Reviewer: Zach Freeman
