posted October 21, 2004
It's a sad day here in Chattanooga.
I have been going to the Stone Lion since I got back into town in 1989,
although I don't consider myself as a "regular" because some people go
there everyday.
The Stone Lion was an anomaly here in Chattanooga. It is a dive bar but
it's not a redneck dive, and that's a distinction worth noting. That is a
combination that we don't have a lot of here in our town. It had a great
beer selection but it didn't overcharge the customer and a great jukebox as well. It was a destination more than a location; to me it was more like a state of mind.
To say that the Lion was the only really culturally and socio-economically diverse "pub" in Chattanooga wouldn't begin to do it justice. It was an island of tolerance in a self-righteous society. The freaks, geeks, cowboys, hippies, yuppies and slackers could all appreciate the simple pleasures this hole-in-the wall bar. In another town it probably would have went out of business a long time ago, but here in Chattanooga it was unique enough to last.
When I describe it to people, I'd say "It's the only place in town where
the junkies and their lawyers can have a beer together", and I always
meant that as a compliment. I've met some of the most interesting folks
(weird) sitting next to some very influential players; all at this one
little dive bar with a dirty bathroom. In this atmosphere we were all equal; we were drinking together in this unusual place. We could all
identify with each other on some level, if we could all appreciate
something about the Stone Lion.
It's too hip for the rednecks, cool enough for "some" yuppies, chill
enough for the deadheads and close enough for the students to have a beer
before class and after studying. Back before the concrete parking garage
it had a great sunset from the deck and you could play Frisbee in the
parking lot across the street. To me it was the only quintessential pub in
town. Most of our bars are either a chain from out of town or too phu-phu
to host a local, regular clientele.
I'm sorry to see it go and I doubt it can be re-created at another
location. It was just the right size, with the right jukebox, with the
right people and of course it had a great beer selection. Not too many
real pubs in town, even fewer where you could here Bob Marley and Johnny
Cash from the same jukebox.
Goodbye to The Stone Lion it was here while it lasted!
Thanks Hoppy,
Mr. Blonde
Mr_blonde@barleymobbrewers.org
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