Source
r/fayetteville•
evinf

In town next weekend, looking for recommendations (bars, gyms, etc.)

Hey y'all.

So, I lived in Fayetteville for a decade or so, but I moved away in 2008 or so.

I'm coming to town for the Fayetteville Roots Festival, and figured I'll have some time to do some things when I'm not catching the acts.

So, hit me up with some recommendations, if you so wish. To give you some background about me, I'm a 34-year-old man who likes most kinds of music, any kind of food, copious amounts of caffeine and being active/working out (I play hockey, powerlift and enjoy biking and rock climbing). I prefer craft beers over macrobrews but am always down for a good neat whiskey/bourbon. I'm driving down, so I've got a vehicle at my disposal and cost for most things probably isn't going to be an issue.

I'd like to find:

  • A powerlifting-focused gym where I can come workout for a day or two
  • Some bars for the late 20s/early 30s crowd where I can meet people (I don't mind if it is a gay bar either, as I'm a bisexual guy, if that makes a difference on what you'd recommend). Not necessarily looking to try to take anybody home (although not opposed to it), but I love socializing and I'm taking a solo vacation here.
  • Restaurants that I just absolutely have to eat at (I've been to some of the classics like Hugo's, Flying Burrito, Whole Hog, Bordinos, Theo's, Sassy's, catfish Hole, Penguin Eds, etc.)

Posted Aug 19, 2019, 6:16 PM UTC

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catsby90bbn•

Preachers son is an absolute home run restaurant in Bentonville - if your solo sit at the bar. They also have a “speak easy” cocktail lounge in the basement.

Columbus house brewery was my go to spot when I lived in Fayetteville, right on the bike trail to so you could walk to/from Dickson and usually really easy to chat people up.

Wood stone craft pizza has some awesome pies if your looking for pizza. Oferrals on Dickson was my non pizza eating spot - upscale bar food ( I mean that in a good way).

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Elegant-loser•

Just a warning, classes start on the 26th, so Fayetteville is going to be absolutely swarming with students that weekend.

Kingfish bar is popular with graduate students, so that'll be a little older clientele. I'd definitely check out Dickson street and the Square because there are so many new places that have opened up since you left. Apparently Tony's, the new NY pizza place on Dickson is really good. There's also a good new fancy restaurant in the center of the Square.

If you go north, Bentonville has Blu, a really good fish place, as well as a world class art museum.

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evinfOP•

Good to know. I get a parking pass for the Thursday night events, and I'll probably bring my bike or Uber from the airbnb I'm staying at to the main venue the other days.

I'll be sure to check out Kingfish, thanks for the suggestion.

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beersj•

Ozark iron gym would be my recommendation for lifting. Don't know what the price is for a few days but the owner is an awesome dude.

Dickson is gonna be hit or miss. The older crowds you'll run into are more food business, locals. If you're looking for business oriented 30 somethings Bentonville would be the route to go to for drinks

Any of the onyx locations for coffee are great. Puritan on Dickson is also a solid hangout spot but might be swamped with college students

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evinfOP•

I checked with Ozark Iron and apparently it's $5 for a day pass, so I'll probably end up there. Not that there is an issue with a place like Anytime Fitness, but I'm needing like, actual squat and deadlift bars (there's a difference in the flex of each bar), decent platforms/cages, and more free weights than a lot of the chain gyms tend to have.

Sounds like Onyx is the place to get some coffee though, without much debate. :)

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

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TehNoff•

Second for Ozark Iron Gym. It's the gym for folks serious about moving heavy weight.

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BonivaActonel•

The two restaurants I would say you have to try that have established since you left are Leverett Lounge and Wright's BBQ. Wrights is by far the best barbecue in the area and LL is a small plates place that has such a good menu and delicious cocktails. There are two extremely good food trucks in this area too now: Natural State Sandwiches in Fayetteville and Three Cents an Acre in Rogers.

For the most part, the other folks are right about Bentonville being the scene for your (and my) age group, with the exception of the bars off Block Ave in Fayetteville. Maxine's is the number one cocktail bar in the city and usually has an awesome vibe. Vault is THE whiskey/bourbon bar in the area. The Nines Alley is by far my favorite bar in the city, but does only serve local beer and wine -- no liquor. There is a new distillery in Rogers called Fox Trail that is really good.

As for breweries, they have gotten some new ways that I really enjoy. Crisis brewing in Fayetteville probably has my favorite brews in the area. They do close early though (10pm) so that is the one flaw for them. Columbus House usually has a pretty good atmosphere and some pretty decent brews. There is a new brewery in Rogers that I am trying tomorrow called Hawk Moth that I have heard only good things about. Also, Black Apple Crossing in Springdale is an awesome cidery that normally has about 9 ciders on tap to choose from.

Coffee shops: Onyx is going to be the number one coffee shop in the area. Very innovative and the coffee is just good! Airship in Bentonville is my personal favorite. People are obsessed with Doomsday coffee and they have two locations in Fayetteville. They also have amazing breakfast burritos, randomly lol. Arsaga's is typically where I go, though. Good coffee, but even better food! There are several locations now, but my three favorite ones are Church & Center, Depot, and Drive-Thru in that order. If you are wanting just a coffee then definitely do the Drive-thru location!

I hope this helps! Feel free to ask me anything about the area... as you can tell, I have an opinion on the food/alcohol/coffee scene in NWA!

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Travismp1207•

They have climb Bentonville if you want some indoor climbing. I personally love Black Apple Crossing. They are a cider bar and make everything in-house. They usually have some music or comedy going on. If you want some good comedy check out the grove comedy club. For food there is a ton and it all depends on what you like.

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Th3V3rg3•

Anytime fitness is staffed and let you in for like a 5 spot per day. Usually some giant dudes at the Lowell location anyway.

Your age group has sadly mostly migrated north. Bentonville square/pinnacle area for nightlife.

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evinfOP•

That's okay, I don't mind driving a little bit to find an active nightlife. I live in a metro area now where it takes 15 minutes to get anywhere in the city and 45 minutes to get from one side of the small metro area to the other (in good traffic).

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Th3V3rg3•

Dickson is active, just young in the weekends. The bar scene in bentonville has changed radically in the last 11 years.

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evinfOP•

I had this discussion the other day with some friends. At this point in my life, anyone under like 25 just looks like they're 12 to me. So, probably not my crowd. :P

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Th3V3rg3•

https://www.alocalhangout.com/location/the-holler/

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