The Hideout Bar & Grill: Cozy bar-grill becoming hangout for college crowd
By Jeremy Lang
Staff Writer
December 31 2004
The former Mulligan's retains its cozy charm, its open rear deck with pinlighted tree, and two pool tables in a back room.
Open for four months, this hole in the wall is establishing itself as a college hangout, a place for musical experimentation, jam sessions and guest-musician sit-ins, as well as a Wednesday home for local acoustic rock singer Lee Prince. The mood is as open as the interior, a warm house-size space with trophies, large beer mirrors and neon signs that contrast with thick, dark-wood tables and chairs set against white walls. A cozy living-room area with sofas and armchairs has a coffee table arrayed with such magazines as Wine Spectator and Food Arts.
Outside, the light-wood deck has white molded-plastic furniture. Diversion includes pool, darts and ring-toss. Different nights of the week offer various themes, from Monday football to Wednesday and Friday bike nights. Happy hour is 4-7 p.m. weekdays.
Draft beer prices at the rectangular bar are college-kid-friendly, typically $2.50 (Yeungling) for a 16-ounce pour. Other selections include Budweiser, Miller Lite and Guinness. Even frozen concoctions don't run more than $4.
Staff is fast and friendly. The menu is extensive, and food is available at the bar. A $5 basket of chicken fingers includes terrific seasoned fries.
The Hideout's slogan is, "You were never here ... "
But if you are, you're happy.
Nightlife news
Tonight: Take the family to downtown Delray Beach's New Year's: First Night, an alcohol-free, family oriented party with crafts, games, parades, fun, food, entertainment by pianist Copeland Davis, saxophonist Al Johnson and guitarist Rod MacDonald. Admission buttons for $7 available at various downtown locations (younger than 3 free). Call 561-279-1380. Visit the Wishing Well Irish Pub, 111 SE Mizner Blvd., Royal Palm Plaza, Boca Raton (561-750-5208) for a New Year's Eve celebration Irish style that includes music, dancing and a midnight champagne toast. No cover or minimum.
Saturday: Spend the first evening of 2005 at Blue Martini, 550 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach (561-835-8601). Here you will find indoor/outdoor seating, live music, dancing, a tapas (light bite) food menu and a choice of 22 kinds of martinis. Park in the CityPlace parking lot or find valet service outside the Harriet Theater.
Sunday: Drop in on Ray's Key West Grill, 606 Lake Ave., Lake Worth (561-547-0740). This nightspot features music in a casual, comfortable atmosphere.
Tuesday: Catch a piano candlelight cabaret concert at the Harriet Theater, CityPlace, 700 Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach (561-835- 1408). From 5-6 p.m. find local musicians playing background music; at 6:05 p.m. Ukrainian classical pianist Oleg Poliansky performs Schumann, Beethoven, Debussy and Stravinsky melodies; at 7:30 p.m. American Johnny O'Neal plays jazz, blues, gospel and improvisation. Admission is $10 per person per concert; or $5 with same-date receipt from any CityPlace eatery or store.
Wednesday: Visit Blue Point Lounge, 4560 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens (561-776-9448). The small New Orleans style pub has a full liquor bar, live adult contemporary and jazz music and friendly atmosphere attached to Spoto's restaurant.
Thursday: Find a seat on the outdoor patio or stand on the sidewalk in front of Elwood's Dixie Barbecue, 301 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach (561-272-7427). Come at 7:30 or 9:30 p.m. to enjoy Scott Ringerson's tribute to Elvis Presley.
Staff Writer Jeremy Lang can be reached at jlang@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-2338. Joan Brazer Durante, a freelance writer based in Plantation, writes the nightlife news portion of this column. News concerning local entertainment events and performers should be e-mailed to jbdurante@aol.com or mail to Joan Brazer Durante, Entertainment Department, Sun-Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-2293.