Come join us at Sweetwater for a little “Christmas cheer” that will take some of the holiday edge off.  This Friday, Mr. Smokey’s Karaoke is going to be holding the fort down for any and all who dare risk ending up with a stocking full of coal.  As always… Smokey representing Tuesday and Wednesday, Taymin on Thursday with Open Mic Night.  Poker is now SEVEN days a week (that’s all we could possibly fit into a week!).  Sweetwater will be taking Saturday off for Christmas Eve, so have a fantastic Santa Day and we hope to see you soon.

First, a big “thank you” to both Stone Phoenix and Subdivisions for hosting their CD release parties last Friday and Saturday, respectively.  Congratulations on your successful nights (and excellent new recordings, btw).

This weekend is one of our most talent-filled lineups to date!  Friday marks the return of Sweetwater Showodown IX champions Wake of the Titan, who bring a mix of smart, sincere progressive modern rock that really takes the listener for a ride.  Opening for them are Waking the Bates and NovaKord, two phenominal Atlanta bands with influences including (but not limited to) the Beatles, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley and the Black Keys.  Saturday night welcomes back longtime friends Toy Devils and FYN, along with the long-overdue return of Ever Vega.  This show mixes a truly unique alternative sound with the energy of grunge and hard rock.

As always, you can visit the Events page regarding days and times for poker, billiard and dart tournaments, open mic, karaoke and special events. Thanks for your support!

Jesse Busch
Subtle Hammer Productions

I hope everybody had a great Memorial holiday.  Thanks to all who came out and played in the poker tournaments Saturday and Sunday… what a fantastic turnout!

This weekend’s live music lineup is packed full of local talent.  Friday night, blues rock outfit Sazbo is sachwiched between progressive rock/jazz bands Story Of A Life and newcomers Shark Week II.  Saturday brings in a unique mixture of reggae, jam, rock, and blues with Eclectic Roots Ensemble, The Fiasco, and Bodega Roja.  Fans of funky grooves and tasty licks can’t go wrong either night.

And as always, karaoke Tuesday and Wednesday nights, open mic on Thursdays.

Jesse Busch
Subtle Hammer Productions

As many of you know, Sweetwater is a hotbed for metro-Atlanta Texas Hold ‘Em players.  This weekend is the peak of the madness with Extreme Poker Tour’s two biggest tournaments of the year, drawing skilled players from all over the Southeast.  Things kick off Saturday afternoon at 3:00 with our regular points game, followed by our $500 Players Appreciation Tournament, which is open to anyone who has played in at least one Extreme Poker Tour tournament within the past twelve months.  The place will be packed, so make sure to show up early to register.

Sunday is the big day… Yearly Regionals for a stake of the $5000 prize pot!!!  The Top 200 of Extreme Poker Tour’s North Georgia rankings are invited, with $5,000 in cold, hard cash up for grabs as some of the best regional players match cunning, wits, and a little bit of luck.  Top 200 north-Georgia players for the year listed on EPT’s webiste.  Registration starts at 11:30 a.m. (we are opening early Sunday), with the Regionals kicking things off at 1:00 p.m.

Important FYI…due to the size of the poker event, we will not have bands performing Saturday evening.  For those still in need of a local music fix, check us out Friday evening for some old and new faces.  Newcomer Neil Cribbs will be opening up for the gritty Americana of The Lives of the Monster Dogs and the alternative/indie vibes of Downside UP.  Plus, Open Mic Night with Taymin and Daniel of Two Man Banned will be on Thursday night as usual, a great place for both local musicians and local music fans to mingle and see a variety of bands and artists.  And ya know Mr. Smokey has Gwinnett karaoke on lock down every Tuesday and Wednesday.  Word.

Jesse Busch
Subtle Hammer Productions