TWP Magazine » Trey Webb

Last Call: Pravda and Liquid Room

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 20:12:49 +0000

This week we stay downtown with two bars with seemingly different atmospheres. Clubs and Bars are always changing and hot spots can change overnight but this week we bring you two fun nightclubs, Club Pravda and Liquid Room, which are two bars that will guarantee you a good a time.
Pravda is located right beside Olive or Twist and across from the street from RIZE. Pravda is a Russian themed bar, has the highest selection of vodka, and features a wide range of music from 80’s to electronic music. UNCW student Chris told us, “Here you will find a one of a kind bar experience.” Complete with huge projection televisions, two pool tables, an outside smoking area, a huge dance floor, and a wrap around bar that is one of the largest in the area, this place has something to offer for everyone. It is definitely a nicer bar and you may have to spend a few extra dollars to have as good of a time as you would like but it is worth it.
Liquid Room is one of the most hospitable bars around. Located at the corner of Market and Front Street, Liquid Room is definitely a “must see.” If you would like to rent it out and have a themed party and come to them with an idea, they will make it happen. Liquid Room is a two story bar, the downstairs is a low key area with a full bar. Upstairs at Liquid Room also has a full bar as well as a huge dance floor. “I love dancing at Liquid Room!” said UNCW student Stephanie. There is also an overhanging lounge area equipped with plenty of couches if you get tired of dancing.
So if you’re out looking for something to do or have a themed event planned, Pravda and Liquid Room are great places to get the ball rolling. Check them out and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

By Trey Webb

Last Call with Level 5 and The Cellar

admin — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:26:13 +0000

Up high and down low, this week we will take a look at a fifth floor bar on the river downtown and then go low to a laid back basement bar. The flashing lights of Level 5 and the dim lighting of The Cellar are two unique experiences.

Level 5 Downton 21 North Front St.	This month we make our way back downtown to Level 5 at City Stage. Located at 21 North Front Street across the street from RIZE, this distinctive bar has been offering bar goers an experience unlike most others. The roof top bar has recently been renovated adding new awnings, slide panel doors, and heaters. Overlooking waterfront Wilmington while having drinks with friends can be a great experience but like the saying goes you get what you pay for. Unlike muggy sweat infested bars below it, you are going to have to pay premium prices for a premium time with your friends. By a premium time I mean having a good drink on the rooftop of a classy bar. In the words of UNCW student Ryan, “It’s expensive but it’s worth it, quality over quantity.” Level 5 offers views of the river and downtown Wilmington. Although Level 5 may be a little pricy this is a bar I would recommend visiting as often as possible. Even if it means saving up your pay check.


The Cellar Downton 35 North Front St.	Take it down a couple floors to The Cellar and you will get a completely different experience and one a little easier on the wallet. The Cellar, located on the street right behind Pravda, is a more relaxed place with dim lighting, ample leather couches and stools to hang out on. It also offers an open patio, penny pool tables, electronic dart boards, and features a recently added Wii for entertainment, not seen in many bars. The place is huge which helps in keeping the crowd size down. It is also tucked in off the main roads so it doesn’t get too overwhelming in the first place. If you want to have a good time relaxing and having a few drinks at decent prices then this is the place for you. UNCW junior Sean, said “The Cellar is a sick place for us to go and just chill.” They also are very open to having private parties. They understand that if they help their customers out, their customers will help them out. Great people, great drinks, and a great place. The Cellar is definitely an experience all should indulge upon.

By Trey Webb

Last Call – Olive or Twist & Charley Brownz

admin — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:18:07 +0000

With the school year back in full swing, students are getting a grasp on their schoolwork and are looking for entertainment. In a random survey done on the campus of UNCW, nearly 7 out of every 10 students claim they go out at least once a week. Whether it is to a house party, the beach bars, or downtown, they have to have somewhere to go. We are all aware that not everybody is of the legal drinking age and these students need somewhere to go as well. So it is my job to help aid in maximizing the amount fun that you, as readers, have on a weekly basis.

For those that are not 21, there are still places that you can go. One popular place is downtown Wilmington at Olive or Twist. Olive or Twist is located at 21 North Front Street downtown Wilmington and also caters to those that are of the legal drinking age. Olive or Twist has a full bar, downstairs dance floor, DJ booth, and an upstairs V.I.P. with lounging areas and a full bar as well. Olive or Twist is a great place to have an awesome time downtown with all of your friends no matter their age. “Olive or Twist is tons of fun because if I don’t feel like drinking and just want to dance and have a good time, ‘OT‘ provides that for everyone.” said one 21 year old student on the campus of UNCW who asked to remain anonymous. Olive or Twist is one of few places downtown that provides all of the extras that others around it aren’t laid out too. Most older people around campus give Olive or Twist a bad name because when they were freshman it wasn’t what it is now. Since new management has taken over, it provides an enjoyable atmosphere that everyone can get something out of.

Next on our list is Charley Brownz. Charley Brownz is a bar that provides a lot of the same amenities that places such as Olive or Twist have. Although you have to be 21 to get into this bar, it provides everything that you could ask for to have a good time. Full bar, multiple flat screen televisions, booths for lounging, dance floor, game area, pool tables, and an outdoor courtyard are just a few of the leisures that the place has to offer. Often times they have live music on the courtyard which is one element that you can’t get most other places. One of Charley Brownz’s “claims to fame” is every Tuesday they have just a weird, trippy, techno night. Having experienced myself, the place is literally nuts. Everybody is raging jumping into each other and it’s a lot of fun that everyone must experience at least once.
“I have gone to Charley Brownz several times on different nights. And that’s what I like most about it is that it is such a versatile bar. One night you can rage, and the next night you can come kick back to watch a game or two while having a couple drinks with your buddies.” said T.J. McClurg.

So whether it’s taking it easy just having a couple drinks with friends, dancing your butt off on the dance floor, or raging on a Tuesday night, these two places downtown provide it. So when the cops come to your buddy’s apartment and bust up the party and have nowhere to go, give either Olive or Twist, or Charley Brownz a try and see how much trouble you can get into there.

By Trey Webb

TWP Surf Guide

admin — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 17:13:39 +0000

by Trey Webb
Some call surfing a sport. Others call it an art. You then have those who live and die by surfing. Those that are this passionate about what they do, are very adamant about sharing their way of life with others. There are several ways that someone can get started surfing. But before they do, there are a few things they should become educated on so that they are not “a fish out of water.”
The first aspect one must consider in taking up surfing is how well of a swimmer they are. Half of surfing is getting out to the spot where it is best to catch a wave. If someone is not a strong swimmer, not only will they not catch the best waves, they will also put themselves as well as others at risk of injury. Nobody should ever paddle out further than they can, or are willing to swim back. The ocean is unpredictable and is not like walking on dry land. Currents change, waves shift, weather is merciless, and there can even be occasional marine life that can affect a surfer’s well-being.
This leads to the hazards that a surfer may face while being out in the ocean. Besides the currents, wave height, and weather, plays a huge part in the surfing experience. Sharks, fish, jellyfish, and sting rays are just a few of the many forms of sea life one can expect to encounter in our oceans. One local Wrightsville Beach surfer, Courtney Hall, said “One of the many things that I like about surfing is feeling the rush of adrenaline from riding a wave.”
Wrightsville Beach is a very “surfer friendly” area. Locals care about everyone’s best interest. The city of Wrightsville Beach has a few laws to protect both surfers and beachgoers. Some of these include: no surfing is permitted within 500 feet of Johnnie Mercer’s pier, within 100 feet of Crystal Pier at Oceanic Restaurant, and not within 100 feet of the Masonboro inlet Jetty at the south end of Wrightsville Beach. All surfers are also required to wear a leash attached to themselves as well as the surf board.
These are just a few of the many things that one must consider before giving the sport a try. The best way to learn is to find a qualified and reputable instructor and get out there and learn more about surfing before trying to teach yourself. WB Surf Camp is a great surf school in the area that offers lessons from professional instructors at a very affordable price. Surf coach Ryan Marchi advises that “Before you grab a board and hit the surf, you take a lesson.” See what all the ocean has to offer other than just laying around on the beach tanning, drinking, and burying your friends in the sand. Surfing is also a fun way to stay physically fit. Who knows, maybe you will discover that surfing is more than just a sport and it may even become your way of life at UNCW.
Log onto www.wbsurfcamp.com or call (910) 256-7873 for more information and to schedule a lesson. Be sure to mention that you are a UNCW student to take advantage of the student discount they offer