Thomas Shields
In Motion Staff Writer
What to do, what do? Ahhhh, what is there to do? Unbeknownst to many, there are hidden gems throughout Daytona Beach and the surrounding areas that benefit the college pocket.
Cheap and full of fun, these venues offer big bang for the buck.
At the end of a rough and exhausting school week, most students have crammed enough info and studying in their skulls that their brains are bleeding out your professor’s name. Now it’s time to rest those worried minds and relax in a local establishment.
First up on the list is an exhilarating place ripped from the pages of nostalgia — Booth’s Bowery Resturant, 3657 S. Nova Road, Port Orange. At the end of a school week, whether it is Thursday or Friday, this place is most definitely college friendly. Their specialty for lightweights in the pocket is $2 pinnacle vodka that’s offered in 26 flavors. This is a great, funky, cool hidden gem that attracts locals and other fellow collegiate students. This restaurant has been in town for 30 years strong and was one of the first places to offer buffalo chicken wings before anyone in town.
Another location, near DSC’s News-Journal Center, is Sweet Marlays’ Coffee at 214 S. Beach St. This establishment is a pure relaxation zone where java, technology, hipsters, and textbooks all come into unison to create a kick-back place. Here, you’ll find other millenniums using and milling around on their laptops and sipping the latest and greatest coffee creations. An added benefit is the showcase featuring students from the Music Technology program at the News-Journal Center. They come to display and hone their craft every other Tuesday at 7 p.m., so come here to chill, study and support start-up musicians.
Next door to Sweet Marlays’ is a fascinating place that’s quickly becoming a personal favorite. At McK’s Tavern, 218 S. Beach St in Daytona Beach, Thursday nights are definitely the days to check it out. For “Thirsty Thursdays!”, it offers $2 bottle beers with an extravagant choice of 42 different types to taste. Students can expand their pallet with choices they’ve never heard of, much less that they can pronounce. The choice list is an absolute smorgasbord of beer flavors from around the world.
Denna Edwards, who’s bartended there for three years, said “Thirsty Thursday”’ is a hit with the college crowd. “The purpose of Thirsty Thursday – $2 bottle night is to serve and attract the college crowd in which we do just that, this night is very busy and performs well.”
A longtime staple in downtown Daytona, McK’s is a hip and happening spot to have new, exotic beers and let loose after the trying school week.
One more locale that might become a new favorite spot to get a beverage, food and have a good time is the Daytona Taproom, 310 Seabreeze Blvd. in Daytona Beach. Among the many clubs, restaurants, bars and other establishments along the infamous Seabreeze Boulevard, stands this new young darling on the strip.
It’s Daytona’s first and only gastro-pub, a restaurant that specializes in high-end beer and food. Home to a vast number of brews, it’s a micro-haven and attracts a niche demographic that flocks there looking for and wanting something new and fresh.
The Taproom epitomizes hospitality to a tee, where students feel comfortable and catered to all night, as soon as they enter and until they exit to leave.
The offerings are spectacular. Besides the great tasting beers, there is another wonder, their crafted, homemade burgers. Cut from an episode of “Man vs. Food,” there are many creative and outstanding burgers to devour.
Speaking to patron Christopher Alcantara of Deltona, he said, “The Taproom is a really chill place. It’s a great place to socialize with friends, to eat and drink. It doesn’t matter who or what you are, everyone can have a good time at the Taproom.”
The Daytona Taproom completely embodies the new college atmosphere and culture that is currently brewing in the city. Peace + Love + Beer = Daytona Taproom.
Whatever your pleasure, all of these spots cater to the college wants and needs. They’re a place to relax, eat, drink and hang out with friends and strangers alike. Most importantly, they are friendly to your pockets. Don’t forget to tip your waiters, waitresses and bartenders accordingly. Most importantly, please drink responsibly.