The Hillsborough St bar scene was a multi-layered demise. In the early 80’s, before the age jumped from 18 to 19, then 19 to 21, Edwards Grocery closed and Crazy Zack’s moved to near Meredith. They were the last wild student bars on the strip. (Crazy Zacks near Meredith finally closed in late 1983, Friday afternoon’s were literally insane for State students).
However, there was still The PR, Daryl’s, Blimpie’s (Buckets), Barry’s, Mitch’s (saloon/drinking Mitch’s). And a few other joints. So not bad, but a little tamer during the 82-86 period.
But after the age hit 21 in 1986, there was another level of demise. A huge reduction of bar attendees.
As was mentioned, it stayed halfway decent into the 90’s. But Mitch’s went respectable 1989 and newer bars like East Village and Pantana Bob’s were further down Hillsborough by Dixie Trail. And most of the clientele were 20 something grads, not students.
Prior to 1986, the Hillsborough strip was a lot of fun for State students. Before 1985, they also had the strip club, My Apartment Lounge, which then became the ACC Tavern. Also, the movie theater next to Mitch’s had soft porn flicks on Wednesday night.
Seems kind of dead now the past few decades.