A few days ago, my cousin Christian asked me to answer a question that may be a nationwide phenomenon, but it’s definitely a DC area one. That question: Why is TGIFridays the unofficial “spot” for an entire demographic(21-36 year old black folks) out here? On any given Friday night, Most TGIFridays in town, especially the one in Greenbelt, MD…affectionately known as Club Fridays.
I told him that the answer lies in these three words: Jack Daniels Sauce.
I love those Jack Daniels wings. I love Jack Daniels chicken strips. I love just about everything in the resturant that you can order with that sticky, black, tar-like substance on it. Fridays could put Jack Daniels Rice Krispie Treats on the menu, and I’d probaby give it a try, just for the hell of it. Seriously, if they ever start selling that stuff in stores, it’s going to be trouble! I might even incorporate Jack Daniels Sauce into my lovemaking. Yes, my sheets will be ruined…and yes, my skin will probably suffer some kind of damage from direct exposure to Jack Daniels Sauce…but it just tastes so damned good!
Seriously though, I believe there are a variety or reasons why the urban demographic seems to love TGIFridays. Allow me to list them:
No cover or dress code. That means both Ernie, the first one in the family to go to college and get an overpaid government job, and his brother Elroy, the dropout who makes his living selling weed and bootleg DVDs, can comfortably hang out together without either feeling out of his respective element. All walks of life can be found lounging at Fridays.
Huge, stiff drinks. Fridays is good for hooking you up with drinks that will creep up on you if you’re not careful. Plus, if you happen to find that diamond in the rough, a TGIFridays with an actual happy hour special, then you need not drink again once your trip to Fridays ends! The one in Fredericksburg, VA has this ridiculously cheap happy hour where you can get Long Island Iced Teas for something like $4. I’m pretty sure that’s not even legal in a lot of places! Can you IMAGINE the level of debauchery that would go down if the DC ones did that?! The rate of unplanned pregnancies and drunken arrests would skyrocket!
The characters that you see in there. In Fridays, you see it all: The old-school players by the bar, rapping to the ladies…The groups of women dressed in club-worthy attire who roll up to the bar and instantly command attention…The older ladies in cougar-mode who talk more trash than the young guys…The Redskins fans arguing with the Cowboys fans, even if there is no football game on at the moment. It’s just a site to behold. That is, if you can deal with congested crowds within the confines of a chain-resturant setup.
Jack Daniels Sauce. This one is a given.
To all my area folks, I really want to know what it is that appeals to you about TGIFridays. I especially want to hear from people who go to Club Fridays in Greenbelt on a regular basis. What is it that you like about the place so much? Inquiring minds want to know.
*EDIT* I almost forgot to mention that the Magic Johnson TGIFridays in Los Angeles was the same way when I went there a few years ago. That didn’t suprise me, though. Any business that Magic Johnson invests in, automatically attracts black business.
When Magic bought all those Starbucks chains, life in LA was forever changed. Before that, you’d never expect to see a Crip with teardrop tattoos on his face sipping on a mocha latte. Thugs traded in their 40 oz St. Ides and Old English bottles for double expressos and chai. Granted, they probably also pour some Henny or E&J in the cup too…but still. It was a monumental change. Magic Johnson has that much infuence in the black community! That’s why I knew his Fridays would be like the one in Greenbelt.
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Dude it was the same way in good ‘ole Richmond, VA. It got so gangsta out there that they actually started closing TGIFriday’s @ 12am because people were fighting at the bar.
That would be the jumpoff before every drunk person in there got into their vehicles and drove all the way downtown to go to an actual club and drink and party some more!
Same thing goes down in ATL & LA too at Magic’s TGIFriday’s…lmao
That’s funny I was just tellin one of my boys yesterday that I haven’t been to Fridays in a while just for the same reason given by Watts. There’s no dress code and good drinks, two main ingredients for a black hang out spot.
Ok, this is officially reason 212 why I’m moving to the “urrea” lol. I need addresses please so I know where to hit up after I get settled…matter of fact, neva mind, Imma google “Club Fridays” and see what I get lol.
its the same thing here in brooklyn too. actually its funny because i planned on going there tonight!
Ya know, I’ve been to Fridays less than a handful of times in my life. The closest one is in West Orange, full of my people so I guess it;s not just a DC and VA thing.
LMAO at incorporating Jack Daniels Sauce with your lovemaking…oh, the smells!
OMG! I thought my friends & I were the only ones to call the Greenbelt Friday’s “Club Fridays”! LOL… Fridays used to actually have good food but I’m not feeling them anymore past the standard appetizer. Last time I went there, my chicken fingers weren’t even that great. Of course once you have one of those ULTIMATE drinks, everything tastes good.
Do you remember the one downtown @ 12th & Penn? I worked there my senior year of high school (damn near 10 yrs ago- sheesh!). It was defnitely Club Fridays up in there!
BTW Leon, I am one of those Skins fans that you may find in the Fridays bar talkin trash ;)
I LOATHE TGIFridays with a passion, ESPECIALLY the one in downtown BK, and all of its chain restaurant cousins: Applebees, Ruby Tuesdays, etc. They over-salt the nachos so you have no choice but to keep buying drinks, and the service! Don’t even get me started!
When it comes to my dining out experience, unless I got the serious munchies (in which case you’ll find me buying out all the fries at McDonald’s), I’d rather eat at authentic ethnic restaurants or a really good diner…
Haha, it’s my dream blog! Well, as a regular of the Club Fridays, I must say that there are quite the cast of characters there, including myself. From damn near getting into fights with ghetto girls (wasn’t my fault, I swear) to picking up married women (hey, I’m blind to rings), it’s always a good time to be in there. It’s also interesting to see the various crowds that are there based on the time of the evening. We have the cast of characters there that Leon mentioned during the happy hour, and yes, once you’re cool with at least one bartender (I think I know the whole staff), you really don’t need to order after 7 pm, and be twisted beyond belief. I walked in several times @ like 630, and you could tell some ppl needed to be in Detox! Damn shame, lol. Jack Daniels Sauce, very addictive, but i’ll keep mines in a plate or in a glass! From Marion Barry’s (aka The Bitch Set Me Up) to Dirty SE Water’s (yes, those are all drinks you can order if you didn’t know), the bartenders prove their heavyhandedness (dont think thats a word) on a daily basis. But the main thing is that the atmosphere is real chill and you never know who you’re gonna meet, for real! I’m just glad it’s a short walk from my job! Well, look at the time, I’ll be there tonite in about 6 hrs., lol. Big ups to 2nite’s bartenders, Boogie, LaLa, and Tan The Man (tell em i sent ya)! Leon, I got you on a drink if you see me at the bar! Holla!
Maaaaaaaaaaaaaaan… you aint joking. Back in the days me and crew used to hit up Jasper’s in Greenbelt on Friday nights cuz that where all the ladies were. Then somebody mentioned rollin’ down the street to Friday’s and we never went back to Greenbelt after that.
When in Cali, I’ve hit Magic’s Friday’s in Ladera Heights and it was like dat!!! Talk about some stallions. [Clay Davis] Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit!!!![/Clay Davis]
Why you had to bring up the JD Sauce though??? Got me wantin’ some JD Chicken & Shrimp right about now. Damn Friday’s for takin’ the loaded baked potato off the menu for the mashed joints. Still jive salty on that note.
Aiiight I’m ramblin’… gone
I got to agree totally on this one, mainly because I am overseas in Japan and I’ve been to 3 TGIFriday’s and it is the same way. Only thing different is the Japanese staff and customers, but there is the black crowd that migrates there due to familiarity and of course that damn Jack Daniel’s sauce. I are at one a couple of days ago and saw 2 brothas hitting on some Asian Persuasions.
Their Mudslides are by far the BIGGEST, and YUMMIEST mudslides any place I’ve been to has ever made. YUMMMYYYYYYYYYY……
You ain’t never lied. The Friday’s in Greenbelt (and Jasper’s) might as well be the club. I heard it was the most lucrative Friday’s in the country and I can tell. I used to feen for the Jack Daniels Steak & Shrimp.
In college we used to go to the one in VA religiously. I’d be broke as sh*t, but if I had $40, I’d spend my last $20 on chicken fingers, a drink and an Oreo Madness. I’m mad they don’t sell it anymore.
Fridays and Applebees are almost ALWAYS crowded down here in ATL. A lot of the Applebee’s in ATL have $2 Long Island Ice Tea drink specials, so it’s a good way to get smashed on the cheap.
And yes, folks be actin up and fightin’ too.
When I went to Mississippi last month for the Holidays, I saw that Applebee’s was the hangout there too. I saw folks I went to High school and college with. And while I was eating with some friends of mine, this one drunk lady sat with us and started eating off one of my homeboy’s plate, cause she was “so damn hongray”.
And if you ever watch “Cheaters”, you notice the black cheater almost ALWAYS get caught up at a TGI Friday’s.
i so want a TGIFriday’s to come to mississippi. i am so jealous. why show the commercials and have no place for me to go. leoninatl is right. applebee’s and also chili’s are the hangout spots.
TGIFriday’s in NY is completely different. Back in the day, it used to be a decent after work spot, but now, it’s mostly for the tourists who don’t know they’re paying restaurant prices for cafeteria tasting food.
I’ll have to check out yours, the next time I’m in the DC area. The people watching alone, sounds like it’s worth the trip!
As a PG dude living in Richmond, I don’t think it’s just the Greenbelt TGIF that creates this atmosphere. I must co-sign the earlier post, the Fridays on West Broad is pumpin on Friday nights. Bouncer at the door, po po erywhere, and the spot stay thick. Been like that since my junior year in school (which was over 10 years ago, damn TMI).
I was surprised to find that even the TGI Fridays in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, which is a pretty chi chi area, turns into Bama central on Fridays.
LMAO at the Greenbelt Fridays. That use to be my spot. Would go up there just for a meal and have a few drinks. Remind you I am out near Dulles Aiport..lmao. Some off the chain females use to be there all the time. Dunno how it is now though.
Id head over to Jaspers later on and if Im down for it, Ill take my ass to the club or what ever jump off I meat at Fridays..lol
Aquababie, I think they’re opening a Fridays in Ridgeland (Suburban Jackson) when that new mall opens up in the spring.
I also think there is one in Gulfport as well.
Hell, I found out one of the highest-grossing Chili’s in the nation is right in my old stomping grounds, Hattiesburg.
(SOUTHERN MISS TO THE TOP!)
Ok, you all are making me sad that I’m missing out by being a born and bred Cali girl! But it does mean that I’m going to have to see if the trend runs here too. After all, Oakland’s only a city away. Might have to throw on my freakum dress and roll on over to the nearest TGIFs (I’ve only been to these establishments a total of three or so times) and try this Jack Daniel’s stuff. Y’know, a fact-finding mission. Do I have to stand in front of the class and give a report?
I think the phenomenon you’re talking about is similar to the way Denny’s here becomes a madhouse, except it’s the afterparty spot, with the people-watching, the fighting, &c.
Waffle House is the afterparty spot here in ATL.
I, however do not eat Waffle House unless it’s an emergency. Their food makes my digestive system crank dat diarrhea.
@leoninatl: Denny’s greasy food is sometimes the only stuff that will get you right after a night of drinking.
You can’t eat that mess on a regular day with no alcohol in you to kill it, though. It would take you away from here.
@ E Watts- thats is so true- i live in richmond and the one on broad be JUMPIN!
You don’t say? I’m going to have to investigate. I’m not a TGIFriday’s fan, but I am always up for an experience.
haven’t been to a TGIfriday since this nutcase chic took me there one day for my bday..but applebee’s on my side of town is the jumpoff…
man that was hilarious and oh so true about that JACK SAUCE!!! i’ve been in that greenbelt tgif’s so many times…that’s my hood and i can’t believe its still the same…and did gmo mention JASPERS??…wow that brought memories when they had the backgammon tables set up….wow I miss my homies!
not the tear drop tatts drinkin a 1/2 cafe skim mocha latte with vanilla syrup. Jack Daniels Rice Krispie Treats? i’m gonna vomit. it was applebees in undergrad.
I remember stopping by TGIFridays when I was living in NYC, and being astonished that I was paying close to $20.00 for a damn hamburger (of course, this was the one in the midst of Times Square). I frequent the one here in Charlotte from time to time and, since it is in the university area, many a young person can be found there. But, I have been hit on some old school playas in there…lol
You are right on the money! The TGIFridays in Va Beach is where me and my friends would go to get our “pre-game” on before going out. You can get one drink there and be good to go!
Leon, you know they got a new TGIF in SS just off Tech Road and 29. Haven’t been yet, but I’m sure it the same as the other locations.
You’re on point about that Starbucks on Baldwin Hills though. I never seen thugs drinkin’ Caramel Macchiatos and playin’ chess till I went there.
The funny thing is, its the same way in Southfield, MI (right outside Detroit). It’s like a club. It has been that way when I can remember.
Friday’s in Greenbelt has taken it to another level. Wednesday night is now the best night. I don’t say that because my motorcyle club (Platinum Rollers, MC) host, I say that because the number of people that post up numbers 400 plus just on bikes. We block off the parking in the front for Bikes Only and have a live DJ (DJ Rice) spinning from 9pm – 12 mid. Don’t believe me, come out on any Wednesday after 9pm and see how hard it is to get in the parking lot not to mention Friday’s.
Stop by and I’ll be on the mic making it hot and will make sure that I give you a shout out.
Scorpion P.R.O. for Platinum Rollers, MC.
P.S. Greenbelt Fridays is 5th in revenue in the USA with over 7 million in sales in 2007 and it’s also a franchise (not Magic’s).
Wow @ Scorpion…that’s f*ckin IMPRESSIVE! I can’t go tomorrow because of the Roots/Erykah Badu concert, but next Wednesday, I might have to come check y’all out!