OK, so as a writer, I have an affinity for Mark Twain. I’ve been reading Twain since 10th grade, when Ms. Schideler assigned “Huckleberry Finn.” Now, my love for all things Twain has expanded to Twain’s Billiards & Tap in Decatur.

Twain’s, located in downtown Decatur, opened in 1996. It started brewing its own crafted ales 10 years later under the direction of brewmaster Jordan Fleetwood. But to say Twain’s is a brew pub or restaurant doesn’t quiet do it justice. And it’s also not just a pool hall, although there are several tables (as well as dart boards, shuffleboard tables and foosball). It just sort of all comes together to be more than the sum of its parts. Having been to Twain’s for both lunch and in the evenings to see live music, I can say that you’re bound to have a good time. In fact, I’d even go as far as guessing that if Mr. Twain were around today, he would wholeheartedly approve of the establishment.

The menu is mostly sandwiches; everything from blackened mahi ($8.50) to “Beet-L-T” ($7.50) made with roasted beets with arugula and goat cheese/tarragon spread. I personally can attest to the Reuben ($8.50), the BBQ park with coleslaw ($7.25) and the French dip ($9). The Philly cheese steak ($8) was also good but a little dry. The sweet potato fries are always good.

You don’t have to be a Mark Twain fan to enjoy Twain’s. But a little knowledge will help, as some of the items on the menu refer back to his writing, such as the house-brewed beers with names like “Heaven for Climate” Golden Ale and the “Wit & Humor” American Wheat. And if, by some chance, you’ve managed to go through the American education system without having to read any Twain, you can catch up at Twain’s, as the walls are literally (is there any other kind when talking about Twain) papered with pages from his books. You can spend all day reading, but you can’t really expect to follow any of the stories, as the pages are not pasted up in sequential order.

On our most recent trip, on a Tuesday night, we went to hear trumpet player Joe Grandsen and his trio run a jazz jam session. We have heard Joe before, at Jerry Farber’s Side Door, and he and his mates were as fabulous on this night as before, but Johanna and I were extremely impressed with the wide variety of local musicians who got up and did one or more tunes. I really shouldn’t have been surprised, but the fact that some of these talented souls who stepped up onto the stage—if you were to pass them on the street—looked nothing like the stereotypical jazz musicians and singers. We heard a grandmother rock out on the drums, a septuagenarian kill on the guitar and a little old(er) lady belt out “’Round Midnight” and add a killer clarinet solo to boot. No bad for a Tuesday night.

Twain’s Billiards & Tap

211 East Trinity Place
Decatur, Ga. 30030
404.373.0063

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