Life > April 24, 2008

By Jordan Brewster | Staff writer

If you are looking for a nice upscale restaurant, you may want to look on Stratford or downtown. But if you are in the mood for a quick pub-fare meal and a glass of beer, make your way to the First Street Draught House.

Without knowing anything about this bar, you may be a bit weary when you first glance upon it.

It’s not located near much else (1500 West First Street at the corner of Hawthorne).

The Draught House was converted from an old gas station (until two decades ago when a truck fell off of the old I-40 onto its roof).

The outside is mirrored with one-way windows all around, with no way of seeing what’s inside, making it seem a bit sketchy.

When you walk in, the inside is a single room with a large bar at the center and no tables.

The decor is welcoming and comfortable, with dark blue walls and the large one-way windows.

There are three large televisions around the room that aired sports channels as well as music.

The patrons are a diverse mix of locals and university students.

While it may not be conducive to a large group as it only has bar seating, it is perfect for watching a game or having a drink with a few friends.

The drink list is extensive with an excellent selection of American beers.

Only a select few are locally brewed: Red Oak Amber and Battlefield Black.

They had over two-dozen on tap.

Additionally, there was a large selection of mixed drinks and a lengthy wine menu.

Of course for the younger, non legal crowd the Draught House has sodas and a pretty tasty sweet tea. The menu is scattered with pub-fare favorites including wings and burgers. If you like to dine on the healthier side, they do offer wraps like the grilled veggie pita or the super gyro wrap.

The Draught House also serves pizza, with all sorts of different toppings including Philly steak, barbeque chicken and roasted vegetable.

The sandwiches are among the favorites of Winston-Salem locals.

The extensive menu includes such delights as the First Street club (a regular turkey and ham club sandwich) and the hot hammy (ham and cheese on rye).

Rounding out the sandwich list are the turkey and havarti, pimiento cheese, grilled tuna, crab cake sandwich, po boy and black and bleu steak sandwich.

Each entree comes with one side item: chips and salsa, carrots and celery, cole slaw, French fries, pesto penne salad, mixed fruit or potato salad.

If you aren’t that hungry, there is a long appetizer list of your usual bar-staples. Beer-battered veggies, cheese fries, chicken fingers and spinach and artichoke dip are among your best bets.

They also have an extensive soup and salad list with flavorful selections like the Baja medley.

The Baja medley has beans, corn, pepper, onions and cheese over mixed greens) or homemade hummus if you’re feeling healthy.

All food is college-priced and under $10 which makes it a good choice for your next night out.

The service is friendly and quick, ready to refill your drink.

The First Street Draught House, in addition to its everyday house, also serves a Sunday brunch until 2 p.m.

The downside: bar seating.

There are only bar stools with no backs.

The upside: great food and good atmosphere.