If any Bearcat fans are enjoying the weekend in Nashville, allow me to make some recommendations:

1) Sneak out of downtown - within 5 miles of downtown, there are a great number of areas to visit: Midtown (near Vanderbilt), 12th south district (just south of downtown), and East Nashville (eclectic area east of LP field). All areas are $8-10 cab rides.

2) Enjoy outdoor/semi-outdoor dining - a majority of restaurants have outdoor or garage door openings. With this weather, its nice to enjoy delicious food and a cool breeze. Top recommendations: South Street in Midtown, Mafiaoza's in 12th south, Batter'd & Fried in East Nashville.

3) Take a stroll in Centennial Park - across the street from Vanderbilt on West End, you'll find a replica of the Parthenon, but with weather like this, the place will be hopping!

4) Visit a smaller honkey-tonk - Tootsies, Legends, and The Stage are popular, but over-rated. Slip into Layla's Bluegrass or Bootlegger's Inn for some good music.

5) Hit at least 1 karaoke bar downtown - From Printer's Alley to Lower Broad to Midtown, you will find welcoming venues to channel your inner Bon Jovi.

6) Late night dining - Past Perfect on 4th (open to 3am), Hermitage Cafe on 1st (cash only, open to 4am), or Athens Family Restaurant on 8th (open 24-hours).

Ate at Pucket's last night. The food was amazing,never had fried green beans before they awesome. Best country fried steak I've ever had. It's only a couple blocks from the arena.

i thought the stage was wonderful. a bunch of lesbian bands were playing. the music city hostel is great for a place to sleep. played euchre with a couple of aussies when i was there. also, if you can find it, loveless cafe has amazing breakfast. quite a wait though. http://www.lovelesscafe.com/. enjoy smashville y'all!

(03-17-2012 01:35 PM)Doc Brock Wrote:  5) Hit at least 1 karaoke bar downtown - From Printer's Alley to Lower Broad to Midtown, you will find welcoming venues to channel your inner Bon Jovi.

You lost all credibility with me there :)

(03-17-2012 02:19 PM)Bruce Monnin Wrote:  

(03-17-2012 01:35 PM)Doc Brock Wrote:  5) Hit at least 1 karaoke bar downtown - From Printer's Alley to Lower Broad to Midtown, you will find welcoming venues to channel your inner Bon Jovi.

You lost all credibility with me there :)

...when in Rome.

I could not make the trip because of business travel obligations but I really salute all those who did. As mentioned earlier, many are away for spring break--perhaps they never anticipated a tourney appearance. Still, the Enquirer's selection of a photo of our fans this morning was mildly amusing. Folks in Reds gear and one in an Auburn tee. Bet the Texas fans weren't wearing Rangers or Spurs logo merchandise. Oh well, go 'Cats, whatever you're wearing.

I went down to Joe's Crabshack at halftime of the FSU game. That was a great Lenten meal. Its about four blocks down from the arena towards the bridge.

(03-17-2012 02:47 PM)indycat Wrote:  I could not make the trip because of business travel obligations but I really salute all those who did. As mentioned earlier, many are away for spring break--perhaps they never anticipated a tourney appearance. Still, the Enquirer's selection of a photo of our fans this morning was mildly amusing. Folks in Reds gear and one in an Auburn tee. Bet the Texas fans weren't wearing Rangers or Spurs logo merchandise. Oh well, go 'Cats, whatever you're wearing.

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing when I saw it. I was sitting about four or five rows below those clowns.

I think our crowd is going to be tiny tonight. I hardly saw any bearcat fans out last night maybe they were all just wearing green, that's what I'm hoping.

I'll be there. Driving down today leaving at 2.
Will be driving back tonight bleary eyed after the game ends to work tomorrow.

Hope more people suck it up and make the trip. The gametime is not convenient but the Cats need fans there.

Read on a FSU board that many of them will not be staying for the game due to having flights out late today and they can't book for tomorrow without a hefty cost and being late for work. Or if they drove it's a 10 hour drive back and not doable to be at work at 8.

Attendance for the late tip will likely be dismal. I doubt many of the locals even stay and OU or USF fans will probably heading back to their homes too.

Driving down again today leaving around 3. Might try and find a hotel in bowling green after the game if we get tired.

I'll have a lot more energy for the drive home coming of of a Bearcat victory rather than a loss.

I'm a superstitious person. I started playing 5 hands of solitaire before each game a while back and if I can win one hand the Cats usually win. It's been remarkably accurate. I just did my 5 hands of solitaire and WON ALL 5. What the heck does that mean? Either I'm getting much better at solitaire or the Cats will win.

Hoping it means the latter. Go Bearcats!

I believe there will be a gathering of Bearcat fans at the Big Bang Bar today. Anyone else hear this?

here is what i received on email.

Bearcats fans,

Thank you again for your ongoing support of Bearcat Basketball through the 2012 NCAA men’s basketball tournament. We are excited to take on the Seminoles of Florida State on Sunday, March 18th here in Nashville. The scheduled tipoff is approximately 8:40 PM CST.

The following is information relevant to the game on Sunday:

Will Call

Tickets for Sunday’s game will be available for pick up at the team hotel (Nashville Marriott at Vanderbilt)Sunday morning from 11:30 AM to Noon in the lobby of the hotel for any patrons wishing to pick their tickets up early.

Will Call will then be located at the main entrance of Bridgestone Arena at the corner of 5th and Broadway. You'll be directed to the appropriate window at that location. Will Call will open 90 minutes prior to the first game of the evening session which begins at approximately 6:10 P.M. CST.

UC Alumni Association Pre Game Gathering

Bearcats Central for Sunday in Nashville is The Big Bang located in the heart of Broadway within a block of the arena. The Alumni Association will be welcoming Bearcat Fans from 3:30-6:00 PM CST. There is no charge, and a cash bar/menu will be available.

The Big Bang

411 Broadway

Nashville, TN 37203

Thank you again for your support of Bearcat Basketball!

Jeffrey Smith

Associate Athletics Director/Development

University of Cincinnati

2751 O'Varsity Way

Cincinnati, OH 45221

513-556-4884

Fax: 513-556-0629

Jeffrey.smith@uc.edu