University of Virginia Library

City Offers Little
Nighttime Activity

By Rod MacDonald
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Every Saturday the farmhands
and construction workers come in
from the surrounding county to
spend some of their weeks pay in
town. But by night time most of
them are gone, and this drab
southern town is quiet.

That is how you will most often
find Charlottesville at night -
quiet. There is very little to do, and
what entertainment there is lies
close to the University.

For theaters, Charlottesville is
fortunate in having access to
newly-released films, outshining
larger cities in the state. The
University Theater at the Corner
offers the most intellectual and
artistic fare, while the Paramount
downtown and the Barracks Road
Theater offer the commercial sellers.
The Jefferson downtown usually
features second rate westerns or
"skin flicks."

Live entertainment is virtually
non-existent except when a University
organization sponsors a
touring show. There are no nightclubs
as such, although the Teahouse
on 250 West occasionally has
a jazz combo or singer.

For folk music, some fine
student talent can be found at the
Prism on the corner of Rugby Road
and Gordon Avenue. It is open
Wednesday, Friday and Saturday
nights, and features good music at a
slight charge with a distinctly
non-commercial atmosphere. The
13th Floor downtown on East
Market Street also offers some folk
music.

Students with sensitive palates
may have trouble finding food they
can afford. If you are looking for
something to complement your fare
from the Contract Cafeteria, your
pleasure and wallet may both have
to compromise.

In the high-priced range, the Angus Barn (29 North) is a fine
steak house; the Boar's Head (250
west) has colonial decor and good
food; the Inter National Restaurant
(29 North) has the city's best salad
and some good American offerings;
Gus' Steak House (250 West) has
excellent seafood; and the Downtowner
(corner of 250 and 29) has
good steaks.

Also, the Gaslight (Main St.) has
a limited but tasty fare, and a $2
student special weekdays before 6;
the Hotel Monticello (downtown)
has a Friday night buffet for under
$5; the Teahouse has a good range
of items; and the Dutch Pantry Keg
and Kettle Room (29 North) has
some interesting foods and a salad
buffet.

Charlottesville and vicinity
features few foreign restaurants of
note.

But such gastronomic extravagances
are few for most students. In
the $2 to $4 range, the CK
Steakhouse (Corner) and Dutch
Pantry are the best in town, but are
rivalled by the Lit Dell at Barracks
Road and Sip and Sizzle on Main
Street. All have good selections at
moderate prices.

And for the destitute, relatively
good meals for under $2 can be
found at the Village Inn (Maury
Ave.), Shoney's (Route 29), and the
Corner restaurants led by the
Virginian. Fair pizza is also available
at Lupo's, Archie's (29 South)
and the Village Inn.