Our Favorite College Dive is Gone (updated)
Update: According to Twitter, Dave’s is closed. According to a comment below, it’s only temporary. If you have any additional details, please share in the comments below. It’s official. See the comments below.
If the rumors are true, Dave’s Taverna called last call for good Sunday night. Details are few, but it’s well known that the establishment had filed for bankruptcy and had been struggling for a while now. It’s unfortunately also pretty much accepted that the management had taken on a less than customer friendly approach to business the past few years. Which is a shame because in it’s heyday (or ancient times) when we were students, it was just about the perfect college dive. Cheap beer, good food, and a shall we say liberal ID policy, made it a go-to spot practically any night of the week.
Dave’s, or as it was know when we were student’s Gus’s, didn’t hit on any magic formula. When it was thriving, it’s recipe for success pretty much was straight out of College Bars 101. Cut all frills and keep the beer cheap. Really cheap. If you wanted entertainment, you could buy a pack of cards from the waitress. And order more beer. It wasn’t rocket science. And it worked.
It’s been years (many, many years) since we were in school and we realize that our stories about Dave’s/Gus’s can toe the line between authentic and apocryphal. If my memory serves me right (and it probably does not) happy hour ran from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM. During that time, pitchers of beer were $1.95. After happy hour ended, they bumped up to like $2.25 or something. Granted, you could get a keg at Mike’s Chevron for $27 bucks at the time, but that was still pretty damn cheap. And nobody was going to serve you gyros drinking off a keg at your friend’s apartment.
So the beer prices were obviously a huge draw. The rather lax ID policy also helped pull in plenty of students. Didn’t have an ID? No biggie. You could just order water initially and then magically change your mind and ask for a glass for the pitcher, after the waitress came back with the pitcher…and your friend had passed you his ID under the table. It was real cloak and dagger stuff. I swear I was there one night when 3 of the 4 people sitting in a booth used the same ID. It’s a wonder the place wasn’t shut down years ago when you think about it. And did we mention that the ATM directly across the street used to let you withdraw a minimum of $5? Talk about perfect placement.
But it’s gone now and something will take it’s place. If the results of our highly scientific twitter survey are to be believed (and why wouldn’t they?), then we could make a killing buying it and re-opening it as JMUSB Taverna. Same menu, cheep (good) beer, cornhole on the roof, and here’s the twist, a better attitude. We’d be golden. Todd has restaurant experience and well, I’m tall and can reach things on high shelves. It’s pretty much a foolproof plan. R.I.P. Dave’s.
Good food, terrible service. Unfortunately, terrible service turns guests away and they never seemed to realize that.
I find that a little odd especially since they are int he middle of a renovation.
They are just reorganizing the business and then reopening (was there recently).
Miss you already, chicken souvlaki.
how will these kids know they ate the night before, if they don’t wake up with the taste of tzatziki sauce taste in their mouths? RIP Dave’s
Lauren, do you have any more details? Last night folks said it was shutting down. Is it new management re-opening?
I worked there from 2006-2008. Every single thing in the restaurant except for the white pizza and the desserts was COATED in MSG. ”Dave’s all purpose greek seasoning.” Yeah, thats why you like the fries so much. There were also roaches everywhere and the owner was a giant cunt. So, hopefully someone who isn’t terrible at life will open up a new place and actually treat his cash flow with some respect rather than contempt.
I find it hard to believe that Dave’s was anyone’s favorite anything. Other places WERE more fun to drink(and cheaper), can’t say the same for now since most of those places closed too. Dave’s was good for MNF though.
Dave’s gave me so many memories and good times, as a part of an amazing staff there from 2005-2007. Employee drink night was the best – I’d never trade the friends I’ll never forget, and the memories I’ll never remember. As a season ticket holder, my wife and I still try to hit it up every football game each year… say it ain’t so…
Yes, the food at one point was great and maybe even worth it, but the prices of both beer and food in the past 2 years had increased, the quality decreased, and the customer service all but completely vanished.
Before I could really understand what was happening one of the best places downtown found itself to be on my friend and I’s Black List. The tone at the top at Dave’s was it’s greatest downfall. I have had multiple of my top worst experiences at restaurants at daves, from the unbelievably bitter pathetic management who sets the tone to the angry, rude and entitled staff.
I am so glad to hear they are finally leaving this great location and making room for something new! I have no doubt that once dave’s is gone, downtown will thrive even more and about damn time.
Terrible establishment. 2011 grad and Harrisonburg resident. Whatever “Gus’s” had Dave’s failed miserably on. Happy to see it go, sad if its truly coming back
From Dave’s Facebook Page:
It is with a heavy heart that we have to announce the closing of Dave’s Taverna. We had an amazing run. Thanks to all of our customers over the years. It was or honor to have served you. Thanks to all of our amazing staff. You made it fun to come to work everyday.
Maybe this has changed then… I know a few months ago when people said it was “closing,” it was really just re-organizing. It could be true if they posted an update on their facebook page today. I hope not though!
Thanks John. I can’t access FB or Twitter from work, so I was at a loss. Sorry to hear that it’s official.
I guess things changed a bit from the time I went there but Dave’s was a dump back in 99 when I was freshmen, and I believe it opened the newer one that is there today around 01. That being said it was a great dump and their cheese steaks are still my favorite of all time. I had one with in the last year and still the best. Is Dave’s express closing too? And if they are rebranding/reopening please post updates! Sad that all of the greatest bars from my time at JMU are now gone.
I worked at dave’s in early 2000’s. He was a pretty bitter dude but the guy knows how to make greek food. I haven’t been back since but I had some great memories of friends and co-workers at that place. 2.25 pitchers at happy hour and pretty much free beer after my shift. That was when they were still building in the new location and we were in that tiny little place a few doors down. There were definitely some entitled staff but I would say most of us cared about how we treated customers. I mean, that’s how you get tips, right? Anyway, hope it isn’t true because when I come back to visit I want me a killer gyro!
Its gone http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/Daves-Taverna-Closes-215525751.html
Finnegan’s!!!!!! The only real bar that was ever in the burg. Daves was an embarrassment on multiple fronts.
Place was amazing when its was Gus’s. Dave took it over…. was a jerk\a-hole\POS and eventually ran it into the ground. F-U Dave.
We shall miss you 1.95 pitchers and the occasional live music from the Triad.
Worked there this past year as a student. All I can say is when management treats their employees like crap, they inevitably treat their business like crap. It’s no wonder that the place closed, it was a dump. Cheap drinks were nice but that’s no way to make a profit.
Well, this is very strange as I was just there
With my kids right after the 4th of July and they
Totally denied that they were closing right to
Our faces when we asked directly. Nice!!
Crazy never realized there was so much hostility towards the restaurant/owner. I had friends that worked at both the express and restaurant when I was there (99-03), and never really heard much complaining that there appears to be now. I haven’t been in the last few years but it was still in pretty good shape last time I was there too. I know the original, I am assuming this was also Gus’s was in pretty bad shape before they opened the Dave’s that was there now. One thing they always did well though was that cheese steak really gonna miss that. I can honestly say most of us that graduated when I did are pretty sad to see it go. Highlawn, Biltmore, Alston’s, Calhoun’s, Luigi’s, Spanky’s, and Dave’s RIP, is it just me or does JMU feel very much like a strip mall nowadays, so sad.
The story I heard, months ago, was that there was a divorce within the family of the owner, that ultimately led to the decision to close down the restaurant. I believe Dave was partners with an in-law. That in-law is now divorced from Dave’s side of the family, so they no longer wanted to be in business with each other. Strictly something I heard through the grapevine…
You kids. At its BEST when it was ‘The Elbow Room’.
$1.95 pitchers of Icehouse and Southpaw which happen to be the greatest beers ever made.
R.I.P. Romano Pizza. Attempted on every custom pizza I’ve ordered since, never duplicated.
Also, Mike’s Quick Stop? You must mean “Guru.” $30 = Keg of Beast, one sleeve of cups, one bag of ice, and 4 pong balls.
More proof that making things “nicer” (more space, more overhead) doesn’t always make them better. Could be applied to JMU across the board…
Can someone say Jess’ #3?! Dave’s was great as of 2007. Haven’t been back since, but I know Jess’ is still the best after hours munchies/solids/deliciousness in the ‘burg.
Lots of fond memories stumbling up and down the spiral staircase at Gus’ in the mid 90s. I think the cheapest pitcher was always Leinenkugel Red or some equivalent. Not as sad as the closing of Mike’s Chevron, but sorry to hear it has gone to pasture.
Doggies is going to blow Dave’s out of the water.
I am sad to hear this place is closing. I was there from 94′-98′ and had nothing but fond memories of the old place. I remember the dingy upstairs where our friends would go to drink beer and play cards (even some poker). I even played there with the band I was in at the time on a thursday night and got hammered off of the $2 pitcher of beer. The onion rings and chicken souvlaki were the bomb. I assume that Dave’s Express is also closing. That place opened my senior year and I literally had Dave’s Express 6 out of 7 nights during a lot of weeks. I would get the egg & sausage pita wrap. I am salivating just thinking about how good it was. I visited the new location a couple of years after it first opened. It was nice but not the same feel as the old place.
Thanks for the walk down memory lane! Great times were had at Gus’s! Sad to hear it’s closed.
To anyone who heard they were “reorganizing” but staying open – They filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, which allows a business to stay open to get back on their feet. However, they say it most always never works out. I hope someone else opens the place with better food and SERVICE. I have had the worst service and attitude from the servers and staff there than anywhere else I’ve ever been. For people who were working for tips, most servers I had at Dave’s ignored us and failed to do their job. I am kinda glad to see it go and excited to see what will come next. (I will miss the $2 pitchers and happy hour though)
And they filed for bankruptcy back in February
What is it with JMU students and bars? Highlawn (et al) has closed multiple times. Now Daves.
Had lunch there last week on the roof top and they were finishing up installing a misting cooling system…..not a cheap thing to do. Don’t understand the renovation’s that were being and still being worked on last week if they were going to close. Maybe something new is in the works on opening? Hope so…love the roof top…nothing else quite like it in Harrisonburg.
Howie – Def agree with the rooftop. That is one of the few reasons I will miss Dave’s, until something else opens up
Back in 1997/1998, this place was legendary. I (vaguely) remember many a night with a group of guys named Leo, Wang, Frenzy, Woodman, and Bobby B where we (according to the receipt) drank 15 pitchers of Southpaw, ate gyros, played poker until someone finally noticed that 3 cards were missing from the deck, and ended up with a $47 tab. Rest easy Gus.
I worked there back when it was Gus’. I think I may have been the first non-extended family member to work as a cook there. Could be wrong. When I left in the early 90’s, it was still a great Greek restaurant.
Great food. The building was cool. Will miss the “Greek” food…less the MSG 🙂 . The service was not great. Management/owners/staff needed a big attitude adjustment. Hope some local person of Greek heritage puts a new restaurant in the building.
The location has a life of its own. I think it may have always been a favorite dive. Back in the day……said the old-timer….Before it was Dave’s, it was The Elbow Room. JMU, Bridgewater, and “townies” all came together here. I remember the “irrevant Rev. Billie Wirtz”. Wish I’d been around when Stevie Ray Vaughan and John Prine played The Elbow Room. Sorry for the loss of Dave’s, but the good news here is that this location will morph into new life.