Oxford's historic tavern reborn again

Halie Warren 08Ox (left) and Loren Crawford 08Ox take a break in the newly spruced-up Dooley’s Tavern on the Oxford campus. Oxford staff saw potential in the historic room and over winter break gave it a good scrub down and bought funky new furniture. The graffiti on the walls may not be something you’d want in your living room, but for the tavern, which already this semester has hosted a Super Bowl party, concert and regular Monday night Coffeehouse, the atmosphere is perfect.

Dark. Dingy. Cold. Unwelcoming. Adjectives to describe an ex-girlfriend or boyfriend? Maybe. But not in this context. Dooley’s Tavern on the Oxford campus, like almost every other corner of Emory’s ancestral home, has a colorful history. The tavern’s present, though, has seen some hard times. But those times may be changing because of the efforts of some hard—working Oxford students and staff.
           
Last fall, Honi Migdol, assistant director of student activities, saw potential in the tavern, a dark and dingy space that was rarely used outside of periodic dance parties. Specifically, she saw a much more fun and edgy venue for the Student Activities Committee’s (SAC) popular Monday night Coffeehouse, which at the time was being held in the Student Center. So she submitted a request for funds to update the tavern and improve the atmosphere.
           
“Such a historical building on campus should evoke sincere pride among Oxford students,” Migdol said. If anything, Dooley’s Tavern is a survivor. It is the only remaining portion of old Haygood Hall, the campus’ first permanent residence hall. In 1981 the building burned—but the tavern was spared.
           
Of course, it hasn’t been a tavern for a while—those days date back to when Georgia’s drinking age was 18. The space has been a dining hall. It has been used for campuswide band and dance parties; it has been a coffee house. In recent years, the tavern has been almost forgotten, coming to life only for occasional club meetings and DJ parties.
           
“The limited use of Dooley’s Tavern causes many to associate it with a cold, unwelcoming feeling,” Migdol said. “Altering its image slightly, while maintaining the historic charm, can provide a warmer atmosphere and invite greater utilization of the space.”
           
While students were home for the holidays, the Oxford staff got busy updating Dooley’s Tavern and transforming it into a more comfortable space. The SAC devoted an entire Saturday afternoon to the project, assembling lamps, and even hanging a cardboard pineapple to add character. With the addition of some vintage furniture, colorful area rugs, new and improved lighting, and a swift cleaning, the tavern was ready for business. A state-of-the-art pool table, generously purchased by the Department of Athletics, goes perfectly with the dart board, board games, and activities that are available each Monday night at Coffeehouse.
           
Opening night on January 19 was a hit, and the crowd was extremely receptive to the new location. Being able to utilize the stage for two great musical acts was one of the many perks of the location change. General Noise and Oxford alumni band We Fly Standby were wonderful, and the students enjoyed the more concert-friendly atmosphere. The tavern came back to life. In early February, the tavern hosted a Super Bowl party.
           
Students are already inquiring about having it open as a study/lounge space, and the Office of Student Activities is looking into it. If that happens, then the tavern will be able to fill a significant void as a place for group projects and meetings as well as a student lounge.
 
“The couches and lights that have been added to the tavern create a wonderful atmosphere,” said sophomore David Vaughn 08Ox. “I thought that the Coffeehouse was incredible because it provided a laid-back atmosphere with different sitting areas as well as different board games. I strongly encourage the Student Admissions Association to go into the tavern as a part of the tours it gives, especially because it has now become a wonderful area where students can simply hang out.”

This is not the only time the tavern has been remodeled over the years.  In 2002 a group of Oxford alumni from the classes of 1990-92 dedicated their renovation work to a classmate, Claude Perry 91Ox 93B, who passed away on January 4 of that year and had loved the tavern. The alumni also set up a Claude Perry Memorial Fund in his honor. —Alexa Levin 08Ox