Maxie’s

My social life and sense of community have been enriched by my life-long love affair with local drinking establishments and the many charismatic, humorous, entertaining personalities behind the bar: special mention to Pete, Peg, Willi, Renate, Claude, Bean and Sarah.  Rich’s, Annville Hotel, Gin Mill, Watering Trough, Black Horse Hotel, Lincoln House, the Spot, Bitzer’s Hotel, Peanut Bar, special mention to the Lancaster Liederkranz, Stubby’s, Valentino’s, The Shed and Pine Street Pub (on Pine Avenue) top the list. I come by my affliction naturally as my grandfather (Herb) was a regular at a neighborhood watering hole; The Hogwaller, drinking a few pints and playing a game or two of shuffleboard with his cronies after a long day on his Schaefer’s Bakery bread truck. The same grandfather who would share warm Rheingold’s with a certain youngish grandson, as we sat on worn wooden stools in his basement workshop.   

Having moved to Pinehurst, I was anxious to find a new home away from home.  We sampled Hickory Tavern, Dugan’s Pub, Drum & Quill, Pinehurst Brewery and the Pine Crest Inn.  We enjoyed our visits however, they all cater (appropriately so) to Pinehurst’s rather robust tourist trade, making a vacant bar stool a rare commodity.  On a recent trip to the Pine Crest Inn, Ron and Lori were kind enough to suggest Maxie’s Grill and Tap Room, a local sports bar.  

Within days, we found our way to Maxie’s.  Maxie’s; circa 2010, nestled a stone’s throw away from the Tater Barn bar (which has a drive-thru for six-packs and cigarettes), Pinehurst Pizza and the Village Barber Shop.

A former golf teaching professional, Maxie Gleason, the proprietor and daytime bartender, is very much one of those charismatic personalities. He is occasionally cranky, routinely irreverent, always engaging and habitually quick-witted.  His jovial personality and heartfelt belly-laughs fill the room; a charming and extremely entertaining combination.  His loyal patrons are friendly, colorful, welcoming residents, including a contingent of Pinehurst Country Club & Resort caddies; with nary a tourist in sight. High quality bar food (i.e., Fire Stix), ample portions, daily food specials, amazing background music, $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon drafts and twelve televisions; always tuned to sports, makes Maxie’s an extremely desirable destination. The overall experience is best described as fraternal. 

Recently, around 11:30 in the morning, a half-hour past opening, I stopped at Maxie’s for lunch and a few cold PBR’s. Sitting to my right at the bar, Will was enjoying a bountiful Philly cheese steak, while Jeff was on the cusp of chomping down on a jumbo hot dog topped with chili, which happened to be the “Special of the Day.”  The hot dog caught my attention so I decided to jump in with both feet and order the “Special of the Day.”  As Maxie delivered my second PBR, I placed my order.  Moments later, Maxie approached from behind the bar, his shaking head tilted towards his shoes, mumbling in a low tone, “we are out of the “Special of the Day!” This situation unfolded one-half hour into their work day, having filled only one order.  He followed his admission with the following; “I had a brief conversation with my chef, asking how he thought it was a good idea to have a Jumbo Hot Dog “Special of the Day” with only one dog in inventory!”  I couldn’t contain myself as I began to snicker, right in front of the man himself.  After an uncomfortable glare, Maxie followed with; “I am glad you think this is funny” as he headed off to pour my third PBR.

Maxie is a man I like and a man I respect, for many reasons, including but not limited to; the challenges of his life journey, his work ethic, his sense of humor, his sense of community as well as his treatment of his staff (who, it’s worth noting, are all top notch even if they misjudged the potential popularity of a hot dog special).

Maxie’s is officially my new home away from home!

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The back nine can only get better!