It has climbed the charts to the number three slot in Rolling Stone magazine. Night after night, it churns out some of the hottest music in one of the most familiar scenes in Charlottesville. But this isn't some new Dave sensation. It's Coupe DeVille's on the Corner.
Rolling Stone named Coupe's as one of the top 31 "fun" reasons to go to college in a special Internet feature article that was launched in August.
And University students agree: Coupe's is the place to be.
"If it can bring you out during midterms, it's got to be a great place," third-year College student Alex Gilbert said.
Scouring the country to compile a list of the best bars, Rolling Stone found Coupe's and dubbed it as the only "fun reason to go to college" in Virginia.
Marc Goodman, a Rolling Stone staff reporter, wrote, "The University of Virginia - Brainchild of Thomas Jefferson, centerpiece of the so-called 'public Ivys,' and home to Coupe DeVille's, this basement tavern ... by the U.Va. campus, is notorious for its black box of in-house specialties created in the past 15 years."
And this illustrious black box is an accumulation of drinks from around the country.
"We add more nightly, as the diverse U.Va. student population comes in with ones we've never heard of before," Coupe's owner Will Devillier said.
Touting the wide variety of drinks offered at Coupe's like the Mexican Urinal, the Sit on My Face and the Gorilla Fart, the magazine included the Corner hotspot in the section of legendary College Bars. Only two others were named - Harry's Chocolate Shop in West Lafayette, Ind., a Purdue University hangout, and Daisy Buchanan's, a famed college bar near Boston University.
But although Coupe's may be well known for the sometimes-obscene names on its drinks list, the bar also offers some normal choices on tap.
"I wanted to keep it simple, so we offer Bud, Bud Light, shots and mixed drinks," Devillier said.
But beer makes up only a small portion of its alcohol sales. Devillier said the bar is packed with people ordering shots like the Johnny Apple Seed or Sweet Mornings, and mixed drinks like Raspberry Long Islands and gin and tonics.
Though the drinks offered are sometimes complicated, the ambiance at Coupe's is simple.
"I think what sets us apart from other bars in Charlottesville and what got us in Rolling Stone is the simplistic, traditional college atmosphere we create," Devillier said.
Awning-covered steps lead down to the small basement bar on Elliewood Avenue, where candles are the main source of illumination and the hum of music fills the air.
This college bar feeling leads University students to Coupe's for other reasons than to drink. Coupe's also delivers music, food and familiar faces.
"My philosophy for Coupe's is to keep it small and simple, to cater to a college crowd bringing the great music and food at a great price," Devillier said.
And Devillier's philosophy seems to be working, as crowds line up night after night down the stairs to the entrance of the basement bar.
"The crowds are one of our signatures," he said.
But after threading oneself through these signature crowds, many regulars find that the quality of music they encounter justifies the long wait.
"Coupe's always has fabulous music," third-year College student Emily Cherry said.
With repeat performers from the likes of Bennie Dodd, Lloyd Roy, the Chris Winter Band and special bands like Om's Law, music and Coupe's seem synonymous. These bands' sounds range from folk rock to jazz.
Dodd has played at Coupe's for over nine years and now takes to the stage every Wednesday night at the bar.
"It's the crowd and the true appreciation of music that keeps me coming back every Wednesday night," Dodd said. "There is nothing like playing to a crowd that really appreciates your music."
Sitting right in front of "B-Dodd" at one of the many outside tables, third-year Commerce student Koon Thung came to Coupe's because of its unique atmosphere.
"It's my 21st birthday and I decided to celebrate it at Coupe's because of the music and the people," Thung said.
For many students, the musical atmosphere of Coupe's sets it apart from other Corner watering holes such as the Buddhist Biker Bar, the Biltmore Grill and O'Neill's Irish Pub.
"Sure there's other bars on the Corner, but at Coupe's there is a certain consistency of good but diverse music. From jazz to rock, it's here," third-year Commerce student Neil Goswami said.
To satisfy customer music demands, Coupe's encloses the outside patio during winter months so that the beat can go on.
"Rolling Stone fixated on our drinks and music, but our real heart and soul is in the kitchen," Devillier said.
The unique Peruvian-style open rotisserie and grill provide many of Coupe's specialties.
Staffed and patronized mainly by University students, Coupe's provides a social diversion from classroom obligations.
"Coupe's is the Cheers of the South, where everybody knows your name," third-year Education student Dana Berlan said.
Besides having a drink, eating and listening to Dodd play on Wednesday nights, University students also go to Coupe's to see their friends.
"The eight of us have come every Monday night for as long as I can remember," first-year Darden student Sean Griffin said. "It gives us a chance to catch up and cut lose."
Combining assorted music, scrumptious food, drinks and University students looking for fun, Coupe's lends itself to romance.
"Great-looking girls are almost a staple at Coupe's," Goswami said.
Devillier himself met his wife there. "She worked here and we just fell in love," he said. "I am so glad she walked through that door."
Coupe's has become a University tradition in the last 15 years for Dodd, Sex on the Beach, Mo-Jo Wings or finding that special someone.
As Sidney Heyward, third-year College student, said, "At Coupe's the weekend starts on Monday night - see you there"
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