The print version of this story was riddled with factual inaccuracies. Chris Allred was identified as the manager — he’s a part-time bartender, and that’s his sole title. Piedmont Ale House opened in 2006, not 2007 as was reported. The article states that the average burger cost around $8, but burger prices range between $8.50 and $19.95. Sunday football specials include $5.55 wings, pizzas and Bud Light pitchers — not all beer. The story also said that Piedmont Ale House “brings food to you.” It doesn’t. The pub offers catering, but not delivery. There isn’t a drink list, either. The closing times are also wrong. From Sunday through Wednesday, it closes at midnight, but it closes at 1 a.m. Thursdays and 2 a.m. Fridays. The Pendulum regrets the errors.
There are few places that Elon University students can go to in Burlington without bumping into a classmate or someone they know while they are out to eat or get a drink, but Piedmont Ale House seems to be off the radar for Elon students.
“We find that only 10 percent of our customers are from Elon,” said manager Christopher Allred.
Allred is a part-time bartender at Piedmont Ale House, which opened in 2006, helping serve a selection of 38 beers on tap.
“We definitely have the largest selection in Burlington and one of the largest in the Triad,” he said. “I think the selection is probably the best in the Triad overall. We try to do a wide range in beers with prices, too.”
Piedmont Ale House has a small pub vibe, where the large selection of beers and burgers is not surprising. With 12 different burger choices on the menu, ranging between $8.50 and $19.95, Allred believes that the food is the main reason that people come to Piedmont Ale House.
There are also salads, sandwiches, pizzas and chicken wings. The entrees aren’t too expensive — most fall under $10 including sides, such as sweet potato chips — all of the types of foods that are perfect to eat while relaxing and watching a sports game on one of the nine large televisions placed around the restaurant.
“This past basketball season for the tournament was probably some of the busiest weeks we’ve ever had,” Allred said. “It was the combination of the weather turning warmer than usual earlier and Carolina being in it until the end.”
The nice weather also allows for the outside seating to be opened up for guests to enjoy sitting on the patio and eating their food. Though putting the parking lot adjacent to the patio may not seem ideal at first, it is a great place to get some fresh air while eating the pub’s food.
But football Sundays are not a day to be missed inside of the pub, because of the plentiful food and drink specials that are sure to grab anyone’s attention. Pizza, wings and pitchers of Bud Light are all $5.55 each and the restaurant fills quickly as people come by to watch over cheap, but tasty food as their favorite teams play.
Almost every night there is a special that people can take advantage of, whether booze or food. On Mondays, all beer on tap is $2 off. Monday through Thursday, appetizers are half-priced 4-6 p.m.
But getting food at Piedmont Ale House isn’t limited to just sitting down and ordering at the table. They are available for catering.
“We do private parties,” Allred said. “We also cater. We have done some catering for charities. We did an event for Alamance County Humane Society.”
Beyond just beer, Piedmont Ale House also features wines that Allred chooses himself, along with different types of vodka, rum, whiskey and other drinks.
“The environment was dark, but it gave it a more relaxing feel than other sports bars and the food options catered to everyones needs,” said sophomore Sydney Nelson.
Piedmont Ale House can compare to a smaller, more personal Buffalo Wild Wings that has a neighborhood feel with most patrons seeming to know each other.
The restaurant is located at 1149-A St. Marks Church Rd. in the Savannah West Shopping Center, right across from Pelican’s SnoBalls. It is open Sunday-Wednesday 11:30 a.m.-midnight, Thursday 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. and Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m.-2 a.m.