johnb
05-17-2005, 09:53 AM
It's not local but this past weekend I was at a place that may interest some here. Down in Jacksonville, right outside Camp Lejeune is this place:
SYWANYKS SCARLET AND GOLD
222 Henderson Dr
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 347-1106
Retired Sergeant Major Sywanyk opened this bar, it is actually a museum that serves drinks and has a dance floor. The place is very nice, two stories with almost every inch of wall and ceiling space covered with authentic Marine Corps memorabilia. Original recruiting posters dating to WWI, uniforms dating back to 1918 in glass cases, displays of unit crests and antique Marine field equipment. There were guidons from various units and eras of the Corps past hanging over the dance floor, models of heavy equipment and Marines in action on display and so much stuff it approached the point of sensory overload. Very non-rowdy, very pleasant, most of the crowd was older Marines and everyone I spoke with there spoke almost reverentially of Sgt Major Sywanyk. I didn't get to meet the guy but one of his bartenders, half seemed to be active duty Marines moonlighting, said he had even more stuff in storage he brings out occasionally.
After touring the place it seemed to me that most of the stuff he had on the walls and on the display case shelves didn't belong there, it belonged in a museum. It was a very different place than what one expects from a bar outside a military base, no fights, no naked dancing girls, no hookers, the music was country and it wasn't too loud, and the place was actually very nice and if you're in Jacksonville I highly recommend it. Go early because affer 9 there is a line waiting to get in on Friday and Saturday nights, besides, if you go early you can catch the Sgt Major and might get a tour.
The man is supposed to be a walking encyclopedia of all things Marine.
SYWANYKS SCARLET AND GOLD
222 Henderson Dr
Jacksonville, NC 28540
(910) 347-1106
Retired Sergeant Major Sywanyk opened this bar, it is actually a museum that serves drinks and has a dance floor. The place is very nice, two stories with almost every inch of wall and ceiling space covered with authentic Marine Corps memorabilia. Original recruiting posters dating to WWI, uniforms dating back to 1918 in glass cases, displays of unit crests and antique Marine field equipment. There were guidons from various units and eras of the Corps past hanging over the dance floor, models of heavy equipment and Marines in action on display and so much stuff it approached the point of sensory overload. Very non-rowdy, very pleasant, most of the crowd was older Marines and everyone I spoke with there spoke almost reverentially of Sgt Major Sywanyk. I didn't get to meet the guy but one of his bartenders, half seemed to be active duty Marines moonlighting, said he had even more stuff in storage he brings out occasionally.
After touring the place it seemed to me that most of the stuff he had on the walls and on the display case shelves didn't belong there, it belonged in a museum. It was a very different place than what one expects from a bar outside a military base, no fights, no naked dancing girls, no hookers, the music was country and it wasn't too loud, and the place was actually very nice and if you're in Jacksonville I highly recommend it. Go early because affer 9 there is a line waiting to get in on Friday and Saturday nights, besides, if you go early you can catch the Sgt Major and might get a tour.
The man is supposed to be a walking encyclopedia of all things Marine.