Walk down Franklin Street on a Tuesday night and you might miss it. Honestly, if you aren't looking for the little "149 1/2" address tucked away, you'll walk right past one of the most storied basements in North Carolina. It's a literal underground spot.
Goodfellows Chapel Hill NC isn't just another college bar where students go to forget their midterms. It is a weird, cramped, beautiful piece of local history that has survived since the late 1980s, sitting in a space that used to be a gay bar in the 70s and allegedly hosted Jack Kerouac in the 60s. That's a lot of ghosts for one small room.
👉 See also: Is the Baby Brezza Bottle Washer Pro Worth It? What Parents Actually Need to Know
The Pickleback Club and Why It Exists
If you walk in and see rows of names on wooden plaques, you've found the Pickleback Club. It's legendary. Basically, you take a shot of Jameson followed immediately by a shot of pickle juice.
Do that 100 times—not in one night, obviously—and your name goes on the wall. It sounds gross. It kinda is. But it's a rite of passage for Tar Heels. The bar even keeps a bowl of free pickles and popcorn out because, well, they really lean into the salt vibe.
It Is Not Just for Undergrads
Most people think Goodfellows is just for 21-year-old juniors looking for $3.50 Long Island Iced Teas. It's not. While the "Weekend Warmup" on Thursdays brings in the younger crowd with a DJ, the vibe shifts constantly.
- Monday: Old school board games. You’ll see people getting surprisingly competitive over Connect Four.
- Tuesday: This is the heavy hitter. Trivia starts around 9:00 PM, followed by karaoke that runs until 2:00 AM.
- Sunday: This is the "Service Industry Night." You'll find the bartenders and servers from other Franklin Street spots here because everything is half-priced.
A Bar with a Moral Compass
One thing people often overlook is that owner Steve Woodham has a reputation for actually caring about the community. A few years back, Goodfellows was the first bar in the area to adopt the "Ask for Angela" program.
🔗 Read more: When is El Grito de Mexico: Why Everyone Gets the Date Wrong
If someone feels unsafe on a date or is being harassed, they can go to the bar and ask for "Angela." The staff knows exactly what that means. They’ll get the person to a taxi or out the back door without making a scene.
Just recently, in December 2025, they made headlines again. After a controversy involving a local brewery's co-owner, Goodfellows didn't just dump the beer they had already paid for. Instead, they sold through the stock and donated every cent of the profit to the Orange County Rape Crisis Center. That’s a move you don’t see from every "college dive."
What You Need to Know Before You Go
Space is tight. Like, fire-code-tight. If you show up at 11:00 PM on a Friday, expect to be shoulder-to-shoulder. The music is usually a chaotic mix of Dua Lipa, 90s hip-hop, and whatever the DJ thinks will keep the energy up.
Pro Tip: Don't bring your leftovers. There was a whole drama recently where a guy got kicked out for trying to bring in a takeout box. The bouncers are generally chill, but they are strict about the "no outside food" rule (probably because of the aforementioned free popcorn and pickles).
Also, close your tab. Seriously. If you leave your card behind, the standard practice is they’ll close it out with a gratuity. Some folks on Yelp complain about this, but it’s pretty standard for high-volume bars. Just pay before you leave and you’re golden.
The Real Deal on the Drinks
You aren't going here for a craft cocktail with hand-carved ice. You're going for:
- The Mystery Grab-a-Beer: It’s exactly what it sounds like. You pay a few bucks and get whatever the bartender pulls out of the cooler.
- Long Island Iced Teas: They are strong. Be careful.
- Ball Shooters: Cheap, fast, and colorful.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you want the "real" Goodfellows experience without the 11:00 PM frat-party energy, hit it up on a Tuesday around 8:30 PM. You can snag a seat, get your trivia team together, and actually talk to the bartenders. Mike and Alex are long-time favorites there—they know the history of the place and can tell you which "Mystery Beer" is actually worth the gamble.
Keep an eye on their social media for "Bar Golf" sign-ups. It’s one of the few times the basement gets organized for a specific event, and it’s usually for a local charity.
💡 You might also like: Is the West Elm Outlet Industry City Still the Best Place for a Deal?
Bring a valid ID. Even if you look 40, they will check. It's Franklin Street; they don't mess around with the ALE.
Check the wall for the plaques. It’s a fun game to see if you recognize any names from the local community or past UNC classes. The basement might be small, but it’s got a lot of stories crammed into those brick walls.