Franklin Street bars rank as best in country

UNC students need to look no further than their own downtown for two of the best bars nationwide.

Fiesta Frog, a blog about popular college parties and bar specials, rated Top of the Hill as the sixteenth best college bar and hangout in the country. Chapel Hill’s The Library, the only other ranked bar in town, placed twenty-eighth of the list’s fifty.

UNC senior Adam Jutha said Top of the Hill is his top bar choice, both for its locally-brewed beers and upper patio view.

“It’s a perfect location. I don’t think there’s any better way to enjoy looking out over Franklin Street,” he said.

Jutha said Top of the Hill is especially packed with UNC students on Thursday and Saturday D.J. nights.

“There’s always a line to get in,” he said. “The crowd is phenomenal and the atmosphere is awesome.”

Scott Maitland, owner of Top of the Hill, said his restaurant and bar bring something for everyone.

“I wanted to be exactly what we are — an upscale, casual restaurant during the day and at night a kick-ass bar,” he said.

Justin McClain, Top of the Hill’s bar manager, said they have also hosted several sports stars.

McClain said he has met Tino Martinez, a former Major League Baseball player and Adrian Grenier, an actor best known for his role on Entourage.

“The one person I haven’t see is Michael Jordan,” McClain said. “He’d been in here quite a bit before I started working here, so it’s almost like I’m the plague or something.”

Daniel Surratt, a bartender at the restaurant, said he remembers talking to NBA player Antwan Jamison while working.

“He came in during the NBA lockout and I told him we could probably help him get a job if he needed one,” Surratt said. “He cracked up.”

Maitland said Fiesta Frog’s rating reflects the Top of the Hill’s versatility and popularity as a Chapel Hill venue.

“(We) are proud to be front porch of the University of North Carolina and the heart of the town of Chapel Hill,” he said.

“Hopefully next year we’ll be number one.”