Backstreets
Backstreets Pub & Deli opened just after the 1980s (in 1992), but it quickly became a stalwart of the Clemson bar scene and carried forward the spirit of the ’80s into the ’90sclemsonwiki.com. Tucked “behind” another bar (Overtime) on Earle Street, Backstreets was founded by proprietor Pete Matsko and is fondly remembered for its quirky, cozy atmosphere. The interior was decorated like an antique shop – famously featuring a cigar store Indian statue and numerous stained-glass windows (including a Grateful Dead motif) handcrafted by local artistsclemsonwiki.com. Backstreets functioned as both a bar and a deli, serving up sandwiches, pizzas, and pitchers of beer in a laid-back, bohemian vibe. With a dozen beers on tap and dozens more in bottles, it quickly became a favorite haunt for students and alumni seeking a relaxed pub experienceclemsonwiki.com. Tuesday night beer specials and occasional live music drew crowds, and by the late ’90s Backstreets was even recognized as one of the nation’s top college sports bars. Legend has it that its long wooden bar top was made from old Clemson stadium seats – just one of many charming stories that gave Backstreets character. While Backstreets remained open beyond the ’80s (and in fact, for decades thereafter), we include it here because many Clemson old-timers consider it part of the continuum of classic bars, thanks to its nostalgic décor and timeless appeal. It’s a place where you might hear Bob Dylan or the Grateful Dead playing, keeping the rock-and-roll bar tradition aliveclemsonwiki.com. For many, Backstreets represents the enduring legacy of Clemson’s downtown nightlife, bridging the gap between the 1980s and today.
