The Creekside Tavern is the hot new place to go in Valdosta if you want to dine, dance and enjoy an evening out on the town.

You can’t miss the bright white neon lights of Creekside, or the large red “Open” sign beside Gornto Road that entice you into the eatery. The doors open at 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday with drink specials until 7 p.m., and dinner service begins nightly at 5 p.m.

Pat O’Neal, who also owns the Ole Times country buffet restaurants and the Smok’n Pig, acquired the former J.P. Mulldoon’s property following the floods in April of this year. With water more than 4 feet deep inside the building, damage was extensive. O’Neal spent several months renovating the restaurant, creating his vision of an open, spacious, and fun place to go. The tables were all custom made, and the decor and colors are warm and inviting.

In addition to the new stage and dance floor, O’Neal installed a massive curved bar where patrons can sit and dine or watch a game on one of the several televisions. Creekside also has a large and spacious outdoor patio for those who want to enjoy the evening, watch TV or for those who want to smoke, as the interior is completely smoke-free.

Known for serving great food at a great price, O’Neal has once again created a mouth-watering menu, with steaks and prime rib the stars on the menu, which also includes seafood dishes, chicken, pork chops, ribs and a host of appetizers, from crab cakes to fried mushrooms to oysters.

O’Neal says he wants Creekside to be known for “its good old fashioned Southern cooking.”

The restaurant is also a hot spot for night life, with a live band every night, the “Creeksiders.” The all-local group of well known musicians is led by guitarist Randall McClellan, with drummer Bill Vendemo, guitarist Eddie Chadwick, and keyboardist Randy Williams. The Creeksiders play several sets each night, with the musicians taking turns on vocals, offering a mixture of oldies, southern rock, dance tunes, and classics. When they’re not on the stage, the DJ jumps in and plays a mixed set of musical selections to keep people on the dance floor.

O’Neal said there was a lot of effort and attention to detail to make Creekside the kind of place anyone would feel comfortable going to.



Creekside Tavern

Where: Gornto Road

When: Wednesday through Saturday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; drink specials 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; dinner service begins at 5 p.m.

Entertainment: Nightly by the Creeksiders; DJ spins hits

Menu: Steaks, seafood, appetizers

Non-smoking inside; smoking allowed outside on the porch only