Are you middle aged, living in the burbs, asking yourself and your friends: Where can I go to enjoy live music, great food and drinks, among your peers, at a reasonable hour for oldies but goodies like us? Well, we found the perfect spot in Johns Creek, on the Alpharetta line. Brooklyn Cantina dishes up great tribute bands of assorted genres from classic rock to R&B to dance nights. Best of all, music normally begins around 8:30 p.m., unless you happen to come on a special event weekend, where you can find music from 4 p.m. ‘til closing time!
Brooklyn Cantina was opened with fun in mind, says Director of Operations Mark Ferrara. He wanted to have a place where locals can come and enjoy a great casual, everyday-type-of-meal that everyone likes in an entertaining atmosphere with music and an exciting vibe. 
The menu boasts an American Tex-Mex flair with a twist! A couple of examples are: Chicken Spinach and Goat Cheese Quesadilla: Grilled chicken breast, spinach, goat cheese, sautéed peppers and onions with black bean corn salsa. Twice Baked Avocado: Avocados mixed with Spanish olives, sun-dried tomatoes, oregano, baked in the oven and topped with cheese and Buffalo Chicken Tacos: Fried chicken tossed in Sriracha sauce, pico de gallo, bleu cheese crumbles and poblano ranch sauce. Of course, you can find your typical Tex-Mex favorites of assorted tacos, enchiladas, salads, sandwiches and more. As you eat, you also get to enjoy the whimsical Day of the Dead décor, various murals of the Brooklyn Bridge with strings of star lights and an array of masks on the walls and ceiling.
We went to experience BROOKLYNPALOOZA, Brooklyn Cantina’s five-year anniversary inside-outside bash Sept. 14 featuring assorted bands from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Music included 70s, 80s, 90s jukebox covers from the band Spectrum, the Tom Petty-John Cougar Mellencamp tribute band, a Dave Matthews tribute band, and a hair band for the grand finale. We arrived as Tom Cougar Pettycamp, the cover band from Virginia, was setting up. Ferrara was sporting a cowboy hat and a sleeveless shirt, exposing his tattoos behind the bar. He was fully engaged with his guests, who seem to have become his close friends, as they greet him with hugs and kisses. He was looking forward to our visit and had our menu picked out. Drinks to start, we opted for two refreshing mojitos. We were presented with a very large, beautiful bowl full of their freshly made Tableside Gaucamole and signature house salsa accompanied by warm, crispy chips. The guacamole was spectacular, fresh and perfectly flavored, one of the creamiest guacamoles in Atlanta. Our assorted platter of goodies was delivered by the chef, Jesus. The platter included the:
Veggie Burrito: Sautéed spinach, mushrooms, cilantro rice, onions, black beans, jack and cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce and sautéed peppers,Chicken Tacos: Fried chicken, lettuce, pico de gallo, cilantro, pickles, onions and cotija cheese and Short Rib Manchego Quesadilla: Braised short rib, Manchego cheese and sautéed peppers and onions with black bean corn salsa. Everything was unique and delicious.
As the restaurant crowded with locals, we made our way to the outdoor stage where the Tom Cougar Pettycamp band was really starting to rock out. The same band backed up two different singers, one for the Tom Petty songs and one for the John Cougar Mellencamp songs. 
DMTB, the touring Dave Matthews Tribute Band from Nashville, were a fun and energetic group complete with a violinist and horns.
Guests filled the parking lot to listen to the bands. There was ample seating, from tables and chairs to lounge chairs, and plenty of room in front of the stage to dance the night away. They even had an outdoor beer and shots bar for their guests outside. It was a lovely night for an outdoor party. Once the clock struck 10 p.m., the party moved into the restaurant to enjoy, sing along, and even bang heads to Shyanne 80s classic rock band from Woodstock, Ga.
Brooklyn Cantina serves American Tex-Mex favorites in a fun, energetic, casual atmosphere. They serve lunch and dinner specials, sandwiches, seafood and have an extensive full bar. They are a great spot if you are looking for a fun and welcoming place to enjoy OTP.
Follow the weekly events on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheOriginalBrooklynCantina/.
To have us review your event or restaurant, contact us at 404-883-2130, jen@atljewishtimes.com or michal@atljewishtimes.com.
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