Bottom’s Up: Group Therapy

To the naked eye, Group Therapy looks like just another Five Points bar catering to college kids whose idea of a good time is forgetting what happened the night before.

But “Group,” as it’s affectionately called, is more than that.

Established in 1978, the laid-back watering hole has been a steadfast port for college kids and the professional happy hour crowd for decades. Even now, the oldest bar in the area’s reputation precedes it.

“A lot of college kids’ parents tell them how they used to come here in college,” said Talon Rawls, head bartender. “They talk about how they met here or they partied here when they were in college, so a lot of kids come in to see what they’re talking about.

“Nostalgia and the atmosphere get them here,” Rawls said. “And The Nerd drink is what keeps most of them coming back.”

“The Nerd drink” in question is the bar’s signature cocktail. Created by Rawls two years ago, it consists of UV blueberry vodka, sour mix, Blue Curaçao and lemon-lime soda with rainbow Nerds as garnish.

“I make as many Nerd drinks as I do vodka cranberries and bourbon and Cokes throughout the night,” said Rawls. “When I first made it, I used to buy five boxes of Nerds for two weeks. Now we go through about 60 boxes a weekend. Every time I see Nerds now, I have to buy them to make sure we have enough in stock.”

The sweet and slightly sour cocktail is served on the rocks in a 10-ounce cup with a jumbo straw so you can not only enjoy the cocktail but drink in every Nerd.

“The Nerds start to dissolve in the drink, so they start to flavor it and change the color,” said Rawls. “It starts out blue but usually turns purple by the end of it. People will hack at their cup because they’re trying to shovel the Nerds in their mouth once it’s empty.”

The bar has become known for it selection of candy-themed drinks. In addition to The Nerd, Rawls can make a shot that tastes like an Airhead or a Thin Mint.

The white gummy bear and Jolly Rancher cocktails are as popular as you would think. And the Fun Dip, Cherry Popper or Star Dust are packed with the same nostalgic taste of candy you likely enjoyed growing up – with an adult kick.

“Anything to stay away from making lemon drops, kamikazes and fireballs,” joked Rawls. “That’s what people traditionally order because that’s all they know, so we try to teach them something different.”

Rawls’ experimenting is clearly paying off. Not only is Group the only bar in Five Points with a Nerd drink and selection of candy-themed concoctions, but with today’s technology, younger customers are happy to inadvertently advertise for Group.

“No one else is Five Points does a candy drink but us,” he said. “When I first started making it, I advertised it all the time, but now, all the college kids do it for me. I try to make something that people want to take a picture of for Instagram or that they post on Twitter.”

So the next time you’re in the neighborhood, stop in and get your candy and cocktail fix all in one delicious cup. Just don’t ask for extra candy in The Nerd; other people want to drink in their childhood, too.

Dwaun Sellers, dsellers@thestate.com

This story was originally published November 11, 2015 at 9:15 AM.