Noir at the Bar Hillsborough

Yonder: Southern Cocktails and Local Brew will host eight crime fiction authors from the Orange County area and beyond as they read, mingle, and sign books during Hillsborough’s fourth Noir at the Bar event. “Noir at the Bar” is a nationwide movement popularized in St. Louis by Scott Phillips (The Ice Harvest) and Peckerwood author Jedidiah Ayres for independent crime authors to gather, meet, and read their work. Bars in New Orleans, San Francisco, NYC, Baltimore, and even Toronto (and many more) have hosted past events that showcase both new and experienced writers.

This latest chapter will work in coordination with the Orange County Local Author Book Fair and features readings from Shawn Cosby (My Darkest Prayer), J.G. Hetherton (Last Girl Gone), Phobos Award winner James Maxey (Bitterwood), Suzanne Adair (Deadly Occupation), Eryk Pruitt (What We Reckon), Thomas Fenske (The Fever), as well as new authors Judy Marie and Philip Kimbrough.

“This event has been so well received by the Hillsborough community that it’s a no-brainer to bring it back,” says Dirtbags author and organizer Eryk Pruitt. “The internet does so much to bring authors and readers together that it’s awesome to be able to connect and entertain in real life.” Noir at the Bar events are much different than library or bookstore readings in that they invite the readers to compete for attention spans of bar patrons. This, combined with literary-themed cocktails, creates a fun, raucous environment for readers and writers alike.

The event kicks off at 6:30 and typically lasts an hour and a half. Folks are free to purchase books on-site or across the street at Purple Crow Books. People are encouraged to drop in for a drink and listen to a reading or two to decide if they want to hear more about the author’s work.

“Or simply stop in for a good time because there will be no shortage of those,” says Pruitt.