The Home of the Blue Cup
Overview
He's Not Here, also known as He's Not, is a bar located at 112 W. Franklin St. in Chapel Hill. The 43-year-old bar is known for its "Blue Cups", which contain 32 ounces of beer or cider, rather than the 12 oz of a normal bottled beer. The bar features both inside and outside seating, even featuring live music outside on Fridays, weather permitting. The bar has become a landmark in the Chapel Hill community, being frequented by both athletes from UNC and Duke and other prominent people such as country star Chase Rice. The bar does not serve wine, liquor or food.
History
In 1972, friends Michael Troy and David Kitzmiller founded the Carolina Keg and later changed the name to He’s Not Here. Several legends exist about the name. First, the bar’s general manager, Fleming Fuller, claims Troy’s and Kitzmiller’s ex-wives and their lawyers were constantly calling the establishment, leading staff to automatically answer phone calls with “He’s not here.” This became confusing to vendors, Fuller says, causing the bar to officially change its name. Some also believe patrons would call looking for Michael Jordan and other UNC athletes, prompting the same response. Thirdly, some believe the name is based on a Jackie Gleason movie. The true origin of the bar's name is not settled.
The bar went through renovations in the early 2010s to improve the bathrooms and add murals to the outside walls and courtyard.
In April 2014, after a He’s Not Here bartender was cited for serving alcohol to a minor, the bar stopped hosting events for patrons under the age of 21 because of the liability associated with hosting underage people.
Events
Every Tuesday, He's Not hosts a team trivia night at 9 p.m. to raise awareness and money for Timmy Global Health. Timmy Global Health works to expand healthcare and empower students to overcome global health challenges. Trivia is $10 per team entry and $2 for each additional participant. He's Not Here also has a pint night every Wednesday. Starting at 4 p.m., specialty pint glasses for featured drafts are sold with each Blue Cup until the glasses run out. Pint glasses typically run from $7 to $8, including the accompanying Blue Cup.
What makes it different
He's Not Here is the only bar on Franklin Street with a beer garden and courtyard area. Because of its size, He's Not can have up to three bars running simultaneously. It is also known for the Blue Cup, live entertainment, benefit nights and its homey Chapel Hill atmosphere.
