DIXIE TAVERN HAS been a popular Marietta spot for cheap drinks and live music for about five years now. Sitting in the middle of a Kinko's shopping center at the corner of Windy Hill Road and Cobb Parkway, the tavern offers local cover bands and original acts, sports on TV and pool. And new management last fall started mixing things up a bit, with events like heavy metal karaoke.

WHISTLIN' DIXIE: Weekly events include Texas Hold 'Em tournaments on Monday nights, college night with DJ Ed on Wednesday nights and daily happy hour specials of 25-cent chicken wings, oysters on the half-shell and peel-and-eat shrimp. Drink specials range from $2 domestic beers (brands vary each night) to $3 mixed drinks on Wednesdays and draft beer and cocktails starting at $3.50 each night.

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SPICING IT UP: For eats, Dixie Tavern has the requisite fried appetizer basket ($4.50), burger and fries ($6) and sandwiches ($5) available for lunch and dinner. But many of the menu items — such as the deep-fried sausage balls, jambalaya and gumbo — have a distinctly Cajun flavor. Food ranges from $3 for appetizers to $12.95 for dinner entrees.

LOUD AND PROUD: The tavern hosts local bands Fridays and Saturdays for a $3 cover. And, for something new on Tuesdays, the Metalsome Monday band from the 10 High will play live heavy metal karaoke ($5 cover). Dixie will also start hosting national touring acts over the next few months. And Thursdays will still be reserved for local favorite Zac Brown for $3.

HOURS: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Mondays-Fridays; 11:30 a.m.-3 a.m. Saturdays.