“Before it was Surrey Tavern, it was Agastino’s,” said Midgett-Swain. Kim Midgett-Swain and her husband, Mike Swain, fondly recall the days when they were budding club-hoppers in their early 20s – eagerly making the club circuit when Surrey Center was the city’s hottest West Augusta shopping plaza and featured the now-closed Surrey Tavern. Several former nightclub patrons, musicians and club owners recently offered reflections on some of the many nightclubs, lounges and social establishments that have gone by the wayside. A recent conversation with several 'mature' socialites reveals the consensus that 'there's nothing like the good ol' days,' when the metro area's social scene was 'rockin' and rollin.'' Augusta-Aiken's social scene has undergone a metamorphosis during the past 30 years, with many once-thriving entertainment venues ceasing to exist.
