
DATE: Sunday, April 20, 1997                TAG: 9704180262

SECTION: CAROLINA COAST          PAGE: 12   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: AFTER DARK 

SOURCE: John Harper 

                                            LENGTH:   67 lines

THE NEW PIT HAS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE FROM MUSIC TO MOVIES

The Outer Banks boasts an array of music clubs. But few are as offbeat as the new Cyber Cafe in The Pit surf shop in Kill Devil Hills.

Created by The Pit's founding partners, Stephen Pauls and Ben Sproul, the cafe opened for business late last month. Located on the second floor of the renovated three-story log cabin - above the surf shop - the cafe is the ultimate surf hangout.

With its high ceilings, wood floors, refurbished sofas, wooden bar, minature bandstand, the setting defines casual.

But sitting on the tables of two cozy windowside booths, a couple of computers make a stark contrast to the otherwise beachy atmosphere.

``We're the first place on the Outer Banks where folks can come in and surf the Internet,'' Sproul says. After riding the waves all day, anyone can crawl through Cyberspace, sip some suds at the posh new Pit and groove to a live band many nights.

In addition to Internet access, cafe customers can watch surf videos on one of The Pit's seven large-screen TVs. A screening room, complete with 15 authentic theatre seats, occupies the second floor of The Pit's new building.

``We'll show mostly surf films and movies from the '70s,'' Sproul says. ``We want to keep it so you don't know what's coming up.''

The third-floor loft features a pool table and a footsball table. Surrounding the loft is a three-foot high railing, which will give customers something to lean on for a birds'-eye view of the Cyber Cafe's stage. Sproul says the cafe, loft and an outdoor deck can seat about 150 people.

The cafe's cast of musical performers will be as unpredictable as the movies screened upstairs.

``We're pretty much up for anything,'' Sproul says. ``One night might feature a couple of DJs raving it up. And the next night might be some guys doing an acoustic set.''

This week's lineup is a perfect example of the wide open attitude: On Thursday, Everything's lead singer Craig Honeycutt will give a stripped-down, unplugged performance of original tunes at The Pit.

Charlotteville's alternative band Dumm Dumms rocks the house Friday night.

And Saturday, local surfboard shaper Steve Head returns home with his Raleigh-based thrash band Samana for a CD release party.

``Craig is an old buddy from J.M.U.(James Madison University),'' Sproul says. ``He said he just wanted to help us out.''

For now, it appears that Pauls' and Sproul's ambitious venture is paying off. The fledging business that opened a couple of years back already has cultivated a loyal local following. Now that The Pit has new digs, its offerings as well as its space are swelling. ILLUSTRATION: Photos

The band Everything is likely one of the numerous musical acts

that'll play on the new stage at The Pit's new cafe. Craig

Honeycutt, second from right, will sing solo at the Cyber Cafe.

Craig Honeycutt, lead singer for the band Everything (shown above),

will give a stripped-down, unplugged performance of original tunes.

Graphic

HOW TO HEAR 'EM

Who: Craig Honeycutt, Dumm Dumms, Samana

When: Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, April 24-26

Where: Cyber Cafe at The Pit surf shop, milepost 9 on the bypass

Cost: Free for Honeycutt, $3 for Dumm Dumms and Samana

Call: 480-3128