Michigan Bar in Detroit - where would you like to watch the game?
Greetings,
I live in downtown Detroit. For a few years now, a close group of friends has watched games at McShane's, in Corktown.
With respect to affiliation/promotion, the Greater Detroit alumni club lacks links to bars to watch the games - https://www.dropbox.com/s/6gcdjn6328rz52j/2017-08-28%2008_57_47-Home_%20U%20of%20M%20Club%20of%20Greater%20Detroit%20_%20Alumni%20Association%20of%20the%20University%20of%20M.png?dl=0
(unlike the Greater Chicago alumni club)
Granted, Ann Arbor is a hell of a lot closer to Detroit than Chicago and people will often head to A2 to see the game but...I think it's time that Detroit has a bar of its own to watch the games at, and for the Greater Detroit Alumni club to include this information.
So, for those of you out there - where you would you like to watch the game? McShane's? Someplace new? There's Rusted Crow, Hopcat, and quite a few other bars.
Would appreciate any feedback for those of you who live in Detroit, and are interested in watching a game at the bar, where you'd like to watch the game.
*Edit - seems like we have a handful of different groups watching games at a number of different places - that's awesome!
We have an existing Facebook group for those interested in watching games in Detroit - https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoBlueInDetroit/
We've created events for GameDay to watch the games in Detroit, mostly at McShane's - http://mcshanespub.com/
Facebook event page for the Saturday game - https://www.facebook.com/events/1924009634522250/?acontext=%7B%22ref%22%3A%224%22%2C%22feed_story_type%22%3A%22370%22%2C%22action_history%22%3A%22null%22%7D
I'm not trying to direct anyone to a particular bar, hell - you can create an event for Harry's/Brew and list in that group. The more options, the better. I'm just trying to federate this information to the broadest section of alumni/Michigan fans living in Detroit as possible.
August 28th, 2017 at 9:23 AM ^
These have to stop.
August 28th, 2017 at 9:25 AM ^
There is so much to talk about on a Monday?
The board is slow enough since OT season ended way too early and now people are terrified to post again, at least this is SOMETHING.
August 28th, 2017 at 10:28 AM ^
Maybe so, but this is like asking where to drop a shit in your own bathroom.
August 28th, 2017 at 10:35 AM ^
Read the post? This isn't just, "where do you watch the game?" He's asking alumni/fans to see if there are better/newer spots that people can go to.
August 28th, 2017 at 10:59 AM ^
Sure. Ok. It is a slightly different way to ask the same stupid question.
It's still a stupid question.
August 28th, 2017 at 11:10 AM ^
From this one.
There's nothing to talk about. Everything about Michigan football has been covered 900000x over. He's asking if there's a new spot in Detroit for people to gather to watch the game, nothing more, nothing less.
August 28th, 2017 at 11:58 AM ^
"Walk away from this one?"
What a bullshit comment.
There are a million other places to find the answer to a question about where to watch a god damn football game. Google: New Sports Bars in Detroit. Yelp. Email the actual alumni association.
Why are people so stupid?
August 28th, 2017 at 12:11 PM ^
August 28th, 2017 at 1:02 PM ^
August 28th, 2017 at 1:27 PM ^
Why do you wake up so GD angry at the world? I do not remember a single post you had that wasn't completely filled with prick-ness.
He asked a Michigan message board that has a LOT of active alumn and fans posting on it. This isn't a "google GPS location" situation. He likes the conversation with people on here and was curious about a new location in Detroit to watch a bar.
My god. Lighten the F up, stop treating people like complete shit.
August 28th, 2017 at 3:45 PM ^
August 28th, 2017 at 5:29 PM ^
You're acting like an idiot. You're welcome.
August 29th, 2017 at 7:03 AM ^
August 28th, 2017 at 6:34 PM ^
Username extremely does not check out. His dudeness is very, very undude.
August 28th, 2017 at 9:34 AM ^
Watch the game from anywhere you want to, but why does there have to be a post about it? This is NOTHING.
August 28th, 2017 at 9:37 AM ^
August 28th, 2017 at 9:51 AM ^
August 28th, 2017 at 10:05 AM ^
I'm trying (via MGoBlog, a few e-mail distributions of fellow alumni I'm on, reaching out to Chicago club to find out exactly what 'sponsor bar' means from a financial/legal standpoint, reaching out to the Greater Detroit club) to get a 'Michigan Bar' in Detroit, such as having Michigan memorabilia on the walls/what you would see at RockIt in Chicago.
But I assume that takes an investment/buy-in from the bar owner. I'm just curious what kind of support (if any) the Greater Metropolitan club would have in this.
August 28th, 2017 at 10:56 AM ^
I'm assuming it's pretty risky for a Detroit bar to commit too hard to M or MSU and risk alienating a large part of the customer base. Most of the bars I have seen with significant memorabilia tend to focus on the pro teams and split the colleges down the middle. Which is fine, except for a dozen or so Saturdays in the fall.
August 28th, 2017 at 9:41 AM ^
August 28th, 2017 at 10:06 AM ^
Fellow downtowner, I've watched games at the following locations:
- Buffalo Wild Wings
- TAP @ MGM Casino
- Brew Detroit
Though if we are watching an away game I tend to prefer just having everyone over then we have cheaper drinks, our own bathroom, etc.
August 28th, 2017 at 10:14 AM ^
August 28th, 2017 at 10:16 AM ^
Oooh I forgot about Harry's. They have a great opening day party for the Tigers.
August 28th, 2017 at 10:16 AM ^
and was trying to figure out the same thing. I go to a lot of games, but it would be awesome if we could establish a true Michigan bar. I know of a few friends who are also looking.
I'm not sure what is the best way to keep an open line of communication between us Detroiters without being scolded for poor message board form - let me know if you have any ideas.
August 28th, 2017 at 10:19 AM ^
If we're throwing out suggestions, I'll put one in for Brew Detroit. It's usually pretty slow and could easily accomodate a big crowd, with plenty of TVs around. Also, that's where they brew the delicious Stroh's Bohemian which is entirely local to the D (and a handful of other craft beers).
They don't serve food but they do let you bring your own in, and Mudgies is just down the road.
Edit: Bohemian*
August 28th, 2017 at 10:31 AM ^
A group of us spent an entire day at Brew for noon games through the night games (mixed UM/MSU crowd) and it was great fun. It wasn't busy at all. They also have pool, darts, table shuffleboard, etc. for halftime fun.
August 28th, 2017 at 10:51 AM ^
A lot of my friends are very into craft beer, but I am a bourbon enthusiast. We have run into a problem when certain breweries (Motor City Brewing, etc.) don't serve anything other than beer and wine.
August 28th, 2017 at 11:44 AM ^
Beer and beer only. My ultimate frisbee league would go there after games this past summer, and I remember that being an unfortunate yet common complaint.
August 28th, 2017 at 10:51 AM ^
I don't live downtown but I work there. I feel like Punch Bowl Social has nice TVs but the vibe isn't sports bar like
August 28th, 2017 at 11:07 AM ^
The service at Punch Bowl is poor; you'd end up overpaying for drinks and tipping a server or bartender who barely gives you the time of day. Not recommended.
Downtown Detroit generally isn't a spot to go if you're looking for a low-key bar to have a few beers and watch college football. Buffalo Wild Wings is the obvious choice, but you'd be better off getting together with friends in an apartment. You could also consider the Well, which has a decent amount of TVs behind the bar, coupled with respectable drink prices.
August 28th, 2017 at 10:57 AM ^
Another downtown Detroiter here and I appreciate the thread.
I generally watch games at a friend's house, but I wouldn't mind going out for a game. I like the ideas above, and agree it would be great to have a more Michigan-centric bar for games.
Unfortunately I've had bad experiences every time I've gone out for a game - I was at McShane's for the 2014 ND game, and Harry's for the BWW Bowl before that.
EDIT: no one has mentioned Bookies! Been there for multiple basketball games, and it's one of the better sports bar experiences around.
August 28th, 2017 at 11:08 AM ^
that currently has 60 people that regularly watch games at McShane's.
Link - https://www.facebook.com/groups/GoBlueInDetroit/
We're open to others joining/sharing their events at other bars - I'm just looking to have this information shared as broadly as possible, so more people who live in the city can join up to watch games.
August 28th, 2017 at 11:11 AM ^
Tap at MGM.
Good high tv's, excellent menu, and deep draft tap.
August 28th, 2017 at 11:18 AM ^
I certainly apprecaite the thread, OP.
That being said, PLEASE ensure said bar will also turn the sound on for the game. Can't stress enough how crappy it is to go to a bar and the bar refuses to turn on the sound.
I think McShane's was the de facto for the group we're both a part of because they are great about turning on the sound.
August 28th, 2017 at 11:24 AM ^
McShane's turns all the audio over to the Michigan game.
OP has been updated for the Facebook group/event page.
August 28th, 2017 at 11:56 AM ^
If there is a game on and I'm at a bar then it's a Michigan bar.
August 29th, 2017 at 9:27 AM ^
got in touch with Jason W. (U of M Club of Greater Detroit officer) and Steve Burns (Global Engagement Director for the UofM Alumni Association) - they have our full support for making this a designated viewing party listed in Greater Detroit Alumni Association page. Exciting!