Weekend Outdoor Dining in Ann Arbor
If you have not been to Ann Arbor on the weekend, you are missing out on a very dynamic restaurant and bar scene at night as several streets have been closed off for outdoor dining that extends into the street. Unless the city council changes its mind, this will come to an end the first week in October. I went for the first time this past Friday and I am making a special trip this weekend to support some of my favorite places. They have all been hurt by Covid with many old time favorites closing down. Now with no football, these very same restaurants/bars are going to get even harder. I would encourage everyone with the ability to do so to check this out, it's well worth the time. (The picture is from Main Street last Saturday night.)
August 28th, 2020 at 10:22 AM ^
That haze around the street lamps isn't glare. It's a swirling cloud of Coronavirus preparing for a feast.
August 28th, 2020 at 11:21 AM ^
Reefer smoke
August 29th, 2020 at 7:20 AM ^
Actually, the science shows that it is much tougher to get the virus outdoors due to the wide open spaces and winds. It's especially tough during the day due to UV rays killing the virus. As long as these businesses aren't packing people too close together, this is a great idea for getting these resaurants much needed revenue.
August 28th, 2020 at 10:25 AM ^
Went to Knights yesterday for lunch at Liberty/Maynard. Excellent burgers there for anyone who hasn't tried them. There's a lot of outdoor seating on Maynard and a decent sized lunch crowd yesterday. I think the spacing was much better than the picture above.
August 28th, 2020 at 10:36 AM ^
The cell phone picture doesn't really show the separation very well. I walked up and down Main Street and Liberty and the tables were all pretty far apart. I would have no worries eating out there and am doing so this weekend.
August 28th, 2020 at 10:29 AM ^
outdoors/open air..... definitely partake and support those businesses. I would if I were closer.
August 28th, 2020 at 10:36 AM ^
I go down there at least once or twice a week to support the restaurants. Many have ample outdoor seating. I suggest starting with a few beers at Conor O'Neils and then dinner at Shalimar. The mix of heavy beer and heavy Indian food makes for an interesting bathroom adventure the next morning with heavy Fecal Aerosol Plumes!
August 28th, 2020 at 10:43 AM ^
Does it also make for a more tasty ass-eating experience?
Asking for a friend...
August 28th, 2020 at 11:25 AM ^
All this talk about eating ass has put me in the mood to smoke a Boston butt this weekend. I know it's pork shoulder, but it will always be butt to me.
August 28th, 2020 at 12:40 PM ^
"I know it's pork shoulder, but it will always be butt to me."
- Billy Joel
August 28th, 2020 at 3:43 PM ^
Faux there you go talkin shit again...
Mixing Irish beer and Indian food sounds like intestinal war zone.
August 28th, 2020 at 10:44 AM ^
Now that the students are back in town, I have no plans to go downtown anytime soon.
August 28th, 2020 at 1:08 PM ^
My wife and I have been supporting Ann Arbor restaurants by doing take out since this mess began. We drove by Mani a few nights ago and there were so many people walking on the streets near tables that we both felt that there was no way social distancing was being observed.
August 28th, 2020 at 10:51 AM ^
This pandemic has been a shit show overall, but seeing everyone get outdoors for dining, cycling, etc. has been nice.
With all respect to MSV, I'd expect their (Main Street) restaurants to be just as mediocre and overpriced outdoors as they are indoors.
August 28th, 2020 at 11:16 AM ^
Similar things happening in a lot of places, I'd imagine. I've only gone twice to restaurants here in W. Mich to eat outside, it was a very good experience both times. Still, I think for the most part I'll stick to carryout and eating at home.
No idea how a lot of places are going to make it through the winter.
August 28th, 2020 at 11:26 AM ^
As if downtown A2 traffic wasn't bad enough already.
August 28th, 2020 at 11:29 AM ^
It would fairly nice if these smaller road closures were more of a permanent thing in the warmer months
August 28th, 2020 at 11:45 AM ^
I agree. Most restaurants have been able to make up some of their lost income with the outdoor seating (which does have a cold weather expiration date). Would hate to see more restaurants/bars close down. I personally love the ability to hit so many great places in a short block or two radius that Ann Arbor affords.
August 29th, 2020 at 11:06 AM ^
It's really too bad how cities in America are built around cars. Go downtown most places and half the space seems like parking lots. So much sprawl.
August 28th, 2020 at 11:35 AM ^
I've been to Knight's on Liberty a couple of times within the last month, and the spacing on Maynard was very open. I also went to Conor O'Neil outside on a Sunday about a month ago, and it was also very well spaced.
Perception of risk is highly individual, but FWIW I was comfortable risk-wise in both locations.
August 28th, 2020 at 11:57 AM ^
Which of these places are the best restaurants? Specifically looking for a bit of a nicer place for my wife's birthday this weekend?
August 28th, 2020 at 12:04 PM ^
Despite blueheron's contrary viewpoint, I love the Chop House. I have never been to Knights but hear good things about it. Really the point of my post was that Ann Arbor is such a great town that with the end (now possible rebirth) of football, there are a lot of great restaurants and bars that are going to get hurt pretty badly. Over the past 12 years I have met a lot of owners and employees of many of them and they are good people.
I also do my best to continue to go to my local restaurants as well.
August 28th, 2020 at 12:21 PM ^
Is Knight's open. Website says they are moving to a new location in the fall.
August 28th, 2020 at 12:41 PM ^
That post is only about Knight's catering division, which was HQ'd on Jackson Road until recently:
"Knight’s Family Kitchen & Catering
WE ARE MOVING.... New location will open Fall 2020
**For the time being please visit Knight's Market for our prepared foods, frozen foods and salads**
Their restaurants and retail market aren't going anywhere.
August 28th, 2020 at 12:21 PM ^
If you're looking for a "nice" traditional dinner menu, then I'd take Knight's on Liberty over Conor O'Neil's, which is basic standard pub fare with an allegedly Irish orientation.
I'd also recommend Knight's on Liberty over Knight's on Dexter Rd—the latter is somewhat geriatric in both its menu and clientele in comparison with the Liberty location.
One thing that both Knight's location have in common is a pretty generous "pour" for their cocktails, esp. martinis. They don't skimp.
However, there are plenty of other restaurants downtown A2 besides Knight's and O'Neil.
August 28th, 2020 at 12:37 PM ^
Don’t forget one of the MGoFavorites Jolly Pumpkin - I’d put there burger right up with Knight’s or Frita’s, the BLT is outstanding, and the beer is wide ranging (tip your bartender - it’s my son). Lots of outside seating right in front of the Mden and close to the Bo Store.
August 28th, 2020 at 4:01 PM ^
August 28th, 2020 at 2:11 PM ^
Good thing they're not playing football.
August 28th, 2020 at 3:47 PM ^
As my stamina and overall functionality have improved, we have wandered out a couple times. We can really only go to certain places because of my diet restrictions still being in place (and I may just keep them anyway, for I am down 50 pounds since May), but it has been an overall pleasant time.
August 28th, 2020 at 7:53 PM ^
Who’s that guy with my wife?
August 28th, 2020 at 10:45 PM ^
I’m sorry to say, but it looks like Flanders.