The Michigin Dolly-Friday, September 9, 1977-Page 19
By day, it's empty; at night, Mr. Flood's parties
By LANI JORDAN BESIDES ITS decor and namesake,.
The floor is free of its usual carpet of Flood's is also noted for its exotic
peanut shells and crushed potato chips.
The tables are clear of everything save
the sunlight reflecting off initials car-
ved in the varnished tables.
In mid-afternoon, Mr. Flood's Party
is empty except for a half dozen patrons
lining the bar. Most of them are
regulars who drop by Flood's each af-
ternoon to sip a leisurely brew. ARr
alcoholic beverages and a women's
restroom door with a knob on the wrong
side - a detail which has baffled more
than one gin-happy customer.
"We had a door busted down and had
to buy a new one quick," Skinner said.
"Backward was the only way it would
fit."
Flood's notorious "invented-on-the-
premises" drinks include the Blue
Grass Meanie (vodka Collins, blue
courvosier, and orange liqueur, the
Rusty Virgin (Creme de Banana,
Creme d'Almond, rum and orange
juice and the infamous "Charles W.W.
Framis Memorial Cocktail."
Both the drink and Framis were
probably invented by a bored barten-
der, Skinner said. "It's a, novelty drink;
people will buy it just to see what it is.'
Actually, the Framis cocktail is the
most expensive drink on Flood's menu.:
For $3.50, the adventurous imbiber gets'
a concoction of two rums, apple brandy,-
cream and grenadine blended and ser-
ved in a brandy snifter.
"It looks really nice," Skinner said
"But I don't like it - too sweet."
ALFRED KESLER, 79, has been
coming to Flood's "pretty near every
day" since the bar opened in May, 1969.
That practice, however, is ending,
according to Kesler.
"I ain't coming here no more. They
raised the price of beer five cents," he
grumbled.
But the price of beer has risen more
than five cents in the eight years Kesler
has frequented Mr. Flood's, and co-
manager Kevin Skinner reassures,
"He'll be back."
NESTLED ON W. Liberty St. among
other taverns and small restaurants in
the Main Street area "bar district,"
Mr. F'lood's flaunts a split personality
which sets it apart from many of its
neighbors. By day, the sun's rays shine
through ;the plate glass windows and
light the far, dark corners. Each of the
nearly three dozen Tiffany lamps is lit
to accentuate a collection of antiques
cluttering the walls and ceiling.
"It's a relaxed place to come," said
Scott Cooper, a newcomer to Ann Ar-
bor. In the few weeks since he had
arrived in town, Cooper admits he has
already become a Flood's regular.
It's not a typical dark bar during the
day, manager Skinner says. "We sell a
lot of food during the day; we get a pret-
ty big lunch crowd.
"I like it during the day," he added.
"It's nice and quiet and clean."
BUT WHEN the sun goes down, Mr.
Flood's other personality emerges. A
bluegrass, blues or rock group - not
necessarily well-known - mounts the
small elevated stage as the lights begin
to dim. The peanut shells again crackle
on the floor and the walls shake from
people "getting down."
"People know they can come here
and hoot and holler and not have to shut
up,"said Skinner. "We keep it dark at
night because it lets people feel like
they can party."
Mr. Flood's .does not cater to a
specific clientele. Its relaxed ambience
brings in all kinds.
"This 'bar can apea to everyone,"
noted Skinner. s olks come in
on Friday aftetpoo% ,The hippies and
truck drivers mix here."
ONE GLANCE at the decor confirms
that crowds can find a relaxed retreat
a't Flood's. A five-foot high carved
wooden - statue of St. Francis or St.
Jerome ("Some people tell me it's one,
some say it's the other," said Skinner)
stands on a pedestal near one wall with
names and initials. irreverently carved
into its feet. Two of St. Francis' (or St.
Jerome's) fingers are missing, but are
sometimes replaced by cigarettes or
cigars donated by patrons.
Flood's interior is decorated with an-
tiques from the collection of Ned Duke,
the bar's owner. Its walls are lined with
oval framed lithographs depicting a
selection of unknown people. Old ad-
vertisements and tattered American
flags with fewer than 50 stars are there,
too. On one side of the room spins a
cheerful, candy-striped barber pole.
Two moose heads glare at each other
from opposite walls.
Mr. Flood himself, the tavern's
pamesake, is a somewhat mythical fel-
low. The character's taken from an old
poem by Edwin Robinson. The poem
tells of a hermit by the name of Eben
Flood who bragged of the days when he
celebrated with his friends in a neigh-
boring town - an event which became
famous as "Mr. Flood's Party."
: i
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (AP) - The
Duchess, a Kerry Blue terrier be-
longing to Ed McKay, a physical
therapist, is an accomplished pianist-
singer. She even has her own baby
grand piano, bought especially for
her by her master.
Sitting on the bench, she ripples the
keys in an original arpeggio and
lifting her head, fills the room with
song - one of her very own Celtic
compositions.
The six-year .-old prodigy first
displayed her natural talent several
years ago.
CORRECTION 3MASON
RR AT YOUR
E RE CAMPUS STORE
NOW ALSO AVAILABLE IN BROWN, RED, BLUE & GREEN
Doily Photo by ALAN BILINSKY
A Tiffany lamp illuminates the long bar at Mr. Flood's Party, where spirits wax and wane with the sun.
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