0 0 -W Page 22-E-Thursday, September 10, 1981-The Michigan Daily The Michigan Daily-Thursday, Se WHERE THE LIQUOR FLOWS Bending the elbow in Perusing our local bars Bars have something for everyone, rowdy to refined (Continued from Page 3) charge for most nights is in the $1.50- $2.50 range, quite a bit less than average Second Chance fares, but the drinks are relatively expensive. Impor- tant: Keep track of the nightly specials, and take advantage of the happy hour before 8 p.m. Rick's also serves food-predominantly Mexican-which is fine, if you have the bucks. The Rubaiyat is probably the best (read: almost the only) dance venue in Ann Arbor. Unfortunately, it sticks to a narrow perception of dance music- popular disco - pretty rigidly, but the sound system is good and the dance floor is relatively big. The nicest aspect of this bar is that the place is laid out so that the music is concentrated on the dance floor, allowing reasonable levels of conversation in the surrounding booths. Another plus is the interesting mix of races and sexual preferences of the clientele. Second Chance (516 E. 141wrty) This is Ann Arbor's premiere rock- and-roll nightclub. Every night that this club is open, live music emanates from its expansive, elevated stage. The dan- ce floor is also large, providing pogo space for many couples. The seating layout is one of the most attractive RENTAL REFRIGEF TOR Lj features at Second Chance. In addition to the first floor, which contains a few dozen tables, the stage, dance floor, and a bar, there are two balconies with more tables, bars, and long counters overlooking the stage. So if you're not up 1to dancing, and you'd like to ap- preciate the riual aspects of a given band, you can arm yourself with a pit- cher of beer and watch from above, away from the commotion. Prices are high, when you include the cover charge; so visits to Second Chance tend to be special, once-in-a-while occasions, rather than weekend routines. But if you have the necessary $10 or so, and desire a thorough rock fix, Second Chance will usually deliver. Special concerts should be checked out, too. .tar liar (109 N A,1tiin) Although it is not exactly a hotbed of student recreation, the Star is nonetheless an active establishment. It shares playing host to Ann Arbor's bands with Rick's and The Blind Pig, among others, and often features less known, more offbeat ensembles. Walking to the Star from campus takes a healthy chunk of time, but the trip downtown should be encouraged anyway. The Star Bar is quite plain, visually, compared to its eccentric competitors uptown, but it is a bar that doesn't seem to regard appearance as the end-all for success. Instead, its unique calendar of live shows and its loyal, generally non-student, clientele seem to suffice. And rumor has it that the Star will be serving food this fall, as well. Villug Bel (1321 S. I airersiy) Recent years have been rather biz- zare for the V-Bell, and the once-hectic center has undergone some mysterious changes. Just when everything ap- peared hunky-dory here, the bottom floor - which formerly accommodated hundreds of festive partiers on most nights - was leased out as a Japanese restaurant. "How strange," the cust- omers thought (many of them students, many of them Greek), and then im- mediately took their business down the street to Good Time Charley's, a newcomer. Upstairs,. the format remained: Food service (highlighting burgers, other sandwiches), collegiate decor, and a quiet atmosphere. We., the Misato Japanese restaurant failed and moved out, and today the down- stairs has returned to its original form. The approach here is simple: there are few frills, just a roomful of tables and a well stocked bar. But on a good night, the simplicity of the V-Bell makes it a fun place to get twisted and rowdy. Don't wait for a little birdie to tell ' a"'SUBSCRIBE TO THE MICHIGAN DAILY Daily Photo by PAUL ENGSTROM For a little diversion .,. + CIPS for a day Popular pastimes may come and go, but bar-hopping remains a fairly con- stant favorite among college students. With more than a dozen local watering holes vying for the student trade, drinking here is big business. The following is a brief review of the most popular spots in the area. The Blind Pig A popular downtown night club, the Blind Pig's basement features live local entertainment four nights a week, and the unique, quasi-European decor makes the listening and partying quite special. Upstairs, guests can enjoy a glass-and-plant-lined patio while im- bibing, or while partaking of the soup, salad, and sandwich menu. Prices are about average for this town, (read: somewhat steep). But unlike many of the other local taverns that attract students, the Bling Pig is remarkably void of pretensions and hype; its presence in Ann Arbor is subtle, low- key. Clearly, that was the plan. Del Rio (122 Washington .i.) A small, quiet place as Ann Arbor bars go, The Del Rio often invites the adjective "cozy." A popular spot among grad students and townspeople, the bar has the dedicated sort of clien- tele that go again and again. Among its virtues are reasonable prices, com- parative safety and peace of mind, ready availability of food, and an enormous selection of jazz and light rock casettes. There is, however, no dancing; the bar is definitely for ,the sippin'-and-talkin' evenings. Dominick's (812 Monroe) It's located in an unusual place, this Dominick's, off the beaten path (just south of the Law Quad). Like the Village Bell, Dominick's is divided into two distinct units. Food is served up- stairs - good, expensive food; and the downstairs is geared toward beverages. Although alcohol is a popular attraction, coffee seems to be equally in demand in this conspicuously- academic tavern, said to be a popular gathering place for graduate students. Among the advantages of drinking here is the patio overlooking the newly-build law library. The atmosphere at Dominick's is refreshingly serene, with many patrons scouring the New York Times rather than singing fight songs; a round of brews here can provide some much-deseved peace of mind. Dominick's is also renowned for ser- ving beer in Ball jars. Just why they do this is anybody's guess, but nobody seems to mind. Doolev's (310 Maynard) Located in the shadows of the massive parking structure, Dooley's is one of the most active, popular watering holes around campus. The split-level interior can accommodate an army of thirsty students, and usually does just that six nights a week. Watch out, though. Drink prices{ here tend to be somewhat ahead of their time, so you have to closely observe the drink specials which make a well-rounded night of elbow-bending affordable. Dooley's is especially chaotic (and enjoyable) during the football season, when it seems to overflow with Maize and Blue, good old fashioned school spirit. There is a huge television screen in the center of action (and a smaller one upstairs), which makes for op- timum viewing of the World Series, Monday Night Football, or the ever- present ESPN generic sports. All good Michigan students should drink-or spill-a beer at Dooley's at least once. For some, once will be enough, but for many others, this is the place to be. Good Time Charlev's Bar anid Grill (I 140 S. U17nirersity) This elaborate tavern opened just two years ago, along with its upstairs sibling, The Count of Antipasto. Charley's ~was designed with alcohol- thirsty college students in mind, and has succeeded in gaining a substantial clientele. The dominant colors of this bar are green and black - a slightly uneasy combination to view on a full stomach; the bar is circular and sits below a huge mirror- also a bit unset- tling. Lush clusters of 4-foot Saguro plants line the tavern, which is usually ringing with jukebox singles and video game explosions. Charley's inherited the abandoned Village Bell crowd, so we'll see what happens when the two compete this fall, now that the V-Bell is back. While many students enjoy Charley's, others pride themselves on avoiding it. King's Arnim Pub (118 JWashaingtona) This is a pleasant little place which adjoins Bimbo's downtown. It's hard to say whether the King's Arms aspires to be a student hangout; but for now, its clientele consists primarily of off-hour Payne-Weber and National Bank and Trust executives, and the like. You can get a reasonably priced bottle of beer or an exotic brand if you like, along with some munchies. And if you're so in- clined, the pub offers a change to play a. game of darts. The decor is relatively simple, which is another change of pace for this detail-obsessed city. All in all, the King's Arms Pub is an adequate place to bend an elbow, as part of a Friday night tavern tour, or as a mid- afternoon break in the action. But don't expect to center a wild and crazy night of drinking around this pub; its owners surely don't intend for it to play that role. Old To-n (122 W. Liberty) Ahh, a sane tavern on the Old West Side. Amid the frenzied and confused bar scene in this fair city, Old Town sits quietly at the corner of Liberty and Ashley, and offers an oasis of con- sistency to local residents. This rustic nightspot isn't exactly an undergrad hangout, but many people feel that adds to its appeal. Similar in tone to the nearby Del Rio, Old town is a fine place to go for drinks, peanuts, and auiet con- I versati this is should to the I fee). T the Old in this relief. A rel nightcl itself a place. discoth painful fever, renova a fairl place tc is, peri clubs.' genera dozen c many howeve bles fre bi-weel W 'ort $32.00 per academic year * Free Delivery and Pick-up + Guaranteed to work * 2 Cu. ft. units * 3 Cu. ft. units also' available G CONTACT: ANN ARBOR MUSIC MART 336 S. STATE STREET ANN ARBOR, MICH. AU~2~ I I I IIv AT THE ALL N D C I UofM 769-4980 I$ zW .Sinz 5*. A696w bil E. WILLIAM 1 BLOCK FROM STA'T COUPON GOOD ONLY DURING THE MON L - - - -~ . ..