Page 8-The Michigan Daily/New Student Edition -Thursday, September 6, 1990
Local nightlife: a plethora of
places to paint the town red
by Mike Gill
Daily Staff Writer
Bars are as synonymous with col-
lege students as apple pie is with
Americana. But in Ann Arbor's ev-
erchanging bar scene, new students
may have to wait awhile before they
can experience what local watering
holes have to offer - quite a lot,
and quite a variety.
In the past year, Ann Arbor bars
have cracked down - making it
tougher for students under the ages
of 19 and 21 to enter their estab-
lishments.
While some bars, most notably
Charley's on South University and
Dooley's on Maynard used to allow
18 year olds to patronize their estab-
lishments, in the past year the two
hangouts raised admittance age to
19.
Michigan law does not permit
consumption of alcoholic beverages
until your 21st birthday.
Attempting to circumvent this
law with fake identification is not a
good idea either. Awareness of
phony ID's and cooperation between
night club management and Ann Ar-
bor police is on the rise. Punish-
ments for using a fake identification
range from a quick boot out the door
and loss of the bogus license, to a
stiff fine and a trip to court.
Last year, Ann Arbor police cir-
culated a memo to local bars warn-
ing them about phony Ohio driver's
licences habitually appearing around
town. A few days later, two Bursley
students were arrested for manufac-
turing fake ID's.
The bars most undergraduate stu-
dents enjoy frequenting are in two
areas: the Maynard/Liberty area,
which houses Dooley's and the Nec-
tarine Ballroom, and the Church
Street/South University intersection,
home to Rick's American Cafe,
Good Time Charley's, and
O'Sullivan's Eatery and Pub.
O'Sullivan's is the newest of
Ann Arbor's hangouts. Just opened
last year, Sully's has become one of
the most appetizing places to spend
an evening in Ann Arbor. It is
small, warm bar with an Irish feel
- including street signs from Ire-
land, bookshelves and Irish poems
on the wall.
O'Sullivan's serves food as well
as liquor. A safe bet is Friday's All-
You-Can-Eat Fish (perch), served
with french fries and a delicious
coleslaw for a mere $4.50. The only
drawback to O'Sullivan's is the ser-
vice that drags at times. Make sure
to visit on St. Patrick's Day.
Twenty-one and over after nine.
(Three stars).
CHARLEY'S closed its upstairs
last year, which eliminated dancing
at this venue. However, Charley's
jukebox, with a panoply of compact
discs to choose from, is the best in
town.
Charley's scores in popularity
with fraternities and sororities mak-
ing it likely to hear enough New
Jersey and New York accents to
cause you to mistake your surround-
ings for Long Island. Prices are rea-
sonable, service is good, and newly
married manger D.J. Resch is an af-
fable host.
On the down side, the same faces
can become tiring and the lines to
get in, especially on Thursdays, can
be too long. Pretty good food and
specials too.
Nineteen and over at night.
(Three Stars)
Wednesdays at RICK'S are le-
gendary in Ann Arbor. Why? It's
two-dollar-pitcher night. Unfortu-
nately, the long lines waiting to take
advantage of the special prices are
just as legendary. There is a small
cover change to see bands perform.
Nights at Rick's are spent playing
darts, pool, pop-a-shot, and, of
course, guzzling cheap beer.
Expect to have a good time, but
dress lightly. Rick's is in the base-
ment of 611 Church Street and,
when it's filled, the sweat won't
flowing.
Nineteen and over. (Three and 1/4
stars unless packed, hot, and smelly,
which is often - then 2 and a 1/4
stars.)
DOOLEY'S used to be the place
to hang out in your first year -
probably because of their lackadaisi-
cal governance of the state's alcohol
laws. It was also known as the jock
hangout as many varsity athletic
teams receive VIP cards that admit
them and a guest for free - without
having to wait in line.
Now, Dooley's is a place with a
bad reputation. Constantly under in-
vestigation by the State Liquor Con-
trol Commission, Dooley's was
once ordered closed for 45 days due
to rules violations. This spring, a
man was killed outside Dooley's in
an incident which began in Dooley's
and involved underage drinking.
The bouncers here can be brutal.
Expect to see a fight- in addition
to sports on the television. Dooley's
best days are behind it.
The word on the street is that
Dooley's owners plans to revamp
their establishment to draw a more
upscale crowd. It's up to you see if
it happens or not.
Ironically enough, the building
which houses this Irish bar used to
be a funeral parlor.
Nineteen and over. (1/2 star.)
T HE. N E C T A R I N E
BALLROOM is also near Dooley's.
If you want to dance, this is your
place. The Nec offers three predomi-
nantly gay nights. However, the gar-
ish dance lights make the Nectarine
an overpriced, impersonal excuse for
a bar. There is no atmosphere. There
are high prices. 19 and over. (No
stars.)
Other places to consider:
THE U-CLUB offers a variety of
activities. Housed in the Michigan
Union, it is the private club for
Michigan students, staff, faculty and
and their guests. Happy hours are
quiet and affordable. If you enjoy do-
ing homework over beer in the after-
noon, the U-Club is for you.
Various University clubs also
sponsor events held in the U-Club.
A favorite is Wednesday night's
LaughTrax, which features student
comedians and a professional recant-
ing of life's off-the-wall experiences.
Prices are sure not to knock you out.
Admission is $3, pitchers of beer
$2, and shots of wild turkey go for
50 cents.
Must have student ID and be 18
or over for admittance. (Two-and 3/4
stars except Wednesday. Four stars
on Wednesday.)
DOMINICK'S offers a different
feel than any other campus estab-
lishment. It's best in the fall and
spring when the weather permits you
to sit outside on the second floor
deck.
There are no great bargains, but
Dominick's presents good food,
Daiquiris and Margaritas. A great
;lace to play cards on a Friday after-
STEVEN SZUCH/Daity
Quality Bar is often referred to as Yuppieville. Quality Bar is often referred to as expensive. Quality Bar only allows
those over twenty-one on its roof. Maybe Quality will be worth going to by the time you're seniors.
noon.
Open admittance. (Two-and 3/4
stars).
UNO'S on South University fea-
tures daily drink specials, but does
not garner the large crowds other
South University establishments
seem to bring their doors. Uno's
serves complimentary popcorn to
keep you craving more drinks, but
its pretty bad popcorn.
Twenty-one and over. (Two
stars.)
A S H L EY'S, located on State
Street, caters mainly to an older
crowd, but it's quaint size, cozy feel-
ing, and friendly atmosphere make it
worth a stop. If you want to try dif-
ferent beers, they probably have
some you never heard of.
Open admittance. (Three stars.)
See BARS, Page 12
Ypsilantl's bars offer
night-life alternatives
Eastern Michigan knows how to have fun
by Jeff Sheran
Daily Staff Writer
Perhaps the bleakest realization
facing a new student in Ann Arbor is
the scarcity of bars to choose from.
The city offers three main water-
ing holes -- namely, Charley's,
Rick's and Dooley's. Each has draw-
backs, however, that prevent it from
becoming the great sit-down Ann
Arbor bar for which many students
long.
But there is such a haven for lost
libators. Enter the panoply of bars
Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor's sister city,
and home of Eastern Michigan Uni-
versity, has to offer.
The WOODEN NICKEL is a
sibol-and-bench*watering hole that
offers students the three most impor-
tant elements in a bar: cheap beer,
careless bouncers and a relaxed atmo-
sphere. Thirsty patrons can find a
drink special any night of the week,
including Thursday's Big Beer#
Night. In fact, with 32 oz. glasses,
make that Really Big Beer Night.
The place is packed with people
out to have a good time, not just to
make cameo social appearances.
With so many good-natured people
the maximum enjoyment potential
is twice that of Ann Arbor bars.
The Nickel's disc jockey will
play any request he's given, provided
it's on one of the dozen albums he*
owns, and the bouncers have a ten-
dency to stamp anyone relatively
close to 21.
Several blocks away stands
THEO-DOOR'S, the Ypsi version
of Studio 54. Theo's comes com-
plete with a substantial cover charge,
dressy attire, and pumping house
music. It's not the best place to
drink, but those who frequent Theo's
are friendly, making it a good place
to meet new people.
The SPAGHETTI BENDER,
otherwise known as Tommy's, is
always known for Monday night's
rotating food and drink specials. The
Bender also features ping-pong,
foosball, USA vs. USSR hockey,
pop-a-shot, video games, pool ta-
bles, and a large dance floor.
The only establishment with'@
more games than the Bender is
CUBS AC, located inside Colonial
Lanes on South Industrial Road. It's
the best sport's bar in the Ann Arbor
area.
Cubs AC broadcasts a plethora of
sporting events on its more than 40
television screens, one of then the
bigger than Tiger Stadium's score-
board. Inevitably, it's East coast.
See YPSI, Page 14
Looking at these photos you might you suspect the Tosti company has a monopoly on umbrella production.
Charley's, shown here, often has more people frequenting it.
Ui
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