01 Page 8-The Michigan Daily/New Student Edition - Thursday, September 5, 1991 Underaged don't have to pass all bars by Marc Beginin In addition to academics, many students are drawn to Michigan to fulfill the promise of an exciting social life. Ann Arbor's thriving bar scene has always attracted Uni- versity students and locals alike. However, when many of the most popular local bars raised the age of admittance from 19 to 21 during the past school year, there was a ques- tion of whether this would still be the case for the many students under the age of 21. A fear of isolation to dormito- ries, libraries, and ice cream parlors gripped the underclass community. Many of us knew that we would always have dorm get-togethers, as well as house and fraternity parties to fill this social vacuum. But what about the live and loud music, obnoxious dancing, gaudy dress, greasy appetizers, and the permeating beer and cigarette stench that only a bar atmosphere can fur- nish? Could we forego all this "culture" and still have a fulfilling college experience? Probably. However, choice is the key word here. Although many of the "main- stream" popular bars, especially in the South University district, have ceded our patronage, there are still many viable, exciting, and often pre- ferred alternatives. For example, Ashley's on South State Street, once aspeaceful and se- cluded hide-away, has recently opened up its basement with full bar and live music to the public. Its quaint size and charm easily rival the pretension of its mainstream competitors. Since its revamping, Ashley's has attained a loyal fol- lowing and is great for a group of two to 20 to enjoy a quiet personal atmosphere or a fast-paced social gathering. Better make it to Dominick's while the weather permits. Located on Monroe across from the Law Quad, 80 percent of the seats in this establishment are located outside. A favorite during spring, summer, and early fall, Dominick's offers good food, drink, and comfortable ac- commodations for 80 of your clos- est friends. A great place to hang out before a night on the town, Do- minick's is usually most popular in the afternoon and early evening. If you're into entertainment, The Blind Pig, located on First Street, is a must. A variety of live music upstairs is enhanced by a plethora of activities on the lower level including pool, darts, pinball and video games. PASS-TV dis- played on large screen televisions makes the Blind Pig a great location to enjoy sporting events. However, you must be at least 19-years-old to gain entrance and a varying cover charge accompanies entertainment on the upper level. If you enjoy a club atmosphere, dancing, and an alternative crowd, The Nectarine Ballroom on Lib- erty Street may be for you. The jury is still out as to what type of estab- lishment the Nectarine will be- come, as it closed for remodeling this summer. Formerly a dance club known throughout campus for its designated gay nights, the club will still probably have an emphasis on dancing to alternative music. The Nectarine Ballroom probably will continue to attract the most diverse clientele from within and without the University. How about partying on campus? The U-Club, a private club for Uni- versity students, staff, faculty and their guests located on the second floor of the Michigan Union, hosts a variety of entertainment from dif- ferent organizations on campus. For example, the University Activities Center (UAC) features Laughtrack, a student-run comedy extravaganza featuring a headline comedian each show, and rock and alternative mu- sic from Sound Stage. House music night on Fridays is one of its most popular evenings. However, the U-Club recently modified its drinking policy. In- stead of serving alcohol from 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m., alcohol will only be served from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. This may make no difference to those who don't drink and/or are underage, but the impact of the new policy is bound to curb at least some busi- ness. Don't forget: Ann Arbor is less than a ten-minute drive away from Ypsilanti, the home of Eastern Michigan University. Bars such as Tommy's, located in the Spaghetti Bender's back room on Washing- ton Street, offer an escape from Ann Arbor's increasingly militant atti- You better believe these two hip cats are 21. That's because they're on the patio of Charley's, one of several campus bars to close its doors to underaged customers. r. VOGUE Continued from page 7 that funky Guatemalan thang, Ann Arbor is definitely a mecca for new bohemian attire. And the first number to call for the latest and greatest in tiedye and harem pants is 995-DEAD. Guts frisbee champion of the world and In Flight co-owner Pad Timmons said those last four digits sum up the philosophy of the store. "Our philosophy is no-pressure sales. We try to make everybody feel comfortable in the store. We always say hi, how ya doin', smile, and let them look around, and don't follow them. And we always play Grateful Dead music," Timmons said with a smile. Flying high above State Street, this second-floor oasis doesn't have as wide a variety of skirts and pants as some other import stores in the city, but it more than compensates with specialty items, most uniquely, its made-from-hemp clothing brand Stoned Wear. It also carries the city's widest variety of Dead paraphernalia, from T-shirts to stickers to patches to stuffed dancing bears. Jewelry, hackeysacks, frisbees, patchouli, and bubbles round out the inventory of this deadicatedly ramblin' and rosey tour stop. While Collected Works also dabbles in southern hemisphere fashions, if it's authentic Latin American camisetas that you desire, Orchid Lane runs all the way to the border and back, bringing mer- chandise from their own Ecuadorian co-op to two Ann Arbor stores. "I have had women come in here infuriated because they found out the South American worker was only paid 50 cents for the $500 Anne Klein dress they just bought," said storeowner Nancy Elias. "We're bringing clothing directly from craftspeople to Ann Arbor." A headquarters for large, loft- beautifying tapestries as well as wooly, parka-weight sweaters in the fall, and the hot spot for sundresses and batik t-shirts in the spring, Or- chid Lane charges you a price worth paying for clothing with real old. tudes and policies regarding under- 2lers. Monday, its most popular evening, is Greek night and coveris reduced to $2 for members of fra- ternities and sororities. Three pool tables, a pop-a-shot, and a multitude of other games offer a breather from vivacious dancing and partying. The Cross Street Station and Theo-Door's, both located o Cross Street in Ypsilanti, are two exciting getaways from the Ann Arbor bar scene. Theodore-Doo's offers a "main-stream" environ- ment, with dancing and high cover charges on popular nights. The Cross Street Station extends a com- fortable and friendly atmosphere, with little, if any, pretension, while featuring local bands and entertain- ers. What? You have a dependable car and you're nineteen? Well, what's stopping you - go to Canada, eh? Windsor is a mere 45-minute drive from Ann Arbor, and, as you rtiay know, the drinking age on the other side of the border is nineteen. The feeling of freedom when crossing See BARS, Page 9 YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE YOUR CLOTHES OFF TO HAVE A GOOD TIME... "It's just as important to look good underneath as it is on top," said Linda Liechty, owner of the Van Buren lingerie store on State St. While its window displays have delighted shoppers for more than 63 years, showing off what some say is the world's largest collection of* green teddies on St. Patrick's Day, the shop continues to provide stu- dents with bras and tap pants and robes, oh my. Liechty failed to mention a definitive price range for her un- mentionables, but she did comment that she is continually amazed by the prices students will pay for that special something to impress that special someone. However, if you find silks and satins a little too slippery and opt for a more breathable cotton blend, a return trip to Urban is in order. TO SHOP WHERE FEW STUDENTS HAVE SHOPPED BEFORE... And at the end of any great ad- venture lies a frontier. In this case, you may choose to travel to the out- skirts of campus and visit Ayla on Main Street. Although store owner Narmeen Sesi admitted that Ayla "caters more towards the professional woman than students," she said that students occasionally tour through the shop to view outfits otherwise only sold on Fifth Avenue and Rodeo Drive. And while the names on the* clothes at Patricia Miles may not turn heads in Milan, this store, oth- erwise renowned for its Christmas tree dress, also carries high-priced, one-of-a-kind fashion statements. FROM ONE MATERIAL WOMAN TO ANOTHER... Ann Arbor stores have style, they have grace, but they make this campus an expensive place Urban, In Flight, Ayla too, if you have credit, they'll love you. Prices with an attitude, students that are in the mood - Check your wallet - if you can do it - shop Ann Arbor, there's nothing to it. The Michigan Daily 0 m m