0 8B - The Michigan Daily - Weekend Magazie - Thursday, October 17, 2002 The Michigan Daily - Weekend Magazine - Off the beaten path Your guide to getting off campus for food and music Daily Arts Writers A sk most any University student about a good place to get food and hear music in Ann Arbor and you will most likely be told to check out The Ark, The Bird of Paradise or The Blind Pig. Unbeknownest to most students, Ann Arbor is home to a wide range of restaurants and bars that feature music on a regular basis. The music scenes at these venues vary from jazz to folk and everything in between. We've done the hard work for you and reviewed some of the lesser known off-campus bars and restaurants that feature music. The atmosphere of the Del Rio is best described as eclectic. At first glance the Del Rio appears to be decorated in the fashion of a local old-style tavern - with dim lighting, raw brick walls and a bar that stretches the length of the small restaurant. However, upon further examination, one sees the little idiosyncrasies that make this place unique; church pews that serve as benches, artwork that seems to have no relevance at all and a menu that ranges from typical offerings such as nachos and pizza (according to a waitress, the "best-kept secret in town") to homemade tempeh chili. Even the ethnic name, the "Del Rio" seems to have been chosen at random, as the most Mexican aspect of the whole place is per- haps the nachos.= The Del Rio offers ; evening music ona Sunday from 6 to 9 p.m. and Tuesday from 5 to 7 p.m. There is never any cover for the , featured Sunday night° jazz or the Tuesday night "acoustic" sets. Located at 122 West Washington St., the Del Rio offers a wide range of music. While jazz is usually featured on Sundays (with a fairly regular set of rotating bands), the Tuesday - night acoustic features have ranged in the past from folk to classical to fla- menco.T The wide range in* the menu and music The Old Town Tavern Is loca offerings are, if any- thing, representative of the wide range of cus- tomers that come to enjoy themselves and the music at the Del Rio. The customers are usual- ly an eclectic mix of townies and students. No matter who you are, and what kind of music you may enjoy, there is "something for every- one at least one time a month," a waitress at the restaurant'said. The Del Rio is a great option for those seeking to hear live music in a comfortable atmosphere, and who appreciate good drinks and very afford- able food. Be forewarned, however, the music is loud and is not conducive to conversation. This is a great place to come with friends if you are just looking to kick-back on a Sunday or Tuesday and hear some tunes. Music listings are available in The Current, a free local event listing available in campus buildings and coffee shops. For the past 15 years, local folk musicians have made their way to the family-owned Old Town Tavern every Sunday night to play music of the folk and bluegrass genre. Starting at 8 p.m. and often lasting well-beyond the designated 10 p.m. ending time, the Old Town Tavern plays host to folk and acoustic music offerings. Performers have been known to include Charlie Weaver, Jay Steiltra, Jim Roll, Chris Buhalis and Rollie Tussing III - all well-known in Ann Arbor's local folk scene. While the Old Town has a rotating list of local bands, new bands also play here. Often times after playing at the Ark, . musicians are sent to the Old Town on a Sunday evening to play a couple of sets, said Liz Davis, the self-described "man- ager for 1,000 years." A Tavern since 1867, thus making the it one of the oldest bars still running in RYAN WEINER/Daily teaeteOdTw ed at 122 W. Liberty St the area, the Old Town offers a neighborhood feel where "most of the staff, just like the regulars, haven't changed much," Davis said. The Sunday night crowd of regulars is a mix of musicians and locals, most of whom know each other from years past. The student faction is small, and you are more likely to find grad students here than under- grads. Although the Old Town certainly plays host to a number of regulars, newcomers alike are wel- comed, "I fight to maintain an atmosphere where lots of people feel welcome," says Davis. Favorite dishes in the Tavern include the que- sadillas, burgers and ribs. The beers on tap are JESSICA YURASEK/Daily Patrons relax at Conor O'Neils, located at 318 S. Main St. Michigan beers, with the favorite being Bells, brewed out of Kalamazoo. However, Davis is quick to point out that "good old-fashioned American Beers are holding their-own against Bell's." The Old Town has been compared in the past to the closest place to Cheers you can find in Ann Arbor. This is a place where after playing a set, band members will often walk around and chat with the audience. If you enjoy folk music and the feel of a well- established neighborhood bar, the Old Town is the place to go. The Old Town is located at 122 West Liberty St. Prices are affordable and music listings are available in The Current. The evening music available at the Kerrytown Bistro is not meant to be the main feature for din- ers. This is strikingly apparent when you walk into the Bistro to find the musical talent set up direct- ly in front of you, looking rather crammed in next to the host's booth. Aesthetic appeal of the music set-up aside, (or rather, lack-there-of) the mix of quiet jazz and romantic guitar playing is quite effective as what it is meant to be - background music for customers who seek a quiet, romantic evening. A romantic evening at the Kerrytown Bistro is almost unavoidable; with luscious meals that appeal to taste, smell and sight, as well as a warm, picturesque atmosphere with dim lighting, intimate candle-lit tables, open-brick walls and beautiful hardwood floors. The Kerrytown Bistro boasts both- aesthetic and saporific appeal. On Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, it delightfully appeals to the auditory senses as well. Though the manager, Stephen Kasle, claims that the Kerrytown Bistro attracts an "eclectic" crowd,,this is a place where you can imagine find- ing your Romantic Literature prof. out to an anniversary dinner with his or her spouse (not that we did or anything). The crowd here is older and well, richer. Unless your budget allows for entrees on up from $17 (for the stuffed squash) to $32 (for the rack of lamb, which, incidentally is supposed to be fantastic) you had better plan on sticking to the salads and appetizers. Plates may, however, be split at no extra charge. The music featured is that of guitarists John Harris-Behling and Jake Reichbart. Harris-Behling, a School of Music grad student, usually covers Tuesday evenings while Jake Reichbart, a profes- sional musician, covers Wednesdays. The music was originally started to attract more customers on the slowest nights of the week. While manager Stephen Kasle claims that sometimes there are so many peo- ple you can hardly hear the music, last Tuesday there were only about four tables occupied in the entire restaurant (out of an estimated twenty or so). Whether a full-house appeals to you or not, if you are looking for mood-setting music to accompany a quiet, romantic evening (and want to impress your date... a lot) the Kerrytown Bistro on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening is the place. Conour t'Nei~s Those interested in experiencing a truly authentic Irish pub need go no further than Main Street to get a real taste of the emerald isle. Conor O'Neill's brings the distinct feel of an Irish pub right to down- town Ann Arbor, from its traditional decor to its friendly, relaxed atmosphere. See VENUES, Page :IB at John Harrs-Behling, a University Music grad student, plays at The Kerrytown Bistro.