Week of 4/12/2009

"I often think that the night is more alive and more richly colored than the day" - Vincent Van Gogh

Photo by Gavin Clabaugh, Copyright 2008

Ann Arbor after nightfall, the bums lurk and the whores jerk, unsettled souls go out searching for something more than they can get from 200+ channels; they are searching for a venue, a band, a club, a scene. They come together in hoards, zombies of the night looking for an experience, only available to those who read this insider's guide to A2.

To some Ann Arbor may seem a bore, a small little college town with not much more to do than beer pong. To others it may be a cultural melting pot, with strong ties to the university and an abundance of diverse people and opportunities. A lot of people talk about the university, art, culture, or that in the 1960's it was the place ... well Tommy Chong says it best where "the universe meant something". 

To those wiping the sleep out of their eyes as the sun sets, Ann Arbor is awake and full of bars (and pizza!).

TODAY'S PARTY GIRL

Claire E. Broderick a hair dresser by trade at Orbit Hair Design, spends most nights out on the town. "At one of the bars I go to they call me a fixture" she says, her and a close friend visit the 8 Ball Saloon on the corner of First and Washington so often that the bar staff say that the two blend in with the pool tables and dart boards.

Claire at Colonial Lanes Bowling Alley 4/12/2009

Claire grew-up not far from the 8 Ball Saloon/Blind Pig and is happy to be able to drink in an Ann Arbor establishment, "this place has been around forever" she says, "It's part of Ann Arbor's rock n' roll history".

Claire likes visiting the 8 Ball Saloon/Blind Pig best, but also likes the Arena and Ashley's. She likes to think of her self as a girl-around-town, and has many friends at all the different venues. Her favorite place to start an evening is Knights Restaurant, on Jackson Rd., because of their stiff Long Island Ice Teas. Then she likes to go somewhere to shove some quarters in a jukebox, and belt out "The Number of the Beast" by Iron Maiden at the top of her lungs. Her most embarrassing moment, "I've had a few" she remarks, but falling off a stool at the old Full Moon (currently the Monkey Bar) in front of a police officer is close to the top.

After a long night of partying Claire likes to order Bell's Pizza, where she can get them to deliver an X-Large cheese pizza and a side of chicken wings in less than an hour. "Ordering Bell's is a tradition, I used to live downtown and order it all the time, now since I live in Ypsilanti I am excited to have Bell's when I visit friends, Ypsi pizza just isn't the same", or open as late; Bell's is one of a few Ann Arbor pizzerias that delivers till 4 a.m. 

Stay tuned next week for more bizarre bar stories and people ...