OT-RIP Mitch's Place
The Michigan Daily is reporting that Mitch's Place on South U abruptly closed for good last night because of money issues and the recession.
Mitch's was kind of trashy and I don't think it was anybody's favorite bar in Ann Arbor (or even on South U), but nonetheless who among us can't say that some nights we just randomly ended up at Mitch's?
I, for one, know that I'll miss their cheapish drinks and strange location. And hopefully Packard Pub ends up being a good bar when it opens.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:57 PM ^
i kinda liked mitches cause you can play beer pong there!!
February 9th, 2010 at 2:16 PM ^
I took for granted how good we had it in the 90's.
Touchdowns, Scorekeepers, Mitch's, and Rick's were all fairly popular.
Mitch's (original location) was my always my favorite. Had some good times in that place.
Where do the students go now? B-Dubs? Horrible.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:32 PM ^
Pipe down, you old fart!
Unfortunately I've gotta agree, most of the bars are pretty shitty. Skeeps, Rick's, Mitch's...one night at each of those places was enough.
I graduated 2 years ago and we'd really only go to the Jug. I will say I loved that place. Nothing like seeing the occasional football player there.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:40 PM ^
But:
Old Mitch's = one of the best college bars I've ever been to (I've been to a lot).
New Mitch's = the worst college bar I've ever been to.
Too bad.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:50 PM ^
Yeah, I'm agreeing with that.
Haven't been to the old one but my mom said it was awesome back in the day!
February 9th, 2010 at 4:45 PM ^
Old Mitch's was one of the best. Especially with dollar pitchers on Monday and Wednesday. I remember the line wrapping around the building.
February 9th, 2010 at 3:32 PM ^
probably could use some updating to enhance their image. I went in there last year after a hoops game and it looked exactly the same as it did 15 years ago.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:02 PM ^
Mitch's was far and away my favorite bar back then too. I graduated in '96, so I guess that makes me an old fart too. For me and my B-School buddies, we watched Seinfeld and then ran to Mitch's so we could try to beat the line on Thursday nights. Back then you could go to Mitch's and actually see Mitch and his wife! Don't know how long he kept doing that. I'll never forget doing shots of grappa with him one night. That guy was great, and so was his bar.
February 10th, 2010 at 8:04 PM ^
This was back in the day when bar owners knew each other, and it wasn't all competition...
February 9th, 2010 at 2:22 PM ^
I also spent most of my 21st bday there. (started at Charlie's) Spent more time in that bar than any other senior year.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:44 PM ^
When I was at M from 1996 to 2000, Mitch's was pretty fucking popular, actually. They had 1/2 of everything Thursdays, which was great.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:44 PM ^
When I was at M from 1996 to 2000, Mitch's was pretty fucking popular, actually. They had 1/2 of everything Thursdays, which was great.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:12 PM ^
Never visited new Mitch's but the old was was quite good. I remember when it opened. I also remember Bicycle Jim's before that.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:30 PM ^
When I was at UM (96-02), Old Mitch's was MY bar. Went there when I was 21. Half price Thursdays and get there before 9 to beat the cover. Knew all the bartenders. Waitresses knew our group-- 15 of us every Thursday like clockwork-- and our orders; she'd go around the table and name everybody's drink. Pitchers of Sam Adams for cheap, jukebox with good tunes (our group would play Margaritaville every Thursday night around 11:30-midnite and we were so hammered we would sing it but without words). Learned to play darts there and pool. My roommate Jeff the Flyin Hawaiian had his phone calls AND mail forwarded there our senior year. Sponsored the worst IM hockey team in the history of IM hockey, but still let us come stink and drink after the 2am games. Met my first serious girlfriend, lost my first serious girlfriend, got my future wife drunk off her ass. After the night, a quick Pita Pit hit to get a 75% off pita from one of the broomball guys working the counter. Not too Greek, although Theta Xi made Mitch's their bar, but hey, it's not like Theta Xi was a REAL fraternity anyway--- a bunch of normal guys from Troy and three New Yorkers thrown in for fun.
New Mitch's just wasn't the same... the location change killed it. But that's wy we leave college and get married and have kids, and get old. I'm sure the old timers said the same thing when the legendary Pretzel Bell closed down. I just dread that there won't be a non-trendy, non-Greek dominated, non-chain fod bar on campus anymore. I've always said that if do come back to campus as a Prof, I may just take the extra money on the side and open a campus dive bar just like Old Mitch's... I'm sure Jerry Sprague will still be playing.
February 10th, 2010 at 8:08 PM ^
You have perfectly encapsulated the ideal college bar experience. The memories of not just going to the bar, but having A bar engenders. Different years, different bars, but I can totally relate to what you're saying. It's not just a line from Cheers to go "where everybody knows your name...".
February 10th, 2010 at 8:17 PM ^
Wow, I wish that the end of my college experience can play out something like that. I know people who are planning on walking into Packard Pub when it opens and introducing themselves to the staff, so hopefully they'll be a good spot.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:49 PM ^
Never trust a bar with carpeting. Felt like I was drinking in an old office with a bar at the end.