Good restaurant/bar to watch the TA&M game in Ann Arbor?
I'm an alum who's flying to Ann Arbor tomorrow to speak at a recruiting event for my firm, and I will be having dinner with another alum to talk to him about possibly joining us. Naturally, we'd like a place with good food where we can watch the game but won't be so loud that we can't talk business. Though we've both been to A2 in recent years for football games, neither of us has lived there since the '80s. I'd really appreciate some recommendations. Thanks and GO BLUE!
Was this a joke?
Pretzel Bell downstairs will be raucous and loud, low lighting and packed:
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:29 AM ^
Best burger in AA
I am big fan of Wolverine Brewing Company. Great beer, great nachos, and the environment isn't overwhelming.
^^This. The pulled pork nachos are the best nachos in the history of ever. Plus, it's stumbling home distance for me.
Fraser’s is an option, but that’s a bit more townie / dive, but at least won’t be overrun with students (the burgers there are great too)
I love Frasers down on Packard. Get there early.
March 21st, 2018 at 10:06 PM ^
PItchers are cheap, TVs are large, and students are nowhere to be seen. For some, that's a successful recipe.
March 21st, 2018 at 11:20 PM ^
Frasers is definitely more of a townie/country-feeling dive bar rather than city-dive.
I go there all the time, it's got a vibe.
But if you're only in A2 for one night on business, with another business person talking business, and you haven't be in A2 since the 80s, then yes, I would 100% not recommend going there.
It isn't even technically downtown.
Pretzel Bell would be slightly "nicer". Blue Tractor wouldn't be bad either, more casual than Pretzel Bell. Conor Oneills gets pretty rockin, but it gets super loud too.
(i've worked in literally nearly 1/3 of all the downtown ann arbor restaurants, and know at least someone in the other 2/3s)
And YES the Pulled Pork Nachos at Wolverine are delicious (and one of the few bars that will put on this old, little-known sport called "Hockey" on the TVs), but Wolverine is also just slightly outside of downtown.
Frasers is a hike, and even when it was across the street from me I would rather head downtown and watch it at Grizzly Peak or Blue Tractor. Wolverine could be worth going to if you had a car and wanted a quieter spot, definitely not walkable though. Haven't tried watching a game at Pretzel Bell, but definitely would recommend against Jolly Pumpkin for watching a game (though it's great at everything else).
March 22nd, 2018 at 12:23 AM ^
on an expense account and looking to woo someone to join his firm. Probably doesn't care about "cheap" and almost certainly doesn't care about pitchers.
I'd eat at the Chop House bar. TVs are there. Quiet enough. Great place to treat someone you want to hire.
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:06 AM ^
and some slices from backroom while watching the game through the windows of pizza house would be frowned upon right?
*Haymaker, but I agree. Went there for the Michigan Florida game and it was a lot of fun. Good board game bar other nights as well.
I recommend Casey's on Depot St. The burgers are good, and there are several TVs. As with any of these places, I would get there early.
don't go.
I think they added a TV, but you might need to get lucky on timing. Definitely fancy, limited seating where you can actually watch the game though.
Whatever happened to The Arena, did that place open back up?
I believe The Arena had tax issues and the owner actually served time. It reopened as another bar for a bit.. Now it is Haymakers.
March 21st, 2018 at 10:04 PM ^
Soooooo do you have a suggestion?
March 21st, 2018 at 10:36 PM ^
....No, he is the latest staee TROLL! He is on sabbatical from rcmb as not much to talk about for staee fans between ad coverups, nasser, and another quick exit by izzo and his most talented team ever!!!
Is that better?
March 21st, 2018 at 10:27 PM ^
juicy wankelage
how'd you come up with this turdbit?
also, the one on campus has good tv sight lines in most locations
Knight's seems like the most versatile reputation. Closest mix of nice/upscale food while simultaneously casual with a good TV situation.
Knights on Liberty has a large tv at the end of the dining area, and smaller tvs at the bar and other end of the dining area. Also has great food and mixed drinks. This is a excellent combo for watching the game and talking business.
March 22nd, 2018 at 10:36 AM ^
Knight's is great. It's that perfect blend of high quality meat but laid back atmosphere. You can get a great steak while watching sports and wearing jeans.
March 21st, 2018 at 10:02 PM ^
March 21st, 2018 at 11:09 PM ^
The Blue Lep or The Garage for what will be rousing student action (have dinner at the Pizza House first) or Bar Louie.
We're going to start at BWW as they are having a Founder's Canadian Breakfast Stout tapping event -- awesome beer and it's truly a unicorn!
I would not take a potential business partner to Blue Lep. Also BWW was started in Columbus.