UM-friendly bar locations across the US (and elsewhere)

Submitted by JLo on

ED-Seth: Welcome to our Bar Finder Sticky. The user community has kept this going since 2009 to help MGoBloggers find UM-friendly sites for their suds consumption.

We also got a big boost in curation in 2016 from our sponsors, the...

 

...since most of these bars are officially alumni bars. To find your club and events happening in your area, visit their website.

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THE ORIGINAL POST:

A couple weeks ago, I put together a google map with all of the Michigan bars I'm aware of (and also everything from the spreadsheet that bouje has been maintaining.) The map is here.  

Hopefully this will prevent the "where's the Michigan bar in Pittsburgh/Fresno/Topeka/wherever" threads that pop up every week, but if your favorite gameday hangout isn't on here, put it in the thread and let me know.  I'll do my best to keep the map up to date.

VaBeach Wolverine

August 31st, 2010 at 8:48 PM ^

Our Alumni Association also meets at Bailey's in Newport News. It can be a pain getting there with bridge/tunnel traffic though. I have also been looking for a better place to watch games here. There are usually small crowds for Michigan downtown Norfolk at Baxters and AJ Gators but I havent been that impressed. Let me know if you come up with anything else.

SFBlue

August 30th, 2010 at 8:40 PM ^

Stuck on the wrong side of the bridge(s) on Saturday, i.e. wine country.  This place in Santa Rosa called The Ticket is one of those mega-screen sports bars, and may be the best bet.  I called, and the person answering the phones said they'd put on the Michigan game. 

HollandSeaOfBlue

August 30th, 2010 at 10:57 PM ^

I'm sure there won't be a Michigan bar, but I'd like to find one that is at least a Big Ten bar or shows their games.  And I'm sure there are alumni bars in Jacksonville, but there aren't any in Gainesville.  

 

Are there any SEC bars in AA?  Just out of pure curiosity; I don't remember any.  

GCS

September 1st, 2010 at 11:10 AM ^

Over at Maize N Brew, this map came up as a person was asking about bar locations. When that happened, I noticed that the location for Albuquerque is not correct. The Fox & Hound is located about two miles south of the listed location. Thought that would be useful to help prevent people from getting lost.

icactus

September 7th, 2010 at 9:06 AM ^

Really? Are there no michigan bars anywhere in central NJ?  I just moved to Princeton a month ago but I'll drive anywhere that's closer than Philly or NYC...

wahlmc

September 9th, 2010 at 4:54 PM ^

and was wondering what bars around Comerica have the best atmospehe for watching the ND game.  Obviously pretty much all of the bars will be at least semi-UM freindly, but wanted to see where you guys think is the best spot.

We were thinking Chelis or Hockeytown.  Keep in mind we'd like to stay somewhat close to the stadium so that we can get to the baseball game quickly after the Michigan victory.

Thanks for your input, and GO BLUE!

Sinner

September 16th, 2010 at 1:39 AM ^

I'll be in Vegas for the UMass game, and was hoping that I could watch it with some fellow alums.  I didn't see a Vegas bar listed on that map or elsewhere in the thread.  If anyone knows of one, could they please post it here?  Yeah, I know I can just watch it at the Sports Book, but that's not really the same, is it?

Thanks in advance!

Sinner

Sinner

September 23rd, 2010 at 1:27 AM ^

Three bars: I watched the game at the Inn Zone on Rainbow.  Great atmosphere: walls painted Maize and Blue, cheap beer, free bagels, gear all over the place.  Somewhat small but spirited group chanting and singing (and groaning) as you might expect.

Unfortunately, the equipment wasn't great - the (big screen) projector was pretty dim and the numerous other TVs didn't seem to have an HD feed.  Maybe it's better for bigger (non-UMass games).  Also, the audio was clipping at relatively low volumes - pretty distracting.

I'd go back, though.  That said, the alumni association recommended the following two bars (unofficially):

Kopper Keg - 3051 St Rose Pkwy (just west of Eastern) or Buffalo Wild Wings at the Galleria Mall in Henderson.

Bronco Joe

September 9th, 2013 at 2:14 PM ^

Concur on the Inn Zone Rainbow.

I was there for the bowl game against South Carolina and those are some of the most diehard true blue UM fans I have ever met. Just a fantastic time. I went back for the semi-finals of the 2013 Final Four and it was ever bit as great. 

I ended up Facebook friends with a few of the people there and they are just fanatics. Hoping to take my son out there this fall for the Nebraska game. 

238 S Rainbow Blvd (on Rainbow, south of I-95, about 20 minute ride from the Strip)

Las Vegas, NV

http://www.innzones.com

jessicalynnnico

September 16th, 2010 at 11:40 AM ^

help help!!  how can i watch the game this SAT??  I have time warner cable (out of Rochester NY) and they are playing the OHIO game on the big ten network here.  I have called and tried to find away to have them change! but NO SUCH LUCK!!   they dont have the alternative channel in our area.  Can i get it streaming online???   I cant even go to a local bar who has direct tv, cause this is not BIG TEN country.  What is a loyal michigan fan that is stuck in NY to do??

 

Blazefire

September 24th, 2010 at 1:31 PM ^

There is a little bar that kinda looks like a rat hole, and has been there forever, At the corner of Jackman and Sterns road in Temperance, MI. I have never been there, but it is called Michigan Tavern, and the markings and colors make it obvious that it's a Michigan support bar. Thing is, I also don't KNOW anyone that's been there, so I don't know if it's worth checking out, or if I should continue to have a beer at home and watch the game on my TV. Anybody ever been?

jblaze

September 27th, 2010 at 9:27 AM ^

in Philly, the alumni bar has changed from Fox and Hounds to Q's in Old City.

http://philadelphia.umclubs.com/

Also, I went to a place called Brickhouse Tavern and Tap in Central Jersey that was not a Michigan bar, but was very Michigan friendly.

The address is: 4901 Stelton Rd, South Plainfield, NJ 07080-1113

mrider

September 28th, 2010 at 10:36 PM ^

A new edit should be Real Sports Bar in Toronto. Not Michigan friendly per se, but it's the best sports bar in Canada and has every game. Also has a big screen HD TV bigger then most stadiums (not exaggerating).

ChalmersE

October 6th, 2010 at 10:32 AM ^

I´m going to be in Budapest this coming Saturday and will not have internet access.  I know this is a real shot in the dark, but is there any place in Budapest to watch the MSU game?

GoBlueX2

October 6th, 2010 at 2:41 PM ^

I've been to Brother Jimmy's barbeque in NYC. Hosts other games at times but is definitely a Michigan bar at gametimg with great food and great atmosphere.

Tabris

October 7th, 2010 at 1:33 PM ^

Anybody know of an alumi bar anywhere in the Pittsburgh PA region? I've only been here for about a year, and I've been traveling a lot the past few weeks or working on the weekends, but I really ought to find a nice "home base" to watch Michigan games when I am in town with nothing to do.

Any thoughts / suggestions would be greatly appriciated! Go Blue!

MGoSoftball

October 25th, 2010 at 11:23 PM ^

The Glennie Tavern in beautiful downtown Glennie Michigan always has the UM game on.  Get there early though as many people up there do not have dish or cable so the place is standing room only on game days.  There is only 1 State fan and he is 82 years old and sits at the corner of the bar.  Everyone else is a Michigan Fan.  GO BLUE

joeklein35

November 12th, 2010 at 3:23 PM ^

Looking for a U of M friendly bar in Tulsa where i'll be for the M/OSU game. I haven't been able to find anything on the alumni websites...just Sooner Desolation Row.

Doctor Wolverine

November 13th, 2010 at 1:11 AM ^

There is not much of a UM contingent out here in Stowe, VT...but the Sunset Grill is a pretty good setting and they are one of the only places in town with the Big Ten Network.  The bartender is a Nebraska Alum, so she will be an official Big Ten gal starting next season. 

Surferrosy

November 18th, 2010 at 11:27 AM ^

Beef O'Brady's is the only bar we have found here that gets Big Ten Network. They are very welcoming and let you have a big tv over the bar and even sound if there is not a Georgia game conflicting or someone doesn't request something else before you. There are a few Michigan regulars, more than I ever expected. Cheap football beers too!

jgunnip

November 22nd, 2010 at 2:31 AM ^

I watched the Purdue game here and it was absolutely awesome. Offical Alumni Association sponsored 100% Michigan bar with the game on every screen (except maybe two or three that had the lolCU game on), marching band music, and cool games and free raffle giveaways. Lots of M fans/alumni in attendance made for a great atmosphere!

TheVictors

August 3rd, 2011 at 1:04 AM ^

at a bar in Denver?!?!  What nerve!!!  (*rolls eyes*)

LoDo's is okay and it is where the Alumni Association meets.  That said, it's loud and noisy and not all "Michigan fans" seem as interested in the game as others (who turn gamedays into a "networking event").  Service at LoDo's has always been average and since the launch of the BigTen Network, the atmosphere has definitely changed.  But it is a decent option if you've just moved to Denver, seemingly the #1 destination for Michigan ex-pats.

And for those who have been to LoDo's more than once over the years, you would have experienced sharing the space with Florida State, NC State, Nebraska and a couple other fanbases, depending on kick-off times.

There are better, less obnoxious places to watch M games.

 

PackardChug

December 9th, 2010 at 1:13 AM ^

The bar is called Your Neighbors. It's tucked in the corner of a strip mall at the corner of 75th St. and Rickert. The owner went to his first Big Ten game at Ohio Stadium in the early 1970's for a Michigan v. Ohio State game. He went to see Archie Griffin and left a Michigan fan. Michigan paraphanelia in the bar included a massive wall photo of the big house, numerous michigan signs, numerous mockeries of ohio state, and a sticker near almost every door handle that says, "wolverine fans only."

DoctorDave

February 23rd, 2011 at 7:35 PM ^

Both the Duffy's (in downtown Stuart and South Stuart) show all the M games. Half the people on gameday are from somewhere in the midwest - and there's always a good representation of M fans - and other Big Ten fans as well.

JeffB

March 3rd, 2011 at 8:47 PM ^

I know this is really a reach, but anyone know of a bar in Shanghai China where I could watch Michigan in the tournament (as well as other games)?

Swazi

March 9th, 2011 at 6:59 PM ^

Ill have to check out those two places in upper San Francisco.  I was always wondering if there were any UM bars around here.

efrisbee

March 12th, 2011 at 12:29 PM ^

Not sure who keeps this updated, and it probably doesn't matter since almost everything could be a Michigan bar in the area, but I went to Blackfinn in Royal Oak, MI a couple weeks ago after seeing it on this list.  I walked out after about 30 seconds because all of the bartenders were wearing Michigan State gear.  I'm not sure how it got on this list, but it is one of the most MSU friendly bars in the area

ChalmersE

March 14th, 2011 at 8:01 AM ^

Where can I watch the game in Midtown Manhattan this Friday?  Is Metro 53 still open?  Do folks think most Sports Bars will have the game?   I'm going to be in a hotel and I'll bet dollars to donuts they don't carry TruTV.