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| Logan's Alley is located at 916 Michigan St. NE in Grand Rapids, Michigan |
Well, cheating rules established by myself. So more like a
breakaway from tradition.
This past week I have been in working/living limbo between
my hometown of Jackson (see details in prior post), and my beloved second home
of Grand Rapids.
With all the late night drives and crashing on apartment floors, thanks James!, I have been stopping by Logan’s Alley on Michigan St. for my post-work beer. (Because going from talking to high school football coaches to bed without alcohol is just not doable).
I was at Logan’s on three separate occasions last week. There are some weeks where I believe I have graced the establishment six days in one week—trust me, it is meant to sound as depressing as it reads.
But if you pay a visit to the local favorite, located here,
you will see why this is the tavern capital of Grand Rapids’ Eastside—sorry
Mulligans. (Mulligans—how is that not a post yet).
On the three occasions that I went by myself, again that is part of the theme of the blog, not a reflection on my social skills, I was reminded what makes Logan’s, Logan’s.
When I walk into the place, the friendly bar staff asks if they want my ‘list’ or they just already have out for me.
The ‘list’ is the list of 189 bottled beers plus 21 rotating taps that craft beer lovers such as myself go through as part of the ‘Round of the World’ club. I have already made a lap and got my shirt. Another case where mankind will almost do anything for a t-shirt. (Seriously, we should offer a free t-shirt to whoever cures cancers, then we’ll get some progress).
Outside the list, the kitchen is open till 2 a.m. and serves some phenomenal food. Great for a high school sports reporter who is wide awake at 1 a.m. and does not want to even look at a McDonald's.
But what puts Logan’s above the rest when it comes to bar is the ‘home’ feeling the regulars put on the place. To quote the great 1980s television show Cheers (props to TV Land for educating in the one subject that matters—pop culture), “everybody does know your name”. And usually, they will put up with your shit.
I was introduced to the bar by my college friends, and since then I have gotten to know the regulars.
Which I guess by definition means I’m a regular…making this post a ‘homer’ post…but I digress.
Not that I’m afraid of being called a homer. My MLive duties have led some guy in the Flint area to insist that I am a Carrolton homer—note to self, find Carrolton, Michigan on a map. (Located somewhere here, I guess)
But even those I introduce to the establishment for the first time admit that the place is solid. The bar usually cranks out good tunes. Any place that can pump out Led Zeppelin and Beastie Boys back-to-back is doing something right.
The staff great with making suggestions for beer and food, and will normally be your guide to the ‘beer novices’.
Saturday was especially nice. The Irish were playing Purdue, and it was the perfect setting to watch football. Have the game on for people who are invested, but turn off the sound so that people who don’t care aren’t interfered with. Everybody wins.
One of the biggest things that has always troubled me when it comes to social circles, and way I consider myself a nerd, is why sports people and non-sports people can’t socialize together.
Or as I explained to my roommate once. Sports junkies are the biggest nerds. Obsessing over stuff they can’t do in real life, arguing about numbers and a series of events that both parties agreed happened—but neither will agree as what they mean.
In truth the difference between Dungeons and Dragons and Fantasy
Football is really thin. Although, I am confident that Aaron Rodgers could
throw for 450 yards and slay a Level 39 Paladin at the same time. Because Aaron Rodgers is a winner—and you are not (well, not on Aaron Rodgers’ level anyway).
But at Logan’s, all are welcome. Everybody from the white-collar guy looking for a good Bloody Mary to the ‘woo’ girls who were looking for a bar that is less ‘douche-y’ than whatever downtown piece of crap they left. The place serves everything to everyone, and with operation hours that are 7 a.m. – 2 a.m., you have plenty of opportunity to stop by.
During my visit during the Irish game, I had a nice discussion with a ex-soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division. He was drinking an Octoberfest from Bell’s and was talking to be about attending Aquinas in the future. Another Saint, our strength is growing, soon none shall oppose us.
Eventually we were talking about where our families came from and what we wanted to do with our lives and thought on—Touchdown Irish—time for high fives!!!
The rest of my time consisted of talking to bartenders about where I’ll be working in the future and how come I wasn’t in town for four months.
I was both flattered that they missed me, and then became worried that my local bartender missed me. But then I ordered another Murphy’s Stout, and the worries went away—always remember your roots.
Following Notre Dame’s win. Which by the way, 3-0, No. 9 in the new Associated Press poll, you have to believe people, there is still room on the bandwagon. I was finishing up my tab. During my short visit, I covered everything from how the Tigers were going to do, to which Harry Potter book was the best, to who will sit on the Iron Throne.
The (obvious) answer to these questions are: American League Championship Series, Prisoner of Azkaban and read the damn books people.
After a few handshakes and hugs I headed for the door and had a long drive back to South Central Michigan.
During my drive, I reflected on what makes Logan’s my go-to bar. Then it hit me, is it possible for you to perceive a bar after your own personality?
The people that makes Logan’s great are easy-going, interested in different facets and life, and most importantly—just don’t give a fu** what you do are what you think. You’re just welcome.
That’s the aura the place gives off. That’s why people go there. Is it a little too much like a security blanket—maybe.
But in a world where we are sometimes forced to be things we are not, it is nice to be yourself. Whatever that may be.
People go to Logan’s to be what they perceive as ‘normal’, to be how they want to be. So maybe it’s not that people model their behavior to the bar.
Maybe the bar just reveals who people are supposed to be in the first place?
Eh, that’s a lot of philosophy. It could just be the meat loaf.
Probably the meat loaf, and the satisfaction one gets when the bartender gives you a beer and tell you why Ron and Hermione was a terrible ending.
Fu**ing Ronald Weasley, really?
God save the local taverns.
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