Bears Bar -my old watering hole back in the late 80's

**EASTSIDE CAT 67-83** · March-20-12, 03:04 PM

Anyone have any stories or memories of Bears Bar? It was on the corner of Jefferson and Riopelle just a few blocks down the street from the RenCen. It later was sold and bought by one of the bar tenders and became Bastilles. I left the city and moved to Hawaii and on subsequent visits back to the D saw that it eventually burned down and is gone. It had a great pool table, juke box and clientele.

**softailrider** · March-20-12, 07:26 PM

Originally Posted by EASTSIDE CAT 67-83

Anyone have any stories or memories of Bears Bar? It was on the corner of Jefferson and Riopelle just a few blocks down the street from the RenCen. It later was sold and bought by one of the bar tenders and became Bastilles. I left the city and moved to Hawaii and on subsequent visits back to the D saw that it eventually burned down and is gone. It had a great pool table, juke box and clientele.

I don't remember that place at all. I don't ever remember even seeing it. Was it tucked away South of Jefferson?

**pgn421** · March-20-12, 07:38 PM

Cat-Do you recall Heidi, the bartender?

**mallory** · March-21-12, 08:47 AM

I was the house DJ at the Tangerine Room/River Place on Franklin and Riopelle from 87 - 90 and I don't remember anything being on the Jeff/Rio corner. When things were slow, we would go across the street to the Rhino. Now THERE was a great place. <sigh>

**ordinary** · March-21-12, 09:20 AM

I think Bear was the nickname of the bartender there. Big burly guy. I want to say it was called Spooner's or something like that. I'm having a brain fart about the name but I'm pretty sure it wasn't Bears. I did become drunk there one evening. A friend of mine rented a warehouse in that area.

**JROLLA** · March-21-12, 11:48 AM

If a bar opened now called "Bears Bar" I'm sure some guests would have the wrong impression about the place.

**mikeinmotown** · March-21-12, 11:52 AM

I don't recall Bears Bar but I remember Bastilles. Bastilles was a cool place to hang out. I don't think it lasted too long. When Norm Swartz opened the Rhino in the early 80's is was a great bar and resturant. I used to hang there a lot too. Eastside Cat, Just curious, where in Hawaii are you living? I go there every year and love it there.

**stromberg2** · March-21-12, 01:40 PM

I'll say that that was Archer's only mistake, for the most part, destroying the warehouse district.

Stromberg2

**EastsideAl** · March-21-12, 01:46 PM

I remember being in Bastille a few times. It was a very chilled out place, as I recall. At some time before that I seem to remember a sign that said "Marie's" on that bar. I used to go to the nearby party store pretty often on my way into and out of downtown, as it was owned by the family of a kid I went to school with. And I knew some very interesting guys in a band who lived in the apartment upstairs for a short while.

LOL on the Bears Bar comment...

**mikefmich** · March-21-12, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by stromberg2

I'll say that that was Archer's only mistake, for the most part, destroying the warehouse district.

Stromberg2

I frequented so many places s. of Jefferson for years.....certainly not a bright spot on Archer's admin.....who for the most part was the best Detroit has had for many years.

However, I wasn't fond of the reversal of his stance on casino approval either. Which also is, of course, the reason south of Jefferson no longer exists.

I don't have memory of the "Bears Bar" either.

**EASTSIDE CAT 67-83** · March-21-12, 04:35 PM

Originally Posted by pgn421

Cat-Do you recall Heidi, the bartender?

If she lived in the Cabbage Patch, then yes I recall her and think I may have given her a ride home from the Bar once or twice as I lived on Maryland and St Paul from 88-91

**Chinman** · March-21-12, 04:44 PM

Hi, the Bastille bar was on the corner of Jefferson & Orleans. It sadly was closed in late 2001. Henry Kuhns owned it in the end and was closed when he was having personal issues. His mother owned [[and mayby still does) the liquor license. The property and adjacent was sold to the car dealership across Jefferson and is now a sprawling dealership.
Great bar to the end. We still have an annual Bastille Bar party on the 1st or 2nd Saturday in January. The bar that the party is at must have the same feel and/or amenities the original had. We have only had it one bar twice.

**EASTSIDE CAT 67-83** · March-21-12, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by mikeinmotown

I don't recall Bears Bar but I remember Bastilles. Bastilles was a cool place to hang out. I don't think it lasted too long. When Norm Swartz opened the Rhino in the early 80's is was a great bar and resturant. I used to hang there a lot too. Eastside Cat, Just curious, where in Hawaii are you living? I go there every year and love it there.

I lived in several locations on Oahu, mostly on the Ewa plain where I eventually bought a home. I was there from 91-2009 and miss it bunches, other than Detroit its the only place I ever called "Home". I currently reside in southern Maryland where i have yet to develop any real attachment to.
Aloha Bra