Berkley Front is shuttered

**Treelock** · November-22-15, 11:33 AM

I learned yesterday that the venerable Berkley Front shut its doors a week or two ago and has a haz-mat sign in the window warning of leaking Leonard's syrups. A friend who lives nearby said the place had long been badly run and was down to five beers on tap the last time he visited.

Anyone know what happened?

**dtowncitylover** · November-22-15, 07:00 PM

This is unfortunate news. It was such a fun place and while it may have been "hipster-esque", it was a cool, divey atmosphere. I was last there in July and it seemed they had a lot still on tap, I wonder what happened.

**Richard** · November-22-15, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by Treelock

a haz-mat sign in the window warning of leaking Leonard's syrups.

That makes no sense,unless it is meant to be a joke,but I would not think Leonard's would find that amusing.

**Hypestyles** · November-22-15, 09:56 PM

Who is leonard's syrups?

**Jimaz** · November-22-15, 10:57 PM

Originally Posted by Richard

That makes no sense,unless it is meant to be a joke,but I would not think Leonard's would find that amusing.

It was meant to be a joke. The first thought that crossed my mind was the Great Molasses Flood.

Leonard's Syrups

**Zacha341** · November-22-15, 11:02 PM

Detroit based soft drink company/ distributor; makers of the syrup base used for vended soft and fountain drink -- for commercial sale, machines, etc.

http://www.leonardssyrups.com/

Meet the family:

http://www.leonardssyrups.com/about_us.html

**dtowncitylover** · November-23-15, 09:10 AM

LOL I liked how this turned into a thread about syrups.

Anyway, after doing some investigation it looks like because of their poor management [[though I never had any bad service there), "low-brow" atmosphere [[the bathrooms were ghastly), and most importantly probably that they were competing with 24 Second and the new "Irish" bar across the street, they could not stay open.

**Oddz313** · November-23-15, 09:20 AM

One thing they had that the others place don't is live entertainment

**ScienceFair** · November-23-15, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by Oddz313

One thing they had that the others place don't is live entertainment

Very true, but IMHO the quality of the live entertainment had gone down hill in recent years and the vibe had changed. The upstairs bar staff was almost hostile last time I was there for a show [[maybe a year ago) and I haven't been back since. Used to be my favorite spot in the area and I had some great times there. very sad.

**Dave70** · November-23-15, 10:07 AM

Long time since I was there, late 90s. I think Howling Diablos was playing... wasn't there a stuffed bear in that place? lol

**WildWolverine** · November-24-15, 08:57 AM

The hazardous materials sticker is most likely for the CO2 [[carbon dioxide) tanks in the building. CO2 tanks, whether large or small, can leak. Just guessing...

**Wesley Mouch** · November-24-15, 10:45 AM

I never made it there. When the BF open?

If I remember, it was quite a surprise for a bar, omg, a bar was opening in sleepy Berkley. Or is my memory going bad again?

**Oddz313** · November-24-15, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Dave70

Long time since I was there, late 90s. I think Howling Diablos was playing... wasn't there a stuffed bear in that place? lol

I think your talking about the Bears Den which was where Kid Rock changed his style and gained more of a following.

**Dave70** · November-24-15, 02:27 PM

Ah maybe it was Bears Den. Hm I know I've been to Berkley Front around that time too, it's all a blur now.

**jcole** · November-25-15, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by Wesley Mouch

I never made it there. When the BF open?

If I remember, it was quite a surprise for a bar, omg, a bar was opening in sleepy Berkley. Or is my memory going bad again?

It opened early no earlier than 89. David E Davis Jr was a partner. The big thing it had going was no smoking, no crappy food and 50 good beers on tap.

Their slogan was "No rice, no ice".

It was not a big deal that a bar opened in Berkley, but that a good bar opened in Berkley. The 3 things you can do non stop in Berkley are get alcohol, get pizza and go to church, spent 32 years living there.

**jcole** · November-25-15, 09:06 AM

I didn't post the above; I'm not sure if someone hacked my account or if there is some other glitch.

**Wesley Mouch** · November-25-15, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by jcole

It opened early no earlier than 89. David E Davis Jr was a partner. The big thing it had going was no smoking, no crappy food and 50 good beers on tap.

Their slogan was "No rice, no ice".

It was not a big deal that a bar opened in Berkley, but that a good bar opened in Berkley. The 3 things you can do non stop in Berkley are get alcohol, get pizza and go to church, spent 32 years living there.

Thanks. I remember when it opened that it was a 'big deal'.