The bar life of Mount Pleasant and Central Michigan University spans back decades. From the infamous Alibi to the hometown favorite The Bird, many of CMU alumni have stories to share of their nights out on the town. All photos are courtesy from their owners.
My brother John worked at The Cabin bar in Mount Pleasant on Broomfield. I was staying in an apartment complex just beyond that, and my roommates and I would frequent The Cabin. We had night classes, two of us went on Tuesdays and Thursdays and two of us on Mondays and Wednesdays. We always made a decision on our way that we would not be stopping, we would just get to our classes, come home and study. But somehow the draw of The Cabin always managed to suck us in for at least one drink and usually several.” |
I was the D.J. at the Alibi from 1974-1979. We had a lighted dance floor, a drummer playing along with the music, slides covering both walls on each side of the club showing pics of customers. 10 cent beer night was Monday. You could get 10 8oz plastic cups of Old Milwaukee draft for $1. We also had a Beatles happy hour every Sunday. We would play only Beatles music. We had live bands on some weekends. The Crowd Pleasers and Roger and the Human Body were a couple of favorite dance, funk bands. We were by far the biggest and most popular Disco in town ... At the time I was making $3.25 per hour and thought that was good money to play records." |
In the early '70s the Wayside was a bowling alley. I remember when they converted it to a club. I also remember fondly the Thursday dime beers at the Cabin. Also dime hotdogs. The place was packed (fire marshal be damned). And the Side Door Saloon. That was a bar in a hotel (I think) across from campus on Mission Road South. Good times! I recall dime drafts and dime hotdogs on Thursdays at the Cabin. I took advantage of that more than a few times. I was there ‘71 - ‘75.” |
In the late 70's, the drinking age was 18 so the bars were lively every night. Living on the north end of campus, we frequented the downtown bars - the Pub (now the Blue Gator), the Bird, and the Blackstone (original one was on Main street). Of the three, the Bird is the only that is still the same (like it has been in a time warp) and the one we always return to!” |
Disco dancing at the Alibi, while drinking SupaBeers. Foosball and beer chugging contests at the Cabin with the cute frat boys. Good bands at Wayside and Holiday Inn. Writing your name on the table at The Bird. Never had to worry about things like leaving your drink unattended. Great times. We were in a sorority, Alpha Sigma Tau. We still all stay in touch and get together as often as possible.” |
At the Cabin. 1977 … Oxymorons on the mens restroom wall ... Jumbo shrimp, semi-truck, silence was deafening, and 'I’d rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.' For a good time call Dave Spencer." |
I won a twist contest at the cabin. We were drinking 5 cent beers. Mine were free. Disco at the Alibi and wayside were the best. It was the best of times. I was there from '72-'76. I lived in Cobb hall. Back when it was just 4 towers. On to park place apts. my last 2 years.” |