Friday, September 4, 2009

The Backpocket Bar - Detroit, Michigan (Gay bar)

The Backpocket was located at 8832 Greenfield Rd in Detroit. It was across the street from Backstreet. I'm not sure how many years it was open. I went there for years after Backstreet closed for breakfast. It was open regular hours as well as a gay bar. But, it really got most of it's crowd after hours from the Backsteet crowd. It was a cool little place and we would have fun getting food after the bar closed. It sold to someone else and burned down I think? The building is gone now. Post anything you know or just your own stories about it.

17 comments:

  1. The Backpocket was renamed as the Rattlebox. I bartended there for a year. Tony and Norm purchsed the bar I think in 2002 and renamed the bar. I worked there from April 2003 until April 2004 when the bar burned down. Tony and Norm then sold the building and it was torn down.

    The Bar burned down in April 2004 as a result of a electrical fire.

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    1. Strange first call for fire department, someone told them the bar was struck by lightning, LOL it didn't storm?? Several hours later fire department was called again, struck by lightning no storms in the area. Surprise!! One of the owners went to jail. Also they had a beautiful home off I94 service drive in Bellville. Guess where they found a lot of the bars equipment? OPPS.

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    2. To the idiot about owners going to jail. You are wrong and dumb. Call the insurance company and find out what happen. Drama has no place in our commuinty. Guess what I am one of the owners

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  2. ha, ha... I remember the many a nights my best bud and I would stumble across Greenfield to go to Backpocket.. It was a fun place.. Fond memorys..

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  3. I use to work at the back pocket as a bus boy, cash and tips of course seeing I was Canadian, Paul was the owner at the time. Damm I miss that place and its burgers!oh and I was 19 at the time :-)

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  4. This place always played hi-nrg music that was common that you would hear in LA.

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  5. I just moved back from Chicago and had driven past there and was shocked that it wasn't there any longer. I have such fond memories of this place because it was one of the first bars I went to after coming out. I kept going off and on for ten years and would always go there before Backstreet and after. The guys there were always so cute and would always whip me in pool.
    I truly miss this place

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  6. I loved this place--- one of the first gay bars I ever went to in about 1990. Used to go there to watch the Golden Girls when it was still on (this was a big draw as I remember), have a bite to eat and chat with the friendly patrons.

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    1. I too remember going there on Saturdays to watch The Golden Girls. Brings back some good memories.

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  7. When I first came out my group of friends would often go there to see Dynasty and the cable show Brothers...with the first main character who was gay without being Flaming. Also have really strong memories of fried mushrooms.

    A cool "neighborhood bar."

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  8. I remember goin there too and watching Tbe Golden Girls too...such great memories.

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  9. i worked at the back pocket in 1985 as security liked the owner paul and his companion doug. met many friends as they come and go over to backstreet. always making sure they were safe. a cool brtendder was 6 pack Bob. what great memories. sue like to know where the great people I met are now Donnie Grinde

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  10. Lots of great memories at the Back Pocket... I was "6pack" Bobs boyfriend for 6 years,although I kept a much lower profile Paul, Doug, Bob and I used to go on trips to Toronto and NY alot and always had a great time. SO many good times both at Backpocket and Backstreet

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  11. i loved this place and its Dynasty night! also the place to go after gay rollerskating (this was 1985, after all!). they'd give you a discount on your first drink if you showed your ticket from rollerskating. a really great, neighborhood style bar.

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    1. It seems like yesterday. Tuesday night rollerskating followed by beers and burgers at the pocket.

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  12. I worked with Paul at the Backstreet before he opened Backpocket with the other bartender that his name slips my mind. I worked the pocket a few days for the opening and a few other until they got their full staff.

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  13. I used to go to Backpocket before Backstreet opened and then back again for the after hours parts. I also used to go there on non-Backstreet days. I miss the atmosphere of the place.

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