Friday, September 4, 2009

The Other Side Bar - Detroit, Michigan (Gay Bar)

The Other Side Bar (Now closed) was located at 16801 Plymouth Rd in Detroit. I do not know anything about this bar. Please post your stories about this bar. Note: It is now called Time Out Sports Bar and Grille. (Straight I'm sure, lol)

24 comments:

  1. I used to go there a lot. It was my favorite gay bar and I still miss it. It was just essentially a neighborhood dive with a very laid back attitude. The bartender (can't remember his name) was always a good conversationalist and if he wasn't available the other patrons were. They used to have monthly parties in the basement which they always seemed to schedule when I was at my busiest. I always wondered what happened to it. If anyone knows please let me know.

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  2. Great karaoke Tuesdays! The bar would literally be PACKED. I met lots of interesting people there...even a steady boyfriend or two. I really miss it.

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    1. Thank you! That was me, KJ Karen every Tues & Sun.If u haven't heard, there is a new Other Side Lounge just opened a few weeks ago.I still host karaoke in the area and now again for Other Side! Mondays at 9 pm
      4933 east 7 mile, btwn mound & ryan.You'll see some familiar faces! Check out facebook, I'm there KJ Karen O'Brien.Bar is on there too! See ya at the Other Side!

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    2. Dear lest we not forget Rusty he was a great kj and still think of him thank god I still have the cassette tapes he made. For me and can still here him calling me up to sing.

      Now I host karaoke in a straight bar and have quite a following ....sure miss you Rusty.......r.I.p

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  3. the bartenders name was matt, sure miss those good ole days

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  4. the bartenders name was Matt sure miss those days

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  5. There was a sign at the top of the stairs leading the the basement that said "The fruit cellar" hilarious.

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  6. I was the karaoke hostess (KJ Karen) of The Other Side Lounge.Thank you for the nice comment about Tuesday karaoke.
    The bar was so much fun working in and hanging out there.I wonder what happened to "Dorothy" who hung from the ceiling?
    When The Other Side closed, Jim & Matt (owners) highly reccomended me to Gigi's where I'm still at today!
    I made so many wonderful friends there, including the owners.Many people I still see.
    Unfortunately, Jim Ritchie passed away 10/10/10.I will miss him and my heart goes out to Matt.

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    1. I miss you Karen and I am sorry. Maybe one day you will forgive me.

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  7. Wow..kind of a tribute to The Other Side Lounge. I loved that place - kind of like a "Cheers" for the gay folk, but WAY more cool. I miss the underwear parties and the shows downstairs in the basement (a/k/a "fruit cellar"). My partner David (some of you may know him as Summers Eve) and I (Ken) became close friends (really, family) with them both. Matt lost Jim in October of 2010 as Karen said above (love you Karen!), and Matt (a/k/a "Mom") is one of our dearest, closest friends, whom we will love and cherish, as we did Jim. There is no other bar in Detroit like The Other Side Lounge - I have many fond memories of that place. Thank you Matt and Jim. Ken xoxo

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  8. I am one of the fortunate people that was a Miss Other Side 1998 ~ Summers Eve, I also worked as the bag and tag person for the monthly underwear parties from 1996 - 2002 when they closed. Also worked as a bartender from 1998-2002. I have had the privledge of being the Daughter of Jim~Dad and Matt~Mom (may you rest in peace Dad)since my reign as Miss Other Side from 1998 to present. Many wonderful Memories, camping trips, Key West Trips and the Annual Christmas Parties at Jim and Matts home on Christmas Eve. The Best Gay Bar that ever hit Detroit.

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  9. The Other Side closed due to their accountants negligence.

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  10. Other Gay Bars not listed The New Menjo's Complex, which is a close second to The Other Side, Male Box(now closed) and The Cruise Club and Cruising Again wi=hich is now a Lesbian Bar called Stilletos and the Back Pocket/Rattlebox

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  11. Jim Ritchie i'm so sorry you were the best friend I ever had in this lifestyle,you were genuine to a fault that I will never attain you were always there for me and never asked why, if your lucky enough to meet someone as wonderful and genuine as Jim treasure each moment with those friends, You will always be in my prayers and Lord give Matt peace--guide and keep him at your side Lord through this difficult time and always..........

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  12. The Other Side was a fun place to go to. I remember the first owner, I think his name was Bill. ( I didn't say how well I remember )After him there were 2 guys Keith & his lover. Keith was a teacher. Was the bar called something else before being called The Other Side? Jim & Matt 2 of the nices guys ever.

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  13. I was in Detroit for business many years ago - and this was the first gay bar I ever went to in my life. I'm from NC and we dont have much to choose from down here. The bar was great! Everyone was so nice - I'm so sad to learn that it's closed now. It's weird - I haven't been there in over 15 years, but everyone made such a great impression. I'm not even sure why I was thinking about the bar today, but I was.

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    1. It was one of those rare places you could go to relax and be yourself ..no titles rich or poor everyone was genuine and welcomed, there was an overwhelming friendlyness that pearmeated the air......Matt and Jim the owners were a big part of making it a special place once in you we're no longer a stranger ...
      .You were family .....

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  14. I met two of my boyfriends at the Other Side and was a karaoke regular for years. I still see Karen around town hosting other karaoke nights- what a sweetheart!!! The less said about that other girl who hosted karaoke there, the better. Cunt.

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    1. LMAO! Thanks Sweetie! It was great to see you at Gigi's last night! Hope to see you at Other Side! :)
      Here's my schedule:
      KJ Karen O'Brien (also on FB)
      Sundays- Gigi's 7pm
      Mondays - New Other Side Lounge 9pm
      4933 east 7 mile btwn mound & ryan
      Thurs & Sat- Liberty Bar (Pontiac) 9PM
      Fridays- Adam's Apple 9PM (yep, back there too!)

      Concerning Other Side, I have been told that Matt (original owner) has given his blessing on this tribute bar! I have a special fondness of Other Side, especially because of Jim & Matt! So,I'm very determined to bring back the fun we had in the past with even more of a modern blast! I now have a full entertainment show; karaoke, dance music & music videos!
      See ya soon!

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  15. Hello all! I'm doing research on my cousin Elton Eugene "Sonny" Gillen who died in 1987 in Detroit. I believe he was the owner of "The Other Side" Bar at that time, but want to confirm it. He incorporated a business with this address (16801 Plymouth Road Detroit MI 48227) in February 1986.

    If anyone has any information about him or the bar in the mid-80s, I'd be most appreciative. Thanks!

    The Family History only had him listed as "murdered" and nothing else, but we've always assumed he was gay (like me!). And I'd love to give him his own history back in the family history.

    Duane
    ddialx003@yahoo.com

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    1. Duane, did you ever get any answers. Such a terrible mystery. Sincerely, his niece

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