The Lager House is at 1254 Michigan Ave. in Detroit. For information and band show times, you can call them at 1-313-961-4668 or check them out online at www.lagerhousedetroit.com.
Photos by E.L. Conley
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As you approach downtown Detroit, by way of Michigan Avenue, there's a stretch of the road where smooth black asphalt gives way to funky red brick. And when you cross that line, so to speak, not only are you basking in the shadow of the hallowed structure of Tiger Stadium, you're also passing through the community known as Corktown.
Corktown is significant in that it serves as a literal microcosm of what is, and what can be, great about Detroit. It is a small sector where historic landmarks and local businesses coexist with modern housing and human endeavor.
One shining example that perhaps personifies Motown's storied past and its rich and hopeful future is The Lager House.
Aaron Weakley is the co-owner of a bar that has been in his family for three generations.
His grandfather purchased the bar, which also thrived as a bakery during Prohibition, in 1977. In the early 80's, Weakley's uncle took it over and ran it until Aaron decided to turn it into a live music venue in 2000.
"It was kind of a low-key old man's bar when I took it over," Weakley said. "After Tiger Stadium moved and Corktown simmered down a bit my uncle had a tough time keeping it running. That's when I decided to take it over with some friends and try something different."
Weakley, a local musician, had played in a number of bands and frequented many of the clubs like the Gold Dollar. When that place closed many of the cutting edge alternative groups were looking for a new place to display their wares.
Well, as they say, timing is everything. And since December 2000 The Lager House has blossomed from a fledgling local watering hole to a vibrant celebrated cultural phenomenon.
The club, with its gritty lo-fi mix of blue collar chic and uber cool attitude, has been featured in Entertainment Weekly, mentioned in Britain on the BBC and showcased in a segment of a current music video for Detroit breakout darlings The Von Bondies.
"Lots of touring acts come through here," Weakley said. "I used to do the booking but now I have an outside promoter that has a lot of connections. We get bands from England and New Zealand as well as Chicago and New York. A lot of bands from out of town tend to really dig this place."
The bar houses nearly 200 patrons and has its own sound system. Resident engineer Adam Mitchell oversees it.
They also feature a plethora of drink specials with nightly happy hours from 9 till 11pm figuring prominently.
"On an average it seems that people are going to a few shows a week," Weakley observed on the local live rock scene. " On my nights off I might see our crowd at the Magic Stick or Small's. It seems like a lot of people are getting into live music again, more so than when I was playing 10 years ago. I think bands like The White Stripes have put Detroit on the map and now they're sprouting up everywhere!"
The Lager House is at 1254 Michigan Ave. in Detroit. For information and band show times, you can call them at 1-313-961-4668 or check them out online at www.lagerhousedetroit.com.
Contact Eric Harabadian at Harab1@aol.com.
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