Watering Holes

It seems that somehow the tastiest adult beverages happen after some sort of outdoor adventure. While some of my best experiences have been sitting on the tailgate of a truck, I do was thinking over the weekend about some great watering holes. To keep this short, I've limited it to places I've been a number of times and had consistently good experiences. If you're near one of these places, stop by for a draft and a burger - you won't regret it.

Spike's Keg O' Nails -- Grayling, MI
On the banks of the AuSable in Grayling sits my favorite bar, perhaps in the world. From a seat at the bar you can look out the picture window to one of the country's most famous trout streams. It's burned down and been re-built twice since its founding in the 30's. If you're there on a busy weekend evening, try the "non-smoking section" which is basically a sheet of plywood atop the pool table. The SpikeBurger is lethally good. The beer is cold. The staff and patrons friendly. And it's cheap. Last summer I had a burger and two beers for $12 with tip. Whatever you're headed to Northern Michigan to do, this place is a must-stop. I've been known to time travel around a meal at Spike's. Do it right and you can visit the Old AuSable fly shop for some local wisdom and a great stock of gear.

Edy's Log Bar -- Baldwin, MI
A true cultural experience, a stone's throw from the flies only section of the Pere Marquette and an institution in this fish-crazy town. The service is consistently hit-or-miss and it's incredibly smoky, but oddly this is a place I seldom miss. Bell's Two-Hearted on tap fuels the opportunities to people-watch that are unparalleled outside rural Alaska. Last winter, I had the pleasure to meet Jean (the manager and daughter of Edy) - as fascinating a person as you'll ever encounter. And a treat to talk to. The food is -- well -- better-than-average bar food. But it's still bar food. If you frequent these sorts of places, you know what I mean. I can't begin to fully understand it, but I almost never miss a visit when I'm in the area.

Squatter's Brewing -- Salt Lake City/Park City, UT
I like good beer. And Squatter's does that right. But their menu of creative and innovative food really drives the experience for me. A mixture of Asian and Latin American influences, with a healthy dash of creativity leaves me with a meal that never comes up short. I've only been to the Park City location once, but often stay around the corner from the main SLC location. Plus a big, comfortable friendly bar. A great stop after a solid day in UT powder. As an aside -- this was a tough call between Squatter's and Rooster's in Ogden. Both are equally good, but unless you're skiing Powder Mountain or Snowbasin, Rooster's is a little out of the way.

Marley's -- Manistique, MI
This bar has been in continuous operation since the 1890's and retains a lot of the classic UP logging bar ambiance. High tin ceilings and a classic bar really set the tone. Until recently, they even maintained Stroh's on draft for the whole experience. Marley's has the strangest, and yet somehow most delicious burger. They boil them. Yes, you read that correctly. Boiled burgers. But they're juicy, flavorful, and atop the most amazing homemade buns. I don't know why, but it works. A great stop after fishing the Manistique near the siphon bridge, or on your way home from a myriad of destinations.

Original Gravity Brewing -- Milan, MI
Technically, it's not a post-outdoor stop; since it's on my way home from Cabelas. But Brad Sancho brings great beer to the Ann Arbor area and his place is super comfortable. OG is the antithesis of Marley's, Spike's, or Edy's -- all non-smoking and family-friendly. And you can't even get a burger there. But cavernous, but comfortable space works. And the grilled pannini's using top-shelf ingredients works. If you're headed to Cabelas, hop off at the Plank Road exit and stop in. The IPA that was recently added to the regular inventory is remarkable, as is the County Street Amber.

The Party Lounge -- Cadillac, MI
From the exterior, this place looks like post-war Berlin. The only way I found it was when a Caberfae local turned me on. But you walk inside and the transition is shocking with oak trim and a cozy bar. And the food that cranks out of this little kitchen is outstanding. The clientele are the best part though. A mix of locals, skiers, snowmobilers, ice fishing fanatics, hunters, and others it's always an interesting place to strike up a conversation. In the winter, the Saturday night steak fry is something not to be missed. Grilled over charcoal in the back alley!

Enjoy!

-Sean-