Not a big fan of their happy hour... the service is a little slower than other places and somethings are a little pricier. On the other hand, I end up going here a lot to meet up with friends. The atmosphere is nice and the staff is friendly... they do have great mojitos.
(2)
Dharma A.
It took me quite a while and a school-related happy hour to get me into this place. I never liked the corporate look from the outside. And what do you know....the inside matched the surface impression! Perhaps it's not fair of me to give a low rating, because it's just not my style....Bar Louie is probably fine for what it is. It reminds me of buffalo wild wings: too clean, too many tvs, what appears to be little knowledge or appreciation of beer on the part of the staff, and mediocre bar food. Too much shine, nothing special.
(2)
Kate B.
I've been to Bar Louie around 10 times as I am frequently downtown at the lunch hour. The food is all pretty inedible - except for the sliders/burgers which are A-OK. The staff are quite nice, but the food always makes me feel greasy, ill, and bloated. Q. Why oh why have I gone back? A. When I am dragged there as part of a "work thing".
(1)
Julie C.
I've been here a few times, mostly dragged out for the dollar burger, which I don't even like. And with a drink and toppings, the bill ends up being about $10 anyways. The food isn't good, but there is a large variety of beers.
(2)
David B.
The food here is average, drinks are good, and happy hour prices are great!! The atmosphere at night tends to be a bit classier which is why i will go here on occasions. The beer selection here is probably the number one feature of the place. I think they have about 40 different beers just on tap alone.
(3)
Dee N.
Good for happy hour and dollar burger days. Expect a wait on dollar burger days though. The only thing that's really good here are their tater tots. I don't like tots but I admit theirs are yummy. Went for their Sunday brunch once. And I've never had so many mess up on our order and bill in my life.
(4)
Eric G.
Can you Say Yuppy Frat boy ville. Terrible, Unless you have your collar popped and a pink polo shirt on, stay away.
(1)
Brittany G.
Went in for a burrito and came out a happy girl. This is the first burrito I've ever had in a restaurant that had fresh jalapenos on it. Service was fantastic and the bartender was friendly as always.
(5)
Tony C.
Just another bar chain run amok. It can't decide if it's going to be a meat market or sports bar. What's odd about Bar Louie is that no matter what I wear, whether it be dressed up, shabby chic, or downright shabby, I always feel dressed inappropriately for this place. Regardless of its upscale sports bar decor, let's rate a bar on what people care about: 1. The Booze - expensive and the bartenders don't seem particularly talented with their pours. Not good. 2. The Food - Gross. About the only thing I've eaten there that was finished are the breadsticks. How do you mess up breadsticks though? 3. The People - Some have already commented more on this than I care to write. Lots of people trying to look good and failing miserably at it. If you're going out to stare at rack, then go to a place where that is its distinct purpose. All in all, Bar Louie is an undistinctive bar. About the only thing it may have had going for it was the fact that it had Fat Tire beer from New Belgian Brewery in Colorado, but alas, they do not because even the big chain could not get around Michigan's beer distribution issues.
(2)
Alison L.
Bar BOOie! Another lame chain restaurant/bar that has invaded A2 and will try, cheap pint by cheap bucket o' wings, to take away from what's great about this city.
(1)
Matt B.
If you think TGIChilliBees is good food, you're going to be disappointed. This place is actually a step down. The atmosphere is uninspired, noisy, impersonal. So is the menu, down to the beer selection. In short, this place is a duche magnet. If you are an aspiring date rapist and use the term "bra" often, you're gonna love this place. Loud huge televisions dominate the room, drowning out your party's conversation. The decor is cheap and derivative. The burger I had here may as well been a hockey puck. I have not seen a more uninspired menu ever. Was here again to gander at their "dress code". Not surprised. Still no good.
(1)
Nathan A.
The food was freshly microwaved and the decor crafted to make an Ann Arbor News restaurant reviewer settle for adjectives like "hip", "urban", and "chic". The more appropriate adjective would be "suburban", as in Novi mall restaurant. One redeeming factor - $2 14 oz. beers during happy hour. Given its proximity to campus (and the aforementioned drink specials) this place will quickly morph into Fratlebee's.
(1)
Illi F.
My boyfriend and I used to love Bar Louie. The half-off appetizers at Happy Hour were great, the service friendly. We went at least once or twice a week for drinks and an appetizer when we were first dating. Lately, though, the place has really gone to crap. First, a new corporate policy was instituted so that all of the good appetizers are now no longer half-off during happy hour (there is a list now of those which are included in the half-off special). We've had our dollar burgers come out nearly raw (as rare as I'd eat a fine steak), and completely hard and charred, depending on the night. Tonight, though, was the worst. It was a Tuesday evening, and myself and 3 friends waited an hour and fifteen minutes for a table after being told by the (rude) hostess that it would be a 20-25 minute wait. There were 3 parties in front of us. Meanwhile, the restaurant had allowed reservations to be made for large parties, and there were maybe 2-3 people sitting at groupings of 4-5 tables meant to seat at least 12 or so. Why allow reservations on a Tuesday evening? And why seat incomplete groups and allow 2 people to take up 2 tables each while there is a crowd waiting to sit? Finally some tables cleared, and we thought we'd get seated--- no, the people who FINALLY showed up for their reservations realized they had more friends coming, and the tables went to them rather than to people who already had had their names on the list with the hostess for an hour. Management at this place just sucks and is so disorganized. I don't know if I'll be back.
(2)
Laura K.
I know it's a chain, but this is one of the better Bar Louie's I've been to (and the one in Pittsburgh is on gorgeous waterfront). They have a great happy hour (cheap beer and 1/2 off apps). I prefer bar louie when I want beer and a late cheap sandwich (the luigi is very good). They also have a great big bar that is actually nice and feel like you're in the middle of the action.
(3)
Mae S.
Evidently an upscale chain, not to expensive --Burgers, Pizzas, Sandwiches, Salads, "Large Plates" -- all the usual suspects. This one has beautiful outdoor porches facing Liberty and Division Streets, a large interior, and it opened yesterday. Has anyone eaten there? I'm putting three stars as a guess.
(3)
Anthony N.
Hey it's Bar Louie, not Louis. Haven't gone to this new one but in Chicago it's a preferred spawning ground for post-frat and sorority idiots. But since Ann Arbor's not exactly short on meatheads and preppy types, this location should do well.
(1)
kevin k.
This is the ultimate yuppie bar in Ann Arbor. Everything is overpriced, and its just full of douche bags. When i was sitting at the bar, the bartender actually rolled her eyes when i asked for a coke..i had been getting beer but wanted a break. The food is not that great, although to be fair the burger is pretty good.
(2)
Peter W.
I love Bar Louie.
(5)
A. T.
Great selection of draft beers. The burgers and fries are pretty standard, but my favorite secret dish here is the "loaded tots". Probably won't ever order them again, though, because now I can make them at home.
(4)
Abby C.
I know that Bar Louie is a chain. I know that some people in Ann Arbor would rather see a bar unique to Ann Arbor go into this space. But Bar Louie is one of my go-to spots for numerous reasons. 1) The number of beers on tap. I am a beer drinker, and other than Ashley's, it's hard to find this many beers on tap in most bars. The list of beers changes up w/ the season, and you can find beers from Bell's, Arbor Brewing Company, Sam Adam's (although not my fave but I know other people like it), and many more. 2) As someone who has been out of undergrad for many years now, it's nice to go to a bar with a nice interior, where you can watch a game on tv, hold a conversation with your friends without screaming and yelling over the music, where there's a good size crowd, that doesn't serve drinks in plastic cups, and with patrons who are not so loud and rowdy. The food is a lot better than your Applebys or TGIF variety. It is bar food so it's a little on the heavy side, but I'd choose Bar Louie any day for food over the other chains you might think of. 3) When it's actually warm outside, there's a really good amount of outdoor seating. When it's starting to cool off a bit at night, the outdoor seating in the back has space heaters throughout the area so you can still sit outdoors and be comfortable. 4) Happy Hour: Buy 1 Get 1 Free on select appetizers and it's actually a significant number of the appetizers on the menu and several of them are sized to be meals by themselves. A lot of beers are $3, and there are martini specials but I don't drink those so I have no clue as to what they are. 5) For the cheapskate in me, $1 burgers on Tuesdays. I will say that the quality of the burgers on $1 burger Tuesdays has declined since they initially introduced this, but I rarely make it out for this night anymore since it gets so crowded. Happy Hour specials are also still good during this promotion if you go during Happy Hour time. I should mention that $1 burgers are only $1 if you don't order anything special on them. If you add cheese, veggies besides lettuce, special sauces and other special toppings, the price incrementally increases. But you can still eat a decent burger for a couple of bucks and tater tots are only a couple of dollars extra. The staff at Bar Louie is noticeably more disgruntled on Tuesdays, but I can't say that I blame them having been a server at a different restaurant at one point in my life. It's crowded but cause the bills are low, the tips are low, too, so you're working your butt off for not that much money. I have to say that my favorite item on the food menu is the pretzel appetizer. The pretzels are large and soft, served with honey mustard, regular mustard, and a queso dip that is delish.
(4)
Kyle W.
You walk in there and you can tell that you're at a chain type restaurant, but the food is surprisingly good. The ham and cheese sandwich was very good (probably not that healthy though) and last time I went there I got the gumbo (appetizer) which was delicious. Everything is a little pricey considering you are at a chain but the happy hour prices are ok. Also on Tuesdays they have dollar burgers. You can find out more information on their website. I would definitely go back for the food but the atmosphere and drinks are not desirable.
(3)
Steven H.
Food there is garbage and the beer there tastes stale when I get it on tap. They DO NOT clean their filters.
(1)
Shelby A.
I've been coming to this place for a long time and never have I experienced anything less than a fantastic time. They have great live music, the atmosphere here is upbeat, the outdoor seating is comfortable. The waiters and waitresses know the menu very well, the management is on top of things and the customer is the most important person every time. You can't have a bad experience here. I don't think it's possible at all. Try the chicken nachos - seriously some of the best nachos I've had in a long time. Perfect combo.
(5)
Alex K.
Pretty awful place. Went here during the Ann Arbor Art Fair a few weeks ago to avoid a storm that was supposedly going to hit. The place was packed -- we were lucky enough to find a table and get some drink orders in. We got water right away, which was served in dirty glasses... floaters galore! The waiter quickly brought back some new waters, but they should have never been that disgusting in the first place. After 15-20 minutes, we finally got our drink orders, and thankfully we didn't order food. People who were there before us got their food as we were leaving 80-or-so minutes later. Yes, the place was packed, but that's all pretty inexcusable... couple that with the fact that the drinks were a bit more expensive than they ought to have been. I've avoided Bar Louie for years, and after that visit, I could see why. While some of the food sounded good, there was no way we were ordering any when they were that busy. Oh well, maybe next time.
(1)
James L.
SETTING: Cool place to hangout with friends. Outside dining area right in front of restaurant. Inside dining area as well. Can't make up your mind? There is a hybrid spot: inside area with ceiling covering (but open on the sides). If you can't find a place to sit down, you are probably too picky! FOOD: Dollar burger Tuesday? Seemed too good to be true, but I'm always game for great deals. I went in with the mindset that I would end up with having spent more than $1. I was correct...and add $14 to it. Not worth the deal in my opinion. The burger was only cooked one way--just like what Mom told me after I got an A on an exam: "well done". Because of this, the burger was on the drier side and quite lacking in taste. Just to break it down for you all so there are no cost surprises, let's go through my order. First reason why it turned out to be $14 was because you must order a drink for the $1 burger. A beer costs about $7.50. Then, of course, the more "add-on's" on the burger the higher the price. Each item is about 50 cents. If you want cheese, grilled onions, tomatoes, a sauce that sets you at $2 more. The burger was the size of your typical McDonald's burger (aka small), so we shared some tots (~$4.25). And just like that, $1 burger no more :( SERVICE: Waiter did come by to check in on us a few times, but he just didn't seem to be having a great time. He didn't smile at all! Maybe he was having a rough day, but I felt it rubbed off, and it just made the service a bit of a debbie downer. IMPRESSIONS: Don't think I will be back. If the burger could be cooked to your liking (ie: medium well), I think that would have made a big difference in taste. Honestly the add-on's aren't expensive, and although I got a beer, I'm sure pop would be cheaper. So, really, there are ways to make it less expensive. Unfortunately, the burger just was not tasty. It was also small in size. This is why I had to get tots--I was still hungry!
(2)
Jenn H.
Hanging out with friends here for finger food & drinks. We sat outside as the evening was nice. Great atmosphere & our waitress was attentive. We had the nachos & it was a great complement for our drinks.
(4)
Christina C.
Come for Happy Hour! Most of the appetizers are 1/2 off. My three friends and I ordered Bruschetta, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Buffalo Wings, Cheese Quesadilla, and a non-appetizer (Bacon Egg Sandwich) and it came out to $10 each, which is awesome. I came on a Friday around 5:30pm. I didn't care for the live music... They were odd. I couldn't hear myself talk, so my friends and I didn't end up talking to each other, which was unfortunate. Our waiter was super empathetic in regards to the crappy music, so we were grateful for that.
(3)
Amy G.
Even though some people feel cheated that the "$1 burger" on Tuesdays includes just the patty, bun, and lettuce and all other toppings are extra, it is still a really cheap meal, especially if you don't order alcohol or sides. In any case, it's a discounted deal! I'm not sure how the seating works regularly, but on Tuesdays it is super casual: just seat yourself and a waitress will come by. In fact, I don't think we were addressed more than once by the same waitress, as different workers will walk by and ask if you've ordered or if you need anything. I got the portobello burger with additional toppings of tomato, grilled onions, and guacamole. Carbs are my favorite and the bun was soft, warm and possibly buttered for bonus tastiness. We also shared a side of fries for $4. I liked their fries a lot, I don't know if they pre-season them, but they seemed to be extra crispy and delicious. I want to try their tater tots in the future. Their drink menu is a bit curious in that there are only names of beers, no prices or descriptions, but we asked and the beers are $4-6 which is kind of pricey so we passed on that. All in all, $10 for a filling dinner for two people is a win. It was comfortable dining outside on a warm summery night and I would come again while the weather is nice!
(4)
Kevin T.
Stopped in for their late nite menu, but stayed for the great music of ... Nibbled on some pot stickerd. Nice presentation, tasty...but way too sweet with the glaze. Kind of hungered for something salmon, so picked the Chop Chop salad with the optional salmon filet on top. A nice plus is when tbe waitress asks "how well do yoi want your salmon cooked?". Medium. I ordered the chop chop minus the sweet vinaigrette it comes tossed in. Unfortunately, it arrived swimming in the sauce. Well, at least the salmon was good spared, so just skipped the greens. Lots of other eating choices here close by, but Louie's 1/2 off Happy Hour appetizers somewhat attractive and there's usually a decent beer special.
(3)
Johanna M.
My friends and I met up here for a buddy's bachelor party. I have never been to this restaurant, but it appears to be part of a chain. Either way, we visited this spot on a late Friday night and it was Latin night. Who knew? Not any of my white friends...hahaha. It was pretty funny. I was having a grand old time, but we eventually left as the boys wanted to smoke cigars and get drinks elsewhere. The vibe was alright. There lots of people there dancing and having a great time. If I lived in Michigan, I might visit this place for Latin night. The drinks were fairly priced and there was plenty of seating for people watching. It was an okay bar. Nothing special, but I'm not sure how it rates next to other Michigan bars. This isn't a college dive bar, or what you think of when you visit Michigan. Either way, it was just alright. I'd say come on over if you want to try some sangria and beer to start your evening. I wouldn't stay here all night. Both were pretty good. We didn't get any food because we went really late at night.
(3)
Tony R.
I'm going to echo many of the other reviewers here. They have a huge "service" problem. I met some friends here on a Tuesday night. I arrived about 30 minutes late and one friend was still waiting on his drink that he ordered when they first arrived. We talked for about 10 minutes before our server finally came back to the table to take my order. I decided to order something quick, a chicken sandwich and fries, because I felt anything else I'd probably have to ask for a to go box. My meal came rather quickly, delivered by someone other than our server of course. My other friend asked for a to go box and it took 20 minutes for that to ever arrive. However, he was very quick to come collect our check jackets, both once we put our cards in and after we signed - go figure! In all, no matter how good the food may be, bad service can ruin an experience and your perception of a place. I won't rush back here anytime soon.
(2)
Laura C.
I like Bar Louie a lot, especially since I am from Chicago and enjoyed their branches there. They have a tasty pita/hummus/cucumber app that is really yummy and healthy. Another really important part of this place is that they always have Blue Moon, which is far from a given in most restaurants in Ann Arbor. We went on Tuesday $1 burger nights a few weeks ago, and it was a good deal, especially if you don't mind plain food (every extra little thing, including mayo costs extra) or paying more for it. The cool thing is that you can get a $1 turkey burger, black bean burger, or CHCKEN breast! Surprise! All for $1??! Great deal! You can pay extra for a side order of fries or their excellent tater tots! They also have a huge patio, which is a huge plus in good weather!
(4)
Patrick O.
Would have liked to add more stars but the waitstaff/waitress let me down. During the entire meal, never asked how we were doing, but asked the single gentleman behind us three times. Empty beer glass at the edge of the table was ignored by three different wait staff including our waitress. Now on the other hand, the food was perfect! Great beer selection.
(3)
Alan S.
This is probably one of those hit-or-miss bars that can be found in any college town. I went with a large group and since they all hit the bar at the same time, they all had slow service. Also since they all had IDs from different states and countries it seemed to take the bar tender forever to decide if they were legit or not. Ah well... I don't know how expensive the drinks are since I didn't pay for my own and they don't put prices in the menu. Which is something that bugs me. There was a live cover band who seemed to be playing lots of slower depressing songs, not really want people want on a Saturday night. And they were playing WAY to loud. Despite being on the other side of the bar we had to yell to talk to each other. I wouldn't waste my time going here again, but it wasn't horrible.
(2)
Susan S.
Overpriced, in my opinion. 11.95 for a sandwich? Not sure how college kids can afford that. happy hour half off flat breads (orig. $11.95) were decent, had I paid full price I would have been disappointed, might I mention the fLatbread is crisp, pizza style, not sandwich style like I expected.. Not much of a personal experience, considering the bar was packed on a Tuesday. Our server was polite when she had time but I dealt with like three people sitting at the bar, customer service whiplash, who am I leaving the tip for? I'm Assuming they split.. On the bright side, I was impressed with the draft selection, the chalkboard art was really awesome. The atmosphere was modern and nice. I'm rating four, generously. I was not blown away by my visit. More than likely wouldn't return although Info not regret stopping in, simply because the town has so much more to offer.
(4)
Sarah B.
Mixed drinks are too sweet and use the cheapest ingredients. They need to hire another bartender on Friday nights. Long waits for drinks. Latin music on Friday nights. Generally, this crowd knows how to dance. Small dance floor, but there is decent air circulation. Dear General Manager - Please hire a different DJ!!!! He lacks imagination and knowledge of latin music!! Unfortunately, he plays too many sets of reggaeton and (very electronic) merengue to pander to the lowest common denominator. This attracts people who have no clue how to dance. In fact, I see waves of good dances leave because this guy doesn't let up on the grind music. He does play a few sets of classic salsa and bachata, but I am tired of waiting out the body-slamming music. I am even considering the 45 minute drive to Royal Oak to go to a real latin club that plays the greats of latin music: Joe Arroyo, Willie Colon, Ismael Rivera, and Diego d' Leon. If this DJ plays another set of bachata with songs only by Prince Royce, I'll spit a tamale. In fact, I went to Bar Louie for two consecutive weekends (the DJ at Habana and Bar Louie is the same), and he played a set of reggaeton and another of techno which were identical to last Friday. Formulaic and uninspiring. A few very good leads make it worth the while.
(2)
Jola B.
Went out for happy hour with some grad students yesterday evening. We reserved a couple tables from 4-6. Good happy hour prices on beer, wine, martinis (!) and select appetizers. I'm from Cali so the quesadilla ($3.62) and guacamole was just okay to me. But I'm a cocktail girl and I enjoyed their martinis. I had the Tickled Pink ($5.25) and the Smores ($5.25) The tickled pink was good and the Smores was *delicious.* Interesting crowd - students, professionals and older folks. But I had a good time and will definitely be coming back. I hear they do pretty legit salsa dancing too.
(4)
Naveen N.
Relatively expensive for Ann Arbor. Drinks and food weren't particularly better than any other place you could go to eat at. Likely won't be back.
(2)
Juliana M.
Service is absolutely abysmal. Took 30 minutes to get the wrong drink, another 15 to replace it. Another hour to get burgers to the table with the wrong toppings. I've been here almost every week this semester, and the service has been consistently horrible. Drinks are overpriced for what the place is. I don't recommend coming here if it isn't happy hour. Menu doesn't even have drink prices listed, and server gets annoyed when you ask.
(2)
Andrea F.
Service is mediocre. Food is excellent. Beer list is great...but $10 for a tiny sangria that barely has any alcohol in it NO THANKS
(3)
Ari G.
Atmosphere and food is very "American Fare'. Absolutely great staff. Caitlin has been our server a few times now and she is a total rockstar!
(5)
John G.
5 minutes for waitress and 24 minutes to get drinks. If you're in a hurry, skip this place. Drinks and flatbreads are good. Doubt I will be returning to Bar Louie.
(1)
Roxie F.
Seating was confusing here. When you walk in there's no staff to greet you and take you to a table, and no sign that says to seat yourself. We waited at a table for a very long time before a waiter came by. We placed food and drink orders, and waited some more. Our drinks finally came out, which were not too bad, but really overpriced. Then more waiting. Finally the food came out. My sandwich had tomatoes even when I asked for none, not a huge deal but the place wasn't even busy enough to justify getting it wrong and the horrible waiting times. We asked for hot sauce when the food came out, and never got it. I actually don't think the waiter ever stopped by during the meal to check if things were good or to ask for refills of drinks. The food was very tasty, the one redeeming factor of the experience. And the decor was nice. But that's it. After over an hour on a late Monday night we finally paid and left, feeling slightly upset but we'll fed.
(3)
Steven S.
Despite being a large chain, there are still things that are quite nice about this place. Fridays are Latin Night, which is a nice little add-on for those who want to dance after they've imbibed and filled their stomachs (potentially in that order). In terms of atmosphere, they have great outdoor seating. Our waitress Ashley was friendly and stayed a while just to chat with us, and was prompt in getting our orders. The flatbreads are like their specialty, and are quite tasty. A few friends who ended up getting their sandwiches also gave them praise.
(4)
Michelle C.
I haven't been back to Bar Louie in a while, only for the fact that I try to avoid downtown while school is in session for inconvenient parking (you have to park in a nearby structure or find street parking). I was here on a Monday night with a few of my girlfriends and I was so impressed! Happy hour is 4-7pm with $3 draft beer, $4 all wines, and $5 martinis. They also offer half off select appetizers (calamari, which is delightful, all flatbreads, spinach artichoke dip, boneless wings, and a couple of other simple dishes I can't remember now). Also on Tuesdays, Bar Louie offers $1 burgers. Don't be fooled- they are NOT sliders. They are real, man-sized burgers. So, don't be silly like me thinking they're sliders and order 3, get dirty looks from the server, then be embarrassed later. Service is great, there is a large (I think 30+) selection of draft beer, including local craft beers. Food is wonderful- my favorite is their loaded tater tots (think nachos with really awesome gooey cheese. then replace chips with tater tots).
(4)
Dan W.
Stopped in for Veterans Day and except for the service being slow, an overall good experience. It wasn't busy as well, so I knocked down a star.
(4)
Melissah L.
This place is okay for a chain restaurant... the vibe is fun and energetic and the interior is pretty nice. Tables are pretty hard to come by though, so if you have a a larger party I would recommend calling ahead to see if there are open seats (I'm not sure if they take reservations). I came here for a friend's birthday and was not too impressed with the experience. We ordered drinks and food. Since we were there during happy hour, we tried their martinis and ordered draft beers. For the martini, I tried the Honeydew, and it was absolutely horrible. I found it sickeningly sweet and ended up adding water to it to cut down on the sugary taste. The beer was fine, though, only $3 for a decent-sized glass. For the food, I got the fried Louie burger. Again, it was just fine- exactly how I would expect the burger and fries of a chain restaurant to taste, but what I was really unimpressed with was the service and the length of time we had to wait for our food. It took nearly an hour for our food to come after we sat down, and while it was a busy night, our waitress only seemed to come around every 20 minutes. Wish the service was better-- this could be a good place to watch UM games!
(2)
Miguel R.
Awesome Salsa Fridays do not miss out! youtu.be/REQDdAwLSIg
(5)
Gabie L.
We went here for happy hour on Tuesday. $1 burger night!! Actually, it's not $1 when you add veggies, cheese, and extra (how can you eat a burger without those?). Still, it's quite cheap even after adding them and the actual price of a burger is about $3-4. The burger was okay and they have good and many beer selection. Everything seems okay so far. One thing you should know is you should check your bill thoroughly. Otherwise, you will get a wrong bill! When we've checked the bill, found out a bartender charged wrong food and extra. It's small dollar differences so you might never know unless checking the bill..
(3)
James K.
Come here for the specials on Tuesday and Wednesday...burgers are good and tots are awesome!
(3)
Mimi T.
I love the drinks from the variety of beers to martinis. During HH (4-7p) it is decently priced but I wouldn't go here not during a HH. Definitely a good place to go if you want to try something different than the usual beers most Ann Arbor bars have on tap. They have live bands but if you're actually trying to talk to someone this is not the place to go. It can be a fun atmosphere but seems like there can be very different crowds depending on who the band is. I think I tried some apps but don't really remember which means that they weren't worth remembering... :P I wish the layout was a little bit different. Feels very secluded depending on where you're sitting but if you're trying to be hidden then this is the perfect place for you.
(3)
Tiffany B.
I've been here a couple times for Latin night on Fridays and it's always super packed. Dancing on the small dance floor they have in front is like trying to dance in a closet with 200 people in it, it's pretty ridiculous ha ha but the upside is I love their dirty martinis and this one older gentleman always finds me for a dance which I find rather pleasant. When it's busy don't expect to get a drink right away and don't expect to have any amount of personal space. If that doesn't bother you then you should go Latin night they have a good selection of Spanish music playing and some expert dancers from what I've seen.
(4)
Matt K.
Terrible service. Never had such pitiful service in my entire life. Food was decent for a bar. Just worst service I've had. The waitress took a long time for everything and would disappear at a moments notice.
(1)
Michael S.
I don't go here often, due to the crowds, but with it being Spring Break, I thought I'd take a chance. It was Happy Hour and $1 burger night, to boot! Most of their large, varied selection of beers and all of their signature martinis and wines were on special ($3, $5, and $4, respectively). $1 got you a burger (chicken, turkey, portabella or beef), bun and lettuce. Toppings were a bit extra. The liquids and burgers were very good. Service was sketchy to start with, but got better as the evening wore on. That was odd, because it filled up by the time we left. The establishment was nice, in a corporate sort of way. My main concern, as stated before is the crowd. Once the seats got filled, it was difficult to move about due to the closeness of the tables. However, it didn't ruin the experience. I plan to be back once school lets out.
(4)
Patrick T.
Good place to watch UM games. Just remember to come early and stake out a table. Acceptable drinks. The wings, and other food items are meh.
(2)
Tattooed Vegan Travelers T.
Usually we don't review many chain restaurants because 1) they often don't have many options to vegans and vegetarians and therefore 2) we usually don't visit them. So, I while back we visited Bar Louie the first time expecting nothing but mediocre chain food and instead ate some of the best vegetarian nachos we've ever tasted! On top of that, the beer selection rivals that of our favorite microbrew pubs. This made this bar our to go place when in the mood for nachos and beer (which is quite often). But their veggie selection does not end there. Their veggie wrap is seriously the best wraps we've ever had - although this may not be that difficult since veggie wraps always suck. We think of veggie wraps as the no-creativity-needed veggie-option copout for a lazy chefs. Yet, our opinion of wraps would drastically change if they all tasted 1/2 as amazing as the one at this place. Our only "beef" with Bar Louie, and thus the lack of 5 stars, is their portabella burger. the portabella is so small is more like a champignon. So it really can't compete with most of the other veggie burgers in town. So, if you're vegetarian, skip the burger and get the nachos sans chicken instead!
(4)
David R.
Wow, that Atwater Vanilla Bean Java Ale rocked my world. I think I might have achieved Satori as I drank it, but I'll get back to you on that. The number of taps they have in here is mind-boggling and begs the question where they keep all the mechanics because the bar is clean and smooth as they come. A large place with a lot of areas to sit: bar, high tables, booths, outside, etc. A young and energetic crowd and servers. This place mimics the youth and energy of Ann Arbor. Maybe it was just the heat of the Ann Arbor Art Fair and the exhaustion of all the walking, but that beer... sigh... I'll be back.
(3)
Sumana P.
Great drinks, great food, and great service! I have various food allergies and intolerances like dairy and gluten but our waiter literally sat with us for about thirty minutes and created something just for me! He and the kind chef alone deserve five stars but the special hummus plate they made for me was also spectacular! He also had great drink recommendations. My friend and I went after midnight which is when the waitstaff generally starts to not really care so the fact that I got perhaps the best service of my life so late is even more amazing. The place is a bit pricey but totally worth it.
(5)
Uncle B.
Decent burger, nice crisp bacon.
(3)
Malinda M.
My lady friend and I came here one night for martini's at the bar. To our surprise at 8:30pm they still had a drink special going for $5 martinis! We tried everyone almost between us and the bartender was quick, helpful, and freaking adorable. They have what seems like a million beers on tap and an amazing selection of alcohol. If you're looking for a fun place for a cocktail YOU FOUND IT!
(5)
Jason C.
Ah... Bar Louie... It's a bar that targets the working professionals in downtown Ann Arbor.. the location is ideal, because it's few blocks from the campus and it's next to Google office and couple blocks from the main street. I have been to this Bar Louie several times but didn't really yelp about it... so here I am... Yelping :) I like the happy hours... last time I was there... my two beers were more than the food I ordered... granted this will only happen if you go during happy hour... As for the food goes, I only like the loaded tots... I have tried other food, but to be honest... charging lot of money for some prepackage food shipped out of Chicago, heated and served... yeah, I don't buy that... anyways, the service is hit or miss, depending on when you go. I think they changed the layout, because it seems like there's less tables then when it first opened up... can anyone confirm this? I like how they have outdoor seating by the main entrance and out in the back... parking is also a challenge... street parking or pay some money parking in the lot a block away... give it a try.
(3)
Beth H.
I hit the bar for happy hour, yesterday. I believe they have really downsized their happy hour specials. It was still a good value; just not as good of a selection. At least the small wine list had some decent bottles. The food was hot, fresh and out quick. The service was good, and the girls were friendly enough, but they seemed incredibly out of place. Dressed more like they should be in a biker bar than Bar Louie, and they didn't seem very happy at all. Definitely A-OK for a stop in if you are in the area, but for the construction that plagues that corner, lack of nearby parking and difficultly of getting to the location, I won't be making a point to stop in again anytime soon.
(3)
Kristen C.
Bar Louie has a great happy hour, and I was so happy to see them include veggie burgers on their $1 burger day. They have a ton of beers on tap and lots of wine options. This is a really fun place to hang out with friends or just sit at the bar. It's a bit expensive without any deals going on, so if you don't like to spend a lot at the bar then plan accordingly :)
(4)
Beck E.
Um... that was really nice of the female bartender behind the counter to aggressively flirt with my boyfriend while I was standing right next to him. I understand that she was trying to butter him up to get a nice tip, but COME ON! I WAS RIGHT THERE!
(1)
Brenton D.
Service was absolutely terrible. I ordered a drink which took over 5 minutes to deliver. Should not take 5 minutes to bring a bottle of beer. Especially when there were 2 people behind the bar counting money. I spent that 5 minutes looking at a menu, deciding what I would like to eat. Not once did anyone behind the bar ask if I wanted to order food. So, I drank my beer, went to another place down the street and spent my money there. At this place it seems the people behind the bar have better things to do than to serve their customers.
(1)
Nancy K.
Never again. This Birkenstock wearer is pretty new to Ann Arbor and didn't know this was a chain at first. I'll admit, despite my usual "non-chain only" attitude I was impressed and a few times when we've had people in town (our parents, non-Birkenstock wearing friends) this has been a standby for decent food when they've gotten sick of the tofu, tempeh, etc. While we've only been here six times, we noticed some things with each visit: namely that they cannot handle a crowd and that each time the food wasn't quite as good. When a salad that comes with chicken is delivered without chicken you have to wonder what's going on. Also, after our second or third visit they changed the veggie burger to something with way more rice in it - not nearly as good as it used to be. A huge fan of the oriental burger (veg option) I'm sad that it's not orderable anymore. For some unknown reason we decided to go to Bar Louie last Sunday... we never go when it's just us but whatever, stranger things have happened. By the end of the meal my husband, who had ordered a chicken sandwich, wasn't feeling very well, was doubled over by the time we got to the car and by the time we got home he was running to the bathroom to experience some of the most violent vomitting I've ever heard. Not sure if it was food poisoning or something that didn't agree with him, but he was incredibly sick for a while. After about 30 minutes of almost non-stop puking he took a nap and then felt a little better. Wish we had stuck with our local-only policy... we will from now on. Also, our waitress was kind of an airhead who kept forgetting things. She was nice, though, and apologetic.
(1)
Jay L.
An acceptable place to have a couple beers. Avoid the "food.' Basically the chefs at Bar Louie st down with a bunch of cheap ingredients and said how do we make people think they like this? Oh, we'll just add a boatload of salt. The only flavors you'll find here are salty, fatty, and salty/fatty. Also I was annoyed that I asked what the happy hour specials were and was told calamari was one of the items that's half off. I tried the buffalo calamari, which is actually OK but don't eat it by yourself, and found out when we got the bill only regular calamari is at happy hour price. It gets more than one star because the beer selection is good and the prices are reasonable by downtown Ann Arbor standards.
(2)
Khom V.
Happy Hour and Burger Tuesday deal is the best.
(3)
Anonymous F.
A nice place to hang out during the warmer months. Drinking beer and people-watching outside. The tuna is good, the beer selection is good(although getting a good tap can be a big question mark)...... the seasoned fries are good but you don't get very many. Shame, really. The inside eating area smells bad as you would expect from a college town "bar". Stale beer smell soaked into the floors. Often times they have live music but it generally is pretty lousy music. The service is usually very bad but on rare occasions the wait staff will surprise me. ...it's a chain and not worth going out of your way to visit
(3)
Steve G.
Not worth coming here. For anything. Ever. When Bar Louie first opened in Ann Arbor several years ago there was a decent happy hour w/ half price appetizers and relatively cheap beer. At those prices, coupled with the ability to sit outside on a nice day, Bar Louie was a decent (although less than spectacular) bar option. But over time they sank into an abyss of poor food, even worse service and gradually higher prices (even on their happy hour "specials"). After several less than favorable experiences, most of my friends decided to finally write off Bar Louie for good with no intention to return...especially since so many better bar options exist within a few blocks.
(1)
Stephen H.
I think its great that there is a bar louie in ann arbor and its even greater that the place snubs the birkenstocks wearers. Chain you say? I wouldnt have guessed but its a great place to watch a hockey game or meet a friend after work for a drink or two. Try the vesuvio melt in a wrap. The service is always excellent, bar-none.
(4)
Christopher F.
Bar louie is what it is, a bar with some upgraded pub food. Their pretzel sticks and cheese and honey mustard dip are really good an A. Their pizza however, I found average a C. I also tried their toast and bruschetta and tomatoes which was ok. There menu mainly consist of burgers and sandwiches nothing spectacular better than your average bar food. They have a nice selection of drinks and a good happy hour!!
(3)
Evelyn R.
Went here a little over a month ago for $1 burgers. It took us a while to get served, but once she came she was nice. Burger was cheap but good, I got the portobella burger, so its still a good option for vegetarians. I tried 4 different drinks, the Sailor Jerry Mojito was by far the best. They were $10 a piece though, however the $1 burgers pretty much made up for it. I give this a 4 simply because it was cheap burger day, it would get a 3 on any other day of the week.
(4)
Vivek V.
well we must just have been lucky because our experiences at Bar Louie were a lot different than most reviewers have had. In our short five day visit to Ann Arbor we ended up at Bar Louie three times, Thursday night (NFL), Saturday afternoon (GO BLUE) and Sunday Afternoon (NFL). Ther service was excellent each time and happy hour prices seemed reasonable (but we are from the San Francisco Bay area so everything in A2 seemed less expensive). Thursday was mostly watching the game and drinking beer. The beer selection is ample but i am sure you can find better in Ann Arbor. We tried several local beers and enjoyed them all. On Saturday we tried the popcorn and pretzel sticks. The pretzel sticks were warm and salty and the popcorn was light and fluffy. The beer of course was cold and tasty. Even though the place was full our server was attentative and the service was fast. On Sunday, we tried the meatballs (and popcorn) and found them to be soft and delicious. The server regularly filled our club sodas and came by asking how we were doing often. We had started at another place but they did not have the Pittsburgh game (Xfinity was not showing it). Bar Louie was showing the game and we stayed for the 49er game too. The Detroit game was on the TV one over from the one playing the Pittsburgh game so it was really fun to watch both games side by side. When we return to Ann Arbor and want to watch sports, drink beer and eat, Bar Louie will be our choice. .
(5)
Anya P.
What people find appealing about this place I'll never know. The music was too loud to talk to anyone, the waitress' (who disturbingly all looked alike) were inattentive, and the most important thing was lost: the quality of the drinks. We went for a pre-movie cocktail and were so disgusted that we just left with our drinks nearly untouched. If we weren't late for the movie- the drinks took a while to get to us- I would have made a big fuss, but let's just say never again. Oh, also nothing has a price mark, which means they are trying to avoid sticker shock, but it's Ann Arbor. Seriously. One last thing- the cocktails were made with syrups. Like coffee house syrups. ew....
(2)
Sara C.
Star #1 - Great beer prices at happy hour Star #2 - Ample outdoor seating Star #3 - $5 "real" martinis if you special order them at happy hour Loss of Star #3 - serving a martini in a warm glass that smells like bleach. This place is basically one step up from Applebee's in terms of ambiance and food. That's not really a compliment.
(2)
Molly H.
So, this review comes with the major caveat that I have only been once, it was at 3 or 4 in the afternoon on a Monday or Tuesday and we sat outside on a gorgeous day. So if a restaurant can't succeed given these conditions, well, they've got a whole lotta problems. What pulled us in was the chalkboard declaring their happy hour specials which are truly very good. Hard to turn down a $5 martini. Anyway, our service was excellent--very attentive, very nice, good sense of humor and very fast. That being said--I'm pretty sure we were the only table this guy had. I got a chicken quesadilla that I believe was also on some sort of happy hour special--it was HUGE for the price and really good. Great bar food. We got a few drinks and that quesadilla and the bill with tip was less than 20 bucks. I can't really argue with that. So, my advice: go in the early afternoon on an off day and sit on that patio to enjoy yourself. I really can't vouch for anything past that.
(3)
Kensey W.
i have to start out by saying i do NOT hate chain restaurants. every place has its own merits and there are several chain restaurants that i happily choose to eat at. this particular bar louie is not one of them. the food and drinks (aka uneven syrupy booze) is bad and expensive for what it is (yes, even "dollar" burgers are not worth it), as everyone has already said. but what i hate about this place is the service. there is just no indication that they care anything about what their customers think of them. i used to eat here on tuesdays for dollar burger kind of regularly because a group of my friends did. it seemed like we always got this waitress margot who was brusque and not very polite, and tends to leave the table before you can ask for anything. and one time when we were there, presumably at the end of her shift, i gave her exact change for the bill and she asked for "the rest of it" so she could "throw it in her purse." i was a server for most of undergrad and all of grad school and cannot ever imagine doing something this unprofessional and tacky. also, one time i went in on a weekday afternoon when there was practically no one there to get a gift card for one of them and the bartender told me they didn't have gift cards. i found out later that they do though, and looking back i realized he probably just didn't want to do work for something he wasn't going to get tipped on. after that trip, i decided to never go again. i don't think i'd give one-stars very lightly but i'd give this place zero if i could. i'm actually really sad that this place will probably stay in business. there is just nothing redeeming about it.
(1)
Jay K.
I can see why so many people hate on this place. But if you like beer, this is the place to be for happy hour. They have 30+ beers on tap, and more than half of them are from decent microbreweries (dogfish head, bell's, founder's, etc). They also have a few European beers (The last time I went, they had Delirium Tremens, Piraat, and Weihenstephan). At $3 a pint and good hours (M-F 4-7 and sometimes W all day), it's a beer lover's heaven. Food is mediocre, and they only have average mixed drinks (not worth it for the price you're paying). So I'm giving them 4 stars only for their happy hour beer. If you're not a big beer drinker though, probably avoid this place?
(4)
Carrie B.
If you like snobbish bars than this one is for you. I myself like dive bars where everyone knows your name. I went in here last Sunday 11-11 for the free veterans meal. I ordered the portabella burger it came and it looked appealing - I put the top on the burger and knew there was going to be a problem because it was so tall. As soon as I went to bite into it the bread fell apart (on the stale side) and all the topping slid out the back and I was left biting a very rubbery mushroom that I could not break off. I actually had to scissor it with my teeth to break off that piece. It had obviously been overcooked. I decided on eating the toppings that had fallen off out the back and made myself a little salad excluding the mushrooms. Then I proceeded to eat the fries they gave me all 5 of them (very stingy). All I have to say is I am glad it was free.
(1)
Guillermo K.
This place sucks. Seriously sucks.
(2)
mariah c.
It's not the best, it's not the worst. It has the somewhat anonymous tone of a chain place - there's nothing in particular that attracts me to the place, except the fact that they have outdoor seating. I feel like that gets them some extra credit. They had cheap happy hour drinks -- except the "last call" happy hour drink I was offered ended up being charged at a very non-happy hour price. The fried zucchini was tasty, but it got taken away before our table was done with it. Our server was friendly and sweet -- just getting the hang of things while training, and she did a goo job -- just bummed she didn't watch that the happy hour prices she offered actually appeared on the bill. It was a decent place to celebrate(?) my friend;s pink slip party, but unless I'm feeling frugality over searching for character in a place, I don't know that I'd be apt to return.
(3)
Carlos O.
Had a two-hearted beer and the southwest burger. Loved it!
(3)
Brian G.
Overpriced watered down drinks with poor service. Unless its happy hour... Don't bother.
(2)
Gina V.
I feel like people hate on Bar Louie for being the anti-Ann Arbor bar. It's a chain (from Chicago, no less) that caters to the yuppie crowd and makes no apologies for snubbing birkenstock-wearing locavores. This is exactly why I go here - because every now and then you just want an ample selection of cheap beer on tap, half price appetizers, and a big screen TV. On the contrary, I hate on Bar Louie for their inability to handle large crowds. As soon as a waitlist forms the witching hour begins and all hell breaks loose. The host stand turns into a revolving door of multitasking employees and no one has any idea what's going on. Example: Last time I was there they said it would be an hour wait. Meanwhile, two large tables sat unoccupied for at least 20 minutes.
(3)
Briza Y.
I'm not a bar go-er, so I'm not the best type of person to rate this place, but I'll put in my 2cents since I was there on a Friday night. I ordered the BBQ Salad and it was good. Luckily for them, it's pretty hard to mess up a salad. The hockey game was on, so that was a plus. I do wish the sound was a bit lower so a decent conversation could also be had. Overall, it was a fine experience.
(3)
Linda S.
I guess I should not expect much from a burger that costs $1, but I wouldn't have guessed that the smoky haze in the restaurant when we walked in, was from the crispy overbooked burgers. We have had good and (very) bad service here, and they are surprisingly kid friendly considering they are a bar, but the food is just not good. I have had many dishes here (not just the $1burgers) and have never been impressed. They have a respectable choice of draft beers, but Ashley's is a much better place to go if that is what you are looking for when heading out in Ann Arbor. If you are looking for food, go across the street...
(1)
Lori K.
Hi Bar Louie, your tator tots covered with cheese sauce - out of this world - perfect amount of spices, jalepeno's, pickled things..it was mind blowing. Good selection of local beers on draft. The buffalo style calamari was not that good. Expensive. Will be back. But only for beer and the tots.
(5)
Marissa B.
I made it to Bar Louie on Day #2 of business. The decor of the Chicago-based chain could best be described as swanky sports bar... if there is such a thing. The focal point is the large bar in the center of the restaurant which is surrounded by scattered high-top bar tables and large semi-circle booths towards the back. There are two outdoor seating areas - one out back, in a cement "courtyard", and one out front along the street. The back outdoor area is too sunny for my taste in the evening, the front seating is shaded by the building. When I entered the restaurant I was struck by how inhospitable the hostess was. No greeting, no "how are you"... nothing. It was almost uncomfortable for me to approach her. Come on now, they've only been open for two days! How can she be THIS miserable already?! Happy Hour runs from 4-7pm, offering $2 beers and $5 martinis. Unfortunately we missed it so I indulged in a regular priced $8 chocolate martini. While the presentation of the martini was nice (chocolate swirled glass, strawberry on the rim) I was not so impressed with the martini itself. At this risk of making myself sound like a lush, I know my martinis and this was way too weak to be an $8 martini. Bottom Line: You're in Ann Arbor! There are so many great, locally-owned restaurants downtown that you should visit first before spending too much time in Bar Louie.
(2)
Bea G.
We went to Bar Louie for drinks after dinner, so we didn't try any food. Highlights: * Easily found a couch/table for our party of six. * Quick and nice service. * Bright ambiance with lots of TVs. Lowlights: * Harder to mingle with others. * Feels a bit more like a restaurant than a bar. Overall: Would go back to, but it's not on our frequent rotation of places.
(4)
Dan M.
If my most recent experience was my only one with Bar Louie, it would be my last and this review would be far more painful. Thankfully I've visited a few times and know this to be an average, though of course claiming to be more, chain restaurant. With the special shaped serving 'baskets' and such they come across as pretentious. In reality its a relatively generic bar chain. They have burgers, fries, fish-n-chips, sandwiches, etc and fit the basic ho-hum American food bill for the masses. The environment is generally energetic and the portions are huge so you really do get what (and maybe more than) you pay for. The waitstaff seems relatively attentive for the most part. They do have two things I LOVE-Tater tots (and the thought of someone not loving tater tots is downright silly) and the BLTT-Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, and Turkey. That sandwich is a great flavor combo without being too heavy. The salads can be good, but the quantity of ingredients seem to vary substantially over time. The Fish-n-chips was essentially flavorless despite having a 'special' Blue Moon batter. For a quick lunch or maybe a drink in the afternoon this is a good spot. For dinner, not so much in my opinion.
(3)
Rob P.
Bar Louie is another example of the wrong direction that Ann Arbor is taking. It is gradually adding these chain bars that have no personality and generally detract from the original cityscape of the town. Bar Louie does have a nice interior--it has a smooth layout, dimly light atmosphere that would otherwise be a welcoming alternative to other bars on Main Street. That is where the positives end however. The service is generally slow (taking 1.5+ hours to get food) and forgetful (My server has rarely remembered everything that my party has ordered, even when it's a party of two or three). When you try to order multiple drinks (as if to suggest the process is too slow), you are denied and offered rudeness. The establishment has always been full of loud, obnoxious guests (which isn't necessarily the fault of BL, it's just something to be aware of) and it's impossible to get a drink from the bar. The food is mediocre, but overpriced for what it is. If you must go there, do so during happy hour to at least get a discounted experience and decide for yourself. It is not an easy-going or expedient restaurant/bar.
(2)
Elle W.
Not sure why there are so many bad reviews! Great (patient) service, good food, and fun atmosphere. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Joel S.
Ouch. The absolute worst brunch service I've ever experienced. Took almost 30 minutes and asking 3 times to get my cup of coffee, and a little longer than that to get my bloody mary (ordered at the same time). Food was pretty standard brunch fare. Too many other options (like Zingerman's) to ever go back.
(1)
Steven L.
Whores Whores Whores! This place has them all: old, young, hot, ugly, fat, skinny, business, business casual, skanky, swanky, sorority, emo etc. Every time I go here, I am surrounded by whores. I don't think I have seen a female in here that was not a whore. Also the food is edible and the beer is cold.
(5)
Jonas L.
Happy Hour + $2 beers = 5 stars (maybe more if you can get drunk quickly enough) Any other time = 1 star (only because that is the minimum) Now let us do some maths, by averaging proportional to the hours: 5 * (3/15) + 1 * (12/15) = 1.8 I'll be generous and round up to 2 stars.
(2)
Kevin S.
OMG this place was a bad dining experience. The music was so loud we could not hear each other. I went here with my deaf friend David who wears a hearing aid and he had to turn the hearing aid off because the music was so loud. Our waiter smelled like Weed & Cigarette smoke and to top things off my chicken sandwich was borderline burnt. I will come here for cocktails just not dinner anymore.
(1)
David M.
I haven't been here for the nightlife, but I've eaten here a couple of times. I don't remember anything here being to special, "standard" is a good way to describe it. Someone raved about the fish tacos once, but I got them and they were bland and flavorless (and redundant!). I'll probably be back if there really are $1 burgers on Tuesdays though.
(3)
Tyler B.
I almost cried when I saw that Bar Louie was opening an Ann Arbor location. I'd visited several of their establishments in the Chicago area, and without fail, they were all populated with the most unbelievable assortment of douche bags imaginable. The place is permeated with most vile, smug, vapid and vacant lot you've ever seen. Everytime, every Bar Louie. So I swore I'd never set foot in the A2 version. They can suck it. But then I get a txt message. After months of telling everyone what cest pool the place is, a friend writes me "I don't know how to tell you this, but Louie has $2 Oberons, almost every day 4-7" Damn you Bar Louie! So naturally I went. And I do feel vindicated - the service and people were exact replicants of all the Chicago branches I'd been tricked into visiting. BUT A2 Louie's does have two patios... so I guess if you bring your own company, you can sit outside and make fun of your bar going cohort whilst enjoying some cheap booze and appetizers. There's worse things...
(2)
Bryce B.
There is really no good reason to go to this chain bar/restaurant. Nothing on the menu is anything better than mediocre. At best, this is a decent happy hour place. Yet, I have probably been to this establishment 6 or 7 times. Why? The excellent selection of beer on tap. They have 30+ quality beers, including many local beers like Bell's and Arbor Brewing Company. It is also conveniently located in the same building where our office is. Those are my reasons, such as they are.
(3)
Benjamin S.
I would give this place no stars if I were able too. Bar Louie used to be a decent place to go but these days it is just an overpriced, rudely served dump. The guys that work there are absolute d-bags and the women are even worse. To quantify this, I recently went with a group of friends and order a dry vodka martini, a friend ordered a dirty martini. The waitress then brought me what she call a "dry dirty vodka martini". I politely informed her that no such thing exsisted and the proceeded to bitch about me to the rest of the staff. (We had more friends sitting at the bar listening to this). I dont know what happened to this place, but it sucks now. Stay away.
(1)
BD Traveler R.
Overall pretty standard sports bar type food and ambiance. They do have a good selection of burgers and sandwiches, some of which are original. We also enjoyed their selection of appetizers, which came with a great assortment of dips/sauces (we recommend the lemon aioli that the fried zucchini came with). Didn't have a drink, so I can't comment on their selections in that department. I had an "Angry Louie", which is basically a burger topped with whatever they could find that was spicy. It was quite flavorful (and a little spicier than I expected...) and I would point you in that direction if you are of the hotter persuasion. In particular, I did like that Bar Louie will customize any burger with a turkey or veggie patty instead of beef with no additional charge. I believe that they have burger specials every Tuesday (or it might be specific Tuesdays) when they are $1 (toppings extra), and I'll probably try to take advantage of that someday. The ambiance and service were typical - no complaints, but nothing worth noting here. We were a large group (about 18 people), and they weren't able to seat us any any one table, so we had to be split into two groups. While that was disappointing, it probably isn't too rare at other places as well. At least worth a try. I would choose 3.5 stars, but decided to round down as average sounds about right.
(3)
Shelby A.
I've been coming to this place for a long time and never have I experienced anything less than a fantastic time. They have great live music, the atmosphere here is upbeat, the outdoor seating is comfortable. The waiters and waitresses know the menu very well, the management is on top of things and the customer is the most important person every time. You can't have a bad experience here. I don't think it's possible at all. Try the chicken nachos - seriously some of the best nachos I've had in a long time. Perfect combo.
(5)
Alex K.
Pretty awful place. Went here during the Ann Arbor Art Fair a few weeks ago to avoid a storm that was supposedly going to hit. The place was packed -- we were lucky enough to find a table and get some drink orders in. We got water right away, which was served in dirty glasses... floaters galore! The waiter quickly brought back some new waters, but they should have never been that disgusting in the first place. After 15-20 minutes, we finally got our drink orders, and thankfully we didn't order food. People who were there before us got their food as we were leaving 80-or-so minutes later. Yes, the place was packed, but that's all pretty inexcusable... couple that with the fact that the drinks were a bit more expensive than they ought to have been. I've avoided Bar Louie for years, and after that visit, I could see why. While some of the food sounded good, there was no way we were ordering any when they were that busy. Oh well, maybe next time.
(1)
James L.
SETTING: Cool place to hangout with friends. Outside dining area right in front of restaurant. Inside dining area as well. Can't make up your mind? There is a hybrid spot: inside area with ceiling covering (but open on the sides). If you can't find a place to sit down, you are probably too picky! FOOD: Dollar burger Tuesday? Seemed too good to be true, but I'm always game for great deals. I went in with the mindset that I would end up with having spent more than $1. I was correct...and add $14 to it. Not worth the deal in my opinion. The burger was only cooked one way--just like what Mom told me after I got an A on an exam: "well done". Because of this, the burger was on the drier side and quite lacking in taste. Just to break it down for you all so there are no cost surprises, let's go through my order. First reason why it turned out to be $14 was because you must order a drink for the $1 burger. A beer costs about $7.50. Then, of course, the more "add-on's" on the burger the higher the price. Each item is about 50 cents. If you want cheese, grilled onions, tomatoes, a sauce that sets you at $2 more. The burger was the size of your typical McDonald's burger (aka small), so we shared some tots (~$4.25). And just like that, $1 burger no more :( SERVICE: Waiter did come by to check in on us a few times, but he just didn't seem to be having a great time. He didn't smile at all! Maybe he was having a rough day, but I felt it rubbed off, and it just made the service a bit of a debbie downer. IMPRESSIONS: Don't think I will be back. If the burger could be cooked to your liking (ie: medium well), I think that would have made a big difference in taste. Honestly the add-on's aren't expensive, and although I got a beer, I'm sure pop would be cheaper. So, really, there are ways to make it less expensive. Unfortunately, the burger just was not tasty. It was also small in size. This is why I had to get tots--I was still hungry!
(2)
Jenn H.
Hanging out with friends here for finger food & drinks. We sat outside as the evening was nice. Great atmosphere & our waitress was attentive. We had the nachos & it was a great complement for our drinks.
(4)
Christina C.
Come for Happy Hour! Most of the appetizers are 1/2 off. My three friends and I ordered Bruschetta, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Buffalo Wings, Cheese Quesadilla, and a non-appetizer (Bacon Egg Sandwich) and it came out to $10 each, which is awesome. I came on a Friday around 5:30pm. I didn't care for the live music... They were odd. I couldn't hear myself talk, so my friends and I didn't end up talking to each other, which was unfortunate. Our waiter was super empathetic in regards to the crappy music, so we were grateful for that.
(3)
Amy G.
Even though some people feel cheated that the "$1 burger" on Tuesdays includes just the patty, bun, and lettuce and all other toppings are extra, it is still a really cheap meal, especially if you don't order alcohol or sides. In any case, it's a discounted deal! I'm not sure how the seating works regularly, but on Tuesdays it is super casual: just seat yourself and a waitress will come by. In fact, I don't think we were addressed more than once by the same waitress, as different workers will walk by and ask if you've ordered or if you need anything. I got the portobello burger with additional toppings of tomato, grilled onions, and guacamole. Carbs are my favorite and the bun was soft, warm and possibly buttered for bonus tastiness. We also shared a side of fries for $4. I liked their fries a lot, I don't know if they pre-season them, but they seemed to be extra crispy and delicious. I want to try their tater tots in the future. Their drink menu is a bit curious in that there are only names of beers, no prices or descriptions, but we asked and the beers are $4-6 which is kind of pricey so we passed on that. All in all, $10 for a filling dinner for two people is a win. It was comfortable dining outside on a warm summery night and I would come again while the weather is nice!
(4)
Kevin T.
Stopped in for their late nite menu, but stayed for the great music of ... Nibbled on some pot stickerd. Nice presentation, tasty...but way too sweet with the glaze. Kind of hungered for something salmon, so picked the Chop Chop salad with the optional salmon filet on top. A nice plus is when tbe waitress asks "how well do yoi want your salmon cooked?". Medium. I ordered the chop chop minus the sweet vinaigrette it comes tossed in. Unfortunately, it arrived swimming in the sauce. Well, at least the salmon was good spared, so just skipped the greens. Lots of other eating choices here close by, but Louie's 1/2 off Happy Hour appetizers somewhat attractive and there's usually a decent beer special.
(3)
Johanna M.
My friends and I met up here for a buddy's bachelor party. I have never been to this restaurant, but it appears to be part of a chain. Either way, we visited this spot on a late Friday night and it was Latin night. Who knew? Not any of my white friends...hahaha. It was pretty funny. I was having a grand old time, but we eventually left as the boys wanted to smoke cigars and get drinks elsewhere. The vibe was alright. There lots of people there dancing and having a great time. If I lived in Michigan, I might visit this place for Latin night. The drinks were fairly priced and there was plenty of seating for people watching. It was an okay bar. Nothing special, but I'm not sure how it rates next to other Michigan bars. This isn't a college dive bar, or what you think of when you visit Michigan. Either way, it was just alright. I'd say come on over if you want to try some sangria and beer to start your evening. I wouldn't stay here all night. Both were pretty good. We didn't get any food because we went really late at night.
(3)
Tony R.
I'm going to echo many of the other reviewers here. They have a huge "service" problem. I met some friends here on a Tuesday night. I arrived about 30 minutes late and one friend was still waiting on his drink that he ordered when they first arrived. We talked for about 10 minutes before our server finally came back to the table to take my order. I decided to order something quick, a chicken sandwich and fries, because I felt anything else I'd probably have to ask for a to go box. My meal came rather quickly, delivered by someone other than our server of course. My other friend asked for a to go box and it took 20 minutes for that to ever arrive. However, he was very quick to come collect our check jackets, both once we put our cards in and after we signed - go figure! In all, no matter how good the food may be, bad service can ruin an experience and your perception of a place. I won't rush back here anytime soon.
(2)
Laura C.
I like Bar Louie a lot, especially since I am from Chicago and enjoyed their branches there. They have a tasty pita/hummus/cucumber app that is really yummy and healthy. Another really important part of this place is that they always have Blue Moon, which is far from a given in most restaurants in Ann Arbor. We went on Tuesday $1 burger nights a few weeks ago, and it was a good deal, especially if you don't mind plain food (every extra little thing, including mayo costs extra) or paying more for it. The cool thing is that you can get a $1 turkey burger, black bean burger, or CHCKEN breast! Surprise! All for $1??! Great deal! You can pay extra for a side order of fries or their excellent tater tots! They also have a huge patio, which is a huge plus in good weather!
(4)
Patrick O.
Would have liked to add more stars but the waitstaff/waitress let me down. During the entire meal, never asked how we were doing, but asked the single gentleman behind us three times. Empty beer glass at the edge of the table was ignored by three different wait staff including our waitress. Now on the other hand, the food was perfect! Great beer selection.
(3)
Alan S.
This is probably one of those hit-or-miss bars that can be found in any college town. I went with a large group and since they all hit the bar at the same time, they all had slow service. Also since they all had IDs from different states and countries it seemed to take the bar tender forever to decide if they were legit or not. Ah well... I don't know how expensive the drinks are since I didn't pay for my own and they don't put prices in the menu. Which is something that bugs me. There was a live cover band who seemed to be playing lots of slower depressing songs, not really want people want on a Saturday night. And they were playing WAY to loud. Despite being on the other side of the bar we had to yell to talk to each other. I wouldn't waste my time going here again, but it wasn't horrible.
(2)
Susan S.
Overpriced, in my opinion. 11.95 for a sandwich? Not sure how college kids can afford that. happy hour half off flat breads (orig. $11.95) were decent, had I paid full price I would have been disappointed, might I mention the fLatbread is crisp, pizza style, not sandwich style like I expected.. Not much of a personal experience, considering the bar was packed on a Tuesday. Our server was polite when she had time but I dealt with like three people sitting at the bar, customer service whiplash, who am I leaving the tip for? I'm Assuming they split.. On the bright side, I was impressed with the draft selection, the chalkboard art was really awesome. The atmosphere was modern and nice. I'm rating four, generously. I was not blown away by my visit. More than likely wouldn't return although Info not regret stopping in, simply because the town has so much more to offer.
(4)
Sarah B.
Mixed drinks are too sweet and use the cheapest ingredients. They need to hire another bartender on Friday nights. Long waits for drinks. Latin music on Friday nights. Generally, this crowd knows how to dance. Small dance floor, but there is decent air circulation. Dear General Manager - Please hire a different DJ!!!! He lacks imagination and knowledge of latin music!! Unfortunately, he plays too many sets of reggaeton and (very electronic) merengue to pander to the lowest common denominator. This attracts people who have no clue how to dance. In fact, I see waves of good dances leave because this guy doesn't let up on the grind music. He does play a few sets of classic salsa and bachata, but I am tired of waiting out the body-slamming music. I am even considering the 45 minute drive to Royal Oak to go to a real latin club that plays the greats of latin music: Joe Arroyo, Willie Colon, Ismael Rivera, and Diego d' Leon. If this DJ plays another set of bachata with songs only by Prince Royce, I'll spit a tamale. In fact, I went to Bar Louie for two consecutive weekends (the DJ at Habana and Bar Louie is the same), and he played a set of reggaeton and another of techno which were identical to last Friday. Formulaic and uninspiring. A few very good leads make it worth the while.
(2)
Jola B.
Went out for happy hour with some grad students yesterday evening. We reserved a couple tables from 4-6. Good happy hour prices on beer, wine, martinis (!) and select appetizers. I'm from Cali so the quesadilla ($3.62) and guacamole was just okay to me. But I'm a cocktail girl and I enjoyed their martinis. I had the Tickled Pink ($5.25) and the Smores ($5.25) The tickled pink was good and the Smores was *delicious.* Interesting crowd - students, professionals and older folks. But I had a good time and will definitely be coming back. I hear they do pretty legit salsa dancing too.
(4)
Naveen N.
Relatively expensive for Ann Arbor. Drinks and food weren't particularly better than any other place you could go to eat at. Likely won't be back.
(2)
Juliana M.
Service is absolutely abysmal. Took 30 minutes to get the wrong drink, another 15 to replace it. Another hour to get burgers to the table with the wrong toppings. I've been here almost every week this semester, and the service has been consistently horrible. Drinks are overpriced for what the place is. I don't recommend coming here if it isn't happy hour. Menu doesn't even have drink prices listed, and server gets annoyed when you ask.
(2)
Andrea F.
Service is mediocre. Food is excellent. Beer list is great...but $10 for a tiny sangria that barely has any alcohol in it NO THANKS
(3)
Ari G.
Atmosphere and food is very "American Fare'. Absolutely great staff. Caitlin has been our server a few times now and she is a total rockstar!
(5)
John G.
5 minutes for waitress and 24 minutes to get drinks. If you're in a hurry, skip this place. Drinks and flatbreads are good. Doubt I will be returning to Bar Louie.
(1)
Roxie F.
Seating was confusing here. When you walk in there's no staff to greet you and take you to a table, and no sign that says to seat yourself. We waited at a table for a very long time before a waiter came by. We placed food and drink orders, and waited some more. Our drinks finally came out, which were not too bad, but really overpriced. Then more waiting. Finally the food came out. My sandwich had tomatoes even when I asked for none, not a huge deal but the place wasn't even busy enough to justify getting it wrong and the horrible waiting times. We asked for hot sauce when the food came out, and never got it. I actually don't think the waiter ever stopped by during the meal to check if things were good or to ask for refills of drinks. The food was very tasty, the one redeeming factor of the experience. And the decor was nice. But that's it. After over an hour on a late Monday night we finally paid and left, feeling slightly upset but we'll fed.
(3)
Steven S.
Despite being a large chain, there are still things that are quite nice about this place. Fridays are Latin Night, which is a nice little add-on for those who want to dance after they've imbibed and filled their stomachs (potentially in that order). In terms of atmosphere, they have great outdoor seating. Our waitress Ashley was friendly and stayed a while just to chat with us, and was prompt in getting our orders. The flatbreads are like their specialty, and are quite tasty. A few friends who ended up getting their sandwiches also gave them praise.
(4)
Michelle C.
I haven't been back to Bar Louie in a while, only for the fact that I try to avoid downtown while school is in session for inconvenient parking (you have to park in a nearby structure or find street parking). I was here on a Monday night with a few of my girlfriends and I was so impressed! Happy hour is 4-7pm with $3 draft beer, $4 all wines, and $5 martinis. They also offer half off select appetizers (calamari, which is delightful, all flatbreads, spinach artichoke dip, boneless wings, and a couple of other simple dishes I can't remember now). Also on Tuesdays, Bar Louie offers $1 burgers. Don't be fooled- they are NOT sliders. They are real, man-sized burgers. So, don't be silly like me thinking they're sliders and order 3, get dirty looks from the server, then be embarrassed later. Service is great, there is a large (I think 30+) selection of draft beer, including local craft beers. Food is wonderful- my favorite is their loaded tater tots (think nachos with really awesome gooey cheese. then replace chips with tater tots).
(4)
Dan W.
Stopped in for Veterans Day and except for the service being slow, an overall good experience. It wasn't busy as well, so I knocked down a star.
(4)
Melissah L.
This place is okay for a chain restaurant... the vibe is fun and energetic and the interior is pretty nice. Tables are pretty hard to come by though, so if you have a a larger party I would recommend calling ahead to see if there are open seats (I'm not sure if they take reservations). I came here for a friend's birthday and was not too impressed with the experience. We ordered drinks and food. Since we were there during happy hour, we tried their martinis and ordered draft beers. For the martini, I tried the Honeydew, and it was absolutely horrible. I found it sickeningly sweet and ended up adding water to it to cut down on the sugary taste. The beer was fine, though, only $3 for a decent-sized glass. For the food, I got the fried Louie burger. Again, it was just fine- exactly how I would expect the burger and fries of a chain restaurant to taste, but what I was really unimpressed with was the service and the length of time we had to wait for our food. It took nearly an hour for our food to come after we sat down, and while it was a busy night, our waitress only seemed to come around every 20 minutes. Wish the service was better-- this could be a good place to watch UM games!
(2)
Miguel R.
Awesome Salsa Fridays do not miss out! youtu.be/REQDdAwLSIg
(5)
Gabie L.
We went here for happy hour on Tuesday. $1 burger night!! Actually, it's not $1 when you add veggies, cheese, and extra (how can you eat a burger without those?). Still, it's quite cheap even after adding them and the actual price of a burger is about $3-4. The burger was okay and they have good and many beer selection. Everything seems okay so far. One thing you should know is you should check your bill thoroughly. Otherwise, you will get a wrong bill! When we've checked the bill, found out a bartender charged wrong food and extra. It's small dollar differences so you might never know unless checking the bill..
(3)
James K.
Come here for the specials on Tuesday and Wednesday...burgers are good and tots are awesome!
(3)
Mimi T.
I love the drinks from the variety of beers to martinis. During HH (4-7p) it is decently priced but I wouldn't go here not during a HH. Definitely a good place to go if you want to try something different than the usual beers most Ann Arbor bars have on tap. They have live bands but if you're actually trying to talk to someone this is not the place to go. It can be a fun atmosphere but seems like there can be very different crowds depending on who the band is. I think I tried some apps but don't really remember which means that they weren't worth remembering... :P I wish the layout was a little bit different. Feels very secluded depending on where you're sitting but if you're trying to be hidden then this is the perfect place for you.
(3)
Tiffany B.
I've been here a couple times for Latin night on Fridays and it's always super packed. Dancing on the small dance floor they have in front is like trying to dance in a closet with 200 people in it, it's pretty ridiculous ha ha but the upside is I love their dirty martinis and this one older gentleman always finds me for a dance which I find rather pleasant. When it's busy don't expect to get a drink right away and don't expect to have any amount of personal space. If that doesn't bother you then you should go Latin night they have a good selection of Spanish music playing and some expert dancers from what I've seen.
(4)
Matt K.
Terrible service. Never had such pitiful service in my entire life. Food was decent for a bar. Just worst service I've had. The waitress took a long time for everything and would disappear at a moments notice.
(1)
Michael S.
I don't go here often, due to the crowds, but with it being Spring Break, I thought I'd take a chance. It was Happy Hour and $1 burger night, to boot! Most of their large, varied selection of beers and all of their signature martinis and wines were on special ($3, $5, and $4, respectively). $1 got you a burger (chicken, turkey, portabella or beef), bun and lettuce. Toppings were a bit extra. The liquids and burgers were very good. Service was sketchy to start with, but got better as the evening wore on. That was odd, because it filled up by the time we left. The establishment was nice, in a corporate sort of way. My main concern, as stated before is the crowd. Once the seats got filled, it was difficult to move about due to the closeness of the tables. However, it didn't ruin the experience. I plan to be back once school lets out.
(4)
Patrick T.
Good place to watch UM games. Just remember to come early and stake out a table. Acceptable drinks. The wings, and other food items are meh.
(2)
Tattooed Vegan Travelers T.
Usually we don't review many chain restaurants because 1) they often don't have many options to vegans and vegetarians and therefore 2) we usually don't visit them. So, I while back we visited Bar Louie the first time expecting nothing but mediocre chain food and instead ate some of the best vegetarian nachos we've ever tasted! On top of that, the beer selection rivals that of our favorite microbrew pubs. This made this bar our to go place when in the mood for nachos and beer (which is quite often). But their veggie selection does not end there. Their veggie wrap is seriously the best wraps we've ever had - although this may not be that difficult since veggie wraps always suck. We think of veggie wraps as the no-creativity-needed veggie-option copout for a lazy chefs. Yet, our opinion of wraps would drastically change if they all tasted 1/2 as amazing as the one at this place. Our only "beef" with Bar Louie, and thus the lack of 5 stars, is their portabella burger. the portabella is so small is more like a champignon. So it really can't compete with most of the other veggie burgers in town. So, if you're vegetarian, skip the burger and get the nachos sans chicken instead!
(4)
David R.
Wow, that Atwater Vanilla Bean Java Ale rocked my world. I think I might have achieved Satori as I drank it, but I'll get back to you on that. The number of taps they have in here is mind-boggling and begs the question where they keep all the mechanics because the bar is clean and smooth as they come. A large place with a lot of areas to sit: bar, high tables, booths, outside, etc. A young and energetic crowd and servers. This place mimics the youth and energy of Ann Arbor. Maybe it was just the heat of the Ann Arbor Art Fair and the exhaustion of all the walking, but that beer... sigh... I'll be back.
(3)
Sumana P.
Great drinks, great food, and great service! I have various food allergies and intolerances like dairy and gluten but our waiter literally sat with us for about thirty minutes and created something just for me! He and the kind chef alone deserve five stars but the special hummus plate they made for me was also spectacular! He also had great drink recommendations. My friend and I went after midnight which is when the waitstaff generally starts to not really care so the fact that I got perhaps the best service of my life so late is even more amazing. The place is a bit pricey but totally worth it.
(5)
Uncle B.
Decent burger, nice crisp bacon.
(3)
Malinda M.
My lady friend and I came here one night for martini's at the bar. To our surprise at 8:30pm they still had a drink special going for $5 martinis! We tried everyone almost between us and the bartender was quick, helpful, and freaking adorable. They have what seems like a million beers on tap and an amazing selection of alcohol. If you're looking for a fun place for a cocktail YOU FOUND IT!
(5)
Jason C.
Ah... Bar Louie... It's a bar that targets the working professionals in downtown Ann Arbor.. the location is ideal, because it's few blocks from the campus and it's next to Google office and couple blocks from the main street. I have been to this Bar Louie several times but didn't really yelp about it... so here I am... Yelping :) I like the happy hours... last time I was there... my two beers were more than the food I ordered... granted this will only happen if you go during happy hour... As for the food goes, I only like the loaded tots... I have tried other food, but to be honest... charging lot of money for some prepackage food shipped out of Chicago, heated and served... yeah, I don't buy that... anyways, the service is hit or miss, depending on when you go. I think they changed the layout, because it seems like there's less tables then when it first opened up... can anyone confirm this? I like how they have outdoor seating by the main entrance and out in the back... parking is also a challenge... street parking or pay some money parking in the lot a block away... give it a try.
(3)
Beth H.
I hit the bar for happy hour, yesterday. I believe they have really downsized their happy hour specials. It was still a good value; just not as good of a selection. At least the small wine list had some decent bottles. The food was hot, fresh and out quick. The service was good, and the girls were friendly enough, but they seemed incredibly out of place. Dressed more like they should be in a biker bar than Bar Louie, and they didn't seem very happy at all. Definitely A-OK for a stop in if you are in the area, but for the construction that plagues that corner, lack of nearby parking and difficultly of getting to the location, I won't be making a point to stop in again anytime soon.
(3)
Kristen C.
Bar Louie has a great happy hour, and I was so happy to see them include veggie burgers on their $1 burger day. They have a ton of beers on tap and lots of wine options. This is a really fun place to hang out with friends or just sit at the bar. It's a bit expensive without any deals going on, so if you don't like to spend a lot at the bar then plan accordingly :)
(4)
Beck E.
Um... that was really nice of the female bartender behind the counter to aggressively flirt with my boyfriend while I was standing right next to him. I understand that she was trying to butter him up to get a nice tip, but COME ON! I WAS RIGHT THERE!
(1)
Brenton D.
Service was absolutely terrible. I ordered a drink which took over 5 minutes to deliver. Should not take 5 minutes to bring a bottle of beer. Especially when there were 2 people behind the bar counting money. I spent that 5 minutes looking at a menu, deciding what I would like to eat. Not once did anyone behind the bar ask if I wanted to order food. So, I drank my beer, went to another place down the street and spent my money there. At this place it seems the people behind the bar have better things to do than to serve their customers.
(1)
Nancy K.
Never again. This Birkenstock wearer is pretty new to Ann Arbor and didn't know this was a chain at first. I'll admit, despite my usual "non-chain only" attitude I was impressed and a few times when we've had people in town (our parents, non-Birkenstock wearing friends) this has been a standby for decent food when they've gotten sick of the tofu, tempeh, etc. While we've only been here six times, we noticed some things with each visit: namely that they cannot handle a crowd and that each time the food wasn't quite as good. When a salad that comes with chicken is delivered without chicken you have to wonder what's going on. Also, after our second or third visit they changed the veggie burger to something with way more rice in it - not nearly as good as it used to be. A huge fan of the oriental burger (veg option) I'm sad that it's not orderable anymore. For some unknown reason we decided to go to Bar Louie last Sunday... we never go when it's just us but whatever, stranger things have happened. By the end of the meal my husband, who had ordered a chicken sandwich, wasn't feeling very well, was doubled over by the time we got to the car and by the time we got home he was running to the bathroom to experience some of the most violent vomitting I've ever heard. Not sure if it was food poisoning or something that didn't agree with him, but he was incredibly sick for a while. After about 30 minutes of almost non-stop puking he took a nap and then felt a little better. Wish we had stuck with our local-only policy... we will from now on. Also, our waitress was kind of an airhead who kept forgetting things. She was nice, though, and apologetic.
(1)
Jay L.
An acceptable place to have a couple beers. Avoid the "food.' Basically the chefs at Bar Louie st down with a bunch of cheap ingredients and said how do we make people think they like this? Oh, we'll just add a boatload of salt. The only flavors you'll find here are salty, fatty, and salty/fatty. Also I was annoyed that I asked what the happy hour specials were and was told calamari was one of the items that's half off. I tried the buffalo calamari, which is actually OK but don't eat it by yourself, and found out when we got the bill only regular calamari is at happy hour price. It gets more than one star because the beer selection is good and the prices are reasonable by downtown Ann Arbor standards.
(2)
Khom V.
Happy Hour and Burger Tuesday deal is the best.
(3)
Anonymous F.
A nice place to hang out during the warmer months. Drinking beer and people-watching outside. The tuna is good, the beer selection is good(although getting a good tap can be a big question mark)...... the seasoned fries are good but you don't get very many. Shame, really. The inside eating area smells bad as you would expect from a college town "bar". Stale beer smell soaked into the floors. Often times they have live music but it generally is pretty lousy music. The service is usually very bad but on rare occasions the wait staff will surprise me. ...it's a chain and not worth going out of your way to visit
(3)
Steve G.
Not worth coming here. For anything. Ever. When Bar Louie first opened in Ann Arbor several years ago there was a decent happy hour w/ half price appetizers and relatively cheap beer. At those prices, coupled with the ability to sit outside on a nice day, Bar Louie was a decent (although less than spectacular) bar option. But over time they sank into an abyss of poor food, even worse service and gradually higher prices (even on their happy hour "specials"). After several less than favorable experiences, most of my friends decided to finally write off Bar Louie for good with no intention to return...especially since so many better bar options exist within a few blocks.
(1)
Stephen H.
I think its great that there is a bar louie in ann arbor and its even greater that the place snubs the birkenstocks wearers. Chain you say? I wouldnt have guessed but its a great place to watch a hockey game or meet a friend after work for a drink or two. Try the vesuvio melt in a wrap. The service is always excellent, bar-none.
(4)
Christopher F.
Bar louie is what it is, a bar with some upgraded pub food. Their pretzel sticks and cheese and honey mustard dip are really good an A. Their pizza however, I found average a C. I also tried their toast and bruschetta and tomatoes which was ok. There menu mainly consist of burgers and sandwiches nothing spectacular better than your average bar food. They have a nice selection of drinks and a good happy hour!!
(3)
Evelyn R.
Went here a little over a month ago for $1 burgers. It took us a while to get served, but once she came she was nice. Burger was cheap but good, I got the portobella burger, so its still a good option for vegetarians. I tried 4 different drinks, the Sailor Jerry Mojito was by far the best. They were $10 a piece though, however the $1 burgers pretty much made up for it. I give this a 4 simply because it was cheap burger day, it would get a 3 on any other day of the week.
(4)
Vivek V.
well we must just have been lucky because our experiences at Bar Louie were a lot different than most reviewers have had. In our short five day visit to Ann Arbor we ended up at Bar Louie three times, Thursday night (NFL), Saturday afternoon (GO BLUE) and Sunday Afternoon (NFL). Ther service was excellent each time and happy hour prices seemed reasonable (but we are from the San Francisco Bay area so everything in A2 seemed less expensive). Thursday was mostly watching the game and drinking beer. The beer selection is ample but i am sure you can find better in Ann Arbor. We tried several local beers and enjoyed them all. On Saturday we tried the popcorn and pretzel sticks. The pretzel sticks were warm and salty and the popcorn was light and fluffy. The beer of course was cold and tasty. Even though the place was full our server was attentative and the service was fast. On Sunday, we tried the meatballs (and popcorn) and found them to be soft and delicious. The server regularly filled our club sodas and came by asking how we were doing often. We had started at another place but they did not have the Pittsburgh game (Xfinity was not showing it). Bar Louie was showing the game and we stayed for the 49er game too. The Detroit game was on the TV one over from the one playing the Pittsburgh game so it was really fun to watch both games side by side. When we return to Ann Arbor and want to watch sports, drink beer and eat, Bar Louie will be our choice. .
(5)
Anya P.
What people find appealing about this place I'll never know. The music was too loud to talk to anyone, the waitress' (who disturbingly all looked alike) were inattentive, and the most important thing was lost: the quality of the drinks. We went for a pre-movie cocktail and were so disgusted that we just left with our drinks nearly untouched. If we weren't late for the movie- the drinks took a while to get to us- I would have made a big fuss, but let's just say never again. Oh, also nothing has a price mark, which means they are trying to avoid sticker shock, but it's Ann Arbor. Seriously. One last thing- the cocktails were made with syrups. Like coffee house syrups. ew....
(2)
Kensey W.
i have to start out by saying i do NOT hate chain restaurants. every place has its own merits and there are several chain restaurants that i happily choose to eat at. this particular bar louie is not one of them. the food and drinks (aka uneven syrupy booze) is bad and expensive for what it is (yes, even "dollar" burgers are not worth it), as everyone has already said. but what i hate about this place is the service. there is just no indication that they care anything about what their customers think of them. i used to eat here on tuesdays for dollar burger kind of regularly because a group of my friends did. it seemed like we always got this waitress margot who was brusque and not very polite, and tends to leave the table before you can ask for anything. and one time when we were there, presumably at the end of her shift, i gave her exact change for the bill and she asked for "the rest of it" so she could "throw it in her purse." i was a server for most of undergrad and all of grad school and cannot ever imagine doing something this unprofessional and tacky. also, one time i went in on a weekday afternoon when there was practically no one there to get a gift card for one of them and the bartender told me they didn't have gift cards. i found out later that they do though, and looking back i realized he probably just didn't want to do work for something he wasn't going to get tipped on. after that trip, i decided to never go again. i don't think i'd give one-stars very lightly but i'd give this place zero if i could. i'm actually really sad that this place will probably stay in business. there is just nothing redeeming about it.
(1)
Jay K.
I can see why so many people hate on this place. But if you like beer, this is the place to be for happy hour. They have 30+ beers on tap, and more than half of them are from decent microbreweries (dogfish head, bell's, founder's, etc). They also have a few European beers (The last time I went, they had Delirium Tremens, Piraat, and Weihenstephan). At $3 a pint and good hours (M-F 4-7 and sometimes W all day), it's a beer lover's heaven. Food is mediocre, and they only have average mixed drinks (not worth it for the price you're paying). So I'm giving them 4 stars only for their happy hour beer. If you're not a big beer drinker though, probably avoid this place?
(4)
Carrie B.
If you like snobbish bars than this one is for you. I myself like dive bars where everyone knows your name. I went in here last Sunday 11-11 for the free veterans meal. I ordered the portabella burger it came and it looked appealing - I put the top on the burger and knew there was going to be a problem because it was so tall. As soon as I went to bite into it the bread fell apart (on the stale side) and all the topping slid out the back and I was left biting a very rubbery mushroom that I could not break off. I actually had to scissor it with my teeth to break off that piece. It had obviously been overcooked. I decided on eating the toppings that had fallen off out the back and made myself a little salad excluding the mushrooms. Then I proceeded to eat the fries they gave me all 5 of them (very stingy). All I have to say is I am glad it was free.
(1)
Guillermo K.
This place sucks. Seriously sucks.
(2)
Sara C.
Star #1 - Great beer prices at happy hour Star #2 - Ample outdoor seating Star #3 - $5 "real" martinis if you special order them at happy hour Loss of Star #3 - serving a martini in a warm glass that smells like bleach. This place is basically one step up from Applebee's in terms of ambiance and food. That's not really a compliment.
(2)
Molly H.
So, this review comes with the major caveat that I have only been once, it was at 3 or 4 in the afternoon on a Monday or Tuesday and we sat outside on a gorgeous day. So if a restaurant can't succeed given these conditions, well, they've got a whole lotta problems. What pulled us in was the chalkboard declaring their happy hour specials which are truly very good. Hard to turn down a $5 martini. Anyway, our service was excellent--very attentive, very nice, good sense of humor and very fast. That being said--I'm pretty sure we were the only table this guy had. I got a chicken quesadilla that I believe was also on some sort of happy hour special--it was HUGE for the price and really good. Great bar food. We got a few drinks and that quesadilla and the bill with tip was less than 20 bucks. I can't really argue with that. So, my advice: go in the early afternoon on an off day and sit on that patio to enjoy yourself. I really can't vouch for anything past that.
(3)
mariah c.
It's not the best, it's not the worst. It has the somewhat anonymous tone of a chain place - there's nothing in particular that attracts me to the place, except the fact that they have outdoor seating. I feel like that gets them some extra credit. They had cheap happy hour drinks -- except the "last call" happy hour drink I was offered ended up being charged at a very non-happy hour price. The fried zucchini was tasty, but it got taken away before our table was done with it. Our server was friendly and sweet -- just getting the hang of things while training, and she did a goo job -- just bummed she didn't watch that the happy hour prices she offered actually appeared on the bill. It was a decent place to celebrate(?) my friend;s pink slip party, but unless I'm feeling frugality over searching for character in a place, I don't know that I'd be apt to return.
(3)
Carlos O.
Had a two-hearted beer and the southwest burger. Loved it!
(3)
Brian G.
Overpriced watered down drinks with poor service. Unless its happy hour... Don't bother.
(2)
Gina V.
I feel like people hate on Bar Louie for being the anti-Ann Arbor bar. It's a chain (from Chicago, no less) that caters to the yuppie crowd and makes no apologies for snubbing birkenstock-wearing locavores. This is exactly why I go here - because every now and then you just want an ample selection of cheap beer on tap, half price appetizers, and a big screen TV. On the contrary, I hate on Bar Louie for their inability to handle large crowds. As soon as a waitlist forms the witching hour begins and all hell breaks loose. The host stand turns into a revolving door of multitasking employees and no one has any idea what's going on. Example: Last time I was there they said it would be an hour wait. Meanwhile, two large tables sat unoccupied for at least 20 minutes.
(3)
Briza Y.
I'm not a bar go-er, so I'm not the best type of person to rate this place, but I'll put in my 2cents since I was there on a Friday night. I ordered the BBQ Salad and it was good. Luckily for them, it's pretty hard to mess up a salad. The hockey game was on, so that was a plus. I do wish the sound was a bit lower so a decent conversation could also be had. Overall, it was a fine experience.
(3)
Linda S.
I guess I should not expect much from a burger that costs $1, but I wouldn't have guessed that the smoky haze in the restaurant when we walked in, was from the crispy overbooked burgers. We have had good and (very) bad service here, and they are surprisingly kid friendly considering they are a bar, but the food is just not good. I have had many dishes here (not just the $1burgers) and have never been impressed. They have a respectable choice of draft beers, but Ashley's is a much better place to go if that is what you are looking for when heading out in Ann Arbor. If you are looking for food, go across the street...
(1)
Lori K.
Hi Bar Louie, your tator tots covered with cheese sauce - out of this world - perfect amount of spices, jalepeno's, pickled things..it was mind blowing. Good selection of local beers on draft. The buffalo style calamari was not that good. Expensive. Will be back. But only for beer and the tots.
(5)
Marissa B.
I made it to Bar Louie on Day #2 of business. The decor of the Chicago-based chain could best be described as swanky sports bar... if there is such a thing. The focal point is the large bar in the center of the restaurant which is surrounded by scattered high-top bar tables and large semi-circle booths towards the back. There are two outdoor seating areas - one out back, in a cement "courtyard", and one out front along the street. The back outdoor area is too sunny for my taste in the evening, the front seating is shaded by the building. When I entered the restaurant I was struck by how inhospitable the hostess was. No greeting, no "how are you"... nothing. It was almost uncomfortable for me to approach her. Come on now, they've only been open for two days! How can she be THIS miserable already?! Happy Hour runs from 4-7pm, offering $2 beers and $5 martinis. Unfortunately we missed it so I indulged in a regular priced $8 chocolate martini. While the presentation of the martini was nice (chocolate swirled glass, strawberry on the rim) I was not so impressed with the martini itself. At this risk of making myself sound like a lush, I know my martinis and this was way too weak to be an $8 martini. Bottom Line: You're in Ann Arbor! There are so many great, locally-owned restaurants downtown that you should visit first before spending too much time in Bar Louie.
(2)
Bea G.
We went to Bar Louie for drinks after dinner, so we didn't try any food. Highlights: * Easily found a couch/table for our party of six. * Quick and nice service. * Bright ambiance with lots of TVs. Lowlights: * Harder to mingle with others. * Feels a bit more like a restaurant than a bar. Overall: Would go back to, but it's not on our frequent rotation of places.
(4)
Dan M.
If my most recent experience was my only one with Bar Louie, it would be my last and this review would be far more painful. Thankfully I've visited a few times and know this to be an average, though of course claiming to be more, chain restaurant. With the special shaped serving 'baskets' and such they come across as pretentious. In reality its a relatively generic bar chain. They have burgers, fries, fish-n-chips, sandwiches, etc and fit the basic ho-hum American food bill for the masses. The environment is generally energetic and the portions are huge so you really do get what (and maybe more than) you pay for. The waitstaff seems relatively attentive for the most part. They do have two things I LOVE-Tater tots (and the thought of someone not loving tater tots is downright silly) and the BLTT-Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, and Turkey. That sandwich is a great flavor combo without being too heavy. The salads can be good, but the quantity of ingredients seem to vary substantially over time. The Fish-n-chips was essentially flavorless despite having a 'special' Blue Moon batter. For a quick lunch or maybe a drink in the afternoon this is a good spot. For dinner, not so much in my opinion.
(3)
Rob P.
Bar Louie is another example of the wrong direction that Ann Arbor is taking. It is gradually adding these chain bars that have no personality and generally detract from the original cityscape of the town. Bar Louie does have a nice interior--it has a smooth layout, dimly light atmosphere that would otherwise be a welcoming alternative to other bars on Main Street. That is where the positives end however. The service is generally slow (taking 1.5+ hours to get food) and forgetful (My server has rarely remembered everything that my party has ordered, even when it's a party of two or three). When you try to order multiple drinks (as if to suggest the process is too slow), you are denied and offered rudeness. The establishment has always been full of loud, obnoxious guests (which isn't necessarily the fault of BL, it's just something to be aware of) and it's impossible to get a drink from the bar. The food is mediocre, but overpriced for what it is. If you must go there, do so during happy hour to at least get a discounted experience and decide for yourself. It is not an easy-going or expedient restaurant/bar.
(2)
Elle W.
Not sure why there are so many bad reviews! Great (patient) service, good food, and fun atmosphere. I will definitely be back!
(5)
Joel S.
Ouch. The absolute worst brunch service I've ever experienced. Took almost 30 minutes and asking 3 times to get my cup of coffee, and a little longer than that to get my bloody mary (ordered at the same time). Food was pretty standard brunch fare. Too many other options (like Zingerman's) to ever go back.
(1)
Steven L.
Whores Whores Whores! This place has them all: old, young, hot, ugly, fat, skinny, business, business casual, skanky, swanky, sorority, emo etc. Every time I go here, I am surrounded by whores. I don't think I have seen a female in here that was not a whore. Also the food is edible and the beer is cold.
(5)
Jonas L.
Happy Hour + $2 beers = 5 stars (maybe more if you can get drunk quickly enough) Any other time = 1 star (only because that is the minimum) Now let us do some maths, by averaging proportional to the hours: 5 * (3/15) + 1 * (12/15) = 1.8 I'll be generous and round up to 2 stars.
(2)
Kevin S.
OMG this place was a bad dining experience. The music was so loud we could not hear each other. I went here with my deaf friend David who wears a hearing aid and he had to turn the hearing aid off because the music was so loud. Our waiter smelled like Weed & Cigarette smoke and to top things off my chicken sandwich was borderline burnt. I will come here for cocktails just not dinner anymore.
(1)
David M.
I haven't been here for the nightlife, but I've eaten here a couple of times. I don't remember anything here being to special, "standard" is a good way to describe it. Someone raved about the fish tacos once, but I got them and they were bland and flavorless (and redundant!). I'll probably be back if there really are $1 burgers on Tuesdays though.
(3)
Tyler B.
I almost cried when I saw that Bar Louie was opening an Ann Arbor location. I'd visited several of their establishments in the Chicago area, and without fail, they were all populated with the most unbelievable assortment of douche bags imaginable. The place is permeated with most vile, smug, vapid and vacant lot you've ever seen. Everytime, every Bar Louie. So I swore I'd never set foot in the A2 version. They can suck it. But then I get a txt message. After months of telling everyone what cest pool the place is, a friend writes me "I don't know how to tell you this, but Louie has $2 Oberons, almost every day 4-7" Damn you Bar Louie! So naturally I went. And I do feel vindicated - the service and people were exact replicants of all the Chicago branches I'd been tricked into visiting. BUT A2 Louie's does have two patios... so I guess if you bring your own company, you can sit outside and make fun of your bar going cohort whilst enjoying some cheap booze and appetizers. There's worse things...
(2)
Bryce B.
There is really no good reason to go to this chain bar/restaurant. Nothing on the menu is anything better than mediocre. At best, this is a decent happy hour place. Yet, I have probably been to this establishment 6 or 7 times. Why? The excellent selection of beer on tap. They have 30+ quality beers, including many local beers like Bell's and Arbor Brewing Company. It is also conveniently located in the same building where our office is. Those are my reasons, such as they are.
(3)
Benjamin S.
I would give this place no stars if I were able too. Bar Louie used to be a decent place to go but these days it is just an overpriced, rudely served dump. The guys that work there are absolute d-bags and the women are even worse. To quantify this, I recently went with a group of friends and order a dry vodka martini, a friend ordered a dirty martini. The waitress then brought me what she call a "dry dirty vodka martini". I politely informed her that no such thing exsisted and the proceeded to bitch about me to the rest of the staff. (We had more friends sitting at the bar listening to this). I dont know what happened to this place, but it sucks now. Stay away.
(1)
BD Traveler R.
Overall pretty standard sports bar type food and ambiance. They do have a good selection of burgers and sandwiches, some of which are original. We also enjoyed their selection of appetizers, which came with a great assortment of dips/sauces (we recommend the lemon aioli that the fried zucchini came with). Didn't have a drink, so I can't comment on their selections in that department. I had an "Angry Louie", which is basically a burger topped with whatever they could find that was spicy. It was quite flavorful (and a little spicier than I expected...) and I would point you in that direction if you are of the hotter persuasion. In particular, I did like that Bar Louie will customize any burger with a turkey or veggie patty instead of beef with no additional charge. I believe that they have burger specials every Tuesday (or it might be specific Tuesdays) when they are $1 (toppings extra), and I'll probably try to take advantage of that someday. The ambiance and service were typical - no complaints, but nothing worth noting here. We were a large group (about 18 people), and they weren't able to seat us any any one table, so we had to be split into two groups. While that was disappointing, it probably isn't too rare at other places as well. At least worth a try. I would choose 3.5 stars, but decided to round down as average sounds about right.
(3)
Tina W.
Not a big fan of their happy hour... the service is a little slower than other places and somethings are a little pricier. On the other hand, I end up going here a lot to meet up with friends. The atmosphere is nice and the staff is friendly... they do have great mojitos.
(2)
Dharma A.
It took me quite a while and a school-related happy hour to get me into this place. I never liked the corporate look from the outside. And what do you know....the inside matched the surface impression! Perhaps it's not fair of me to give a low rating, because it's just not my style....Bar Louie is probably fine for what it is. It reminds me of buffalo wild wings: too clean, too many tvs, what appears to be little knowledge or appreciation of beer on the part of the staff, and mediocre bar food. Too much shine, nothing special.
(2)
Kate B.
I've been to Bar Louie around 10 times as I am frequently downtown at the lunch hour. The food is all pretty inedible - except for the sliders/burgers which are A-OK. The staff are quite nice, but the food always makes me feel greasy, ill, and bloated. Q. Why oh why have I gone back? A. When I am dragged there as part of a "work thing".
(1)
Julie C.
I've been here a few times, mostly dragged out for the dollar burger, which I don't even like. And with a drink and toppings, the bill ends up being about $10 anyways. The food isn't good, but there is a large variety of beers.
(2)
David B.
The food here is average, drinks are good, and happy hour prices are great!! The atmosphere at night tends to be a bit classier which is why i will go here on occasions. The beer selection here is probably the number one feature of the place. I think they have about 40 different beers just on tap alone.
(3)
Dee N.
Good for happy hour and dollar burger days. Expect a wait on dollar burger days though. The only thing that's really good here are their tater tots. I don't like tots but I admit theirs are yummy. Went for their Sunday brunch once. And I've never had so many mess up on our order and bill in my life.
(4)
Eric G.
Can you Say Yuppy Frat boy ville. Terrible, Unless you have your collar popped and a pink polo shirt on, stay away.
(1)
Brittany G.
Went in for a burrito and came out a happy girl. This is the first burrito I've ever had in a restaurant that had fresh jalapenos on it. Service was fantastic and the bartender was friendly as always.
(5)
Tony C.
Just another bar chain run amok. It can't decide if it's going to be a meat market or sports bar. What's odd about Bar Louie is that no matter what I wear, whether it be dressed up, shabby chic, or downright shabby, I always feel dressed inappropriately for this place. Regardless of its upscale sports bar decor, let's rate a bar on what people care about: 1. The Booze - expensive and the bartenders don't seem particularly talented with their pours. Not good. 2. The Food - Gross. About the only thing I've eaten there that was finished are the breadsticks. How do you mess up breadsticks though? 3. The People - Some have already commented more on this than I care to write. Lots of people trying to look good and failing miserably at it. If you're going out to stare at rack, then go to a place where that is its distinct purpose. All in all, Bar Louie is an undistinctive bar. About the only thing it may have had going for it was the fact that it had Fat Tire beer from New Belgian Brewery in Colorado, but alas, they do not because even the big chain could not get around Michigan's beer distribution issues.
(2)
Alison L.
Bar BOOie! Another lame chain restaurant/bar that has invaded A2 and will try, cheap pint by cheap bucket o' wings, to take away from what's great about this city.
(1)
Matt B.
If you think TGIChilliBees is good food, you're going to be disappointed. This place is actually a step down. The atmosphere is uninspired, noisy, impersonal. So is the menu, down to the beer selection. In short, this place is a duche magnet. If you are an aspiring date rapist and use the term "bra" often, you're gonna love this place. Loud huge televisions dominate the room, drowning out your party's conversation. The decor is cheap and derivative. The burger I had here may as well been a hockey puck. I have not seen a more uninspired menu ever. Was here again to gander at their "dress code". Not surprised. Still no good.
(1)
Illi F.
My boyfriend and I used to love Bar Louie. The half-off appetizers at Happy Hour were great, the service friendly. We went at least once or twice a week for drinks and an appetizer when we were first dating. Lately, though, the place has really gone to crap. First, a new corporate policy was instituted so that all of the good appetizers are now no longer half-off during happy hour (there is a list now of those which are included in the half-off special). We've had our dollar burgers come out nearly raw (as rare as I'd eat a fine steak), and completely hard and charred, depending on the night. Tonight, though, was the worst. It was a Tuesday evening, and myself and 3 friends waited an hour and fifteen minutes for a table after being told by the (rude) hostess that it would be a 20-25 minute wait. There were 3 parties in front of us. Meanwhile, the restaurant had allowed reservations to be made for large parties, and there were maybe 2-3 people sitting at groupings of 4-5 tables meant to seat at least 12 or so. Why allow reservations on a Tuesday evening? And why seat incomplete groups and allow 2 people to take up 2 tables each while there is a crowd waiting to sit? Finally some tables cleared, and we thought we'd get seated--- no, the people who FINALLY showed up for their reservations realized they had more friends coming, and the tables went to them rather than to people who already had had their names on the list with the hostess for an hour. Management at this place just sucks and is so disorganized. I don't know if I'll be back.
(2)
Laura K.
I know it's a chain, but this is one of the better Bar Louie's I've been to (and the one in Pittsburgh is on gorgeous waterfront). They have a great happy hour (cheap beer and 1/2 off apps). I prefer bar louie when I want beer and a late cheap sandwich (the luigi is very good). They also have a great big bar that is actually nice and feel like you're in the middle of the action.
(3)
Mae S.
Evidently an upscale chain, not to expensive --Burgers, Pizzas, Sandwiches, Salads, "Large Plates" -- all the usual suspects. This one has beautiful outdoor porches facing Liberty and Division Streets, a large interior, and it opened yesterday. Has anyone eaten there? I'm putting three stars as a guess.
(3)
Anthony N.
Hey it's Bar Louie, not Louis. Haven't gone to this new one but in Chicago it's a preferred spawning ground for post-frat and sorority idiots. But since Ann Arbor's not exactly short on meatheads and preppy types, this location should do well.
(1)
kevin k.
This is the ultimate yuppie bar in Ann Arbor. Everything is overpriced, and its just full of douche bags. When i was sitting at the bar, the bartender actually rolled her eyes when i asked for a coke..i had been getting beer but wanted a break. The food is not that great, although to be fair the burger is pretty good.
(2)
Peter W.
I love Bar Louie.
(5)
A. T.
Great selection of draft beers. The burgers and fries are pretty standard, but my favorite secret dish here is the "loaded tots". Probably won't ever order them again, though, because now I can make them at home.
(4)
Abby C.
I know that Bar Louie is a chain. I know that some people in Ann Arbor would rather see a bar unique to Ann Arbor go into this space. But Bar Louie is one of my go-to spots for numerous reasons. 1) The number of beers on tap. I am a beer drinker, and other than Ashley's, it's hard to find this many beers on tap in most bars. The list of beers changes up w/ the season, and you can find beers from Bell's, Arbor Brewing Company, Sam Adam's (although not my fave but I know other people like it), and many more. 2) As someone who has been out of undergrad for many years now, it's nice to go to a bar with a nice interior, where you can watch a game on tv, hold a conversation with your friends without screaming and yelling over the music, where there's a good size crowd, that doesn't serve drinks in plastic cups, and with patrons who are not so loud and rowdy. The food is a lot better than your Applebys or TGIF variety. It is bar food so it's a little on the heavy side, but I'd choose Bar Louie any day for food over the other chains you might think of. 3) When it's actually warm outside, there's a really good amount of outdoor seating. When it's starting to cool off a bit at night, the outdoor seating in the back has space heaters throughout the area so you can still sit outdoors and be comfortable. 4) Happy Hour: Buy 1 Get 1 Free on select appetizers and it's actually a significant number of the appetizers on the menu and several of them are sized to be meals by themselves. A lot of beers are $3, and there are martini specials but I don't drink those so I have no clue as to what they are. 5) For the cheapskate in me, $1 burgers on Tuesdays. I will say that the quality of the burgers on $1 burger Tuesdays has declined since they initially introduced this, but I rarely make it out for this night anymore since it gets so crowded. Happy Hour specials are also still good during this promotion if you go during Happy Hour time. I should mention that $1 burgers are only $1 if you don't order anything special on them. If you add cheese, veggies besides lettuce, special sauces and other special toppings, the price incrementally increases. But you can still eat a decent burger for a couple of bucks and tater tots are only a couple of dollars extra. The staff at Bar Louie is noticeably more disgruntled on Tuesdays, but I can't say that I blame them having been a server at a different restaurant at one point in my life. It's crowded but cause the bills are low, the tips are low, too, so you're working your butt off for not that much money. I have to say that my favorite item on the food menu is the pretzel appetizer. The pretzels are large and soft, served with honey mustard, regular mustard, and a queso dip that is delish.
(4)
Kyle W.
You walk in there and you can tell that you're at a chain type restaurant, but the food is surprisingly good. The ham and cheese sandwich was very good (probably not that healthy though) and last time I went there I got the gumbo (appetizer) which was delicious. Everything is a little pricey considering you are at a chain but the happy hour prices are ok. Also on Tuesdays they have dollar burgers. You can find out more information on their website. I would definitely go back for the food but the atmosphere and drinks are not desirable.
(3)
Steven H.
Food there is garbage and the beer there tastes stale when I get it on tap. They DO NOT clean their filters.
(1)
Nathan A.
The food was freshly microwaved and the decor crafted to make an Ann Arbor News restaurant reviewer settle for adjectives like "hip", "urban", and "chic". The more appropriate adjective would be "suburban", as in Novi mall restaurant. One redeeming factor - $2 14 oz. beers during happy hour. Given its proximity to campus (and the aforementioned drink specials) this place will quickly morph into Fratlebee's.
(1)
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Address :401 E Liberty,Ste 200
Ann Arbor, MI, 48104
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner, Late Night Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Loud Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Tue, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : Yes Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Tina W.
Not a big fan of their happy hour... the service is a little slower than other places and somethings are a little pricier. On the other hand, I end up going here a lot to meet up with friends. The atmosphere is nice and the staff is friendly... they do have great mojitos.
(2)Dharma A.
It took me quite a while and a school-related happy hour to get me into this place. I never liked the corporate look from the outside. And what do you know....the inside matched the surface impression! Perhaps it's not fair of me to give a low rating, because it's just not my style....Bar Louie is probably fine for what it is. It reminds me of buffalo wild wings: too clean, too many tvs, what appears to be little knowledge or appreciation of beer on the part of the staff, and mediocre bar food. Too much shine, nothing special.
(2)Kate B.
I've been to Bar Louie around 10 times as I am frequently downtown at the lunch hour. The food is all pretty inedible - except for the sliders/burgers which are A-OK. The staff are quite nice, but the food always makes me feel greasy, ill, and bloated. Q. Why oh why have I gone back? A. When I am dragged there as part of a "work thing".
(1)Julie C.
I've been here a few times, mostly dragged out for the dollar burger, which I don't even like. And with a drink and toppings, the bill ends up being about $10 anyways. The food isn't good, but there is a large variety of beers.
(2)David B.
The food here is average, drinks are good, and happy hour prices are great!! The atmosphere at night tends to be a bit classier which is why i will go here on occasions. The beer selection here is probably the number one feature of the place. I think they have about 40 different beers just on tap alone.
(3)Dee N.
Good for happy hour and dollar burger days. Expect a wait on dollar burger days though. The only thing that's really good here are their tater tots. I don't like tots but I admit theirs are yummy. Went for their Sunday brunch once. And I've never had so many mess up on our order and bill in my life.
(4)Eric G.
Can you Say Yuppy Frat boy ville. Terrible, Unless you have your collar popped and a pink polo shirt on, stay away.
(1)Brittany G.
Went in for a burrito and came out a happy girl. This is the first burrito I've ever had in a restaurant that had fresh jalapenos on it. Service was fantastic and the bartender was friendly as always.
(5)Tony C.
Just another bar chain run amok. It can't decide if it's going to be a meat market or sports bar. What's odd about Bar Louie is that no matter what I wear, whether it be dressed up, shabby chic, or downright shabby, I always feel dressed inappropriately for this place. Regardless of its upscale sports bar decor, let's rate a bar on what people care about: 1. The Booze - expensive and the bartenders don't seem particularly talented with their pours. Not good. 2. The Food - Gross. About the only thing I've eaten there that was finished are the breadsticks. How do you mess up breadsticks though? 3. The People - Some have already commented more on this than I care to write. Lots of people trying to look good and failing miserably at it. If you're going out to stare at rack, then go to a place where that is its distinct purpose. All in all, Bar Louie is an undistinctive bar. About the only thing it may have had going for it was the fact that it had Fat Tire beer from New Belgian Brewery in Colorado, but alas, they do not because even the big chain could not get around Michigan's beer distribution issues.
(2)Alison L.
Bar BOOie! Another lame chain restaurant/bar that has invaded A2 and will try, cheap pint by cheap bucket o' wings, to take away from what's great about this city.
(1)Matt B.
If you think TGIChilliBees is good food, you're going to be disappointed. This place is actually a step down. The atmosphere is uninspired, noisy, impersonal. So is the menu, down to the beer selection. In short, this place is a duche magnet. If you are an aspiring date rapist and use the term "bra" often, you're gonna love this place. Loud huge televisions dominate the room, drowning out your party's conversation. The decor is cheap and derivative. The burger I had here may as well been a hockey puck. I have not seen a more uninspired menu ever. Was here again to gander at their "dress code". Not surprised. Still no good.
(1)Nathan A.
The food was freshly microwaved and the decor crafted to make an Ann Arbor News restaurant reviewer settle for adjectives like "hip", "urban", and "chic". The more appropriate adjective would be "suburban", as in Novi mall restaurant. One redeeming factor - $2 14 oz. beers during happy hour. Given its proximity to campus (and the aforementioned drink specials) this place will quickly morph into Fratlebee's.
(1)Illi F.
My boyfriend and I used to love Bar Louie. The half-off appetizers at Happy Hour were great, the service friendly. We went at least once or twice a week for drinks and an appetizer when we were first dating. Lately, though, the place has really gone to crap. First, a new corporate policy was instituted so that all of the good appetizers are now no longer half-off during happy hour (there is a list now of those which are included in the half-off special). We've had our dollar burgers come out nearly raw (as rare as I'd eat a fine steak), and completely hard and charred, depending on the night. Tonight, though, was the worst. It was a Tuesday evening, and myself and 3 friends waited an hour and fifteen minutes for a table after being told by the (rude) hostess that it would be a 20-25 minute wait. There were 3 parties in front of us. Meanwhile, the restaurant had allowed reservations to be made for large parties, and there were maybe 2-3 people sitting at groupings of 4-5 tables meant to seat at least 12 or so. Why allow reservations on a Tuesday evening? And why seat incomplete groups and allow 2 people to take up 2 tables each while there is a crowd waiting to sit? Finally some tables cleared, and we thought we'd get seated--- no, the people who FINALLY showed up for their reservations realized they had more friends coming, and the tables went to them rather than to people who already had had their names on the list with the hostess for an hour. Management at this place just sucks and is so disorganized. I don't know if I'll be back.
(2)Laura K.
I know it's a chain, but this is one of the better Bar Louie's I've been to (and the one in Pittsburgh is on gorgeous waterfront). They have a great happy hour (cheap beer and 1/2 off apps). I prefer bar louie when I want beer and a late cheap sandwich (the luigi is very good). They also have a great big bar that is actually nice and feel like you're in the middle of the action.
(3)Mae S.
Evidently an upscale chain, not to expensive --Burgers, Pizzas, Sandwiches, Salads, "Large Plates" -- all the usual suspects. This one has beautiful outdoor porches facing Liberty and Division Streets, a large interior, and it opened yesterday. Has anyone eaten there? I'm putting three stars as a guess.
(3)Anthony N.
Hey it's Bar Louie, not Louis. Haven't gone to this new one but in Chicago it's a preferred spawning ground for post-frat and sorority idiots. But since Ann Arbor's not exactly short on meatheads and preppy types, this location should do well.
(1)kevin k.
This is the ultimate yuppie bar in Ann Arbor. Everything is overpriced, and its just full of douche bags. When i was sitting at the bar, the bartender actually rolled her eyes when i asked for a coke..i had been getting beer but wanted a break. The food is not that great, although to be fair the burger is pretty good.
(2)Peter W.
I love Bar Louie.
(5)A. T.
Great selection of draft beers. The burgers and fries are pretty standard, but my favorite secret dish here is the "loaded tots". Probably won't ever order them again, though, because now I can make them at home.
(4)Abby C.
I know that Bar Louie is a chain. I know that some people in Ann Arbor would rather see a bar unique to Ann Arbor go into this space. But Bar Louie is one of my go-to spots for numerous reasons. 1) The number of beers on tap. I am a beer drinker, and other than Ashley's, it's hard to find this many beers on tap in most bars. The list of beers changes up w/ the season, and you can find beers from Bell's, Arbor Brewing Company, Sam Adam's (although not my fave but I know other people like it), and many more. 2) As someone who has been out of undergrad for many years now, it's nice to go to a bar with a nice interior, where you can watch a game on tv, hold a conversation with your friends without screaming and yelling over the music, where there's a good size crowd, that doesn't serve drinks in plastic cups, and with patrons who are not so loud and rowdy. The food is a lot better than your Applebys or TGIF variety. It is bar food so it's a little on the heavy side, but I'd choose Bar Louie any day for food over the other chains you might think of. 3) When it's actually warm outside, there's a really good amount of outdoor seating. When it's starting to cool off a bit at night, the outdoor seating in the back has space heaters throughout the area so you can still sit outdoors and be comfortable. 4) Happy Hour: Buy 1 Get 1 Free on select appetizers and it's actually a significant number of the appetizers on the menu and several of them are sized to be meals by themselves. A lot of beers are $3, and there are martini specials but I don't drink those so I have no clue as to what they are. 5) For the cheapskate in me, $1 burgers on Tuesdays. I will say that the quality of the burgers on $1 burger Tuesdays has declined since they initially introduced this, but I rarely make it out for this night anymore since it gets so crowded. Happy Hour specials are also still good during this promotion if you go during Happy Hour time. I should mention that $1 burgers are only $1 if you don't order anything special on them. If you add cheese, veggies besides lettuce, special sauces and other special toppings, the price incrementally increases. But you can still eat a decent burger for a couple of bucks and tater tots are only a couple of dollars extra. The staff at Bar Louie is noticeably more disgruntled on Tuesdays, but I can't say that I blame them having been a server at a different restaurant at one point in my life. It's crowded but cause the bills are low, the tips are low, too, so you're working your butt off for not that much money. I have to say that my favorite item on the food menu is the pretzel appetizer. The pretzels are large and soft, served with honey mustard, regular mustard, and a queso dip that is delish.
(4)Kyle W.
You walk in there and you can tell that you're at a chain type restaurant, but the food is surprisingly good. The ham and cheese sandwich was very good (probably not that healthy though) and last time I went there I got the gumbo (appetizer) which was delicious. Everything is a little pricey considering you are at a chain but the happy hour prices are ok. Also on Tuesdays they have dollar burgers. You can find out more information on their website. I would definitely go back for the food but the atmosphere and drinks are not desirable.
(3)Steven H.
Food there is garbage and the beer there tastes stale when I get it on tap. They DO NOT clean their filters.
(1)Shelby A.
I've been coming to this place for a long time and never have I experienced anything less than a fantastic time. They have great live music, the atmosphere here is upbeat, the outdoor seating is comfortable. The waiters and waitresses know the menu very well, the management is on top of things and the customer is the most important person every time. You can't have a bad experience here. I don't think it's possible at all. Try the chicken nachos - seriously some of the best nachos I've had in a long time. Perfect combo.
(5)Alex K.
Pretty awful place. Went here during the Ann Arbor Art Fair a few weeks ago to avoid a storm that was supposedly going to hit. The place was packed -- we were lucky enough to find a table and get some drink orders in. We got water right away, which was served in dirty glasses... floaters galore! The waiter quickly brought back some new waters, but they should have never been that disgusting in the first place. After 15-20 minutes, we finally got our drink orders, and thankfully we didn't order food. People who were there before us got their food as we were leaving 80-or-so minutes later. Yes, the place was packed, but that's all pretty inexcusable... couple that with the fact that the drinks were a bit more expensive than they ought to have been. I've avoided Bar Louie for years, and after that visit, I could see why. While some of the food sounded good, there was no way we were ordering any when they were that busy. Oh well, maybe next time.
(1)James L.
SETTING: Cool place to hangout with friends. Outside dining area right in front of restaurant. Inside dining area as well. Can't make up your mind? There is a hybrid spot: inside area with ceiling covering (but open on the sides). If you can't find a place to sit down, you are probably too picky! FOOD: Dollar burger Tuesday? Seemed too good to be true, but I'm always game for great deals. I went in with the mindset that I would end up with having spent more than $1. I was correct...and add $14 to it. Not worth the deal in my opinion. The burger was only cooked one way--just like what Mom told me after I got an A on an exam: "well done". Because of this, the burger was on the drier side and quite lacking in taste. Just to break it down for you all so there are no cost surprises, let's go through my order. First reason why it turned out to be $14 was because you must order a drink for the $1 burger. A beer costs about $7.50. Then, of course, the more "add-on's" on the burger the higher the price. Each item is about 50 cents. If you want cheese, grilled onions, tomatoes, a sauce that sets you at $2 more. The burger was the size of your typical McDonald's burger (aka small), so we shared some tots (~$4.25). And just like that, $1 burger no more :( SERVICE: Waiter did come by to check in on us a few times, but he just didn't seem to be having a great time. He didn't smile at all! Maybe he was having a rough day, but I felt it rubbed off, and it just made the service a bit of a debbie downer. IMPRESSIONS: Don't think I will be back. If the burger could be cooked to your liking (ie: medium well), I think that would have made a big difference in taste. Honestly the add-on's aren't expensive, and although I got a beer, I'm sure pop would be cheaper. So, really, there are ways to make it less expensive. Unfortunately, the burger just was not tasty. It was also small in size. This is why I had to get tots--I was still hungry!
(2)Jenn H.
Hanging out with friends here for finger food & drinks. We sat outside as the evening was nice. Great atmosphere & our waitress was attentive. We had the nachos & it was a great complement for our drinks.
(4)Christina C.
Come for Happy Hour! Most of the appetizers are 1/2 off. My three friends and I ordered Bruschetta, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Buffalo Wings, Cheese Quesadilla, and a non-appetizer (Bacon Egg Sandwich) and it came out to $10 each, which is awesome. I came on a Friday around 5:30pm. I didn't care for the live music... They were odd. I couldn't hear myself talk, so my friends and I didn't end up talking to each other, which was unfortunate. Our waiter was super empathetic in regards to the crappy music, so we were grateful for that.
(3)Amy G.
Even though some people feel cheated that the "$1 burger" on Tuesdays includes just the patty, bun, and lettuce and all other toppings are extra, it is still a really cheap meal, especially if you don't order alcohol or sides. In any case, it's a discounted deal! I'm not sure how the seating works regularly, but on Tuesdays it is super casual: just seat yourself and a waitress will come by. In fact, I don't think we were addressed more than once by the same waitress, as different workers will walk by and ask if you've ordered or if you need anything. I got the portobello burger with additional toppings of tomato, grilled onions, and guacamole. Carbs are my favorite and the bun was soft, warm and possibly buttered for bonus tastiness. We also shared a side of fries for $4. I liked their fries a lot, I don't know if they pre-season them, but they seemed to be extra crispy and delicious. I want to try their tater tots in the future. Their drink menu is a bit curious in that there are only names of beers, no prices or descriptions, but we asked and the beers are $4-6 which is kind of pricey so we passed on that. All in all, $10 for a filling dinner for two people is a win. It was comfortable dining outside on a warm summery night and I would come again while the weather is nice!
(4)Kevin T.
Stopped in for their late nite menu, but stayed for the great music of ... Nibbled on some pot stickerd. Nice presentation, tasty...but way too sweet with the glaze. Kind of hungered for something salmon, so picked the Chop Chop salad with the optional salmon filet on top. A nice plus is when tbe waitress asks "how well do yoi want your salmon cooked?". Medium. I ordered the chop chop minus the sweet vinaigrette it comes tossed in. Unfortunately, it arrived swimming in the sauce. Well, at least the salmon was good spared, so just skipped the greens. Lots of other eating choices here close by, but Louie's 1/2 off Happy Hour appetizers somewhat attractive and there's usually a decent beer special.
(3)Johanna M.
My friends and I met up here for a buddy's bachelor party. I have never been to this restaurant, but it appears to be part of a chain. Either way, we visited this spot on a late Friday night and it was Latin night. Who knew? Not any of my white friends...hahaha. It was pretty funny. I was having a grand old time, but we eventually left as the boys wanted to smoke cigars and get drinks elsewhere. The vibe was alright. There lots of people there dancing and having a great time. If I lived in Michigan, I might visit this place for Latin night. The drinks were fairly priced and there was plenty of seating for people watching. It was an okay bar. Nothing special, but I'm not sure how it rates next to other Michigan bars. This isn't a college dive bar, or what you think of when you visit Michigan. Either way, it was just alright. I'd say come on over if you want to try some sangria and beer to start your evening. I wouldn't stay here all night. Both were pretty good. We didn't get any food because we went really late at night.
(3)Tony R.
I'm going to echo many of the other reviewers here. They have a huge "service" problem. I met some friends here on a Tuesday night. I arrived about 30 minutes late and one friend was still waiting on his drink that he ordered when they first arrived. We talked for about 10 minutes before our server finally came back to the table to take my order. I decided to order something quick, a chicken sandwich and fries, because I felt anything else I'd probably have to ask for a to go box. My meal came rather quickly, delivered by someone other than our server of course. My other friend asked for a to go box and it took 20 minutes for that to ever arrive. However, he was very quick to come collect our check jackets, both once we put our cards in and after we signed - go figure! In all, no matter how good the food may be, bad service can ruin an experience and your perception of a place. I won't rush back here anytime soon.
(2)Laura C.
I like Bar Louie a lot, especially since I am from Chicago and enjoyed their branches there. They have a tasty pita/hummus/cucumber app that is really yummy and healthy. Another really important part of this place is that they always have Blue Moon, which is far from a given in most restaurants in Ann Arbor. We went on Tuesday $1 burger nights a few weeks ago, and it was a good deal, especially if you don't mind plain food (every extra little thing, including mayo costs extra) or paying more for it. The cool thing is that you can get a $1 turkey burger, black bean burger, or CHCKEN breast! Surprise! All for $1??! Great deal! You can pay extra for a side order of fries or their excellent tater tots! They also have a huge patio, which is a huge plus in good weather!
(4)Patrick O.
Would have liked to add more stars but the waitstaff/waitress let me down. During the entire meal, never asked how we were doing, but asked the single gentleman behind us three times. Empty beer glass at the edge of the table was ignored by three different wait staff including our waitress. Now on the other hand, the food was perfect! Great beer selection.
(3)Alan S.
This is probably one of those hit-or-miss bars that can be found in any college town. I went with a large group and since they all hit the bar at the same time, they all had slow service. Also since they all had IDs from different states and countries it seemed to take the bar tender forever to decide if they were legit or not. Ah well... I don't know how expensive the drinks are since I didn't pay for my own and they don't put prices in the menu. Which is something that bugs me. There was a live cover band who seemed to be playing lots of slower depressing songs, not really want people want on a Saturday night. And they were playing WAY to loud. Despite being on the other side of the bar we had to yell to talk to each other. I wouldn't waste my time going here again, but it wasn't horrible.
(2)Susan S.
Overpriced, in my opinion. 11.95 for a sandwich? Not sure how college kids can afford that. happy hour half off flat breads (orig. $11.95) were decent, had I paid full price I would have been disappointed, might I mention the fLatbread is crisp, pizza style, not sandwich style like I expected.. Not much of a personal experience, considering the bar was packed on a Tuesday. Our server was polite when she had time but I dealt with like three people sitting at the bar, customer service whiplash, who am I leaving the tip for? I'm Assuming they split.. On the bright side, I was impressed with the draft selection, the chalkboard art was really awesome. The atmosphere was modern and nice. I'm rating four, generously. I was not blown away by my visit. More than likely wouldn't return although Info not regret stopping in, simply because the town has so much more to offer.
(4)Sarah B.
Mixed drinks are too sweet and use the cheapest ingredients. They need to hire another bartender on Friday nights. Long waits for drinks. Latin music on Friday nights. Generally, this crowd knows how to dance. Small dance floor, but there is decent air circulation. Dear General Manager - Please hire a different DJ!!!! He lacks imagination and knowledge of latin music!! Unfortunately, he plays too many sets of reggaeton and (very electronic) merengue to pander to the lowest common denominator. This attracts people who have no clue how to dance. In fact, I see waves of good dances leave because this guy doesn't let up on the grind music. He does play a few sets of classic salsa and bachata, but I am tired of waiting out the body-slamming music. I am even considering the 45 minute drive to Royal Oak to go to a real latin club that plays the greats of latin music: Joe Arroyo, Willie Colon, Ismael Rivera, and Diego d' Leon. If this DJ plays another set of bachata with songs only by Prince Royce, I'll spit a tamale. In fact, I went to Bar Louie for two consecutive weekends (the DJ at Habana and Bar Louie is the same), and he played a set of reggaeton and another of techno which were identical to last Friday. Formulaic and uninspiring. A few very good leads make it worth the while.
(2)Jola B.
Went out for happy hour with some grad students yesterday evening. We reserved a couple tables from 4-6. Good happy hour prices on beer, wine, martinis (!) and select appetizers. I'm from Cali so the quesadilla ($3.62) and guacamole was just okay to me. But I'm a cocktail girl and I enjoyed their martinis. I had the Tickled Pink ($5.25) and the Smores ($5.25) The tickled pink was good and the Smores was *delicious.* Interesting crowd - students, professionals and older folks. But I had a good time and will definitely be coming back. I hear they do pretty legit salsa dancing too.
(4)Naveen N.
Relatively expensive for Ann Arbor. Drinks and food weren't particularly better than any other place you could go to eat at. Likely won't be back.
(2)Juliana M.
Service is absolutely abysmal. Took 30 minutes to get the wrong drink, another 15 to replace it. Another hour to get burgers to the table with the wrong toppings. I've been here almost every week this semester, and the service has been consistently horrible. Drinks are overpriced for what the place is. I don't recommend coming here if it isn't happy hour. Menu doesn't even have drink prices listed, and server gets annoyed when you ask.
(2)Andrea F.
Service is mediocre. Food is excellent. Beer list is great...but $10 for a tiny sangria that barely has any alcohol in it NO THANKS
(3)Ari G.
Atmosphere and food is very "American Fare'. Absolutely great staff. Caitlin has been our server a few times now and she is a total rockstar!
(5)John G.
5 minutes for waitress and 24 minutes to get drinks. If you're in a hurry, skip this place. Drinks and flatbreads are good. Doubt I will be returning to Bar Louie.
(1)Roxie F.
Seating was confusing here. When you walk in there's no staff to greet you and take you to a table, and no sign that says to seat yourself. We waited at a table for a very long time before a waiter came by. We placed food and drink orders, and waited some more. Our drinks finally came out, which were not too bad, but really overpriced. Then more waiting. Finally the food came out. My sandwich had tomatoes even when I asked for none, not a huge deal but the place wasn't even busy enough to justify getting it wrong and the horrible waiting times. We asked for hot sauce when the food came out, and never got it. I actually don't think the waiter ever stopped by during the meal to check if things were good or to ask for refills of drinks. The food was very tasty, the one redeeming factor of the experience. And the decor was nice. But that's it. After over an hour on a late Monday night we finally paid and left, feeling slightly upset but we'll fed.
(3)Steven S.
Despite being a large chain, there are still things that are quite nice about this place. Fridays are Latin Night, which is a nice little add-on for those who want to dance after they've imbibed and filled their stomachs (potentially in that order). In terms of atmosphere, they have great outdoor seating. Our waitress Ashley was friendly and stayed a while just to chat with us, and was prompt in getting our orders. The flatbreads are like their specialty, and are quite tasty. A few friends who ended up getting their sandwiches also gave them praise.
(4)Michelle C.
I haven't been back to Bar Louie in a while, only for the fact that I try to avoid downtown while school is in session for inconvenient parking (you have to park in a nearby structure or find street parking). I was here on a Monday night with a few of my girlfriends and I was so impressed! Happy hour is 4-7pm with $3 draft beer, $4 all wines, and $5 martinis. They also offer half off select appetizers (calamari, which is delightful, all flatbreads, spinach artichoke dip, boneless wings, and a couple of other simple dishes I can't remember now). Also on Tuesdays, Bar Louie offers $1 burgers. Don't be fooled- they are NOT sliders. They are real, man-sized burgers. So, don't be silly like me thinking they're sliders and order 3, get dirty looks from the server, then be embarrassed later. Service is great, there is a large (I think 30+) selection of draft beer, including local craft beers. Food is wonderful- my favorite is their loaded tater tots (think nachos with really awesome gooey cheese. then replace chips with tater tots).
(4)Dan W.
Stopped in for Veterans Day and except for the service being slow, an overall good experience. It wasn't busy as well, so I knocked down a star.
(4)Melissah L.
This place is okay for a chain restaurant... the vibe is fun and energetic and the interior is pretty nice. Tables are pretty hard to come by though, so if you have a a larger party I would recommend calling ahead to see if there are open seats (I'm not sure if they take reservations). I came here for a friend's birthday and was not too impressed with the experience. We ordered drinks and food. Since we were there during happy hour, we tried their martinis and ordered draft beers. For the martini, I tried the Honeydew, and it was absolutely horrible. I found it sickeningly sweet and ended up adding water to it to cut down on the sugary taste. The beer was fine, though, only $3 for a decent-sized glass. For the food, I got the fried Louie burger. Again, it was just fine- exactly how I would expect the burger and fries of a chain restaurant to taste, but what I was really unimpressed with was the service and the length of time we had to wait for our food. It took nearly an hour for our food to come after we sat down, and while it was a busy night, our waitress only seemed to come around every 20 minutes. Wish the service was better-- this could be a good place to watch UM games!
(2)Miguel R.
Awesome Salsa Fridays do not miss out! youtu.be/REQDdAwLSIg
(5)Gabie L.
We went here for happy hour on Tuesday. $1 burger night!! Actually, it's not $1 when you add veggies, cheese, and extra (how can you eat a burger without those?). Still, it's quite cheap even after adding them and the actual price of a burger is about $3-4. The burger was okay and they have good and many beer selection. Everything seems okay so far. One thing you should know is you should check your bill thoroughly. Otherwise, you will get a wrong bill! When we've checked the bill, found out a bartender charged wrong food and extra. It's small dollar differences so you might never know unless checking the bill..
(3)James K.
Come here for the specials on Tuesday and Wednesday...burgers are good and tots are awesome!
(3)Mimi T.
I love the drinks from the variety of beers to martinis. During HH (4-7p) it is decently priced but I wouldn't go here not during a HH. Definitely a good place to go if you want to try something different than the usual beers most Ann Arbor bars have on tap. They have live bands but if you're actually trying to talk to someone this is not the place to go. It can be a fun atmosphere but seems like there can be very different crowds depending on who the band is. I think I tried some apps but don't really remember which means that they weren't worth remembering... :P I wish the layout was a little bit different. Feels very secluded depending on where you're sitting but if you're trying to be hidden then this is the perfect place for you.
(3)Tiffany B.
I've been here a couple times for Latin night on Fridays and it's always super packed. Dancing on the small dance floor they have in front is like trying to dance in a closet with 200 people in it, it's pretty ridiculous ha ha but the upside is I love their dirty martinis and this one older gentleman always finds me for a dance which I find rather pleasant. When it's busy don't expect to get a drink right away and don't expect to have any amount of personal space. If that doesn't bother you then you should go Latin night they have a good selection of Spanish music playing and some expert dancers from what I've seen.
(4)Matt K.
Terrible service. Never had such pitiful service in my entire life. Food was decent for a bar. Just worst service I've had. The waitress took a long time for everything and would disappear at a moments notice.
(1)Michael S.
I don't go here often, due to the crowds, but with it being Spring Break, I thought I'd take a chance. It was Happy Hour and $1 burger night, to boot! Most of their large, varied selection of beers and all of their signature martinis and wines were on special ($3, $5, and $4, respectively). $1 got you a burger (chicken, turkey, portabella or beef), bun and lettuce. Toppings were a bit extra. The liquids and burgers were very good. Service was sketchy to start with, but got better as the evening wore on. That was odd, because it filled up by the time we left. The establishment was nice, in a corporate sort of way. My main concern, as stated before is the crowd. Once the seats got filled, it was difficult to move about due to the closeness of the tables. However, it didn't ruin the experience. I plan to be back once school lets out.
(4)Patrick T.
Good place to watch UM games. Just remember to come early and stake out a table. Acceptable drinks. The wings, and other food items are meh.
(2)Tattooed Vegan Travelers T.
Usually we don't review many chain restaurants because 1) they often don't have many options to vegans and vegetarians and therefore 2) we usually don't visit them. So, I while back we visited Bar Louie the first time expecting nothing but mediocre chain food and instead ate some of the best vegetarian nachos we've ever tasted! On top of that, the beer selection rivals that of our favorite microbrew pubs. This made this bar our to go place when in the mood for nachos and beer (which is quite often). But their veggie selection does not end there. Their veggie wrap is seriously the best wraps we've ever had - although this may not be that difficult since veggie wraps always suck. We think of veggie wraps as the no-creativity-needed veggie-option copout for a lazy chefs. Yet, our opinion of wraps would drastically change if they all tasted 1/2 as amazing as the one at this place. Our only "beef" with Bar Louie, and thus the lack of 5 stars, is their portabella burger. the portabella is so small is more like a champignon. So it really can't compete with most of the other veggie burgers in town. So, if you're vegetarian, skip the burger and get the nachos sans chicken instead!
(4)David R.
Wow, that Atwater Vanilla Bean Java Ale rocked my world. I think I might have achieved Satori as I drank it, but I'll get back to you on that. The number of taps they have in here is mind-boggling and begs the question where they keep all the mechanics because the bar is clean and smooth as they come. A large place with a lot of areas to sit: bar, high tables, booths, outside, etc. A young and energetic crowd and servers. This place mimics the youth and energy of Ann Arbor. Maybe it was just the heat of the Ann Arbor Art Fair and the exhaustion of all the walking, but that beer... sigh... I'll be back.
(3)Sumana P.
Great drinks, great food, and great service! I have various food allergies and intolerances like dairy and gluten but our waiter literally sat with us for about thirty minutes and created something just for me! He and the kind chef alone deserve five stars but the special hummus plate they made for me was also spectacular! He also had great drink recommendations. My friend and I went after midnight which is when the waitstaff generally starts to not really care so the fact that I got perhaps the best service of my life so late is even more amazing. The place is a bit pricey but totally worth it.
(5)Uncle B.
Decent burger, nice crisp bacon.
(3)Malinda M.
My lady friend and I came here one night for martini's at the bar. To our surprise at 8:30pm they still had a drink special going for $5 martinis! We tried everyone almost between us and the bartender was quick, helpful, and freaking adorable. They have what seems like a million beers on tap and an amazing selection of alcohol. If you're looking for a fun place for a cocktail YOU FOUND IT!
(5)Jason C.
Ah... Bar Louie... It's a bar that targets the working professionals in downtown Ann Arbor.. the location is ideal, because it's few blocks from the campus and it's next to Google office and couple blocks from the main street. I have been to this Bar Louie several times but didn't really yelp about it... so here I am... Yelping :) I like the happy hours... last time I was there... my two beers were more than the food I ordered... granted this will only happen if you go during happy hour... As for the food goes, I only like the loaded tots... I have tried other food, but to be honest... charging lot of money for some prepackage food shipped out of Chicago, heated and served... yeah, I don't buy that... anyways, the service is hit or miss, depending on when you go. I think they changed the layout, because it seems like there's less tables then when it first opened up... can anyone confirm this? I like how they have outdoor seating by the main entrance and out in the back... parking is also a challenge... street parking or pay some money parking in the lot a block away... give it a try.
(3)Beth H.
I hit the bar for happy hour, yesterday. I believe they have really downsized their happy hour specials. It was still a good value; just not as good of a selection. At least the small wine list had some decent bottles. The food was hot, fresh and out quick. The service was good, and the girls were friendly enough, but they seemed incredibly out of place. Dressed more like they should be in a biker bar than Bar Louie, and they didn't seem very happy at all. Definitely A-OK for a stop in if you are in the area, but for the construction that plagues that corner, lack of nearby parking and difficultly of getting to the location, I won't be making a point to stop in again anytime soon.
(3)Kristen C.
Bar Louie has a great happy hour, and I was so happy to see them include veggie burgers on their $1 burger day. They have a ton of beers on tap and lots of wine options. This is a really fun place to hang out with friends or just sit at the bar. It's a bit expensive without any deals going on, so if you don't like to spend a lot at the bar then plan accordingly :)
(4)Beck E.
Um... that was really nice of the female bartender behind the counter to aggressively flirt with my boyfriend while I was standing right next to him. I understand that she was trying to butter him up to get a nice tip, but COME ON! I WAS RIGHT THERE!
(1)Brenton D.
Service was absolutely terrible. I ordered a drink which took over 5 minutes to deliver. Should not take 5 minutes to bring a bottle of beer. Especially when there were 2 people behind the bar counting money. I spent that 5 minutes looking at a menu, deciding what I would like to eat. Not once did anyone behind the bar ask if I wanted to order food. So, I drank my beer, went to another place down the street and spent my money there. At this place it seems the people behind the bar have better things to do than to serve their customers.
(1)Nancy K.
Never again. This Birkenstock wearer is pretty new to Ann Arbor and didn't know this was a chain at first. I'll admit, despite my usual "non-chain only" attitude I was impressed and a few times when we've had people in town (our parents, non-Birkenstock wearing friends) this has been a standby for decent food when they've gotten sick of the tofu, tempeh, etc. While we've only been here six times, we noticed some things with each visit: namely that they cannot handle a crowd and that each time the food wasn't quite as good. When a salad that comes with chicken is delivered without chicken you have to wonder what's going on. Also, after our second or third visit they changed the veggie burger to something with way more rice in it - not nearly as good as it used to be. A huge fan of the oriental burger (veg option) I'm sad that it's not orderable anymore. For some unknown reason we decided to go to Bar Louie last Sunday... we never go when it's just us but whatever, stranger things have happened. By the end of the meal my husband, who had ordered a chicken sandwich, wasn't feeling very well, was doubled over by the time we got to the car and by the time we got home he was running to the bathroom to experience some of the most violent vomitting I've ever heard. Not sure if it was food poisoning or something that didn't agree with him, but he was incredibly sick for a while. After about 30 minutes of almost non-stop puking he took a nap and then felt a little better. Wish we had stuck with our local-only policy... we will from now on. Also, our waitress was kind of an airhead who kept forgetting things. She was nice, though, and apologetic.
(1)Jay L.
An acceptable place to have a couple beers. Avoid the "food.' Basically the chefs at Bar Louie st down with a bunch of cheap ingredients and said how do we make people think they like this? Oh, we'll just add a boatload of salt. The only flavors you'll find here are salty, fatty, and salty/fatty. Also I was annoyed that I asked what the happy hour specials were and was told calamari was one of the items that's half off. I tried the buffalo calamari, which is actually OK but don't eat it by yourself, and found out when we got the bill only regular calamari is at happy hour price. It gets more than one star because the beer selection is good and the prices are reasonable by downtown Ann Arbor standards.
(2)Khom V.
Happy Hour and Burger Tuesday deal is the best.
(3)Anonymous F.
A nice place to hang out during the warmer months. Drinking beer and people-watching outside. The tuna is good, the beer selection is good(although getting a good tap can be a big question mark)...... the seasoned fries are good but you don't get very many. Shame, really. The inside eating area smells bad as you would expect from a college town "bar". Stale beer smell soaked into the floors. Often times they have live music but it generally is pretty lousy music. The service is usually very bad but on rare occasions the wait staff will surprise me. ...it's a chain and not worth going out of your way to visit
(3)Steve G.
Not worth coming here. For anything. Ever. When Bar Louie first opened in Ann Arbor several years ago there was a decent happy hour w/ half price appetizers and relatively cheap beer. At those prices, coupled with the ability to sit outside on a nice day, Bar Louie was a decent (although less than spectacular) bar option. But over time they sank into an abyss of poor food, even worse service and gradually higher prices (even on their happy hour "specials"). After several less than favorable experiences, most of my friends decided to finally write off Bar Louie for good with no intention to return...especially since so many better bar options exist within a few blocks.
(1)Stephen H.
I think its great that there is a bar louie in ann arbor and its even greater that the place snubs the birkenstocks wearers. Chain you say? I wouldnt have guessed but its a great place to watch a hockey game or meet a friend after work for a drink or two. Try the vesuvio melt in a wrap. The service is always excellent, bar-none.
(4)Christopher F.
Bar louie is what it is, a bar with some upgraded pub food. Their pretzel sticks and cheese and honey mustard dip are really good an A. Their pizza however, I found average a C. I also tried their toast and bruschetta and tomatoes which was ok. There menu mainly consist of burgers and sandwiches nothing spectacular better than your average bar food. They have a nice selection of drinks and a good happy hour!!
(3)Evelyn R.
Went here a little over a month ago for $1 burgers. It took us a while to get served, but once she came she was nice. Burger was cheap but good, I got the portobella burger, so its still a good option for vegetarians. I tried 4 different drinks, the Sailor Jerry Mojito was by far the best. They were $10 a piece though, however the $1 burgers pretty much made up for it. I give this a 4 simply because it was cheap burger day, it would get a 3 on any other day of the week.
(4)Vivek V.
well we must just have been lucky because our experiences at Bar Louie were a lot different than most reviewers have had. In our short five day visit to Ann Arbor we ended up at Bar Louie three times, Thursday night (NFL), Saturday afternoon (GO BLUE) and Sunday Afternoon (NFL). Ther service was excellent each time and happy hour prices seemed reasonable (but we are from the San Francisco Bay area so everything in A2 seemed less expensive). Thursday was mostly watching the game and drinking beer. The beer selection is ample but i am sure you can find better in Ann Arbor. We tried several local beers and enjoyed them all. On Saturday we tried the popcorn and pretzel sticks. The pretzel sticks were warm and salty and the popcorn was light and fluffy. The beer of course was cold and tasty. Even though the place was full our server was attentative and the service was fast. On Sunday, we tried the meatballs (and popcorn) and found them to be soft and delicious. The server regularly filled our club sodas and came by asking how we were doing often. We had started at another place but they did not have the Pittsburgh game (Xfinity was not showing it). Bar Louie was showing the game and we stayed for the 49er game too. The Detroit game was on the TV one over from the one playing the Pittsburgh game so it was really fun to watch both games side by side. When we return to Ann Arbor and want to watch sports, drink beer and eat, Bar Louie will be our choice. .
(5)Anya P.
What people find appealing about this place I'll never know. The music was too loud to talk to anyone, the waitress' (who disturbingly all looked alike) were inattentive, and the most important thing was lost: the quality of the drinks. We went for a pre-movie cocktail and were so disgusted that we just left with our drinks nearly untouched. If we weren't late for the movie- the drinks took a while to get to us- I would have made a big fuss, but let's just say never again. Oh, also nothing has a price mark, which means they are trying to avoid sticker shock, but it's Ann Arbor. Seriously. One last thing- the cocktails were made with syrups. Like coffee house syrups. ew....
(2)Sara C.
Star #1 - Great beer prices at happy hour Star #2 - Ample outdoor seating Star #3 - $5 "real" martinis if you special order them at happy hour Loss of Star #3 - serving a martini in a warm glass that smells like bleach. This place is basically one step up from Applebee's in terms of ambiance and food. That's not really a compliment.
(2)Molly H.
So, this review comes with the major caveat that I have only been once, it was at 3 or 4 in the afternoon on a Monday or Tuesday and we sat outside on a gorgeous day. So if a restaurant can't succeed given these conditions, well, they've got a whole lotta problems. What pulled us in was the chalkboard declaring their happy hour specials which are truly very good. Hard to turn down a $5 martini. Anyway, our service was excellent--very attentive, very nice, good sense of humor and very fast. That being said--I'm pretty sure we were the only table this guy had. I got a chicken quesadilla that I believe was also on some sort of happy hour special--it was HUGE for the price and really good. Great bar food. We got a few drinks and that quesadilla and the bill with tip was less than 20 bucks. I can't really argue with that. So, my advice: go in the early afternoon on an off day and sit on that patio to enjoy yourself. I really can't vouch for anything past that.
(3)Kensey W.
i have to start out by saying i do NOT hate chain restaurants. every place has its own merits and there are several chain restaurants that i happily choose to eat at. this particular bar louie is not one of them. the food and drinks (aka uneven syrupy booze) is bad and expensive for what it is (yes, even "dollar" burgers are not worth it), as everyone has already said. but what i hate about this place is the service. there is just no indication that they care anything about what their customers think of them. i used to eat here on tuesdays for dollar burger kind of regularly because a group of my friends did. it seemed like we always got this waitress margot who was brusque and not very polite, and tends to leave the table before you can ask for anything. and one time when we were there, presumably at the end of her shift, i gave her exact change for the bill and she asked for "the rest of it" so she could "throw it in her purse." i was a server for most of undergrad and all of grad school and cannot ever imagine doing something this unprofessional and tacky. also, one time i went in on a weekday afternoon when there was practically no one there to get a gift card for one of them and the bartender told me they didn't have gift cards. i found out later that they do though, and looking back i realized he probably just didn't want to do work for something he wasn't going to get tipped on. after that trip, i decided to never go again. i don't think i'd give one-stars very lightly but i'd give this place zero if i could. i'm actually really sad that this place will probably stay in business. there is just nothing redeeming about it.
(1)Jay K.
I can see why so many people hate on this place. But if you like beer, this is the place to be for happy hour. They have 30+ beers on tap, and more than half of them are from decent microbreweries (dogfish head, bell's, founder's, etc). They also have a few European beers (The last time I went, they had Delirium Tremens, Piraat, and Weihenstephan). At $3 a pint and good hours (M-F 4-7 and sometimes W all day), it's a beer lover's heaven. Food is mediocre, and they only have average mixed drinks (not worth it for the price you're paying). So I'm giving them 4 stars only for their happy hour beer. If you're not a big beer drinker though, probably avoid this place?
(4)Carrie B.
If you like snobbish bars than this one is for you. I myself like dive bars where everyone knows your name. I went in here last Sunday 11-11 for the free veterans meal. I ordered the portabella burger it came and it looked appealing - I put the top on the burger and knew there was going to be a problem because it was so tall. As soon as I went to bite into it the bread fell apart (on the stale side) and all the topping slid out the back and I was left biting a very rubbery mushroom that I could not break off. I actually had to scissor it with my teeth to break off that piece. It had obviously been overcooked. I decided on eating the toppings that had fallen off out the back and made myself a little salad excluding the mushrooms. Then I proceeded to eat the fries they gave me all 5 of them (very stingy). All I have to say is I am glad it was free.
(1)Guillermo K.
This place sucks. Seriously sucks.
(2)mariah c.
It's not the best, it's not the worst. It has the somewhat anonymous tone of a chain place - there's nothing in particular that attracts me to the place, except the fact that they have outdoor seating. I feel like that gets them some extra credit. They had cheap happy hour drinks -- except the "last call" happy hour drink I was offered ended up being charged at a very non-happy hour price. The fried zucchini was tasty, but it got taken away before our table was done with it. Our server was friendly and sweet -- just getting the hang of things while training, and she did a goo job -- just bummed she didn't watch that the happy hour prices she offered actually appeared on the bill. It was a decent place to celebrate(?) my friend;s pink slip party, but unless I'm feeling frugality over searching for character in a place, I don't know that I'd be apt to return.
(3)Carlos O.
Had a two-hearted beer and the southwest burger. Loved it!
(3)Brian G.
Overpriced watered down drinks with poor service. Unless its happy hour... Don't bother.
(2)Gina V.
I feel like people hate on Bar Louie for being the anti-Ann Arbor bar. It's a chain (from Chicago, no less) that caters to the yuppie crowd and makes no apologies for snubbing birkenstock-wearing locavores. This is exactly why I go here - because every now and then you just want an ample selection of cheap beer on tap, half price appetizers, and a big screen TV. On the contrary, I hate on Bar Louie for their inability to handle large crowds. As soon as a waitlist forms the witching hour begins and all hell breaks loose. The host stand turns into a revolving door of multitasking employees and no one has any idea what's going on. Example: Last time I was there they said it would be an hour wait. Meanwhile, two large tables sat unoccupied for at least 20 minutes.
(3)Briza Y.
I'm not a bar go-er, so I'm not the best type of person to rate this place, but I'll put in my 2cents since I was there on a Friday night. I ordered the BBQ Salad and it was good. Luckily for them, it's pretty hard to mess up a salad. The hockey game was on, so that was a plus. I do wish the sound was a bit lower so a decent conversation could also be had. Overall, it was a fine experience.
(3)Linda S.
I guess I should not expect much from a burger that costs $1, but I wouldn't have guessed that the smoky haze in the restaurant when we walked in, was from the crispy overbooked burgers. We have had good and (very) bad service here, and they are surprisingly kid friendly considering they are a bar, but the food is just not good. I have had many dishes here (not just the $1burgers) and have never been impressed. They have a respectable choice of draft beers, but Ashley's is a much better place to go if that is what you are looking for when heading out in Ann Arbor. If you are looking for food, go across the street...
(1)Lori K.
Hi Bar Louie, your tator tots covered with cheese sauce - out of this world - perfect amount of spices, jalepeno's, pickled things..it was mind blowing. Good selection of local beers on draft. The buffalo style calamari was not that good. Expensive. Will be back. But only for beer and the tots.
(5)Marissa B.
I made it to Bar Louie on Day #2 of business. The decor of the Chicago-based chain could best be described as swanky sports bar... if there is such a thing. The focal point is the large bar in the center of the restaurant which is surrounded by scattered high-top bar tables and large semi-circle booths towards the back. There are two outdoor seating areas - one out back, in a cement "courtyard", and one out front along the street. The back outdoor area is too sunny for my taste in the evening, the front seating is shaded by the building. When I entered the restaurant I was struck by how inhospitable the hostess was. No greeting, no "how are you"... nothing. It was almost uncomfortable for me to approach her. Come on now, they've only been open for two days! How can she be THIS miserable already?! Happy Hour runs from 4-7pm, offering $2 beers and $5 martinis. Unfortunately we missed it so I indulged in a regular priced $8 chocolate martini. While the presentation of the martini was nice (chocolate swirled glass, strawberry on the rim) I was not so impressed with the martini itself. At this risk of making myself sound like a lush, I know my martinis and this was way too weak to be an $8 martini. Bottom Line: You're in Ann Arbor! There are so many great, locally-owned restaurants downtown that you should visit first before spending too much time in Bar Louie.
(2)Bea G.
We went to Bar Louie for drinks after dinner, so we didn't try any food. Highlights: * Easily found a couch/table for our party of six. * Quick and nice service. * Bright ambiance with lots of TVs. Lowlights: * Harder to mingle with others. * Feels a bit more like a restaurant than a bar. Overall: Would go back to, but it's not on our frequent rotation of places.
(4)Dan M.
If my most recent experience was my only one with Bar Louie, it would be my last and this review would be far more painful. Thankfully I've visited a few times and know this to be an average, though of course claiming to be more, chain restaurant. With the special shaped serving 'baskets' and such they come across as pretentious. In reality its a relatively generic bar chain. They have burgers, fries, fish-n-chips, sandwiches, etc and fit the basic ho-hum American food bill for the masses. The environment is generally energetic and the portions are huge so you really do get what (and maybe more than) you pay for. The waitstaff seems relatively attentive for the most part. They do have two things I LOVE-Tater tots (and the thought of someone not loving tater tots is downright silly) and the BLTT-Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, and Turkey. That sandwich is a great flavor combo without being too heavy. The salads can be good, but the quantity of ingredients seem to vary substantially over time. The Fish-n-chips was essentially flavorless despite having a 'special' Blue Moon batter. For a quick lunch or maybe a drink in the afternoon this is a good spot. For dinner, not so much in my opinion.
(3)Rob P.
Bar Louie is another example of the wrong direction that Ann Arbor is taking. It is gradually adding these chain bars that have no personality and generally detract from the original cityscape of the town. Bar Louie does have a nice interior--it has a smooth layout, dimly light atmosphere that would otherwise be a welcoming alternative to other bars on Main Street. That is where the positives end however. The service is generally slow (taking 1.5+ hours to get food) and forgetful (My server has rarely remembered everything that my party has ordered, even when it's a party of two or three). When you try to order multiple drinks (as if to suggest the process is too slow), you are denied and offered rudeness. The establishment has always been full of loud, obnoxious guests (which isn't necessarily the fault of BL, it's just something to be aware of) and it's impossible to get a drink from the bar. The food is mediocre, but overpriced for what it is. If you must go there, do so during happy hour to at least get a discounted experience and decide for yourself. It is not an easy-going or expedient restaurant/bar.
(2)Elle W.
Not sure why there are so many bad reviews! Great (patient) service, good food, and fun atmosphere. I will definitely be back!
(5)Joel S.
Ouch. The absolute worst brunch service I've ever experienced. Took almost 30 minutes and asking 3 times to get my cup of coffee, and a little longer than that to get my bloody mary (ordered at the same time). Food was pretty standard brunch fare. Too many other options (like Zingerman's) to ever go back.
(1)Steven L.
Whores Whores Whores! This place has them all: old, young, hot, ugly, fat, skinny, business, business casual, skanky, swanky, sorority, emo etc. Every time I go here, I am surrounded by whores. I don't think I have seen a female in here that was not a whore. Also the food is edible and the beer is cold.
(5)Jonas L.
Happy Hour + $2 beers = 5 stars (maybe more if you can get drunk quickly enough) Any other time = 1 star (only because that is the minimum) Now let us do some maths, by averaging proportional to the hours: 5 * (3/15) + 1 * (12/15) = 1.8 I'll be generous and round up to 2 stars.
(2)Kevin S.
OMG this place was a bad dining experience. The music was so loud we could not hear each other. I went here with my deaf friend David who wears a hearing aid and he had to turn the hearing aid off because the music was so loud. Our waiter smelled like Weed & Cigarette smoke and to top things off my chicken sandwich was borderline burnt. I will come here for cocktails just not dinner anymore.
(1)David M.
I haven't been here for the nightlife, but I've eaten here a couple of times. I don't remember anything here being to special, "standard" is a good way to describe it. Someone raved about the fish tacos once, but I got them and they were bland and flavorless (and redundant!). I'll probably be back if there really are $1 burgers on Tuesdays though.
(3)Tyler B.
I almost cried when I saw that Bar Louie was opening an Ann Arbor location. I'd visited several of their establishments in the Chicago area, and without fail, they were all populated with the most unbelievable assortment of douche bags imaginable. The place is permeated with most vile, smug, vapid and vacant lot you've ever seen. Everytime, every Bar Louie. So I swore I'd never set foot in the A2 version. They can suck it. But then I get a txt message. After months of telling everyone what cest pool the place is, a friend writes me "I don't know how to tell you this, but Louie has $2 Oberons, almost every day 4-7" Damn you Bar Louie! So naturally I went. And I do feel vindicated - the service and people were exact replicants of all the Chicago branches I'd been tricked into visiting. BUT A2 Louie's does have two patios... so I guess if you bring your own company, you can sit outside and make fun of your bar going cohort whilst enjoying some cheap booze and appetizers. There's worse things...
(2)Bryce B.
There is really no good reason to go to this chain bar/restaurant. Nothing on the menu is anything better than mediocre. At best, this is a decent happy hour place. Yet, I have probably been to this establishment 6 or 7 times. Why? The excellent selection of beer on tap. They have 30+ quality beers, including many local beers like Bell's and Arbor Brewing Company. It is also conveniently located in the same building where our office is. Those are my reasons, such as they are.
(3)Benjamin S.
I would give this place no stars if I were able too. Bar Louie used to be a decent place to go but these days it is just an overpriced, rudely served dump. The guys that work there are absolute d-bags and the women are even worse. To quantify this, I recently went with a group of friends and order a dry vodka martini, a friend ordered a dirty martini. The waitress then brought me what she call a "dry dirty vodka martini". I politely informed her that no such thing exsisted and the proceeded to bitch about me to the rest of the staff. (We had more friends sitting at the bar listening to this). I dont know what happened to this place, but it sucks now. Stay away.
(1)BD Traveler R.
Overall pretty standard sports bar type food and ambiance. They do have a good selection of burgers and sandwiches, some of which are original. We also enjoyed their selection of appetizers, which came with a great assortment of dips/sauces (we recommend the lemon aioli that the fried zucchini came with). Didn't have a drink, so I can't comment on their selections in that department. I had an "Angry Louie", which is basically a burger topped with whatever they could find that was spicy. It was quite flavorful (and a little spicier than I expected...) and I would point you in that direction if you are of the hotter persuasion. In particular, I did like that Bar Louie will customize any burger with a turkey or veggie patty instead of beef with no additional charge. I believe that they have burger specials every Tuesday (or it might be specific Tuesdays) when they are $1 (toppings extra), and I'll probably try to take advantage of that someday. The ambiance and service were typical - no complaints, but nothing worth noting here. We were a large group (about 18 people), and they weren't able to seat us any any one table, so we had to be split into two groups. While that was disappointing, it probably isn't too rare at other places as well. At least worth a try. I would choose 3.5 stars, but decided to round down as average sounds about right.
(3)Shelby A.
I've been coming to this place for a long time and never have I experienced anything less than a fantastic time. They have great live music, the atmosphere here is upbeat, the outdoor seating is comfortable. The waiters and waitresses know the menu very well, the management is on top of things and the customer is the most important person every time. You can't have a bad experience here. I don't think it's possible at all. Try the chicken nachos - seriously some of the best nachos I've had in a long time. Perfect combo.
(5)Alex K.
Pretty awful place. Went here during the Ann Arbor Art Fair a few weeks ago to avoid a storm that was supposedly going to hit. The place was packed -- we were lucky enough to find a table and get some drink orders in. We got water right away, which was served in dirty glasses... floaters galore! The waiter quickly brought back some new waters, but they should have never been that disgusting in the first place. After 15-20 minutes, we finally got our drink orders, and thankfully we didn't order food. People who were there before us got their food as we were leaving 80-or-so minutes later. Yes, the place was packed, but that's all pretty inexcusable... couple that with the fact that the drinks were a bit more expensive than they ought to have been. I've avoided Bar Louie for years, and after that visit, I could see why. While some of the food sounded good, there was no way we were ordering any when they were that busy. Oh well, maybe next time.
(1)James L.
SETTING: Cool place to hangout with friends. Outside dining area right in front of restaurant. Inside dining area as well. Can't make up your mind? There is a hybrid spot: inside area with ceiling covering (but open on the sides). If you can't find a place to sit down, you are probably too picky! FOOD: Dollar burger Tuesday? Seemed too good to be true, but I'm always game for great deals. I went in with the mindset that I would end up with having spent more than $1. I was correct...and add $14 to it. Not worth the deal in my opinion. The burger was only cooked one way--just like what Mom told me after I got an A on an exam: "well done". Because of this, the burger was on the drier side and quite lacking in taste. Just to break it down for you all so there are no cost surprises, let's go through my order. First reason why it turned out to be $14 was because you must order a drink for the $1 burger. A beer costs about $7.50. Then, of course, the more "add-on's" on the burger the higher the price. Each item is about 50 cents. If you want cheese, grilled onions, tomatoes, a sauce that sets you at $2 more. The burger was the size of your typical McDonald's burger (aka small), so we shared some tots (~$4.25). And just like that, $1 burger no more :( SERVICE: Waiter did come by to check in on us a few times, but he just didn't seem to be having a great time. He didn't smile at all! Maybe he was having a rough day, but I felt it rubbed off, and it just made the service a bit of a debbie downer. IMPRESSIONS: Don't think I will be back. If the burger could be cooked to your liking (ie: medium well), I think that would have made a big difference in taste. Honestly the add-on's aren't expensive, and although I got a beer, I'm sure pop would be cheaper. So, really, there are ways to make it less expensive. Unfortunately, the burger just was not tasty. It was also small in size. This is why I had to get tots--I was still hungry!
(2)Jenn H.
Hanging out with friends here for finger food & drinks. We sat outside as the evening was nice. Great atmosphere & our waitress was attentive. We had the nachos & it was a great complement for our drinks.
(4)Christina C.
Come for Happy Hour! Most of the appetizers are 1/2 off. My three friends and I ordered Bruschetta, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Buffalo Wings, Cheese Quesadilla, and a non-appetizer (Bacon Egg Sandwich) and it came out to $10 each, which is awesome. I came on a Friday around 5:30pm. I didn't care for the live music... They were odd. I couldn't hear myself talk, so my friends and I didn't end up talking to each other, which was unfortunate. Our waiter was super empathetic in regards to the crappy music, so we were grateful for that.
(3)Amy G.
Even though some people feel cheated that the "$1 burger" on Tuesdays includes just the patty, bun, and lettuce and all other toppings are extra, it is still a really cheap meal, especially if you don't order alcohol or sides. In any case, it's a discounted deal! I'm not sure how the seating works regularly, but on Tuesdays it is super casual: just seat yourself and a waitress will come by. In fact, I don't think we were addressed more than once by the same waitress, as different workers will walk by and ask if you've ordered or if you need anything. I got the portobello burger with additional toppings of tomato, grilled onions, and guacamole. Carbs are my favorite and the bun was soft, warm and possibly buttered for bonus tastiness. We also shared a side of fries for $4. I liked their fries a lot, I don't know if they pre-season them, but they seemed to be extra crispy and delicious. I want to try their tater tots in the future. Their drink menu is a bit curious in that there are only names of beers, no prices or descriptions, but we asked and the beers are $4-6 which is kind of pricey so we passed on that. All in all, $10 for a filling dinner for two people is a win. It was comfortable dining outside on a warm summery night and I would come again while the weather is nice!
(4)Kevin T.
Stopped in for their late nite menu, but stayed for the great music of ... Nibbled on some pot stickerd. Nice presentation, tasty...but way too sweet with the glaze. Kind of hungered for something salmon, so picked the Chop Chop salad with the optional salmon filet on top. A nice plus is when tbe waitress asks "how well do yoi want your salmon cooked?". Medium. I ordered the chop chop minus the sweet vinaigrette it comes tossed in. Unfortunately, it arrived swimming in the sauce. Well, at least the salmon was good spared, so just skipped the greens. Lots of other eating choices here close by, but Louie's 1/2 off Happy Hour appetizers somewhat attractive and there's usually a decent beer special.
(3)Johanna M.
My friends and I met up here for a buddy's bachelor party. I have never been to this restaurant, but it appears to be part of a chain. Either way, we visited this spot on a late Friday night and it was Latin night. Who knew? Not any of my white friends...hahaha. It was pretty funny. I was having a grand old time, but we eventually left as the boys wanted to smoke cigars and get drinks elsewhere. The vibe was alright. There lots of people there dancing and having a great time. If I lived in Michigan, I might visit this place for Latin night. The drinks were fairly priced and there was plenty of seating for people watching. It was an okay bar. Nothing special, but I'm not sure how it rates next to other Michigan bars. This isn't a college dive bar, or what you think of when you visit Michigan. Either way, it was just alright. I'd say come on over if you want to try some sangria and beer to start your evening. I wouldn't stay here all night. Both were pretty good. We didn't get any food because we went really late at night.
(3)Tony R.
I'm going to echo many of the other reviewers here. They have a huge "service" problem. I met some friends here on a Tuesday night. I arrived about 30 minutes late and one friend was still waiting on his drink that he ordered when they first arrived. We talked for about 10 minutes before our server finally came back to the table to take my order. I decided to order something quick, a chicken sandwich and fries, because I felt anything else I'd probably have to ask for a to go box. My meal came rather quickly, delivered by someone other than our server of course. My other friend asked for a to go box and it took 20 minutes for that to ever arrive. However, he was very quick to come collect our check jackets, both once we put our cards in and after we signed - go figure! In all, no matter how good the food may be, bad service can ruin an experience and your perception of a place. I won't rush back here anytime soon.
(2)Laura C.
I like Bar Louie a lot, especially since I am from Chicago and enjoyed their branches there. They have a tasty pita/hummus/cucumber app that is really yummy and healthy. Another really important part of this place is that they always have Blue Moon, which is far from a given in most restaurants in Ann Arbor. We went on Tuesday $1 burger nights a few weeks ago, and it was a good deal, especially if you don't mind plain food (every extra little thing, including mayo costs extra) or paying more for it. The cool thing is that you can get a $1 turkey burger, black bean burger, or CHCKEN breast! Surprise! All for $1??! Great deal! You can pay extra for a side order of fries or their excellent tater tots! They also have a huge patio, which is a huge plus in good weather!
(4)Patrick O.
Would have liked to add more stars but the waitstaff/waitress let me down. During the entire meal, never asked how we were doing, but asked the single gentleman behind us three times. Empty beer glass at the edge of the table was ignored by three different wait staff including our waitress. Now on the other hand, the food was perfect! Great beer selection.
(3)Alan S.
This is probably one of those hit-or-miss bars that can be found in any college town. I went with a large group and since they all hit the bar at the same time, they all had slow service. Also since they all had IDs from different states and countries it seemed to take the bar tender forever to decide if they were legit or not. Ah well... I don't know how expensive the drinks are since I didn't pay for my own and they don't put prices in the menu. Which is something that bugs me. There was a live cover band who seemed to be playing lots of slower depressing songs, not really want people want on a Saturday night. And they were playing WAY to loud. Despite being on the other side of the bar we had to yell to talk to each other. I wouldn't waste my time going here again, but it wasn't horrible.
(2)Susan S.
Overpriced, in my opinion. 11.95 for a sandwich? Not sure how college kids can afford that. happy hour half off flat breads (orig. $11.95) were decent, had I paid full price I would have been disappointed, might I mention the fLatbread is crisp, pizza style, not sandwich style like I expected.. Not much of a personal experience, considering the bar was packed on a Tuesday. Our server was polite when she had time but I dealt with like three people sitting at the bar, customer service whiplash, who am I leaving the tip for? I'm Assuming they split.. On the bright side, I was impressed with the draft selection, the chalkboard art was really awesome. The atmosphere was modern and nice. I'm rating four, generously. I was not blown away by my visit. More than likely wouldn't return although Info not regret stopping in, simply because the town has so much more to offer.
(4)Sarah B.
Mixed drinks are too sweet and use the cheapest ingredients. They need to hire another bartender on Friday nights. Long waits for drinks. Latin music on Friday nights. Generally, this crowd knows how to dance. Small dance floor, but there is decent air circulation. Dear General Manager - Please hire a different DJ!!!! He lacks imagination and knowledge of latin music!! Unfortunately, he plays too many sets of reggaeton and (very electronic) merengue to pander to the lowest common denominator. This attracts people who have no clue how to dance. In fact, I see waves of good dances leave because this guy doesn't let up on the grind music. He does play a few sets of classic salsa and bachata, but I am tired of waiting out the body-slamming music. I am even considering the 45 minute drive to Royal Oak to go to a real latin club that plays the greats of latin music: Joe Arroyo, Willie Colon, Ismael Rivera, and Diego d' Leon. If this DJ plays another set of bachata with songs only by Prince Royce, I'll spit a tamale. In fact, I went to Bar Louie for two consecutive weekends (the DJ at Habana and Bar Louie is the same), and he played a set of reggaeton and another of techno which were identical to last Friday. Formulaic and uninspiring. A few very good leads make it worth the while.
(2)Jola B.
Went out for happy hour with some grad students yesterday evening. We reserved a couple tables from 4-6. Good happy hour prices on beer, wine, martinis (!) and select appetizers. I'm from Cali so the quesadilla ($3.62) and guacamole was just okay to me. But I'm a cocktail girl and I enjoyed their martinis. I had the Tickled Pink ($5.25) and the Smores ($5.25) The tickled pink was good and the Smores was *delicious.* Interesting crowd - students, professionals and older folks. But I had a good time and will definitely be coming back. I hear they do pretty legit salsa dancing too.
(4)Naveen N.
Relatively expensive for Ann Arbor. Drinks and food weren't particularly better than any other place you could go to eat at. Likely won't be back.
(2)Juliana M.
Service is absolutely abysmal. Took 30 minutes to get the wrong drink, another 15 to replace it. Another hour to get burgers to the table with the wrong toppings. I've been here almost every week this semester, and the service has been consistently horrible. Drinks are overpriced for what the place is. I don't recommend coming here if it isn't happy hour. Menu doesn't even have drink prices listed, and server gets annoyed when you ask.
(2)Andrea F.
Service is mediocre. Food is excellent. Beer list is great...but $10 for a tiny sangria that barely has any alcohol in it NO THANKS
(3)Ari G.
Atmosphere and food is very "American Fare'. Absolutely great staff. Caitlin has been our server a few times now and she is a total rockstar!
(5)John G.
5 minutes for waitress and 24 minutes to get drinks. If you're in a hurry, skip this place. Drinks and flatbreads are good. Doubt I will be returning to Bar Louie.
(1)Roxie F.
Seating was confusing here. When you walk in there's no staff to greet you and take you to a table, and no sign that says to seat yourself. We waited at a table for a very long time before a waiter came by. We placed food and drink orders, and waited some more. Our drinks finally came out, which were not too bad, but really overpriced. Then more waiting. Finally the food came out. My sandwich had tomatoes even when I asked for none, not a huge deal but the place wasn't even busy enough to justify getting it wrong and the horrible waiting times. We asked for hot sauce when the food came out, and never got it. I actually don't think the waiter ever stopped by during the meal to check if things were good or to ask for refills of drinks. The food was very tasty, the one redeeming factor of the experience. And the decor was nice. But that's it. After over an hour on a late Monday night we finally paid and left, feeling slightly upset but we'll fed.
(3)Steven S.
Despite being a large chain, there are still things that are quite nice about this place. Fridays are Latin Night, which is a nice little add-on for those who want to dance after they've imbibed and filled their stomachs (potentially in that order). In terms of atmosphere, they have great outdoor seating. Our waitress Ashley was friendly and stayed a while just to chat with us, and was prompt in getting our orders. The flatbreads are like their specialty, and are quite tasty. A few friends who ended up getting their sandwiches also gave them praise.
(4)Michelle C.
I haven't been back to Bar Louie in a while, only for the fact that I try to avoid downtown while school is in session for inconvenient parking (you have to park in a nearby structure or find street parking). I was here on a Monday night with a few of my girlfriends and I was so impressed! Happy hour is 4-7pm with $3 draft beer, $4 all wines, and $5 martinis. They also offer half off select appetizers (calamari, which is delightful, all flatbreads, spinach artichoke dip, boneless wings, and a couple of other simple dishes I can't remember now). Also on Tuesdays, Bar Louie offers $1 burgers. Don't be fooled- they are NOT sliders. They are real, man-sized burgers. So, don't be silly like me thinking they're sliders and order 3, get dirty looks from the server, then be embarrassed later. Service is great, there is a large (I think 30+) selection of draft beer, including local craft beers. Food is wonderful- my favorite is their loaded tater tots (think nachos with really awesome gooey cheese. then replace chips with tater tots).
(4)Dan W.
Stopped in for Veterans Day and except for the service being slow, an overall good experience. It wasn't busy as well, so I knocked down a star.
(4)Melissah L.
This place is okay for a chain restaurant... the vibe is fun and energetic and the interior is pretty nice. Tables are pretty hard to come by though, so if you have a a larger party I would recommend calling ahead to see if there are open seats (I'm not sure if they take reservations). I came here for a friend's birthday and was not too impressed with the experience. We ordered drinks and food. Since we were there during happy hour, we tried their martinis and ordered draft beers. For the martini, I tried the Honeydew, and it was absolutely horrible. I found it sickeningly sweet and ended up adding water to it to cut down on the sugary taste. The beer was fine, though, only $3 for a decent-sized glass. For the food, I got the fried Louie burger. Again, it was just fine- exactly how I would expect the burger and fries of a chain restaurant to taste, but what I was really unimpressed with was the service and the length of time we had to wait for our food. It took nearly an hour for our food to come after we sat down, and while it was a busy night, our waitress only seemed to come around every 20 minutes. Wish the service was better-- this could be a good place to watch UM games!
(2)Miguel R.
Awesome Salsa Fridays do not miss out! youtu.be/REQDdAwLSIg
(5)Gabie L.
We went here for happy hour on Tuesday. $1 burger night!! Actually, it's not $1 when you add veggies, cheese, and extra (how can you eat a burger without those?). Still, it's quite cheap even after adding them and the actual price of a burger is about $3-4. The burger was okay and they have good and many beer selection. Everything seems okay so far. One thing you should know is you should check your bill thoroughly. Otherwise, you will get a wrong bill! When we've checked the bill, found out a bartender charged wrong food and extra. It's small dollar differences so you might never know unless checking the bill..
(3)James K.
Come here for the specials on Tuesday and Wednesday...burgers are good and tots are awesome!
(3)Mimi T.
I love the drinks from the variety of beers to martinis. During HH (4-7p) it is decently priced but I wouldn't go here not during a HH. Definitely a good place to go if you want to try something different than the usual beers most Ann Arbor bars have on tap. They have live bands but if you're actually trying to talk to someone this is not the place to go. It can be a fun atmosphere but seems like there can be very different crowds depending on who the band is. I think I tried some apps but don't really remember which means that they weren't worth remembering... :P I wish the layout was a little bit different. Feels very secluded depending on where you're sitting but if you're trying to be hidden then this is the perfect place for you.
(3)Tiffany B.
I've been here a couple times for Latin night on Fridays and it's always super packed. Dancing on the small dance floor they have in front is like trying to dance in a closet with 200 people in it, it's pretty ridiculous ha ha but the upside is I love their dirty martinis and this one older gentleman always finds me for a dance which I find rather pleasant. When it's busy don't expect to get a drink right away and don't expect to have any amount of personal space. If that doesn't bother you then you should go Latin night they have a good selection of Spanish music playing and some expert dancers from what I've seen.
(4)Matt K.
Terrible service. Never had such pitiful service in my entire life. Food was decent for a bar. Just worst service I've had. The waitress took a long time for everything and would disappear at a moments notice.
(1)Michael S.
I don't go here often, due to the crowds, but with it being Spring Break, I thought I'd take a chance. It was Happy Hour and $1 burger night, to boot! Most of their large, varied selection of beers and all of their signature martinis and wines were on special ($3, $5, and $4, respectively). $1 got you a burger (chicken, turkey, portabella or beef), bun and lettuce. Toppings were a bit extra. The liquids and burgers were very good. Service was sketchy to start with, but got better as the evening wore on. That was odd, because it filled up by the time we left. The establishment was nice, in a corporate sort of way. My main concern, as stated before is the crowd. Once the seats got filled, it was difficult to move about due to the closeness of the tables. However, it didn't ruin the experience. I plan to be back once school lets out.
(4)Patrick T.
Good place to watch UM games. Just remember to come early and stake out a table. Acceptable drinks. The wings, and other food items are meh.
(2)Tattooed Vegan Travelers T.
Usually we don't review many chain restaurants because 1) they often don't have many options to vegans and vegetarians and therefore 2) we usually don't visit them. So, I while back we visited Bar Louie the first time expecting nothing but mediocre chain food and instead ate some of the best vegetarian nachos we've ever tasted! On top of that, the beer selection rivals that of our favorite microbrew pubs. This made this bar our to go place when in the mood for nachos and beer (which is quite often). But their veggie selection does not end there. Their veggie wrap is seriously the best wraps we've ever had - although this may not be that difficult since veggie wraps always suck. We think of veggie wraps as the no-creativity-needed veggie-option copout for a lazy chefs. Yet, our opinion of wraps would drastically change if they all tasted 1/2 as amazing as the one at this place. Our only "beef" with Bar Louie, and thus the lack of 5 stars, is their portabella burger. the portabella is so small is more like a champignon. So it really can't compete with most of the other veggie burgers in town. So, if you're vegetarian, skip the burger and get the nachos sans chicken instead!
(4)David R.
Wow, that Atwater Vanilla Bean Java Ale rocked my world. I think I might have achieved Satori as I drank it, but I'll get back to you on that. The number of taps they have in here is mind-boggling and begs the question where they keep all the mechanics because the bar is clean and smooth as they come. A large place with a lot of areas to sit: bar, high tables, booths, outside, etc. A young and energetic crowd and servers. This place mimics the youth and energy of Ann Arbor. Maybe it was just the heat of the Ann Arbor Art Fair and the exhaustion of all the walking, but that beer... sigh... I'll be back.
(3)Sumana P.
Great drinks, great food, and great service! I have various food allergies and intolerances like dairy and gluten but our waiter literally sat with us for about thirty minutes and created something just for me! He and the kind chef alone deserve five stars but the special hummus plate they made for me was also spectacular! He also had great drink recommendations. My friend and I went after midnight which is when the waitstaff generally starts to not really care so the fact that I got perhaps the best service of my life so late is even more amazing. The place is a bit pricey but totally worth it.
(5)Uncle B.
Decent burger, nice crisp bacon.
(3)Malinda M.
My lady friend and I came here one night for martini's at the bar. To our surprise at 8:30pm they still had a drink special going for $5 martinis! We tried everyone almost between us and the bartender was quick, helpful, and freaking adorable. They have what seems like a million beers on tap and an amazing selection of alcohol. If you're looking for a fun place for a cocktail YOU FOUND IT!
(5)Jason C.
Ah... Bar Louie... It's a bar that targets the working professionals in downtown Ann Arbor.. the location is ideal, because it's few blocks from the campus and it's next to Google office and couple blocks from the main street. I have been to this Bar Louie several times but didn't really yelp about it... so here I am... Yelping :) I like the happy hours... last time I was there... my two beers were more than the food I ordered... granted this will only happen if you go during happy hour... As for the food goes, I only like the loaded tots... I have tried other food, but to be honest... charging lot of money for some prepackage food shipped out of Chicago, heated and served... yeah, I don't buy that... anyways, the service is hit or miss, depending on when you go. I think they changed the layout, because it seems like there's less tables then when it first opened up... can anyone confirm this? I like how they have outdoor seating by the main entrance and out in the back... parking is also a challenge... street parking or pay some money parking in the lot a block away... give it a try.
(3)Beth H.
I hit the bar for happy hour, yesterday. I believe they have really downsized their happy hour specials. It was still a good value; just not as good of a selection. At least the small wine list had some decent bottles. The food was hot, fresh and out quick. The service was good, and the girls were friendly enough, but they seemed incredibly out of place. Dressed more like they should be in a biker bar than Bar Louie, and they didn't seem very happy at all. Definitely A-OK for a stop in if you are in the area, but for the construction that plagues that corner, lack of nearby parking and difficultly of getting to the location, I won't be making a point to stop in again anytime soon.
(3)Kristen C.
Bar Louie has a great happy hour, and I was so happy to see them include veggie burgers on their $1 burger day. They have a ton of beers on tap and lots of wine options. This is a really fun place to hang out with friends or just sit at the bar. It's a bit expensive without any deals going on, so if you don't like to spend a lot at the bar then plan accordingly :)
(4)Beck E.
Um... that was really nice of the female bartender behind the counter to aggressively flirt with my boyfriend while I was standing right next to him. I understand that she was trying to butter him up to get a nice tip, but COME ON! I WAS RIGHT THERE!
(1)Brenton D.
Service was absolutely terrible. I ordered a drink which took over 5 minutes to deliver. Should not take 5 minutes to bring a bottle of beer. Especially when there were 2 people behind the bar counting money. I spent that 5 minutes looking at a menu, deciding what I would like to eat. Not once did anyone behind the bar ask if I wanted to order food. So, I drank my beer, went to another place down the street and spent my money there. At this place it seems the people behind the bar have better things to do than to serve their customers.
(1)Nancy K.
Never again. This Birkenstock wearer is pretty new to Ann Arbor and didn't know this was a chain at first. I'll admit, despite my usual "non-chain only" attitude I was impressed and a few times when we've had people in town (our parents, non-Birkenstock wearing friends) this has been a standby for decent food when they've gotten sick of the tofu, tempeh, etc. While we've only been here six times, we noticed some things with each visit: namely that they cannot handle a crowd and that each time the food wasn't quite as good. When a salad that comes with chicken is delivered without chicken you have to wonder what's going on. Also, after our second or third visit they changed the veggie burger to something with way more rice in it - not nearly as good as it used to be. A huge fan of the oriental burger (veg option) I'm sad that it's not orderable anymore. For some unknown reason we decided to go to Bar Louie last Sunday... we never go when it's just us but whatever, stranger things have happened. By the end of the meal my husband, who had ordered a chicken sandwich, wasn't feeling very well, was doubled over by the time we got to the car and by the time we got home he was running to the bathroom to experience some of the most violent vomitting I've ever heard. Not sure if it was food poisoning or something that didn't agree with him, but he was incredibly sick for a while. After about 30 minutes of almost non-stop puking he took a nap and then felt a little better. Wish we had stuck with our local-only policy... we will from now on. Also, our waitress was kind of an airhead who kept forgetting things. She was nice, though, and apologetic.
(1)Jay L.
An acceptable place to have a couple beers. Avoid the "food.' Basically the chefs at Bar Louie st down with a bunch of cheap ingredients and said how do we make people think they like this? Oh, we'll just add a boatload of salt. The only flavors you'll find here are salty, fatty, and salty/fatty. Also I was annoyed that I asked what the happy hour specials were and was told calamari was one of the items that's half off. I tried the buffalo calamari, which is actually OK but don't eat it by yourself, and found out when we got the bill only regular calamari is at happy hour price. It gets more than one star because the beer selection is good and the prices are reasonable by downtown Ann Arbor standards.
(2)Khom V.
Happy Hour and Burger Tuesday deal is the best.
(3)Anonymous F.
A nice place to hang out during the warmer months. Drinking beer and people-watching outside. The tuna is good, the beer selection is good(although getting a good tap can be a big question mark)...... the seasoned fries are good but you don't get very many. Shame, really. The inside eating area smells bad as you would expect from a college town "bar". Stale beer smell soaked into the floors. Often times they have live music but it generally is pretty lousy music. The service is usually very bad but on rare occasions the wait staff will surprise me. ...it's a chain and not worth going out of your way to visit
(3)Steve G.
Not worth coming here. For anything. Ever. When Bar Louie first opened in Ann Arbor several years ago there was a decent happy hour w/ half price appetizers and relatively cheap beer. At those prices, coupled with the ability to sit outside on a nice day, Bar Louie was a decent (although less than spectacular) bar option. But over time they sank into an abyss of poor food, even worse service and gradually higher prices (even on their happy hour "specials"). After several less than favorable experiences, most of my friends decided to finally write off Bar Louie for good with no intention to return...especially since so many better bar options exist within a few blocks.
(1)Stephen H.
I think its great that there is a bar louie in ann arbor and its even greater that the place snubs the birkenstocks wearers. Chain you say? I wouldnt have guessed but its a great place to watch a hockey game or meet a friend after work for a drink or two. Try the vesuvio melt in a wrap. The service is always excellent, bar-none.
(4)Christopher F.
Bar louie is what it is, a bar with some upgraded pub food. Their pretzel sticks and cheese and honey mustard dip are really good an A. Their pizza however, I found average a C. I also tried their toast and bruschetta and tomatoes which was ok. There menu mainly consist of burgers and sandwiches nothing spectacular better than your average bar food. They have a nice selection of drinks and a good happy hour!!
(3)Evelyn R.
Went here a little over a month ago for $1 burgers. It took us a while to get served, but once she came she was nice. Burger was cheap but good, I got the portobella burger, so its still a good option for vegetarians. I tried 4 different drinks, the Sailor Jerry Mojito was by far the best. They were $10 a piece though, however the $1 burgers pretty much made up for it. I give this a 4 simply because it was cheap burger day, it would get a 3 on any other day of the week.
(4)Vivek V.
well we must just have been lucky because our experiences at Bar Louie were a lot different than most reviewers have had. In our short five day visit to Ann Arbor we ended up at Bar Louie three times, Thursday night (NFL), Saturday afternoon (GO BLUE) and Sunday Afternoon (NFL). Ther service was excellent each time and happy hour prices seemed reasonable (but we are from the San Francisco Bay area so everything in A2 seemed less expensive). Thursday was mostly watching the game and drinking beer. The beer selection is ample but i am sure you can find better in Ann Arbor. We tried several local beers and enjoyed them all. On Saturday we tried the popcorn and pretzel sticks. The pretzel sticks were warm and salty and the popcorn was light and fluffy. The beer of course was cold and tasty. Even though the place was full our server was attentative and the service was fast. On Sunday, we tried the meatballs (and popcorn) and found them to be soft and delicious. The server regularly filled our club sodas and came by asking how we were doing often. We had started at another place but they did not have the Pittsburgh game (Xfinity was not showing it). Bar Louie was showing the game and we stayed for the 49er game too. The Detroit game was on the TV one over from the one playing the Pittsburgh game so it was really fun to watch both games side by side. When we return to Ann Arbor and want to watch sports, drink beer and eat, Bar Louie will be our choice. .
(5)Anya P.
What people find appealing about this place I'll never know. The music was too loud to talk to anyone, the waitress' (who disturbingly all looked alike) were inattentive, and the most important thing was lost: the quality of the drinks. We went for a pre-movie cocktail and were so disgusted that we just left with our drinks nearly untouched. If we weren't late for the movie- the drinks took a while to get to us- I would have made a big fuss, but let's just say never again. Oh, also nothing has a price mark, which means they are trying to avoid sticker shock, but it's Ann Arbor. Seriously. One last thing- the cocktails were made with syrups. Like coffee house syrups. ew....
(2)Kensey W.
i have to start out by saying i do NOT hate chain restaurants. every place has its own merits and there are several chain restaurants that i happily choose to eat at. this particular bar louie is not one of them. the food and drinks (aka uneven syrupy booze) is bad and expensive for what it is (yes, even "dollar" burgers are not worth it), as everyone has already said. but what i hate about this place is the service. there is just no indication that they care anything about what their customers think of them. i used to eat here on tuesdays for dollar burger kind of regularly because a group of my friends did. it seemed like we always got this waitress margot who was brusque and not very polite, and tends to leave the table before you can ask for anything. and one time when we were there, presumably at the end of her shift, i gave her exact change for the bill and she asked for "the rest of it" so she could "throw it in her purse." i was a server for most of undergrad and all of grad school and cannot ever imagine doing something this unprofessional and tacky. also, one time i went in on a weekday afternoon when there was practically no one there to get a gift card for one of them and the bartender told me they didn't have gift cards. i found out later that they do though, and looking back i realized he probably just didn't want to do work for something he wasn't going to get tipped on. after that trip, i decided to never go again. i don't think i'd give one-stars very lightly but i'd give this place zero if i could. i'm actually really sad that this place will probably stay in business. there is just nothing redeeming about it.
(1)Jay K.
I can see why so many people hate on this place. But if you like beer, this is the place to be for happy hour. They have 30+ beers on tap, and more than half of them are from decent microbreweries (dogfish head, bell's, founder's, etc). They also have a few European beers (The last time I went, they had Delirium Tremens, Piraat, and Weihenstephan). At $3 a pint and good hours (M-F 4-7 and sometimes W all day), it's a beer lover's heaven. Food is mediocre, and they only have average mixed drinks (not worth it for the price you're paying). So I'm giving them 4 stars only for their happy hour beer. If you're not a big beer drinker though, probably avoid this place?
(4)Carrie B.
If you like snobbish bars than this one is for you. I myself like dive bars where everyone knows your name. I went in here last Sunday 11-11 for the free veterans meal. I ordered the portabella burger it came and it looked appealing - I put the top on the burger and knew there was going to be a problem because it was so tall. As soon as I went to bite into it the bread fell apart (on the stale side) and all the topping slid out the back and I was left biting a very rubbery mushroom that I could not break off. I actually had to scissor it with my teeth to break off that piece. It had obviously been overcooked. I decided on eating the toppings that had fallen off out the back and made myself a little salad excluding the mushrooms. Then I proceeded to eat the fries they gave me all 5 of them (very stingy). All I have to say is I am glad it was free.
(1)Guillermo K.
This place sucks. Seriously sucks.
(2)Sara C.
Star #1 - Great beer prices at happy hour Star #2 - Ample outdoor seating Star #3 - $5 "real" martinis if you special order them at happy hour Loss of Star #3 - serving a martini in a warm glass that smells like bleach. This place is basically one step up from Applebee's in terms of ambiance and food. That's not really a compliment.
(2)Molly H.
So, this review comes with the major caveat that I have only been once, it was at 3 or 4 in the afternoon on a Monday or Tuesday and we sat outside on a gorgeous day. So if a restaurant can't succeed given these conditions, well, they've got a whole lotta problems. What pulled us in was the chalkboard declaring their happy hour specials which are truly very good. Hard to turn down a $5 martini. Anyway, our service was excellent--very attentive, very nice, good sense of humor and very fast. That being said--I'm pretty sure we were the only table this guy had. I got a chicken quesadilla that I believe was also on some sort of happy hour special--it was HUGE for the price and really good. Great bar food. We got a few drinks and that quesadilla and the bill with tip was less than 20 bucks. I can't really argue with that. So, my advice: go in the early afternoon on an off day and sit on that patio to enjoy yourself. I really can't vouch for anything past that.
(3)mariah c.
It's not the best, it's not the worst. It has the somewhat anonymous tone of a chain place - there's nothing in particular that attracts me to the place, except the fact that they have outdoor seating. I feel like that gets them some extra credit. They had cheap happy hour drinks -- except the "last call" happy hour drink I was offered ended up being charged at a very non-happy hour price. The fried zucchini was tasty, but it got taken away before our table was done with it. Our server was friendly and sweet -- just getting the hang of things while training, and she did a goo job -- just bummed she didn't watch that the happy hour prices she offered actually appeared on the bill. It was a decent place to celebrate(?) my friend;s pink slip party, but unless I'm feeling frugality over searching for character in a place, I don't know that I'd be apt to return.
(3)Carlos O.
Had a two-hearted beer and the southwest burger. Loved it!
(3)Brian G.
Overpriced watered down drinks with poor service. Unless its happy hour... Don't bother.
(2)Gina V.
I feel like people hate on Bar Louie for being the anti-Ann Arbor bar. It's a chain (from Chicago, no less) that caters to the yuppie crowd and makes no apologies for snubbing birkenstock-wearing locavores. This is exactly why I go here - because every now and then you just want an ample selection of cheap beer on tap, half price appetizers, and a big screen TV. On the contrary, I hate on Bar Louie for their inability to handle large crowds. As soon as a waitlist forms the witching hour begins and all hell breaks loose. The host stand turns into a revolving door of multitasking employees and no one has any idea what's going on. Example: Last time I was there they said it would be an hour wait. Meanwhile, two large tables sat unoccupied for at least 20 minutes.
(3)Briza Y.
I'm not a bar go-er, so I'm not the best type of person to rate this place, but I'll put in my 2cents since I was there on a Friday night. I ordered the BBQ Salad and it was good. Luckily for them, it's pretty hard to mess up a salad. The hockey game was on, so that was a plus. I do wish the sound was a bit lower so a decent conversation could also be had. Overall, it was a fine experience.
(3)Linda S.
I guess I should not expect much from a burger that costs $1, but I wouldn't have guessed that the smoky haze in the restaurant when we walked in, was from the crispy overbooked burgers. We have had good and (very) bad service here, and they are surprisingly kid friendly considering they are a bar, but the food is just not good. I have had many dishes here (not just the $1burgers) and have never been impressed. They have a respectable choice of draft beers, but Ashley's is a much better place to go if that is what you are looking for when heading out in Ann Arbor. If you are looking for food, go across the street...
(1)Lori K.
Hi Bar Louie, your tator tots covered with cheese sauce - out of this world - perfect amount of spices, jalepeno's, pickled things..it was mind blowing. Good selection of local beers on draft. The buffalo style calamari was not that good. Expensive. Will be back. But only for beer and the tots.
(5)Marissa B.
I made it to Bar Louie on Day #2 of business. The decor of the Chicago-based chain could best be described as swanky sports bar... if there is such a thing. The focal point is the large bar in the center of the restaurant which is surrounded by scattered high-top bar tables and large semi-circle booths towards the back. There are two outdoor seating areas - one out back, in a cement "courtyard", and one out front along the street. The back outdoor area is too sunny for my taste in the evening, the front seating is shaded by the building. When I entered the restaurant I was struck by how inhospitable the hostess was. No greeting, no "how are you"... nothing. It was almost uncomfortable for me to approach her. Come on now, they've only been open for two days! How can she be THIS miserable already?! Happy Hour runs from 4-7pm, offering $2 beers and $5 martinis. Unfortunately we missed it so I indulged in a regular priced $8 chocolate martini. While the presentation of the martini was nice (chocolate swirled glass, strawberry on the rim) I was not so impressed with the martini itself. At this risk of making myself sound like a lush, I know my martinis and this was way too weak to be an $8 martini. Bottom Line: You're in Ann Arbor! There are so many great, locally-owned restaurants downtown that you should visit first before spending too much time in Bar Louie.
(2)Bea G.
We went to Bar Louie for drinks after dinner, so we didn't try any food. Highlights: * Easily found a couch/table for our party of six. * Quick and nice service. * Bright ambiance with lots of TVs. Lowlights: * Harder to mingle with others. * Feels a bit more like a restaurant than a bar. Overall: Would go back to, but it's not on our frequent rotation of places.
(4)Dan M.
If my most recent experience was my only one with Bar Louie, it would be my last and this review would be far more painful. Thankfully I've visited a few times and know this to be an average, though of course claiming to be more, chain restaurant. With the special shaped serving 'baskets' and such they come across as pretentious. In reality its a relatively generic bar chain. They have burgers, fries, fish-n-chips, sandwiches, etc and fit the basic ho-hum American food bill for the masses. The environment is generally energetic and the portions are huge so you really do get what (and maybe more than) you pay for. The waitstaff seems relatively attentive for the most part. They do have two things I LOVE-Tater tots (and the thought of someone not loving tater tots is downright silly) and the BLTT-Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato, and Turkey. That sandwich is a great flavor combo without being too heavy. The salads can be good, but the quantity of ingredients seem to vary substantially over time. The Fish-n-chips was essentially flavorless despite having a 'special' Blue Moon batter. For a quick lunch or maybe a drink in the afternoon this is a good spot. For dinner, not so much in my opinion.
(3)Rob P.
Bar Louie is another example of the wrong direction that Ann Arbor is taking. It is gradually adding these chain bars that have no personality and generally detract from the original cityscape of the town. Bar Louie does have a nice interior--it has a smooth layout, dimly light atmosphere that would otherwise be a welcoming alternative to other bars on Main Street. That is where the positives end however. The service is generally slow (taking 1.5+ hours to get food) and forgetful (My server has rarely remembered everything that my party has ordered, even when it's a party of two or three). When you try to order multiple drinks (as if to suggest the process is too slow), you are denied and offered rudeness. The establishment has always been full of loud, obnoxious guests (which isn't necessarily the fault of BL, it's just something to be aware of) and it's impossible to get a drink from the bar. The food is mediocre, but overpriced for what it is. If you must go there, do so during happy hour to at least get a discounted experience and decide for yourself. It is not an easy-going or expedient restaurant/bar.
(2)Elle W.
Not sure why there are so many bad reviews! Great (patient) service, good food, and fun atmosphere. I will definitely be back!
(5)Joel S.
Ouch. The absolute worst brunch service I've ever experienced. Took almost 30 minutes and asking 3 times to get my cup of coffee, and a little longer than that to get my bloody mary (ordered at the same time). Food was pretty standard brunch fare. Too many other options (like Zingerman's) to ever go back.
(1)Steven L.
Whores Whores Whores! This place has them all: old, young, hot, ugly, fat, skinny, business, business casual, skanky, swanky, sorority, emo etc. Every time I go here, I am surrounded by whores. I don't think I have seen a female in here that was not a whore. Also the food is edible and the beer is cold.
(5)Jonas L.
Happy Hour + $2 beers = 5 stars (maybe more if you can get drunk quickly enough) Any other time = 1 star (only because that is the minimum) Now let us do some maths, by averaging proportional to the hours: 5 * (3/15) + 1 * (12/15) = 1.8 I'll be generous and round up to 2 stars.
(2)Kevin S.
OMG this place was a bad dining experience. The music was so loud we could not hear each other. I went here with my deaf friend David who wears a hearing aid and he had to turn the hearing aid off because the music was so loud. Our waiter smelled like Weed & Cigarette smoke and to top things off my chicken sandwich was borderline burnt. I will come here for cocktails just not dinner anymore.
(1)David M.
I haven't been here for the nightlife, but I've eaten here a couple of times. I don't remember anything here being to special, "standard" is a good way to describe it. Someone raved about the fish tacos once, but I got them and they were bland and flavorless (and redundant!). I'll probably be back if there really are $1 burgers on Tuesdays though.
(3)Tyler B.
I almost cried when I saw that Bar Louie was opening an Ann Arbor location. I'd visited several of their establishments in the Chicago area, and without fail, they were all populated with the most unbelievable assortment of douche bags imaginable. The place is permeated with most vile, smug, vapid and vacant lot you've ever seen. Everytime, every Bar Louie. So I swore I'd never set foot in the A2 version. They can suck it. But then I get a txt message. After months of telling everyone what cest pool the place is, a friend writes me "I don't know how to tell you this, but Louie has $2 Oberons, almost every day 4-7" Damn you Bar Louie! So naturally I went. And I do feel vindicated - the service and people were exact replicants of all the Chicago branches I'd been tricked into visiting. BUT A2 Louie's does have two patios... so I guess if you bring your own company, you can sit outside and make fun of your bar going cohort whilst enjoying some cheap booze and appetizers. There's worse things...
(2)Bryce B.
There is really no good reason to go to this chain bar/restaurant. Nothing on the menu is anything better than mediocre. At best, this is a decent happy hour place. Yet, I have probably been to this establishment 6 or 7 times. Why? The excellent selection of beer on tap. They have 30+ quality beers, including many local beers like Bell's and Arbor Brewing Company. It is also conveniently located in the same building where our office is. Those are my reasons, such as they are.
(3)Benjamin S.
I would give this place no stars if I were able too. Bar Louie used to be a decent place to go but these days it is just an overpriced, rudely served dump. The guys that work there are absolute d-bags and the women are even worse. To quantify this, I recently went with a group of friends and order a dry vodka martini, a friend ordered a dirty martini. The waitress then brought me what she call a "dry dirty vodka martini". I politely informed her that no such thing exsisted and the proceeded to bitch about me to the rest of the staff. (We had more friends sitting at the bar listening to this). I dont know what happened to this place, but it sucks now. Stay away.
(1)BD Traveler R.
Overall pretty standard sports bar type food and ambiance. They do have a good selection of burgers and sandwiches, some of which are original. We also enjoyed their selection of appetizers, which came with a great assortment of dips/sauces (we recommend the lemon aioli that the fried zucchini came with). Didn't have a drink, so I can't comment on their selections in that department. I had an "Angry Louie", which is basically a burger topped with whatever they could find that was spicy. It was quite flavorful (and a little spicier than I expected...) and I would point you in that direction if you are of the hotter persuasion. In particular, I did like that Bar Louie will customize any burger with a turkey or veggie patty instead of beef with no additional charge. I believe that they have burger specials every Tuesday (or it might be specific Tuesdays) when they are $1 (toppings extra), and I'll probably try to take advantage of that someday. The ambiance and service were typical - no complaints, but nothing worth noting here. We were a large group (about 18 people), and they weren't able to seat us any any one table, so we had to be split into two groups. While that was disappointing, it probably isn't too rare at other places as well. At least worth a try. I would choose 3.5 stars, but decided to round down as average sounds about right.
(3)Tina W.
Not a big fan of their happy hour... the service is a little slower than other places and somethings are a little pricier. On the other hand, I end up going here a lot to meet up with friends. The atmosphere is nice and the staff is friendly... they do have great mojitos.
(2)Dharma A.
It took me quite a while and a school-related happy hour to get me into this place. I never liked the corporate look from the outside. And what do you know....the inside matched the surface impression! Perhaps it's not fair of me to give a low rating, because it's just not my style....Bar Louie is probably fine for what it is. It reminds me of buffalo wild wings: too clean, too many tvs, what appears to be little knowledge or appreciation of beer on the part of the staff, and mediocre bar food. Too much shine, nothing special.
(2)Kate B.
I've been to Bar Louie around 10 times as I am frequently downtown at the lunch hour. The food is all pretty inedible - except for the sliders/burgers which are A-OK. The staff are quite nice, but the food always makes me feel greasy, ill, and bloated. Q. Why oh why have I gone back? A. When I am dragged there as part of a "work thing".
(1)Julie C.
I've been here a few times, mostly dragged out for the dollar burger, which I don't even like. And with a drink and toppings, the bill ends up being about $10 anyways. The food isn't good, but there is a large variety of beers.
(2)David B.
The food here is average, drinks are good, and happy hour prices are great!! The atmosphere at night tends to be a bit classier which is why i will go here on occasions. The beer selection here is probably the number one feature of the place. I think they have about 40 different beers just on tap alone.
(3)Dee N.
Good for happy hour and dollar burger days. Expect a wait on dollar burger days though. The only thing that's really good here are their tater tots. I don't like tots but I admit theirs are yummy. Went for their Sunday brunch once. And I've never had so many mess up on our order and bill in my life.
(4)Eric G.
Can you Say Yuppy Frat boy ville. Terrible, Unless you have your collar popped and a pink polo shirt on, stay away.
(1)Brittany G.
Went in for a burrito and came out a happy girl. This is the first burrito I've ever had in a restaurant that had fresh jalapenos on it. Service was fantastic and the bartender was friendly as always.
(5)Tony C.
Just another bar chain run amok. It can't decide if it's going to be a meat market or sports bar. What's odd about Bar Louie is that no matter what I wear, whether it be dressed up, shabby chic, or downright shabby, I always feel dressed inappropriately for this place. Regardless of its upscale sports bar decor, let's rate a bar on what people care about: 1. The Booze - expensive and the bartenders don't seem particularly talented with their pours. Not good. 2. The Food - Gross. About the only thing I've eaten there that was finished are the breadsticks. How do you mess up breadsticks though? 3. The People - Some have already commented more on this than I care to write. Lots of people trying to look good and failing miserably at it. If you're going out to stare at rack, then go to a place where that is its distinct purpose. All in all, Bar Louie is an undistinctive bar. About the only thing it may have had going for it was the fact that it had Fat Tire beer from New Belgian Brewery in Colorado, but alas, they do not because even the big chain could not get around Michigan's beer distribution issues.
(2)Alison L.
Bar BOOie! Another lame chain restaurant/bar that has invaded A2 and will try, cheap pint by cheap bucket o' wings, to take away from what's great about this city.
(1)Matt B.
If you think TGIChilliBees is good food, you're going to be disappointed. This place is actually a step down. The atmosphere is uninspired, noisy, impersonal. So is the menu, down to the beer selection. In short, this place is a duche magnet. If you are an aspiring date rapist and use the term "bra" often, you're gonna love this place. Loud huge televisions dominate the room, drowning out your party's conversation. The decor is cheap and derivative. The burger I had here may as well been a hockey puck. I have not seen a more uninspired menu ever. Was here again to gander at their "dress code". Not surprised. Still no good.
(1)Illi F.
My boyfriend and I used to love Bar Louie. The half-off appetizers at Happy Hour were great, the service friendly. We went at least once or twice a week for drinks and an appetizer when we were first dating. Lately, though, the place has really gone to crap. First, a new corporate policy was instituted so that all of the good appetizers are now no longer half-off during happy hour (there is a list now of those which are included in the half-off special). We've had our dollar burgers come out nearly raw (as rare as I'd eat a fine steak), and completely hard and charred, depending on the night. Tonight, though, was the worst. It was a Tuesday evening, and myself and 3 friends waited an hour and fifteen minutes for a table after being told by the (rude) hostess that it would be a 20-25 minute wait. There were 3 parties in front of us. Meanwhile, the restaurant had allowed reservations to be made for large parties, and there were maybe 2-3 people sitting at groupings of 4-5 tables meant to seat at least 12 or so. Why allow reservations on a Tuesday evening? And why seat incomplete groups and allow 2 people to take up 2 tables each while there is a crowd waiting to sit? Finally some tables cleared, and we thought we'd get seated--- no, the people who FINALLY showed up for their reservations realized they had more friends coming, and the tables went to them rather than to people who already had had their names on the list with the hostess for an hour. Management at this place just sucks and is so disorganized. I don't know if I'll be back.
(2)Laura K.
I know it's a chain, but this is one of the better Bar Louie's I've been to (and the one in Pittsburgh is on gorgeous waterfront). They have a great happy hour (cheap beer and 1/2 off apps). I prefer bar louie when I want beer and a late cheap sandwich (the luigi is very good). They also have a great big bar that is actually nice and feel like you're in the middle of the action.
(3)Mae S.
Evidently an upscale chain, not to expensive --Burgers, Pizzas, Sandwiches, Salads, "Large Plates" -- all the usual suspects. This one has beautiful outdoor porches facing Liberty and Division Streets, a large interior, and it opened yesterday. Has anyone eaten there? I'm putting three stars as a guess.
(3)Anthony N.
Hey it's Bar Louie, not Louis. Haven't gone to this new one but in Chicago it's a preferred spawning ground for post-frat and sorority idiots. But since Ann Arbor's not exactly short on meatheads and preppy types, this location should do well.
(1)kevin k.
This is the ultimate yuppie bar in Ann Arbor. Everything is overpriced, and its just full of douche bags. When i was sitting at the bar, the bartender actually rolled her eyes when i asked for a coke..i had been getting beer but wanted a break. The food is not that great, although to be fair the burger is pretty good.
(2)Peter W.
I love Bar Louie.
(5)A. T.
Great selection of draft beers. The burgers and fries are pretty standard, but my favorite secret dish here is the "loaded tots". Probably won't ever order them again, though, because now I can make them at home.
(4)Abby C.
I know that Bar Louie is a chain. I know that some people in Ann Arbor would rather see a bar unique to Ann Arbor go into this space. But Bar Louie is one of my go-to spots for numerous reasons. 1) The number of beers on tap. I am a beer drinker, and other than Ashley's, it's hard to find this many beers on tap in most bars. The list of beers changes up w/ the season, and you can find beers from Bell's, Arbor Brewing Company, Sam Adam's (although not my fave but I know other people like it), and many more. 2) As someone who has been out of undergrad for many years now, it's nice to go to a bar with a nice interior, where you can watch a game on tv, hold a conversation with your friends without screaming and yelling over the music, where there's a good size crowd, that doesn't serve drinks in plastic cups, and with patrons who are not so loud and rowdy. The food is a lot better than your Applebys or TGIF variety. It is bar food so it's a little on the heavy side, but I'd choose Bar Louie any day for food over the other chains you might think of. 3) When it's actually warm outside, there's a really good amount of outdoor seating. When it's starting to cool off a bit at night, the outdoor seating in the back has space heaters throughout the area so you can still sit outdoors and be comfortable. 4) Happy Hour: Buy 1 Get 1 Free on select appetizers and it's actually a significant number of the appetizers on the menu and several of them are sized to be meals by themselves. A lot of beers are $3, and there are martini specials but I don't drink those so I have no clue as to what they are. 5) For the cheapskate in me, $1 burgers on Tuesdays. I will say that the quality of the burgers on $1 burger Tuesdays has declined since they initially introduced this, but I rarely make it out for this night anymore since it gets so crowded. Happy Hour specials are also still good during this promotion if you go during Happy Hour time. I should mention that $1 burgers are only $1 if you don't order anything special on them. If you add cheese, veggies besides lettuce, special sauces and other special toppings, the price incrementally increases. But you can still eat a decent burger for a couple of bucks and tater tots are only a couple of dollars extra. The staff at Bar Louie is noticeably more disgruntled on Tuesdays, but I can't say that I blame them having been a server at a different restaurant at one point in my life. It's crowded but cause the bills are low, the tips are low, too, so you're working your butt off for not that much money. I have to say that my favorite item on the food menu is the pretzel appetizer. The pretzels are large and soft, served with honey mustard, regular mustard, and a queso dip that is delish.
(4)Kyle W.
You walk in there and you can tell that you're at a chain type restaurant, but the food is surprisingly good. The ham and cheese sandwich was very good (probably not that healthy though) and last time I went there I got the gumbo (appetizer) which was delicious. Everything is a little pricey considering you are at a chain but the happy hour prices are ok. Also on Tuesdays they have dollar burgers. You can find out more information on their website. I would definitely go back for the food but the atmosphere and drinks are not desirable.
(3)Steven H.
Food there is garbage and the beer there tastes stale when I get it on tap. They DO NOT clean their filters.
(1)Nathan A.
The food was freshly microwaved and the decor crafted to make an Ann Arbor News restaurant reviewer settle for adjectives like "hip", "urban", and "chic". The more appropriate adjective would be "suburban", as in Novi mall restaurant. One redeeming factor - $2 14 oz. beers during happy hour. Given its proximity to campus (and the aforementioned drink specials) this place will quickly morph into Fratlebee's.
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