This was going to be the last stop of our night around 11:30 PM on a Friday night. There wasn't a lot going on, so we bellied up to the bar. We did not spend a lot of time in here, just long enough for one beer. The bartender was clearly over her shift and we were simply an nuisance to her. Normally you can tell when a staff is faking being nice, which is acceptable...because come on, we all do that! But here, she made no effort to hide her disdain for the night. We quickly drank our beer and dipped. Which was sad because we had heard great things about the place. Overall, the vibe was chill, decor was hometown-ish, the beer was cold, but the service was sadly terrible.
(2)
Megan S.
If you ever see the fried chicken dinner on the black board, don't hesitate. Get it. Enjoy the most delicious, southern style fried gold that has ever touched your lips. Also, Jenny is the best bartender I have ever had. I would marry that girl.
(5)
Paul W.
We pop in here for beers now and then. Ate here years back, couldn't remember if we liked it or not, so we went for dinner last night after hearing some good things about the food from friends. My wife got the burger--not bad, but a little dry for her taste, meat not the most flavorful. She did think the steak fries were quite good. For once I wasn't in the mood for a burger. Mexican sounded good, so I ordered the burrito with chicken and enjoyed it very much. A fairly standard bar burrito, but above average in flavor. The beans filling most of it were creamy and nicely seasoned, pleasantly contrasted by the chunkiness of the chicken. The tomatoes and lettuce on the side were fresh. Melted jack and cheddar thinly blanketed the burrito instead of threatening to drown it, as you see at a lot of places. Sauce likewise was restrained, even though I'd ordered the burrito wet. Less was more with this item, and I'd certainly order it again. As always, enjoyed the throwback atmosphere and the craft beer offerings. Service was pleasant and quick. A satisfying enough outing to warrant further exploration of the menu.
(3)
Hart K.
Great atmosphere! Nice wait staff Best cheeseburger I've eaten in a long time! Awesome!
(5)
Joshua M.
Gave me exactly what I wanted. It was wonderful. Got on the express train to Flavor Town.
(5)
Amy B.
Townie Ann Arbor bar that's maybe a little less townie than it used to be. Old Town is good for bar fare (sandwiches, fries) and beer. They have a good variety of draft beers, maybe 10 taps, including several local brews. Old Town is also good for a groups, since it's rarely too crowded or too loud. It's not the flashiest place, nor does it have the most beer, the best food, or the hottest scene, but it's comfortable and pleasant and worth a visit.
(4)
Billy B.
I really like the ambiance of this place. The menu is very standard bar food sandwiches. Honestly, their not great. Not bad, but nothing special. They have a great draft selection. The prices are a touch more than I like paying (15 or so bucks a pitcher). Again, not horrible, but there are better prices out there if you look. A big negative for me is no dinner happy hour. I would visit more often if they have a m-f Happy Hour at dinner time. Can't forget this. They have the best, prettiest waitress in Ann Arbor. Make sure you ask for Heather (ok, I might be a little biased since she is my lovely daughter).
(3)
Chris G.
The waitperson named Liz should be a partner. Anyway, the fried chicken special on Thursdays is worth a special trip ... until, that is, they changed the recipe about a month ago., In a conversation with the owner about that recipe change, he told me that any Thursday when I wanted to order the "old recipe" that the kitchen would do it that way. I've never seen that kind of responsiveness. Five stars. And, order the old recipe if you want the best.
(5)
Catie F.
In three words: solid bar food. The service here is adequate and polite, but nothing special. The menu is fairly small but does have something for everyone - even healthy eaters and vegetarians (think hummus with veggies, tempeh burgers, solid salads). The items we ordered came in good sized portions, featured fresh ingredients and were tasty. The beer selection is pretty good, but nothing like the other spots I mentioned. The setting is not memorable - doesn't really add or take away anything. Price is about right on for what you get. Old Town is a good back-up dinner spot on a busy Saturday night when Jolly Pumpkin, Black Pearl and Grizzly Peak have a long wait.
(3)
Shweta A.
This place has pretty terrible customer service. The servers can be pretty rude and the food is bad. I went there a second time to give them a second chance but haven't been back since. The second time we walked in, the servers sighed that we had a large party! We turned around and left.
(1)
Robin W.
I'm giving four stars because is really is a perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon watching a game, drinking a beer and surfing the net at. The service was prompt and friendly, the place is clean, music is chill, and chili is great. If the draft beer selection was a little more vast it would be 5 stars.
(4)
Mark E.
A real "townie" bar and restaurant. Good, friendly service. Nice bar with a few good Michigan beers on tap at any given time. The burgers are good and the menu has a good variety of options. I like the "seat yourself" casualness and the warm and comfortable atmosphere. No happy hour, but Monday's are $1 off Michigan-made drinks (beers and mixed drinks).
(4)
Martha V.
Solid, solid choice for food and a beer. They have good choices on tap, local stuff. That's a big thing for me. The service is excellent. Old Town is a very friendly, casual place - really comfortable to be in. I usually get the tempeh burger - very, very good. My husband experiments more with the menu and has not been disappointed. I've brought my parents here for lunch and they liked it, too. Old Town is a little off the main drag through Ann Arbor. You can usually get a table (we are usually in early before a concert so I'm not sure I can speak for prime time). There aren't a bunch of TVs or anything, so it isn't someplace I'd go to watch a game, but it is a great place for a bite to eat and a tasty craft, local beer.
(4)
Vincent S.
Pub food that's okay. Basically treated like a number. I'm not high maintenance , just one refill would be nice. Waited long enough so that drinks and dinner needed to be taken at the same time - then forgotten till the food was brought out and check. It wasn't that busy and I was a party of two. It seemed the person who appeared to be the manager picked up on the neglect and tried to get our waitress to pay attention. Not a bad experience, just nothing special considering the options. I bet a larger party would get you better service. I used to be a waiter and sometimes the bigger tables meant bigger tips. But that shouldn't matter.
(3)
R. L.
It was practically empty on new years after midnight. Service was rude and we ended up cancelling our order and leaving.
(1)
Hannah S.
Walked right in on a Friday night and got a table right next to window, which was pretty enchanting, because the street was bustling with people, and Christmas lights are beginning to be put up. The atmosphere of the place is really good, reminded us all of the tv show "Cheers". Old timey, classy, but cool enough for a date night/evening with the girls. Had some pretty good chicken tenders and artichoke dip, alongside my cider (waitress recommended me get something on tap, which was cheaper/better tasting than what I originally wanted, yay honesty success). Place was a bit tight for space, but what can you say about a cozy place on a Friday night?
(4)
Andrew D.
Very decent, not at all pretentious pub. Always have excellent small brewery beers on tap. Food is as you would expect from a pub; no thrills but always delivers. I always try and get a bowl of their chili with either a sandwich or salad. 3 stars is still good in my book. You can't go wrong but there are other places to try first.
(3)
Patrick T.
Came here for lunch. Service is a little slow. Seat yourself, and the waitress will come find you. Ordered the grilled cheese with bacon added on (for 20 cents). The sandwich was good, but I could've done without the the flavorless tomato slices dripping out. The mushrooms inside are all right. It's grilled on pumpernickel, which was tasty. The sweet potato fries were very good. They were cut thin and came out crispy and flavorful. The only problem was they got cold quickly, given their high surface area to volume ratio. Easily solved -- eat them quickly. Friend had the tempeh burger, which came with their regular fries. He enjoyed it. Waitress was quick to refill drinks.
(3)
Robyn T.
I love Old Town. There is nothing fancy about it and there are always friendly faces, great food, and good prices. Old Town is a regular spot for the husband and I, and we have never had a bad experience. I do love their burgers. They are always juicy and never overcooked. And they serve up a mean burrito too! Sometimes it's nice to get off Main Street and have a nice meal, a good beer and a great conversation. Old Town is just the place to do that.
(4)
Annette J.
One of my favorite joints in town to get a beer and a burger. Usually busy but not so busy it's hard to get a table on the weekends and the food is pretty darn tasty. I love their aforementioned burgers which is my regular order although I have had the chicken sandwich (in an attempt to be healthy) and I found it to be way above average. It's nothing super special but it still tastes great. This can be hard to achieve with a chicken sandwich, you know. Nice and juicy. So high fives. They've got a rotating beer list of really awesome local and non-local brews plust bottled stuff like a very tasty cider that I most recently had (the name of which escapes me). Friendly bar and waitstaff, good prices, and did I mention it's easy to get a seat on a Friday or Saturday night? That is clutch. I dig Old Town. A consistently awesome spot in downtown A2!
(4)
Aidan F.
Great service and amazing salads but there guacamole is artificial and not very good but it is not as bad as fast food resteraunts
(4)
Natasha P.
Great little place in Ann Arbor. I had originally wanted to take my Grandmom and her friend to Grizzly Peaks, but the roads were shut for the Art Fair Car Show and my grandmom can't walk too much, so I dropped them off outside Old Town and found parking, while they went in. We had a late-ish lunch there, and I ordered a lemonade for myself, which came with free refills, My grandmom had a vodka and sprite and her friend had a vodka with apple juice, a bizarre but tasty combination. For lunch I ordered a Pulled Pork Sandwich, which was huge and a LOT of pork. It was perfectly seasoned and dressed without need of any additions, and I loved the coleslaw that came with it; sweet and tangy and a perfect compliment to the sandwich. Also, I swapped out my chips for some sweet potato fries and they were fabulous. My Grandmom's friend ordered the Tuna Sandwich, which he liked very much, though I think he enjoyed his sweet potato fries the most, and my Grandmom ordered the Grilled Cheese with Bacon, because it came with lots of mushrooms. I had a couple of bites from her and I really, really like it. Next time, I'm going to have the Grilled Cheese. The waitress was very helpful and friendly as was the bartender, with whom we had a little chat. All in all, a very delightful lunch and I hope to go back soon.
(4)
Norma S.
Almost a three star. We had the burger and the cheesesteak, they were ok. Service was slow, go with extra time. No refills on any of our drinks. Basic just dropped off the food, we payed the bill and left.
(2)
Richard R.
Great townie bar to get a beer, a stiff drink and a burger or nachos. They have free peanuts (if you ask) and booths that are great for foursomes. If you can stake out the two booths at the front, you can people watch and enjoy nice sunny days.
(4)
Beth H.
Friend and I went for lunch. They were out of steak for salads and sandwiches. Menu is very small and not very interesting. We left and went to Lena up the street, instead.
(1)
Jennifer H.
I wish the del Rio were still open, but this has been our hangout ever since. Ideally the music would be better, but I love the service & beer selection. And it's just a casual place to hang.
(4)
Kelly E.
Old Town is one of my favorite places in 2A. It always has a decent crowd but it's not super packed, and you can normally grab a spot at the bar. The wait staff are really nice and friendly. They have rotating beers on tap, so there is always a good seasonal brew. Our table had one drink that just wasn't our style (Campari, gross. Live and learn.) and the waitress took it off our bill. That was unexpected and extremely nice. It's easy to sit in a booth for several hours, chatting it up. The prices are reasonable, so even a long Saturday night session doesn't break the bank. I recommend the Dark & Stormy, and the sweet potatoe fries.
(4)
Sam G.
This here bar gets 3 1/2 stars in my book. Why? I like bars that predominantly service locals. I like my servers cheeky and seasoned. And I like the fact that after a drink or two, many patrons look mighty fine (if you're into the refined hip academic thing or the I'm-not-leaving-this-town-if-it-kills-me impressive determination of youth). Aaaand, if you go for a smoke outside you are bound to strike up conversation with someone, whether it be a street wanderer or other fellow patrons. Why not 4 or 5 stars? Well, this place, like most bars, has serious demographic changes throughout the day and night. But unlike most divey bars (I know I know, apples and oranges), if you come here early, instead of surly men drinking on their own, you are inundated with groups of business people eating after work or getting smashed at 8pm. Point being, if you come to drink and be merry, you might wanna come late. The well whiskey shots are generous and aren't too shabby. As many have mentioned, the beer runs cold and deep. And your pocket won't be emptied. In general, it feels like a place that's better either flying solo and sitting at the bar, or being with a 4+ group of friends. Pairs don't seem to work as well for me. Love, love the servers and love, love the unplanned encounters outside. Otherwise it's neither here nor there.
(3)
Laurie M.
Excellent bar and pub. I can go here in any mood/apparel and feel comfortable and satiated in both food and drink. Everything (aside from one or two things) on the menu is made from scratch every day, including the chips and salsa and all dressings, and you can taste it. Eating here is something you won't regret.
(5)
Joseph W.
Good food, good drink...Great Music! Stop bye Old Town on a Sunday night for some of the best local music in SE Michigan! You'll be glad you did!
(5)
Jenna S.
Though I came too late to sample any of the food, the beer list was pretty impressive. The bar itself gets a bit crowded at night (especially on weekends) but that's to be expected I guess since it's a bit small. There's table and bar seating and smoking outside. Specials each day of the week and happy hour starts again at 10 p.m. to closing. I was glad the beer I was drinking was on special because it was cheaper as the night went on. I'd come back for more beers and good conversation with friends. Pretty happening place with a non-Frat Boy Douche Bag crowd. That's a hard crowd to avoid in Ann Arbor, but Old Town manages to keep 'em out.
(4)
Jen F.
I don't think there is much that hasn't been said about his locale. I went there for the first time last night. They had a good beer selection and a great atmosphere if you are looking for a fun but not overwhelming night out with friends. The chili was great. I also tried the house salad. The ranch was good but the lettuce needed some life. Might have just been because it was so late in the day. Only thing lacking was service. The server missed out on easy opportunity because with a few more visits to the table she would have made more money supplying us with more alcohol. But all in all it was a fun time and I would like to head back in the near future. Especially for some good chili.
(4)
Aaron M.
What a strange mixture of dive and veggie-friendly-chill-spot. Maybe those aren't really different things. When smoking was still tolerated, this place sort of killed me, but in the absence of cigarettes many of its charms shine more clearly. Personally, I like the fact that I often run into people I know here. I also like the feeling I have that somebody might get decked by one of the waitresses (not that they are unfriendly... just that they don't take shit). Good vibes. Part of what keeps Ann Arbor's soul together.
(4)
Molly H.
This is the only bar I really like going to in Ann Arbor. And I love bars. Seems to cater to the mid-to-late 20s/early 30s set and locals, which is great. (Not an undergrad playground.) Awesome atmosphere--warm without being dingy; very inviting. Love the giant painting in the back. The drinks are made well, i.e. nice and stiff. I haven't had anything more complicated than a basic mixer, so I can't speak to craftsmanship on, say, a martini. Service is pretty good, a couple times I've had to wait too long to get my drink refilled or pay my bill and I've gotten unwarranted attitude a couple times, but normally it's very friendly and quick. Also, three words: pulled. pork. sandwich. It is wonderful. So wonderful. Besides that I haven't had much of the food, but what I have had I've liked.
(4)
Sean H.
An Ann Arbor legend, for good reasons. Cool old bar vibe, awesome selection of craft brews, and the food is top-notch! Service used to be pretty sketchy, but in the past couple of years, that's really changed. Now friendly and attentive. One of my favorites!
(5)
Jessie S.
I've found myself falling into these little ruts now that so much information is available through the internet. "What movie do you want to watch?" now turns into scrolling Netflix for 45 minutes and still not settling on a movie. "We should go out to eat" turns into my looking on Yelp for 45 minutes while my hunger level rises and I become frustrated with having too many options. It's times like these that having tried and true fall backs are so important. Old Town has instantly become my Ann Arbor "go-to" bar and restaurant. After all, what isn't there to like? They serve affordable food. They have a full bar. Their waitstaff is incredibly friendly (Liz!). What I particularly enjoy about their menu is how the portions match the price. In some instances like with the quesadilla and the nachos, half portions are available. The menu isn't overly imaginative, yet the food is consistent and tasty. If you're in the mood for something a bit on the heavy side, I recommend the tempeh ruben with sweet potato fries. I love sauerkraut! If you're in the mood for a lighter meal, the half order veggie quesadilla is perfect. Old Town is the perfect neighborhood bar and grill. It's great to have a fall back when I just want to sit down and have someone serve me some food and a beer and not have to over think it.
(4)
Caroline C.
Although I wouldn't rate this restaurant 5-stars if it were in any city but ann arbor, it's the best restaurant in town so I feel like it warrants it in context. The food is really tasty, and the prices are reasonable (actually reasonable, not ann arbor's version of reasonable). Get the turkey reuben. It's the best turkey reuben I've had, and blows Zingerman's version out of the water. Another good choice is the veggie quesadilla, it tastes fresh and I like the generous use of corn and onions. The downside is the service. I have never been to a business that treats a customer so poorly. Although it really depends on the waitress, if you're not a regular be prepared for eye-rolling, deliberate slowness, and snide/terse remarks. One time I politely asked for a new plate because mine had old food on it and received a very obvious eye-roll from the waitress who gave me no verbal response and snatched the plate away. My boyfriend was floored and wanted to walk out. I can't really describe how bad of service I've experienced here because it comes across as exaggeration or fake in a text review, but trust me it can be BAD. Although I have to emphasize that it varies wildly by day and by waitress, and the first time I ate here I was blown away by how GOOD the service was. So, it's kind of a gamble. If you're going to go, try not to look like a college student and you'll be treated better. But anyhow, I still put up with the abuse to eat the turkey reuben, and the prices are some of the best in town.
(5)
Debbie F.
I work in downtown A2 and this is my favorite place to get a cheeseburger and fries. They use Knight's meat and have great steak fries. Their sweet potato fries are tasty too. I get their Thousand Island dressing (homemade) for the burger and ranch dressing (homemade) to dip the fries in. YUM. The staff is nice and usually pretty quick at lunch time. Their fish sandwich with steak fries is pretty good too.
(5)
Susan C.
Most of what I could say about Old Town has already been said. I've been coming to this bar for years, and it is truly my bar of choice. So much so that my work pals threw me a "showerette" (Bachelorette party/shower combo) there this past weekend. How great is it that Old Town let a bunch of loudly laughing ladies come in to party AND let us bring our own cake? Pretty awesome I'd say. Our server was so nice and helpful, and just added to the fun atmosphere. We got a few raised eyebrows from some of the crustier patrons. Luckily our twilight-themed party favors scared them off. I should say our "ironic" twilight-themed favors. The chicken sandwich with added bacon and cheddar I had was delicious. And the three or so long islands were as strong as they come. I do love the beer there too, but decided mixed drinks were the way to go that night. We got a seat in the back under the huge naked lady picture, but up at the front in the windows are the two best tables in the house.
(4)
Patty K.
Really not sure why people are so into this place. It's unremarkable with mediocre food. I ordered chicken wings once from there and they were raw on the inside, but at least the staff were nice about it and took it off our check.
(3)
Marissa B.
Old Town Tavern is one of my favorite spots in Ann Arbor. The bar is cozy and hosts a number of regulars, townies and grad students alike. When you enter Old Town your first responsibility is trying to figure out where to sit. You can always tell who the newcomers are because they hesitate in the doorway, unsure if they'll be seated or if they're supposed to just make themselves at home. You're supposed to make yourself at home. Occasionally on a busy night the manager will greet you at the door and assist you in finding a spot for your group. The bar fills the right-side wall in the front section, which is the smoking section. The back section is the non-smoking section, and offers a number of square tables and two booths tucked in the back, near the restroom. The mood is casual, people tend to sit at their tables and chat with who they came with - it's not really a place to meet new people, unless you are sitting at the bar. The lighting is low and not too harsh; I love looking up at the original tin ceiling and reading the history of the building, which is printed on the back of the menus. The crowd is a combination of townies and grad students, it fortunately has not been tapped by the younger, freshly 21-year-old crowd as "the place to be". Thank goodness! The drinks are usually well made and one of the great things about Old Town is that they have a beverage menu which actually lists out all the liquors they sell and what their prices are. How nice is that?! I love being able to know exactly what I'm paying for something ahead of time. Our groups are always happy with their food, the chicken sandwich and the sweet potato fries always seem to be a hit. The service can be spotty, depending on who you get, things can be pretty slow. However, if you're lucky enough to get Liz as your server, you will never have your needs unmet. She is spot on, attentive but not obtrusive. She recognizes her regular customers and greets them kindly, even when she's bustling about. BOTTOM LINE: A great place - fair drink prices, good food and a nice, relaxed atmosphere.
(5)
mariah c.
There are times in life when what you really need are a few beers, a lot of friends, and some pretty unhealthy fried chicken. You're not going to find mind-blowing fried chix-stix here, but you will indeed find some of the most fried-up chicken tenders downtown, with some sauce options to boot. As Tara mentions, the brew here isn't made on-site, but they do usually keep some Bell's on tap, and in the summer, you're guaranteed a large slice (no slivers here) of orange for your Oberon. Friends? They're going to show up here. It's like some weird hive mind thing is happening. The same pals you ran into hanging out in that alley (yes, I hang out in alleys sometimes) last week will turn up here, as will folks who can fill you in on the results of the day's primary voting. You'll recognize that girl from the roller derby, but you'll also see some respectable gentlemen having a cordial business-y seeming beer. You'll hear about your friends moving out of town, out of state and out of the country here (hey, we live in Michigan, this happens). And then, if or when they come back, you'll probably spot them here too. I'm no bar fly -- I'm really only here a few times a month. But when I need some A-OK comfort food (kitchen is open until 10 most week nights, and 'til 10:30 on Tuesdays), a dose of brew and another stronger dose of friends, inspiring folks and acquaintances, this is the spot. I may long a bit for the Del Rio (RIP), but a place that had been among my top 3 from the time I started drinking in bars -- Old Town -- stands on its own merits. Between this and the Eightball, I think I'm comfy. Thanks, Old Town.
(5)
Guillermo K.
Good service, good food (try the chili!), good drink.
(4)
Robert C.
So simple. So unpretentious. Old Town really is one the best bars in the city for its laid back charm, stiff drinks, and good company. If you're looking to impress a date, I wouldn't invite them here. But, if you were looking to test whether they can enjoy good drinks in a low-key atmosphere where conversation reigns, then here's that place.
(4)
Amy S.
Old Town is, no question, the "townie" bar. It's a block away from where I work, and directly on my walk home. Needless to say, I am there quite often. The staff is super friendly and wonderful, there are almost no d-bags in attendance, and I almost always run into people I know. For lack of a better description, it's sort of my "Cheers," although -- thank god -- not everyone knows my name and, generally, no one who does yells it out when I enter. The food is good too. It's not the Best Food You've Ever Had, but the sandwiches are tasty, the spin-art dip is tasty, the nachos and burritos are tasty, the soups and salads are tasty. Bottom line: I'd highly recommend it. One caveat to out-of-towners: I mean it pretty literally when I say it's the townie bar. I have seen servers be all kinds of rude to people they don't know. That said, I still recommend it. It's pretty much one of the most affordable, most laid-back bars in Ann Arbor.
(5)
Tara R.
When I lived on the west side of Ann Arbor, Old Town was always my favorite bar. Of course, that was when I paid twice as much in rent and thought five bucks for a pint of beer was a perfectly good deal. Nowadays, I either want my bar beer dirt cheap or fresh brewed. Old Town offers neither. Nor does it offer particularly good (or particularly bad) food. The atmosphere is fine. I like the hardwood floors, paneling and booths and the old timey naked lady pictures. The place has character and that character is slightly stodgy, intellectual townie. The only time I go to Old Town is when one of my grad student friends is having a celebration. It can be a good spot for a crowd, as long as you can shove a bunch of tables together. The servers might get a little surly, but they're working hard. Liz is probably the best bar server in Ann Arbor. Tip her well. As Mariah noted, running into someone you know at Old Town is inevitable. This can be a good or bad thing, often both in one night. I imagine that if I were to leave Michigan and come back to Ann Arbor in five years, I would still run into someone I know at Old Town. And for that reason, I'm glad it sticks around.
(3)
Shane M.
If you enjoy the atmosphere of a friendly, neighborhood pub, this is the place. The selection of beer and liquor is good, the burgers are excellent, and it's the only place I can think of that still offers complimentary peanuts. I'm pretty sure they're complimentary, anyway; either that, or the friendly staff have taken a liking to me, and have started giving them to me free. Either way, I'm happy. I'd like this place even better if there were a few more tables, and possibly a dart board, but you can't have everything you want. I'll gladly settle for a cold beer and a cheeseburger at Old Town.
(5)
Holly B.
Old Town is a great go-to place for drinks with good company in a proper tavern atmosphere. I especially appreciate the menu, which actually lists prices for spirits and popular mixed drinks--It's never fun getting a check and seeing a bill much higher than you expected. This is a big plus for me since I'm not much of a beer drinker. If you are a beer drinker, then Old Town offers a respectable selection of beer and cheap pitchers (about $13) of Bell's, etc. I've not had a chance to try the food, but it looks reasonably priced and fairly tasty. The service can be a bit hit and miss, but other than that, I wouldn't be surprised if I popped in more regularly in the evening hours. Plus, I've heard from two sources that it's a good place to take your ladyfriends if you wanna get some action afterwards... Classy, innit?
(4)
Marie H.
MAGGOTS FALL FROM THE CEILING ONTO YOUR HEAD AT THIS PLACE!!! Ok, that's not entirely true, but 'sky maggots' just has a better ring to it than Coleoptera larvae, (hey, I was an entomology major in undergrad)....In the interest of cleaning up my internet presence for fellowship interviews, I recently removed the bits of my Old Town interview that described having what looked like it could have been a pube muddled into the orange in my old fashioned. Well, I have signed my fellowship contracts, so screw it.... The last time I was here, a warm, 2 inch long beetle larvae dropped from the ceiling onto my shoulder: I was wearing an off-the-shoulder shirt, so it landed on my bare skin. I imagine that the little guy was just trying to keep warm up on that steam pipe near the ceiling, but EWWWWWWWWW! This happened a few weeks ago, and from time to time, I still feel that thing crawling on my shoulder. In public health school, we learned that if an insect infestation is in a restaurant to the degree that the patrons are encountering insects, it's likely HEAVY. Just keep that in mind....So, if you like hairy drinks and insect larvae falling onto you, check out Old Town!
(1)
Aaron B.
I don't know why anybody would ever come here. It's a terrible crap shack with blah food, loud noise, heavy smoke, and poorly crafted drinks. The only reason people go here, I'm convinced, is because they don't know any better. If this place were in any real city then it would have closed down...either from lack of business or the health inspector. I've often been invited to go here for a meal or drink because of it's proximity to home and my evening hangouts downtown, and quickly learned to decline the offers. Regret coming here you will...unless you have no nose, no taste buds, and no common sense. In reference to Jen's review I will add: Is the whole place crawling with creepy maggots? You don't have to find larvae to answer 'yes'.
(1)
Becki B.
Old Town is awesome. The inside is cozy and beautiful. The stamped tin ceiling is a great detail along with the gorgeous bar and the old framed pictures on the walls. Things really haven't changed much in the over ten years I've been going here, except I didn't see Jen or Phillipe last time I was in. If you'd like a little something to nibble on while you drink, the chips and salsa are fabulous. I've been known to stop in just for chips and salsa and accidentally meeting up with someone I know and staying for a drink or two.
(5)
Dharma A.
A great townie place to have a beer or a drink.
(4)
Sara G.
I miss the Del Rio sometimes. I really do. Old Town is (in my opinion) the Only Townie Bar Left in A2. The vibe is like opening an old book and inhaling the sweet aroma of the past with a leathery top note of the present. Aging hipsters watch the young ones with amusement, and the young ones watch as old farts try to pick up the yuppies. This place is welcoming and neighborhoody like no other bar in this city. My favorite bar in town, fo' sho'. The food is pretty good too! Try the beef nachos or a burger with that beer. Two down sides: 1. The garish sports-bearing TELEVISION above the bar. With sports bars aplenty in this town, why don't they just dial up a John Waters movie or Adult Swim? Still, this doesn't prevent me from huddling into a booth and making sweet love to a dirty martini w/extra olives. 2. SMOKE. This place accumulates and holds cigarette smoke faster than a pothead at an Amsterdam hash bar. The ventilation system (if it exists) needs work. I cannot WAIT until this place goes non-smoking (I can only hope!). But again, this doesn't prevent me from metaphorically copulating w/a concoction of vodka and vermouth in a corner booth. I just don't linger as long, sadly.
(4)
Lisa W.
I had great service-livia I think was her name. The food was delicious. It was a cheers like environment and I will come back.
(5)
Michael M.
Very nice looking bar on the corner. Looks the name, but quite snappy inside with wood floors and a nice bar. The booths are a bit smallish. The food is excellent. Quesadilla was amazing. The fish and chips are perfectly done. The batter tasted like a Guiness batter and was well done. Excellent chips, indeed.
(4)
Rossie H.
This is my favorite bar in town. It has a wonderful neighborhood feel and the staff is really nice. The pours are generous and they keep good beers on tap. This is also one of my favorite restaurants in town. The food is delicious. I especially like the Quesadillas, the Turkey Reuben, and the Sweet Potato Fries. I don't like their deserts much, but you can't win them all, right?
(5)
Jenn V.
I could totally be giving them more credit than they deserve-- I am friends with every single one of the cooks there, and have been hanging out there with them for years. First off, it is THE only townie bar in Ann Arbor in my book. It's so nice to get away from the obnoxious student bars and the Main St crowd. Just a nice, laid back tavern. Good beer selection, fair prices and heavy mixed drinks (for the most part, but it depends who is pouring that night). The food is good, but I wouldn't say great. My boyfriend loves the burgers, steak fajitas and reubens, and they get their meat from Knights. I have had just about every single thing on that menu, and can't stand eating it anymore. But that is my problem-- it really is a step above 'bar food'. Their clam chowder is fantastic! Served only on weekends, and I would only have it Fri or Sat.. by Sun it's a little uhhh, you know. I know they have a Happy Hour, but I don't know much about it. I think it's after 11pm during the week, and includes mixed drinks and maybe beer. But check out the table tents for more info. Most nights the music is provided via the staff's iPods, so it is usually pretty decent stuff. The buzz of the crowd on the weekends makes it so you can barely the music anyway sometimes. I do not recommend going on Sundays though. They have rotating folk-type bands, and the crowd is progressively older and hippier than usual. The music usually makes my ears bleed, and I if I'm there I will take off as soon as they start setting up for the band. Great place to grab a window booth, bring some cards and a few friends. I know it's smokey, but when will people get over the fact that (1) it's a bar and (2) it's Michigan, which has not banned smoking like some states. They do not have a ventilation system that I know of, so if you hate smoke but love the bar, go elsewhere. I don't think it gets that bad-- it's not like you are hit with a thick cloud as soon as you walk in the door. You will see people from all walks of life. Anywhere from young to old, hipster to grads, local workers and the real old regulars who were forced to find a new spot when Del Rio closed. Luckily, this crowd does not include the frat boys and dumb chicks that strut up and down South U every weekend in search of the next place to get a pitcher and "whoop it up" like assholes.
(4)
David K.
I like the Old Town. I don't care what anyone else has to say about it.
(5)
Tyler B.
I wanted to write a three word review for this place: Drink. Cheap. Good. But that's selling it a bit short. I mean not real short. But this place has sweet happy hours, the occasional troubadour in the corner, and a genuine local watering hole feel. The people who drink here seem to get it, and you're not surrounded by a bunch of d-bag frat guys or upwardly mobile dill holes in suits. You gotta keep that head on a swivel man. So yeah, want some cheap booze with your pals at a place with decent service and a real old school bar feel? Old Town. Drink. Cheap. Good.
(4)
Steve G.
One of my favorite bars in town. Good selection of beer (including usually a Bell's seasonal or two) at decent prices. I usually don't order food here so I can't speak to that, but you do get free peanuts with your beer if you ask.
(4)
Alicia M.
I suggested we check out this place on the recommendation of a fellow vegan (and a previous comment from an out-of-town friend that stated "I want to go THERE!" when we on our pre-determined martini crawl). By no means is this a "vegany" place, but they do have several items featuring tempeh (and good tempeh, at that), including a reuben, which I tried. I make my own reubens at home that are scary close to the "real" thing(using seitan and marinade, via a Chicago Diner recipe), and while these don't resemble those, I can certainly appreciate tempeh and 'kraut on caraway bread. My waitress picked up right away on the direction I was going when I ordered "no cheese" and asked if I wanted the thousand island dressing. Their version is very heavy on the mayo and not remotely vegan. I asked for mustard instead, and she stopped by later to ask if I liked sharp mustard, and brought me a jar of sweet/sharp mustard that ended up being a great replacement for the thousand island. My husband ordered the traditional reuben and said it was good, not outstanding, call your mom good, but a good sandwich nonetheless. They have a very reasonably priced alcohol menu (with actual prices listed...love not getting bill-shock!), featuring a decent number of local beers/liquors. The atmosphere is right on par with the name; it's a very cozy, homey, tavern. There were only a few others in there at the time, mostly at the bar, and they struck me as easy-going regulars. The food was good, the service was excellent, and I look forward to returning here in the future.
(4)
Theresa T.
I am a faithful regular at Old Town. They have GREAT food. My favorite dishes include the Pumpernickel Grilled Cheese and the steak fajitas. **yum** The wait staff is fabulous, definitely sit in Liz's section and leave her a big fat tip, because she's the best server in town. That's right, I said it! THE BEST. This is a great joint for touring bands to stop by and grab some inexpensive food, it's close to live venues and you'll probably be seated next to the same people you run into at The Ark or The Blind Pig or where ever it is that you'll be playing. They feature live music every so often, so keep an eye on their schedule.
(5)
Rebecca W.
Tonight was the big send-off for our co-worker and friend, who's headed across the pond for 6 months. We started at ABC with beers and some snacks, but some of us weren't ready to call it a night at....7:30. Tried to head to the Jolly Pumpkin for dinner, but the wait was 2 1/2 hours, so we wound up at Old Town instead. This is the third time I've "wound up" at Old Town when the wait everywhere else was too long, or everyone was being indecisive or argumentative about where to go. Clearly we should just start coming here on purpose! They seated 9 of us quite quickly (in the back corner under the large nude painting, of course), and we ordered a range of beers, booze, soups, sandwiches, meats, and appetizers. It's just chill here. The beer is decent--no pressure for it to be extra special, because they don't brew it--so you just pick what you like and you know you'll be happy. The food maybe took awhile to come, but with beer and good company, who cares? It's a little loud and a little smoky, as bars are wont to be, and if you're seated near the path of people waiting for tables, you probably get lots of butts and purses to the face. But if you can avoid/ignore that, it's just relaxed--good for hanging out and catching up. And eating. And drinking. My club sandwich was tasty--not too much mayo--and made me miss my friend JZ, a club sandwich connoisseur. The chips were fine, nothing special--should have upgraded to the sweet potato fries, but for some reason, after like five beers, felt compelled to save $2. I was right smack in the middle of the table, and I only wish I could have equally participated in the conversations at either end (the one about motorcycles, and the one about facial hair)....but if too much good company is your only complaint, it's a pretty good night!
(4)
kelly w.
You walk into Old Town and here are some of the things you will consistently find: 1. "Starving artist" sippin' on a brew writing down new song lyrics in his/her journal-- isolated in the corner or solo in a booth-- how poetic. 2. Family sitting down enjoying their din-- kids playing with their food rather than eating it, but none the less, decently well behaved.. this isn't denny's folks. 3. 20/30 somethings gathering for some good 'ol fashioned pub chat. 4. Always friendly staff-- it makes you wonder if they pass out a valium with their time card. 5. kickin' chili-- get it. love it.
(4)
Laura M.
Love, love, LOVE. The food isn't fancy, but it's delicious. There's a surprising selection for veg folks (good salad (FAB ranch), quesadillas/bar food, sweet potato fries, grilled cheese with veggies, hard-to-eat but very tasty veggie pita). Lots of beer on tap, not particularly cheap, but not overpriced, either. Probably in the $4-5 range for the pints I tend to get, lots of Bell's and other good things. I like the staff, even if some of them are occasionally salty, they're usually extremely nice and always part of the experience. Beautiful atmosphere, lots of old wood, few-to-no obnoxious people. Sometimes there's live music (Sunday nights?), and it's loud, but it's good. This place is my favorite.
(5)
Ron F.
Nice bar with good selection of beers and nice, causal atmosphere, but the wings weren't done and the rest of our meals were bland and unappealing. Maybe we just hit it on the wrong night.
(2)
Adam T.
Old town is the most adeptly named bar I've ever been to. Show up for dinner and, if you can find a table, you'll see the culmination of nearly every demographic in Ann Arbor-- from Ypsi people who can't afford to live in A2 anymore, to a family of five having their big night out "downtown". Look for the photo of the guy with a parasol and an eyepatch next to the big round table. That's Jamie Monger, former Old Town line-cook and guitarist for the Great Lakes Myth Society. On any given Sunday, you'll see town music staples play there: Jim Roll, Jamie's Brother Tim....the list is as long as it is grand. Their late night menu is one of the more tolerable in town, especially now that Leopold's is off the table. If you're new to Ann Arbor, a grad student at UofM, or just passing through, go here and you'll have officially arrived. It's one of a very few locales left in town that isn't 't homogenized yuppie crap. If it's packed, try the basement of The Heidelberg a few blocks away.
(5)
Jeffrey C.
Old Town is a great stop. The place feels exactly how a local tavern should feel and their food is equally enjoyable. Adding in Sunday night music and this place is golden. If you need a place to go in Ann Arbor this is it, you won't regret it.
(4)
Liz H.
I haven't been here since I was in school -- and yikes (!!), that's six years! But, I remember Old Town with fondness. I worked two doors down at Bella Ciao and this was the after-work spot of choice for all of us -- from 19 to 39. And yes, they did serve me before I was 21, but I think that was more a function of the fact that it was a townie bar and not many students (or at least underage ones) came in there. In fact, even though I went there so many times over the years with lots of great friends and boyfriends, my favorite -- or I guess I should say funniest -- Old Town memory is when some meathead in a summer class asked me out. He tried to take me to Mitch's, which, for the uninitiated, is one of the frattiest, college-y-est, cheesy bars in town. Well, the minute we stepped in the door the bouncer asked for my I.D. I was underage, but had a pretty bad fake and I handed it to him. He took one look at my I.D. and said, "This is fake," and put it in his pocket. I just went, "uhhhh...." and looked at my date. He said, "Where do you want to go now?" I had been going to Old Town after worked and loved it so I said, "Well, have you ever been to Old Town?" The guy looked at me and seriously said, "Uh, is it for OLD people?" Ahhhh hahahaha! No. It's not for old people. But I would say that it is for old-ER people. And that's a good thing. In the two years I went there underage, I was definitely the exception. And I think I passed because I looked older and was always there with people in their late 20s and 30s. I just love this place because it's laid back and so not a college bar. The food is pretty good, too. I don't know if I would go there specifically for the food. But for a late night bite and some drinks, that place just felt comfortable. Like, "ahhh, now I can relax...." A great after work spot for local restaurant workers.
(4)
Lisa W.
First, grab the table by the window. It's a great spot to people watch, and also a way for your random townie friends to spot you and join you throughout the night. Then, order a beer and some beef nachos. This was a tradition with me and my crew. Even the 2/3 nachos are large enough to feed a couple of friends who need a snack fix. If you want to find a place on Sunday to hang out with someone but not have to talk to them, then try Old Town. They have live music and it's impossible to hear yourself guzzle your cosmo. Their menu is hit or miss. Their burgers are amazing, however, and they use Knight's meat. I would stay away from any of their burritos or enchilada dishes. A bowl of their chili with extra chips on the side is a great small meal if you want most of your calories to come from the tap. Did you order a beer? Then make sure to ask for your complimentary peanuts in the shell!
(4)
Michael C.
You know, maybe if the WAB had food like this, I'd eat there more often. I like Old Town for a couple of reasons: as many have said, the decor is fantastic. It's like a mix between a British pub and a bar from a 1973 cop movie, you know, the one where the drunk gets thrown onto the street and while he's stumbling home the opening credits roll. Actually, that's how I felt every time I stumbled out of this place... but I was never thrown out. I've said before that Charley's is the place in town to grab a mixed drink. If that's the case, then Old Town is the place to grab a beer; they have a fantastic selection of brews, including some of my favorite Bell's. Orange anyone? The food is great. Someone else mentioned bar food; I'm not a fan of bar food by and large, since it usually consists of burgers, and I can't eat red meat all the time. I've also encountered places in Detroit and Ann Arbor, like WAB, who serve food but it's really hit or miss. OT isn't the sort of place that just heats stuff up in a microwave; they make the stuff by hand and it shows. I'd recommend the club, since it goes easy with any palate and it's super tasty to boot.
(4)
Sarah W.
A cool chill place to get something to eat or have a few drinks. They have some pretty decent food. A burger made with knights meat and thick steaks fries which is really inexpensive. And there is some kind of spinach dip which is sooooo good. Don't forget to check out their food specials too, my best friend loved their friend chicken. They also have good LATE night drink specials. I can't remember the exact time but it starts at 11pm or midnight. Where they hell can you find deals at that time of night. You can hit up a bar on Main Street and on your way to Bab's fill up a bit here. Oh, and don't forget to get a window seat if your a townie. You never know what scandalous story may pass right before you eyes! Better than TV.
(4)
Kristin B.
Old Town hasa cozy Ann Arbor feel, but without the Schmann Arbor pretension. The ambience is perfect - brick walls, tin ceiling, low lighting. The food is decent-tasting and even more decently priced. The staff is friendly, but definitely not overly-attentive (you may wait a while for food/drinks). Bottom line - if you want a bar with a local, casual feel, Old Town is the perfect choice.
(4)
Erich Z.
Something tells me the 3-star reviewers don't get outside Ann Arbor much. This place is an unassuming pub, serving lots of different beers - not just your average MGD, Bud, and Labatt's. But a word here on pub grub. Usually, pub food is severely limited to a burger, nachos, pizza, and that's it. Maybe Ann Arbor is different on average, but it's really hard where I come from (Lansing) to find somewhere you can both eat a good meal and drink a few drinks. Not so with Old Town. The sandwiches are hand-made fresh, and you can't go wrong with their veggie sandwich or quesadillas. Not bad price-wise either. Actually, for price you could compare the Old Town favorably to one of those crappy TGI & Erma's chain joints, but the atmosphere and quality of food is sooo much better. And again, much better beer on tap. I could compare it to the Red Hawk over on State, but Red Hawk is so pricey for food it's silly. Yeah, it gets noisy, and that can detract from it a bit, but I'll admit our group isn't afraid to contribute to the noisy atmosphere either.
(4)
Erik H.
I've been to the Old time several times now. The food was always good but the service can vary from night to night. The nachos are very good and their burgers are made using fresh beef from Knight's in town. The seating isn't the most comfortable in the non-smoking section but it is a bar after all. Recommended.
(4)
Alexandra M.
This is THE BEST bar in Ann Arbor, no contest. Delightful staff and a friendly and amusing clientele populate this charming establishment any day of the week. Great happy hour specials on well drinks and a bartender with a liberal hand make nights (and days, if you're into that, and who isn't?) at the Old Town fun and raucous. And even though their late night menu is tasty and well-priced--$7 for artichoke dip? Yes please--the Fleetwood Diner is right across the street. Is your bar full of annoying people? Is it too expensive? Are the waitstaff huge douchebags? Fuck that, go to the Old Town. (Oh but don't go Sunday unless you like live folk music. I get that some people do.)
(5)
Matt B.
As far as Ann Arbor pubs go, it doesn't get any better than this. While the menu could use some updating / sprucing up, the food is the best deal in a town full of overpriced restaurants. The burgers are outstanding for $8 and include fries. The meat is butchered locally at Knight's meat market. The grill cheese on pumpernickel is outstanding. Three cheeses, 2 mushrooms with or without bacon is a helluva grilled cheese. I have not had another quite like it. The nachos are worthwhile as well and filling. The beer selection is very good; not as vast as Ashely's, but good enough for discerning beer drinkers. Good scotch & whiskey selection too. For the money, this is the only bar in Ann Arbor, which is a shame. Almost every bar in this town is a complete rip off. While Old Town could be cheaper, I never feel ripped off. The service is generally excellent. If you are fortunate to get Liz as your waitress (she's been here 20 years now), you service will be above excellent. She often suggests another drink before you've finished yours, doing so in a way that is friendly & often humorous. This bar has only 1 tv, with the volume nearly muted. This is a bar for listening to your date / friends, rather than some incessant yacht rock or blaring sports announcer. This bar is often quite intimate, especially when the dinner crowd peels off. The decor is superb. No distracting beer advertising adorns any surface. Historical artifacts adorn a classic interior complete with a tin ceiling and hardwood booths. As I see it, this bar, along with Casey's, is the only one worth spending any time in.
(5)
zin b.
This is the quintessential Ann Arbor townie bar. If you want pub atmosphere, skip the IBC-blessed, vaulty dark of Conor O'Neill's. This is the real deal. Friendly vibe, warm brick walls, historical photos, vintage paintings, pew-style booths, popcorn and peanuts. Writers, suits, musicians and actors, artists, business owners, students, hipsters, academics, techies and the occasional hippie (they still exist) rub shoulders with each other at the bar and in the booths. Sit on the bar and someone might actually strike up a conversation. You can walk in wearing literally anything from running clothes to goth to wedding dress, and you will fit right in. If you are an Ann Arborite for any length of time you will always run into at least one person you know. Old Town has a modest selection of beers on draft, some microbrew which always includes Bell's, and a small but well-selected back bar. There is a bar menu with actual prices for shots and mixed drinks (how cool is that). The menu skips around from vegan choices to bar burgers and full entrees and has not changed in decades. Soups are from scratch and always excellent. Salads are fresh and crunchy. (R.I.P. Salade Nicoise, c'mon bring that back.) There are dinner specials on the board and they will be competently executed. Some entree items have their roots in the folksy 70's and may not be as you expect. If you are a Dearborn-style Middle Eastern aficionado, the freshly homemade hummous here will seem thick and chewy, lacking tahini. If you are expecting conventional Mexican food slathered with sauce you will be surprised by the enormous burrito roll bulging with sturdy beans. Bar burgers are classic and comfortable and come with big, toothsome steak fries. If you like a basket of fried hunky wedges of Idaho spud that come hot out of the fryer, with those few translucent, crunchy, sinfully overfried nuggets -- these fries are for you. (FYI, those coated-in-potato-puree-fries: what is UP with that?? No, those are not 'naked fries,' they are some kind of food-service corporate po-mo deconstructionist update on what God obviously intended a french fry to be. I know, people like those. You won't find them here.) Wings come with the thin Frank's hot sauce, the uber-thick blue cheese dressing, and lotsa celery. If you like roots music, don't miss the Sunday night scene, where anything from singer-songwriter to bluegrass to jazz to acoustic pop happens at 8pm. Service at Old Town has an institutional memory. Some of the waitstaff have been at the restaurant longer than some of the patrons have been alive. They are not students doing a side job, they are invested in this place and in a small town called Ann Arbor. Don't sass them, tip well, get on their good side, and they will remember you and your favorite drink and appear out of nowhere when your drink is almost empty. Say hi to Liz for me.
(4)
Coco C.
[Editor's note: I have actually lived in other places besides Ann Arbor, and by "other places" I mean "actual cities", and yes, this place totally deserves its middle-of-the-road three stars. Sorry, James C.] I like Old Town. I like to imagine myself as an 65-year-old retired alcoholic dude when I go there (actually, now that I think about it, that's not too far from reality...). Anyhoo, they have pretty tasty bar food, semi-decent drink prices (they have late-night happy hour specials - always a good thing!), and are good for a group outing. This place does get loud though, especially if you sit in the back at a table instead of a booth.
(3)
Giselle D.
terrible terrible service!
(1)
Jay S.
I have been to Old Town many times in visits to Ann Arbor. I like that its a good sized layed back bar where I can sit and share stories/jokes between my friends and feel like I am a part of something. It was a five star bar until my last visit. Four of my friends and I visited last weekend and although it was packed there was some seating available we just had to assemble it. So we snagged a small table up front, and grabbed loose chairs around the restaurant to complete our arrangement. The table wasn't quit big enough but behind a booth there was another small table, no chairs, no one using it and by grabbing it we had plenty of space. Our waitress took our order didn't mention anything about our makeshift table and chairs, which by the way did not look makeshift, and we went about our business. Next thing we know some troll looking waitress acting like she was the final say in anything that happened charged our table and stated that we stole a table that didn't belong in that section. Its a bar, there was no one waiting around us and the extra table was retrieved from two feet from where I initial table stood, not to mention it had NO CHAIRS AT IT. She continued to say we stole the table over and over like I had a sack of cash from a vault and I was walking out of a bank. Liz, the head mamma jamma there finally took over before I tossed salt on the slug accusing me of stealing furniture saving her from a tragic yet deserved fashion of death. Liz, by the way, is cool as hell and doesn't take herself too seriously and delivers on what a bar promises. I will go back to Old Town and will more than likely change this review to something better, but I don't take accusations idly, and the troll better watch her slug back because next time I won't stay quiet.
(2)
Haroun K.
Rather non assuming place. Standard pub fare. I had a good hearty sandwich. And the prices are not bad. The best part of the meal was my Cherry Coke: it was coca cola mixed with Cherry Grenadine, like it is prepared in a Soda Shop. I really appreciated that. Otherwise, there seems to be a fair amount of regulars at the bar. It is a good place to go for lunch or a drink, away from the State and Main crowd.
(3)
Nick H.
I've lived in Ann Arbor for 5 years and have never been here until last week. I know, I know, what's wrong with me? It wasn't until my boyfriend recommended it, as it's less than a block from where I live, that I finally tried it out. The food is good and I was surprised by the large portion size and inexpensive bill. The decor is the best though - a tin ceiling - lots of old pictures. It just feels like a classic pub. I'm definitely going back for late night drinks here. I can see it being a perfect place to go with a few friends and just spend the night drinking and talking. Can't wait.
(4)
hailey h.
all you need to know: don't order something fancy don't be a minor
(4)
Hong T.
Space is just right. Music is so so...
(3)
Art K.
Old Town rocks. It's entirely unassuming and casual. It has bar food that is better than average and, shockingly for Ann Arbor, reasonably priced. The burgers are good. The atmosphere is comfortable, with wooden tables and trim. Clientele consists of a variety of regular people, especially townies, and few annoying people. Even though it is not a destination restaurant, it's one of the few places I like to go for an inexpensive meal. It's a great hang-out, compares well with Ashley's but less student-y.
(4)
John L.
For some reason, this was the preferred post-workshop gathering place in my grad school days. A comfortably dim, nondescript neighborhood pub with decent enough fare (burgers, quesadillas, nachos, etc.). $2 PBRs. How we ended up at the Old Town I'm not sure -- probably because it was a bit apart from campus and so (we thought) safe from undergrads and obnoxious academic types.
(3)
Matt M.
This location has a cool, low-key atmosphere, and everything feels kind of old (pun intended). Even the TV on the bar is like, 1970's vintage. Also, there are cool old newspaper articles framed on the walls along with very old pictures and paintings. Lots of wood, too. I genuinely enjoy stopping in for a Bell's Amber, chillin', and not being jostled about (smaller crowd) and not having some crazy undergrad girls screaming at the next table (the crowd seems at least a little bit older). I have not encountered bad service there. They also have pretty excellent hamburgers if you're feeling like a bite.
(4)
Ben A.
Woohoo! As good as it gets! Yeah well... ...this IS Ann Arbor we're talking about. Best burger in town. They never EVER have kickass cheap drink specials, the servers are ... not necessarily the most alluring, but suitably chummy. Best burger in town. Southwest Salad is always good.
(5)
Kate M.
Dark (but not too), cozy, great drinks and a pretty impressive lunch and dinner menu. REALLY good sweet potato fries. Also, the prices are right. This is a regular lunch spot for my office but I've also been here on a Saturday night, post Michigan game and pre-Blind Pig show, with friends for drinks. On both occasions, I was a happy camper with the food, libations, and service. Thumbs up for a "new" old standard.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner, Late Night Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Doug G.
This was going to be the last stop of our night around 11:30 PM on a Friday night. There wasn't a lot going on, so we bellied up to the bar. We did not spend a lot of time in here, just long enough for one beer. The bartender was clearly over her shift and we were simply an nuisance to her. Normally you can tell when a staff is faking being nice, which is acceptable...because come on, we all do that! But here, she made no effort to hide her disdain for the night. We quickly drank our beer and dipped. Which was sad because we had heard great things about the place. Overall, the vibe was chill, decor was hometown-ish, the beer was cold, but the service was sadly terrible.
(2)Megan S.
If you ever see the fried chicken dinner on the black board, don't hesitate. Get it. Enjoy the most delicious, southern style fried gold that has ever touched your lips. Also, Jenny is the best bartender I have ever had. I would marry that girl.
(5)Paul W.
We pop in here for beers now and then. Ate here years back, couldn't remember if we liked it or not, so we went for dinner last night after hearing some good things about the food from friends. My wife got the burger--not bad, but a little dry for her taste, meat not the most flavorful. She did think the steak fries were quite good. For once I wasn't in the mood for a burger. Mexican sounded good, so I ordered the burrito with chicken and enjoyed it very much. A fairly standard bar burrito, but above average in flavor. The beans filling most of it were creamy and nicely seasoned, pleasantly contrasted by the chunkiness of the chicken. The tomatoes and lettuce on the side were fresh. Melted jack and cheddar thinly blanketed the burrito instead of threatening to drown it, as you see at a lot of places. Sauce likewise was restrained, even though I'd ordered the burrito wet. Less was more with this item, and I'd certainly order it again. As always, enjoyed the throwback atmosphere and the craft beer offerings. Service was pleasant and quick. A satisfying enough outing to warrant further exploration of the menu.
(3)Hart K.
Great atmosphere! Nice wait staff Best cheeseburger I've eaten in a long time! Awesome!
(5)Joshua M.
Gave me exactly what I wanted. It was wonderful. Got on the express train to Flavor Town.
(5)Amy B.
Townie Ann Arbor bar that's maybe a little less townie than it used to be. Old Town is good for bar fare (sandwiches, fries) and beer. They have a good variety of draft beers, maybe 10 taps, including several local brews. Old Town is also good for a groups, since it's rarely too crowded or too loud. It's not the flashiest place, nor does it have the most beer, the best food, or the hottest scene, but it's comfortable and pleasant and worth a visit.
(4)Billy B.
I really like the ambiance of this place. The menu is very standard bar food sandwiches. Honestly, their not great. Not bad, but nothing special. They have a great draft selection. The prices are a touch more than I like paying (15 or so bucks a pitcher). Again, not horrible, but there are better prices out there if you look. A big negative for me is no dinner happy hour. I would visit more often if they have a m-f Happy Hour at dinner time. Can't forget this. They have the best, prettiest waitress in Ann Arbor. Make sure you ask for Heather (ok, I might be a little biased since she is my lovely daughter).
(3)Chris G.
The waitperson named Liz should be a partner. Anyway, the fried chicken special on Thursdays is worth a special trip ... until, that is, they changed the recipe about a month ago., In a conversation with the owner about that recipe change, he told me that any Thursday when I wanted to order the "old recipe" that the kitchen would do it that way. I've never seen that kind of responsiveness. Five stars. And, order the old recipe if you want the best.
(5)Catie F.
In three words: solid bar food. The service here is adequate and polite, but nothing special. The menu is fairly small but does have something for everyone - even healthy eaters and vegetarians (think hummus with veggies, tempeh burgers, solid salads). The items we ordered came in good sized portions, featured fresh ingredients and were tasty. The beer selection is pretty good, but nothing like the other spots I mentioned. The setting is not memorable - doesn't really add or take away anything. Price is about right on for what you get. Old Town is a good back-up dinner spot on a busy Saturday night when Jolly Pumpkin, Black Pearl and Grizzly Peak have a long wait.
(3)Shweta A.
This place has pretty terrible customer service. The servers can be pretty rude and the food is bad. I went there a second time to give them a second chance but haven't been back since. The second time we walked in, the servers sighed that we had a large party! We turned around and left.
(1)Robin W.
I'm giving four stars because is really is a perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon watching a game, drinking a beer and surfing the net at. The service was prompt and friendly, the place is clean, music is chill, and chili is great. If the draft beer selection was a little more vast it would be 5 stars.
(4)Mark E.
A real "townie" bar and restaurant. Good, friendly service. Nice bar with a few good Michigan beers on tap at any given time. The burgers are good and the menu has a good variety of options. I like the "seat yourself" casualness and the warm and comfortable atmosphere. No happy hour, but Monday's are $1 off Michigan-made drinks (beers and mixed drinks).
(4)Martha V.
Solid, solid choice for food and a beer. They have good choices on tap, local stuff. That's a big thing for me. The service is excellent. Old Town is a very friendly, casual place - really comfortable to be in. I usually get the tempeh burger - very, very good. My husband experiments more with the menu and has not been disappointed. I've brought my parents here for lunch and they liked it, too. Old Town is a little off the main drag through Ann Arbor. You can usually get a table (we are usually in early before a concert so I'm not sure I can speak for prime time). There aren't a bunch of TVs or anything, so it isn't someplace I'd go to watch a game, but it is a great place for a bite to eat and a tasty craft, local beer.
(4)Vincent S.
Pub food that's okay. Basically treated like a number. I'm not high maintenance , just one refill would be nice. Waited long enough so that drinks and dinner needed to be taken at the same time - then forgotten till the food was brought out and check. It wasn't that busy and I was a party of two. It seemed the person who appeared to be the manager picked up on the neglect and tried to get our waitress to pay attention. Not a bad experience, just nothing special considering the options. I bet a larger party would get you better service. I used to be a waiter and sometimes the bigger tables meant bigger tips. But that shouldn't matter.
(3)R. L.
It was practically empty on new years after midnight. Service was rude and we ended up cancelling our order and leaving.
(1)Hannah S.
Walked right in on a Friday night and got a table right next to window, which was pretty enchanting, because the street was bustling with people, and Christmas lights are beginning to be put up. The atmosphere of the place is really good, reminded us all of the tv show "Cheers". Old timey, classy, but cool enough for a date night/evening with the girls. Had some pretty good chicken tenders and artichoke dip, alongside my cider (waitress recommended me get something on tap, which was cheaper/better tasting than what I originally wanted, yay honesty success). Place was a bit tight for space, but what can you say about a cozy place on a Friday night?
(4)Andrew D.
Very decent, not at all pretentious pub. Always have excellent small brewery beers on tap. Food is as you would expect from a pub; no thrills but always delivers. I always try and get a bowl of their chili with either a sandwich or salad. 3 stars is still good in my book. You can't go wrong but there are other places to try first.
(3)Patrick T.
Came here for lunch. Service is a little slow. Seat yourself, and the waitress will come find you. Ordered the grilled cheese with bacon added on (for 20 cents). The sandwich was good, but I could've done without the the flavorless tomato slices dripping out. The mushrooms inside are all right. It's grilled on pumpernickel, which was tasty. The sweet potato fries were very good. They were cut thin and came out crispy and flavorful. The only problem was they got cold quickly, given their high surface area to volume ratio. Easily solved -- eat them quickly. Friend had the tempeh burger, which came with their regular fries. He enjoyed it. Waitress was quick to refill drinks.
(3)Robyn T.
I love Old Town. There is nothing fancy about it and there are always friendly faces, great food, and good prices. Old Town is a regular spot for the husband and I, and we have never had a bad experience. I do love their burgers. They are always juicy and never overcooked. And they serve up a mean burrito too! Sometimes it's nice to get off Main Street and have a nice meal, a good beer and a great conversation. Old Town is just the place to do that.
(4)Annette J.
One of my favorite joints in town to get a beer and a burger. Usually busy but not so busy it's hard to get a table on the weekends and the food is pretty darn tasty. I love their aforementioned burgers which is my regular order although I have had the chicken sandwich (in an attempt to be healthy) and I found it to be way above average. It's nothing super special but it still tastes great. This can be hard to achieve with a chicken sandwich, you know. Nice and juicy. So high fives. They've got a rotating beer list of really awesome local and non-local brews plust bottled stuff like a very tasty cider that I most recently had (the name of which escapes me). Friendly bar and waitstaff, good prices, and did I mention it's easy to get a seat on a Friday or Saturday night? That is clutch. I dig Old Town. A consistently awesome spot in downtown A2!
(4)Aidan F.
Great service and amazing salads but there guacamole is artificial and not very good but it is not as bad as fast food resteraunts
(4)Natasha P.
Great little place in Ann Arbor. I had originally wanted to take my Grandmom and her friend to Grizzly Peaks, but the roads were shut for the Art Fair Car Show and my grandmom can't walk too much, so I dropped them off outside Old Town and found parking, while they went in. We had a late-ish lunch there, and I ordered a lemonade for myself, which came with free refills, My grandmom had a vodka and sprite and her friend had a vodka with apple juice, a bizarre but tasty combination. For lunch I ordered a Pulled Pork Sandwich, which was huge and a LOT of pork. It was perfectly seasoned and dressed without need of any additions, and I loved the coleslaw that came with it; sweet and tangy and a perfect compliment to the sandwich. Also, I swapped out my chips for some sweet potato fries and they were fabulous. My Grandmom's friend ordered the Tuna Sandwich, which he liked very much, though I think he enjoyed his sweet potato fries the most, and my Grandmom ordered the Grilled Cheese with Bacon, because it came with lots of mushrooms. I had a couple of bites from her and I really, really like it. Next time, I'm going to have the Grilled Cheese. The waitress was very helpful and friendly as was the bartender, with whom we had a little chat. All in all, a very delightful lunch and I hope to go back soon.
(4)Norma S.
Almost a three star. We had the burger and the cheesesteak, they were ok. Service was slow, go with extra time. No refills on any of our drinks. Basic just dropped off the food, we payed the bill and left.
(2)Richard R.
Great townie bar to get a beer, a stiff drink and a burger or nachos. They have free peanuts (if you ask) and booths that are great for foursomes. If you can stake out the two booths at the front, you can people watch and enjoy nice sunny days.
(4)Beth H.
Friend and I went for lunch. They were out of steak for salads and sandwiches. Menu is very small and not very interesting. We left and went to Lena up the street, instead.
(1)Jennifer H.
I wish the del Rio were still open, but this has been our hangout ever since. Ideally the music would be better, but I love the service & beer selection. And it's just a casual place to hang.
(4)Kelly E.
Old Town is one of my favorite places in 2A. It always has a decent crowd but it's not super packed, and you can normally grab a spot at the bar. The wait staff are really nice and friendly. They have rotating beers on tap, so there is always a good seasonal brew. Our table had one drink that just wasn't our style (Campari, gross. Live and learn.) and the waitress took it off our bill. That was unexpected and extremely nice. It's easy to sit in a booth for several hours, chatting it up. The prices are reasonable, so even a long Saturday night session doesn't break the bank. I recommend the Dark & Stormy, and the sweet potatoe fries.
(4)Sam G.
This here bar gets 3 1/2 stars in my book. Why? I like bars that predominantly service locals. I like my servers cheeky and seasoned. And I like the fact that after a drink or two, many patrons look mighty fine (if you're into the refined hip academic thing or the I'm-not-leaving-this-town-if-it-kills-me impressive determination of youth). Aaaand, if you go for a smoke outside you are bound to strike up conversation with someone, whether it be a street wanderer or other fellow patrons. Why not 4 or 5 stars? Well, this place, like most bars, has serious demographic changes throughout the day and night. But unlike most divey bars (I know I know, apples and oranges), if you come here early, instead of surly men drinking on their own, you are inundated with groups of business people eating after work or getting smashed at 8pm. Point being, if you come to drink and be merry, you might wanna come late. The well whiskey shots are generous and aren't too shabby. As many have mentioned, the beer runs cold and deep. And your pocket won't be emptied. In general, it feels like a place that's better either flying solo and sitting at the bar, or being with a 4+ group of friends. Pairs don't seem to work as well for me. Love, love the servers and love, love the unplanned encounters outside. Otherwise it's neither here nor there.
(3)Laurie M.
Excellent bar and pub. I can go here in any mood/apparel and feel comfortable and satiated in both food and drink. Everything (aside from one or two things) on the menu is made from scratch every day, including the chips and salsa and all dressings, and you can taste it. Eating here is something you won't regret.
(5)Joseph W.
Good food, good drink...Great Music! Stop bye Old Town on a Sunday night for some of the best local music in SE Michigan! You'll be glad you did!
(5)Jenna S.
Though I came too late to sample any of the food, the beer list was pretty impressive. The bar itself gets a bit crowded at night (especially on weekends) but that's to be expected I guess since it's a bit small. There's table and bar seating and smoking outside. Specials each day of the week and happy hour starts again at 10 p.m. to closing. I was glad the beer I was drinking was on special because it was cheaper as the night went on. I'd come back for more beers and good conversation with friends. Pretty happening place with a non-Frat Boy Douche Bag crowd. That's a hard crowd to avoid in Ann Arbor, but Old Town manages to keep 'em out.
(4)Jen F.
I don't think there is much that hasn't been said about his locale. I went there for the first time last night. They had a good beer selection and a great atmosphere if you are looking for a fun but not overwhelming night out with friends. The chili was great. I also tried the house salad. The ranch was good but the lettuce needed some life. Might have just been because it was so late in the day. Only thing lacking was service. The server missed out on easy opportunity because with a few more visits to the table she would have made more money supplying us with more alcohol. But all in all it was a fun time and I would like to head back in the near future. Especially for some good chili.
(4)Aaron M.
What a strange mixture of dive and veggie-friendly-chill-spot. Maybe those aren't really different things. When smoking was still tolerated, this place sort of killed me, but in the absence of cigarettes many of its charms shine more clearly. Personally, I like the fact that I often run into people I know here. I also like the feeling I have that somebody might get decked by one of the waitresses (not that they are unfriendly... just that they don't take shit). Good vibes. Part of what keeps Ann Arbor's soul together.
(4)Molly H.
This is the only bar I really like going to in Ann Arbor. And I love bars. Seems to cater to the mid-to-late 20s/early 30s set and locals, which is great. (Not an undergrad playground.) Awesome atmosphere--warm without being dingy; very inviting. Love the giant painting in the back. The drinks are made well, i.e. nice and stiff. I haven't had anything more complicated than a basic mixer, so I can't speak to craftsmanship on, say, a martini. Service is pretty good, a couple times I've had to wait too long to get my drink refilled or pay my bill and I've gotten unwarranted attitude a couple times, but normally it's very friendly and quick. Also, three words: pulled. pork. sandwich. It is wonderful. So wonderful. Besides that I haven't had much of the food, but what I have had I've liked.
(4)Sean H.
An Ann Arbor legend, for good reasons. Cool old bar vibe, awesome selection of craft brews, and the food is top-notch! Service used to be pretty sketchy, but in the past couple of years, that's really changed. Now friendly and attentive. One of my favorites!
(5)Jessie S.
I've found myself falling into these little ruts now that so much information is available through the internet. "What movie do you want to watch?" now turns into scrolling Netflix for 45 minutes and still not settling on a movie. "We should go out to eat" turns into my looking on Yelp for 45 minutes while my hunger level rises and I become frustrated with having too many options. It's times like these that having tried and true fall backs are so important. Old Town has instantly become my Ann Arbor "go-to" bar and restaurant. After all, what isn't there to like? They serve affordable food. They have a full bar. Their waitstaff is incredibly friendly (Liz!). What I particularly enjoy about their menu is how the portions match the price. In some instances like with the quesadilla and the nachos, half portions are available. The menu isn't overly imaginative, yet the food is consistent and tasty. If you're in the mood for something a bit on the heavy side, I recommend the tempeh ruben with sweet potato fries. I love sauerkraut! If you're in the mood for a lighter meal, the half order veggie quesadilla is perfect. Old Town is the perfect neighborhood bar and grill. It's great to have a fall back when I just want to sit down and have someone serve me some food and a beer and not have to over think it.
(4)Caroline C.
Although I wouldn't rate this restaurant 5-stars if it were in any city but ann arbor, it's the best restaurant in town so I feel like it warrants it in context. The food is really tasty, and the prices are reasonable (actually reasonable, not ann arbor's version of reasonable). Get the turkey reuben. It's the best turkey reuben I've had, and blows Zingerman's version out of the water. Another good choice is the veggie quesadilla, it tastes fresh and I like the generous use of corn and onions. The downside is the service. I have never been to a business that treats a customer so poorly. Although it really depends on the waitress, if you're not a regular be prepared for eye-rolling, deliberate slowness, and snide/terse remarks. One time I politely asked for a new plate because mine had old food on it and received a very obvious eye-roll from the waitress who gave me no verbal response and snatched the plate away. My boyfriend was floored and wanted to walk out. I can't really describe how bad of service I've experienced here because it comes across as exaggeration or fake in a text review, but trust me it can be BAD. Although I have to emphasize that it varies wildly by day and by waitress, and the first time I ate here I was blown away by how GOOD the service was. So, it's kind of a gamble. If you're going to go, try not to look like a college student and you'll be treated better. But anyhow, I still put up with the abuse to eat the turkey reuben, and the prices are some of the best in town.
(5)Debbie F.
I work in downtown A2 and this is my favorite place to get a cheeseburger and fries. They use Knight's meat and have great steak fries. Their sweet potato fries are tasty too. I get their Thousand Island dressing (homemade) for the burger and ranch dressing (homemade) to dip the fries in. YUM. The staff is nice and usually pretty quick at lunch time. Their fish sandwich with steak fries is pretty good too.
(5)Susan C.
Most of what I could say about Old Town has already been said. I've been coming to this bar for years, and it is truly my bar of choice. So much so that my work pals threw me a "showerette" (Bachelorette party/shower combo) there this past weekend. How great is it that Old Town let a bunch of loudly laughing ladies come in to party AND let us bring our own cake? Pretty awesome I'd say. Our server was so nice and helpful, and just added to the fun atmosphere. We got a few raised eyebrows from some of the crustier patrons. Luckily our twilight-themed party favors scared them off. I should say our "ironic" twilight-themed favors. The chicken sandwich with added bacon and cheddar I had was delicious. And the three or so long islands were as strong as they come. I do love the beer there too, but decided mixed drinks were the way to go that night. We got a seat in the back under the huge naked lady picture, but up at the front in the windows are the two best tables in the house.
(4)Patty K.
Really not sure why people are so into this place. It's unremarkable with mediocre food. I ordered chicken wings once from there and they were raw on the inside, but at least the staff were nice about it and took it off our check.
(3)Marissa B.
Old Town Tavern is one of my favorite spots in Ann Arbor. The bar is cozy and hosts a number of regulars, townies and grad students alike. When you enter Old Town your first responsibility is trying to figure out where to sit. You can always tell who the newcomers are because they hesitate in the doorway, unsure if they'll be seated or if they're supposed to just make themselves at home. You're supposed to make yourself at home. Occasionally on a busy night the manager will greet you at the door and assist you in finding a spot for your group. The bar fills the right-side wall in the front section, which is the smoking section. The back section is the non-smoking section, and offers a number of square tables and two booths tucked in the back, near the restroom. The mood is casual, people tend to sit at their tables and chat with who they came with - it's not really a place to meet new people, unless you are sitting at the bar. The lighting is low and not too harsh; I love looking up at the original tin ceiling and reading the history of the building, which is printed on the back of the menus. The crowd is a combination of townies and grad students, it fortunately has not been tapped by the younger, freshly 21-year-old crowd as "the place to be". Thank goodness! The drinks are usually well made and one of the great things about Old Town is that they have a beverage menu which actually lists out all the liquors they sell and what their prices are. How nice is that?! I love being able to know exactly what I'm paying for something ahead of time. Our groups are always happy with their food, the chicken sandwich and the sweet potato fries always seem to be a hit. The service can be spotty, depending on who you get, things can be pretty slow. However, if you're lucky enough to get Liz as your server, you will never have your needs unmet. She is spot on, attentive but not obtrusive. She recognizes her regular customers and greets them kindly, even when she's bustling about. BOTTOM LINE: A great place - fair drink prices, good food and a nice, relaxed atmosphere.
(5)mariah c.
There are times in life when what you really need are a few beers, a lot of friends, and some pretty unhealthy fried chicken. You're not going to find mind-blowing fried chix-stix here, but you will indeed find some of the most fried-up chicken tenders downtown, with some sauce options to boot. As Tara mentions, the brew here isn't made on-site, but they do usually keep some Bell's on tap, and in the summer, you're guaranteed a large slice (no slivers here) of orange for your Oberon. Friends? They're going to show up here. It's like some weird hive mind thing is happening. The same pals you ran into hanging out in that alley (yes, I hang out in alleys sometimes) last week will turn up here, as will folks who can fill you in on the results of the day's primary voting. You'll recognize that girl from the roller derby, but you'll also see some respectable gentlemen having a cordial business-y seeming beer. You'll hear about your friends moving out of town, out of state and out of the country here (hey, we live in Michigan, this happens). And then, if or when they come back, you'll probably spot them here too. I'm no bar fly -- I'm really only here a few times a month. But when I need some A-OK comfort food (kitchen is open until 10 most week nights, and 'til 10:30 on Tuesdays), a dose of brew and another stronger dose of friends, inspiring folks and acquaintances, this is the spot. I may long a bit for the Del Rio (RIP), but a place that had been among my top 3 from the time I started drinking in bars -- Old Town -- stands on its own merits. Between this and the Eightball, I think I'm comfy. Thanks, Old Town.
(5)Guillermo K.
Good service, good food (try the chili!), good drink.
(4)Robert C.
So simple. So unpretentious. Old Town really is one the best bars in the city for its laid back charm, stiff drinks, and good company. If you're looking to impress a date, I wouldn't invite them here. But, if you were looking to test whether they can enjoy good drinks in a low-key atmosphere where conversation reigns, then here's that place.
(4)Amy S.
Old Town is, no question, the "townie" bar. It's a block away from where I work, and directly on my walk home. Needless to say, I am there quite often. The staff is super friendly and wonderful, there are almost no d-bags in attendance, and I almost always run into people I know. For lack of a better description, it's sort of my "Cheers," although -- thank god -- not everyone knows my name and, generally, no one who does yells it out when I enter. The food is good too. It's not the Best Food You've Ever Had, but the sandwiches are tasty, the spin-art dip is tasty, the nachos and burritos are tasty, the soups and salads are tasty. Bottom line: I'd highly recommend it. One caveat to out-of-towners: I mean it pretty literally when I say it's the townie bar. I have seen servers be all kinds of rude to people they don't know. That said, I still recommend it. It's pretty much one of the most affordable, most laid-back bars in Ann Arbor.
(5)Tara R.
When I lived on the west side of Ann Arbor, Old Town was always my favorite bar. Of course, that was when I paid twice as much in rent and thought five bucks for a pint of beer was a perfectly good deal. Nowadays, I either want my bar beer dirt cheap or fresh brewed. Old Town offers neither. Nor does it offer particularly good (or particularly bad) food. The atmosphere is fine. I like the hardwood floors, paneling and booths and the old timey naked lady pictures. The place has character and that character is slightly stodgy, intellectual townie. The only time I go to Old Town is when one of my grad student friends is having a celebration. It can be a good spot for a crowd, as long as you can shove a bunch of tables together. The servers might get a little surly, but they're working hard. Liz is probably the best bar server in Ann Arbor. Tip her well. As Mariah noted, running into someone you know at Old Town is inevitable. This can be a good or bad thing, often both in one night. I imagine that if I were to leave Michigan and come back to Ann Arbor in five years, I would still run into someone I know at Old Town. And for that reason, I'm glad it sticks around.
(3)Shane M.
If you enjoy the atmosphere of a friendly, neighborhood pub, this is the place. The selection of beer and liquor is good, the burgers are excellent, and it's the only place I can think of that still offers complimentary peanuts. I'm pretty sure they're complimentary, anyway; either that, or the friendly staff have taken a liking to me, and have started giving them to me free. Either way, I'm happy. I'd like this place even better if there were a few more tables, and possibly a dart board, but you can't have everything you want. I'll gladly settle for a cold beer and a cheeseburger at Old Town.
(5)Holly B.
Old Town is a great go-to place for drinks with good company in a proper tavern atmosphere. I especially appreciate the menu, which actually lists prices for spirits and popular mixed drinks--It's never fun getting a check and seeing a bill much higher than you expected. This is a big plus for me since I'm not much of a beer drinker. If you are a beer drinker, then Old Town offers a respectable selection of beer and cheap pitchers (about $13) of Bell's, etc. I've not had a chance to try the food, but it looks reasonably priced and fairly tasty. The service can be a bit hit and miss, but other than that, I wouldn't be surprised if I popped in more regularly in the evening hours. Plus, I've heard from two sources that it's a good place to take your ladyfriends if you wanna get some action afterwards... Classy, innit?
(4)Marie H.
MAGGOTS FALL FROM THE CEILING ONTO YOUR HEAD AT THIS PLACE!!! Ok, that's not entirely true, but 'sky maggots' just has a better ring to it than Coleoptera larvae, (hey, I was an entomology major in undergrad)....In the interest of cleaning up my internet presence for fellowship interviews, I recently removed the bits of my Old Town interview that described having what looked like it could have been a pube muddled into the orange in my old fashioned. Well, I have signed my fellowship contracts, so screw it.... The last time I was here, a warm, 2 inch long beetle larvae dropped from the ceiling onto my shoulder: I was wearing an off-the-shoulder shirt, so it landed on my bare skin. I imagine that the little guy was just trying to keep warm up on that steam pipe near the ceiling, but EWWWWWWWWW! This happened a few weeks ago, and from time to time, I still feel that thing crawling on my shoulder. In public health school, we learned that if an insect infestation is in a restaurant to the degree that the patrons are encountering insects, it's likely HEAVY. Just keep that in mind....So, if you like hairy drinks and insect larvae falling onto you, check out Old Town!
(1)Aaron B.
I don't know why anybody would ever come here. It's a terrible crap shack with blah food, loud noise, heavy smoke, and poorly crafted drinks. The only reason people go here, I'm convinced, is because they don't know any better. If this place were in any real city then it would have closed down...either from lack of business or the health inspector. I've often been invited to go here for a meal or drink because of it's proximity to home and my evening hangouts downtown, and quickly learned to decline the offers. Regret coming here you will...unless you have no nose, no taste buds, and no common sense. In reference to Jen's review I will add: Is the whole place crawling with creepy maggots? You don't have to find larvae to answer 'yes'.
(1)Becki B.
Old Town is awesome. The inside is cozy and beautiful. The stamped tin ceiling is a great detail along with the gorgeous bar and the old framed pictures on the walls. Things really haven't changed much in the over ten years I've been going here, except I didn't see Jen or Phillipe last time I was in. If you'd like a little something to nibble on while you drink, the chips and salsa are fabulous. I've been known to stop in just for chips and salsa and accidentally meeting up with someone I know and staying for a drink or two.
(5)Dharma A.
A great townie place to have a beer or a drink.
(4)Sara G.
I miss the Del Rio sometimes. I really do. Old Town is (in my opinion) the Only Townie Bar Left in A2. The vibe is like opening an old book and inhaling the sweet aroma of the past with a leathery top note of the present. Aging hipsters watch the young ones with amusement, and the young ones watch as old farts try to pick up the yuppies. This place is welcoming and neighborhoody like no other bar in this city. My favorite bar in town, fo' sho'. The food is pretty good too! Try the beef nachos or a burger with that beer. Two down sides: 1. The garish sports-bearing TELEVISION above the bar. With sports bars aplenty in this town, why don't they just dial up a John Waters movie or Adult Swim? Still, this doesn't prevent me from huddling into a booth and making sweet love to a dirty martini w/extra olives. 2. SMOKE. This place accumulates and holds cigarette smoke faster than a pothead at an Amsterdam hash bar. The ventilation system (if it exists) needs work. I cannot WAIT until this place goes non-smoking (I can only hope!). But again, this doesn't prevent me from metaphorically copulating w/a concoction of vodka and vermouth in a corner booth. I just don't linger as long, sadly.
(4)Lisa W.
I had great service-livia I think was her name. The food was delicious. It was a cheers like environment and I will come back.
(5)Michael M.
Very nice looking bar on the corner. Looks the name, but quite snappy inside with wood floors and a nice bar. The booths are a bit smallish. The food is excellent. Quesadilla was amazing. The fish and chips are perfectly done. The batter tasted like a Guiness batter and was well done. Excellent chips, indeed.
(4)Rossie H.
This is my favorite bar in town. It has a wonderful neighborhood feel and the staff is really nice. The pours are generous and they keep good beers on tap. This is also one of my favorite restaurants in town. The food is delicious. I especially like the Quesadillas, the Turkey Reuben, and the Sweet Potato Fries. I don't like their deserts much, but you can't win them all, right?
(5)Jenn V.
I could totally be giving them more credit than they deserve-- I am friends with every single one of the cooks there, and have been hanging out there with them for years. First off, it is THE only townie bar in Ann Arbor in my book. It's so nice to get away from the obnoxious student bars and the Main St crowd. Just a nice, laid back tavern. Good beer selection, fair prices and heavy mixed drinks (for the most part, but it depends who is pouring that night). The food is good, but I wouldn't say great. My boyfriend loves the burgers, steak fajitas and reubens, and they get their meat from Knights. I have had just about every single thing on that menu, and can't stand eating it anymore. But that is my problem-- it really is a step above 'bar food'. Their clam chowder is fantastic! Served only on weekends, and I would only have it Fri or Sat.. by Sun it's a little uhhh, you know. I know they have a Happy Hour, but I don't know much about it. I think it's after 11pm during the week, and includes mixed drinks and maybe beer. But check out the table tents for more info. Most nights the music is provided via the staff's iPods, so it is usually pretty decent stuff. The buzz of the crowd on the weekends makes it so you can barely the music anyway sometimes. I do not recommend going on Sundays though. They have rotating folk-type bands, and the crowd is progressively older and hippier than usual. The music usually makes my ears bleed, and I if I'm there I will take off as soon as they start setting up for the band. Great place to grab a window booth, bring some cards and a few friends. I know it's smokey, but when will people get over the fact that (1) it's a bar and (2) it's Michigan, which has not banned smoking like some states. They do not have a ventilation system that I know of, so if you hate smoke but love the bar, go elsewhere. I don't think it gets that bad-- it's not like you are hit with a thick cloud as soon as you walk in the door. You will see people from all walks of life. Anywhere from young to old, hipster to grads, local workers and the real old regulars who were forced to find a new spot when Del Rio closed. Luckily, this crowd does not include the frat boys and dumb chicks that strut up and down South U every weekend in search of the next place to get a pitcher and "whoop it up" like assholes.
(4)David K.
I like the Old Town. I don't care what anyone else has to say about it.
(5)Tyler B.
I wanted to write a three word review for this place: Drink. Cheap. Good. But that's selling it a bit short. I mean not real short. But this place has sweet happy hours, the occasional troubadour in the corner, and a genuine local watering hole feel. The people who drink here seem to get it, and you're not surrounded by a bunch of d-bag frat guys or upwardly mobile dill holes in suits. You gotta keep that head on a swivel man. So yeah, want some cheap booze with your pals at a place with decent service and a real old school bar feel? Old Town. Drink. Cheap. Good.
(4)Steve G.
One of my favorite bars in town. Good selection of beer (including usually a Bell's seasonal or two) at decent prices. I usually don't order food here so I can't speak to that, but you do get free peanuts with your beer if you ask.
(4)Alicia M.
I suggested we check out this place on the recommendation of a fellow vegan (and a previous comment from an out-of-town friend that stated "I want to go THERE!" when we on our pre-determined martini crawl). By no means is this a "vegany" place, but they do have several items featuring tempeh (and good tempeh, at that), including a reuben, which I tried. I make my own reubens at home that are scary close to the "real" thing(using seitan and marinade, via a Chicago Diner recipe), and while these don't resemble those, I can certainly appreciate tempeh and 'kraut on caraway bread. My waitress picked up right away on the direction I was going when I ordered "no cheese" and asked if I wanted the thousand island dressing. Their version is very heavy on the mayo and not remotely vegan. I asked for mustard instead, and she stopped by later to ask if I liked sharp mustard, and brought me a jar of sweet/sharp mustard that ended up being a great replacement for the thousand island. My husband ordered the traditional reuben and said it was good, not outstanding, call your mom good, but a good sandwich nonetheless. They have a very reasonably priced alcohol menu (with actual prices listed...love not getting bill-shock!), featuring a decent number of local beers/liquors. The atmosphere is right on par with the name; it's a very cozy, homey, tavern. There were only a few others in there at the time, mostly at the bar, and they struck me as easy-going regulars. The food was good, the service was excellent, and I look forward to returning here in the future.
(4)Theresa T.
I am a faithful regular at Old Town. They have GREAT food. My favorite dishes include the Pumpernickel Grilled Cheese and the steak fajitas. **yum** The wait staff is fabulous, definitely sit in Liz's section and leave her a big fat tip, because she's the best server in town. That's right, I said it! THE BEST. This is a great joint for touring bands to stop by and grab some inexpensive food, it's close to live venues and you'll probably be seated next to the same people you run into at The Ark or The Blind Pig or where ever it is that you'll be playing. They feature live music every so often, so keep an eye on their schedule.
(5)Rebecca W.
Tonight was the big send-off for our co-worker and friend, who's headed across the pond for 6 months. We started at ABC with beers and some snacks, but some of us weren't ready to call it a night at....7:30. Tried to head to the Jolly Pumpkin for dinner, but the wait was 2 1/2 hours, so we wound up at Old Town instead. This is the third time I've "wound up" at Old Town when the wait everywhere else was too long, or everyone was being indecisive or argumentative about where to go. Clearly we should just start coming here on purpose! They seated 9 of us quite quickly (in the back corner under the large nude painting, of course), and we ordered a range of beers, booze, soups, sandwiches, meats, and appetizers. It's just chill here. The beer is decent--no pressure for it to be extra special, because they don't brew it--so you just pick what you like and you know you'll be happy. The food maybe took awhile to come, but with beer and good company, who cares? It's a little loud and a little smoky, as bars are wont to be, and if you're seated near the path of people waiting for tables, you probably get lots of butts and purses to the face. But if you can avoid/ignore that, it's just relaxed--good for hanging out and catching up. And eating. And drinking. My club sandwich was tasty--not too much mayo--and made me miss my friend JZ, a club sandwich connoisseur. The chips were fine, nothing special--should have upgraded to the sweet potato fries, but for some reason, after like five beers, felt compelled to save $2. I was right smack in the middle of the table, and I only wish I could have equally participated in the conversations at either end (the one about motorcycles, and the one about facial hair)....but if too much good company is your only complaint, it's a pretty good night!
(4)kelly w.
You walk into Old Town and here are some of the things you will consistently find: 1. "Starving artist" sippin' on a brew writing down new song lyrics in his/her journal-- isolated in the corner or solo in a booth-- how poetic. 2. Family sitting down enjoying their din-- kids playing with their food rather than eating it, but none the less, decently well behaved.. this isn't denny's folks. 3. 20/30 somethings gathering for some good 'ol fashioned pub chat. 4. Always friendly staff-- it makes you wonder if they pass out a valium with their time card. 5. kickin' chili-- get it. love it.
(4)Laura M.
Love, love, LOVE. The food isn't fancy, but it's delicious. There's a surprising selection for veg folks (good salad (FAB ranch), quesadillas/bar food, sweet potato fries, grilled cheese with veggies, hard-to-eat but very tasty veggie pita). Lots of beer on tap, not particularly cheap, but not overpriced, either. Probably in the $4-5 range for the pints I tend to get, lots of Bell's and other good things. I like the staff, even if some of them are occasionally salty, they're usually extremely nice and always part of the experience. Beautiful atmosphere, lots of old wood, few-to-no obnoxious people. Sometimes there's live music (Sunday nights?), and it's loud, but it's good. This place is my favorite.
(5)Ron F.
Nice bar with good selection of beers and nice, causal atmosphere, but the wings weren't done and the rest of our meals were bland and unappealing. Maybe we just hit it on the wrong night.
(2)Adam T.
Old town is the most adeptly named bar I've ever been to. Show up for dinner and, if you can find a table, you'll see the culmination of nearly every demographic in Ann Arbor-- from Ypsi people who can't afford to live in A2 anymore, to a family of five having their big night out "downtown". Look for the photo of the guy with a parasol and an eyepatch next to the big round table. That's Jamie Monger, former Old Town line-cook and guitarist for the Great Lakes Myth Society. On any given Sunday, you'll see town music staples play there: Jim Roll, Jamie's Brother Tim....the list is as long as it is grand. Their late night menu is one of the more tolerable in town, especially now that Leopold's is off the table. If you're new to Ann Arbor, a grad student at UofM, or just passing through, go here and you'll have officially arrived. It's one of a very few locales left in town that isn't 't homogenized yuppie crap. If it's packed, try the basement of The Heidelberg a few blocks away.
(5)Jeffrey C.
Old Town is a great stop. The place feels exactly how a local tavern should feel and their food is equally enjoyable. Adding in Sunday night music and this place is golden. If you need a place to go in Ann Arbor this is it, you won't regret it.
(4)Liz H.
I haven't been here since I was in school -- and yikes (!!), that's six years! But, I remember Old Town with fondness. I worked two doors down at Bella Ciao and this was the after-work spot of choice for all of us -- from 19 to 39. And yes, they did serve me before I was 21, but I think that was more a function of the fact that it was a townie bar and not many students (or at least underage ones) came in there. In fact, even though I went there so many times over the years with lots of great friends and boyfriends, my favorite -- or I guess I should say funniest -- Old Town memory is when some meathead in a summer class asked me out. He tried to take me to Mitch's, which, for the uninitiated, is one of the frattiest, college-y-est, cheesy bars in town. Well, the minute we stepped in the door the bouncer asked for my I.D. I was underage, but had a pretty bad fake and I handed it to him. He took one look at my I.D. and said, "This is fake," and put it in his pocket. I just went, "uhhhh...." and looked at my date. He said, "Where do you want to go now?" I had been going to Old Town after worked and loved it so I said, "Well, have you ever been to Old Town?" The guy looked at me and seriously said, "Uh, is it for OLD people?" Ahhhh hahahaha! No. It's not for old people. But I would say that it is for old-ER people. And that's a good thing. In the two years I went there underage, I was definitely the exception. And I think I passed because I looked older and was always there with people in their late 20s and 30s. I just love this place because it's laid back and so not a college bar. The food is pretty good, too. I don't know if I would go there specifically for the food. But for a late night bite and some drinks, that place just felt comfortable. Like, "ahhh, now I can relax...." A great after work spot for local restaurant workers.
(4)Lisa W.
First, grab the table by the window. It's a great spot to people watch, and also a way for your random townie friends to spot you and join you throughout the night. Then, order a beer and some beef nachos. This was a tradition with me and my crew. Even the 2/3 nachos are large enough to feed a couple of friends who need a snack fix. If you want to find a place on Sunday to hang out with someone but not have to talk to them, then try Old Town. They have live music and it's impossible to hear yourself guzzle your cosmo. Their menu is hit or miss. Their burgers are amazing, however, and they use Knight's meat. I would stay away from any of their burritos or enchilada dishes. A bowl of their chili with extra chips on the side is a great small meal if you want most of your calories to come from the tap. Did you order a beer? Then make sure to ask for your complimentary peanuts in the shell!
(4)Michael C.
You know, maybe if the WAB had food like this, I'd eat there more often. I like Old Town for a couple of reasons: as many have said, the decor is fantastic. It's like a mix between a British pub and a bar from a 1973 cop movie, you know, the one where the drunk gets thrown onto the street and while he's stumbling home the opening credits roll. Actually, that's how I felt every time I stumbled out of this place... but I was never thrown out. I've said before that Charley's is the place in town to grab a mixed drink. If that's the case, then Old Town is the place to grab a beer; they have a fantastic selection of brews, including some of my favorite Bell's. Orange anyone? The food is great. Someone else mentioned bar food; I'm not a fan of bar food by and large, since it usually consists of burgers, and I can't eat red meat all the time. I've also encountered places in Detroit and Ann Arbor, like WAB, who serve food but it's really hit or miss. OT isn't the sort of place that just heats stuff up in a microwave; they make the stuff by hand and it shows. I'd recommend the club, since it goes easy with any palate and it's super tasty to boot.
(4)Sarah W.
A cool chill place to get something to eat or have a few drinks. They have some pretty decent food. A burger made with knights meat and thick steaks fries which is really inexpensive. And there is some kind of spinach dip which is sooooo good. Don't forget to check out their food specials too, my best friend loved their friend chicken. They also have good LATE night drink specials. I can't remember the exact time but it starts at 11pm or midnight. Where they hell can you find deals at that time of night. You can hit up a bar on Main Street and on your way to Bab's fill up a bit here. Oh, and don't forget to get a window seat if your a townie. You never know what scandalous story may pass right before you eyes! Better than TV.
(4)Kristin B.
Old Town hasa cozy Ann Arbor feel, but without the Schmann Arbor pretension. The ambience is perfect - brick walls, tin ceiling, low lighting. The food is decent-tasting and even more decently priced. The staff is friendly, but definitely not overly-attentive (you may wait a while for food/drinks). Bottom line - if you want a bar with a local, casual feel, Old Town is the perfect choice.
(4)Erich Z.
Something tells me the 3-star reviewers don't get outside Ann Arbor much. This place is an unassuming pub, serving lots of different beers - not just your average MGD, Bud, and Labatt's. But a word here on pub grub. Usually, pub food is severely limited to a burger, nachos, pizza, and that's it. Maybe Ann Arbor is different on average, but it's really hard where I come from (Lansing) to find somewhere you can both eat a good meal and drink a few drinks. Not so with Old Town. The sandwiches are hand-made fresh, and you can't go wrong with their veggie sandwich or quesadillas. Not bad price-wise either. Actually, for price you could compare the Old Town favorably to one of those crappy TGI & Erma's chain joints, but the atmosphere and quality of food is sooo much better. And again, much better beer on tap. I could compare it to the Red Hawk over on State, but Red Hawk is so pricey for food it's silly. Yeah, it gets noisy, and that can detract from it a bit, but I'll admit our group isn't afraid to contribute to the noisy atmosphere either.
(4)Erik H.
I've been to the Old time several times now. The food was always good but the service can vary from night to night. The nachos are very good and their burgers are made using fresh beef from Knight's in town. The seating isn't the most comfortable in the non-smoking section but it is a bar after all. Recommended.
(4)Alexandra M.
This is THE BEST bar in Ann Arbor, no contest. Delightful staff and a friendly and amusing clientele populate this charming establishment any day of the week. Great happy hour specials on well drinks and a bartender with a liberal hand make nights (and days, if you're into that, and who isn't?) at the Old Town fun and raucous. And even though their late night menu is tasty and well-priced--$7 for artichoke dip? Yes please--the Fleetwood Diner is right across the street. Is your bar full of annoying people? Is it too expensive? Are the waitstaff huge douchebags? Fuck that, go to the Old Town. (Oh but don't go Sunday unless you like live folk music. I get that some people do.)
(5)Matt B.
As far as Ann Arbor pubs go, it doesn't get any better than this. While the menu could use some updating / sprucing up, the food is the best deal in a town full of overpriced restaurants. The burgers are outstanding for $8 and include fries. The meat is butchered locally at Knight's meat market. The grill cheese on pumpernickel is outstanding. Three cheeses, 2 mushrooms with or without bacon is a helluva grilled cheese. I have not had another quite like it. The nachos are worthwhile as well and filling. The beer selection is very good; not as vast as Ashely's, but good enough for discerning beer drinkers. Good scotch & whiskey selection too. For the money, this is the only bar in Ann Arbor, which is a shame. Almost every bar in this town is a complete rip off. While Old Town could be cheaper, I never feel ripped off. The service is generally excellent. If you are fortunate to get Liz as your waitress (she's been here 20 years now), you service will be above excellent. She often suggests another drink before you've finished yours, doing so in a way that is friendly & often humorous. This bar has only 1 tv, with the volume nearly muted. This is a bar for listening to your date / friends, rather than some incessant yacht rock or blaring sports announcer. This bar is often quite intimate, especially when the dinner crowd peels off. The decor is superb. No distracting beer advertising adorns any surface. Historical artifacts adorn a classic interior complete with a tin ceiling and hardwood booths. As I see it, this bar, along with Casey's, is the only one worth spending any time in.
(5)zin b.
This is the quintessential Ann Arbor townie bar. If you want pub atmosphere, skip the IBC-blessed, vaulty dark of Conor O'Neill's. This is the real deal. Friendly vibe, warm brick walls, historical photos, vintage paintings, pew-style booths, popcorn and peanuts. Writers, suits, musicians and actors, artists, business owners, students, hipsters, academics, techies and the occasional hippie (they still exist) rub shoulders with each other at the bar and in the booths. Sit on the bar and someone might actually strike up a conversation. You can walk in wearing literally anything from running clothes to goth to wedding dress, and you will fit right in. If you are an Ann Arborite for any length of time you will always run into at least one person you know. Old Town has a modest selection of beers on draft, some microbrew which always includes Bell's, and a small but well-selected back bar. There is a bar menu with actual prices for shots and mixed drinks (how cool is that). The menu skips around from vegan choices to bar burgers and full entrees and has not changed in decades. Soups are from scratch and always excellent. Salads are fresh and crunchy. (R.I.P. Salade Nicoise, c'mon bring that back.) There are dinner specials on the board and they will be competently executed. Some entree items have their roots in the folksy 70's and may not be as you expect. If you are a Dearborn-style Middle Eastern aficionado, the freshly homemade hummous here will seem thick and chewy, lacking tahini. If you are expecting conventional Mexican food slathered with sauce you will be surprised by the enormous burrito roll bulging with sturdy beans. Bar burgers are classic and comfortable and come with big, toothsome steak fries. If you like a basket of fried hunky wedges of Idaho spud that come hot out of the fryer, with those few translucent, crunchy, sinfully overfried nuggets -- these fries are for you. (FYI, those coated-in-potato-puree-fries: what is UP with that?? No, those are not 'naked fries,' they are some kind of food-service corporate po-mo deconstructionist update on what God obviously intended a french fry to be. I know, people like those. You won't find them here.) Wings come with the thin Frank's hot sauce, the uber-thick blue cheese dressing, and lotsa celery. If you like roots music, don't miss the Sunday night scene, where anything from singer-songwriter to bluegrass to jazz to acoustic pop happens at 8pm. Service at Old Town has an institutional memory. Some of the waitstaff have been at the restaurant longer than some of the patrons have been alive. They are not students doing a side job, they are invested in this place and in a small town called Ann Arbor. Don't sass them, tip well, get on their good side, and they will remember you and your favorite drink and appear out of nowhere when your drink is almost empty. Say hi to Liz for me.
(4)Coco C.
[Editor's note: I have actually lived in other places besides Ann Arbor, and by "other places" I mean "actual cities", and yes, this place totally deserves its middle-of-the-road three stars. Sorry, James C.] I like Old Town. I like to imagine myself as an 65-year-old retired alcoholic dude when I go there (actually, now that I think about it, that's not too far from reality...). Anyhoo, they have pretty tasty bar food, semi-decent drink prices (they have late-night happy hour specials - always a good thing!), and are good for a group outing. This place does get loud though, especially if you sit in the back at a table instead of a booth.
(3)Giselle D.
terrible terrible service!
(1)Jay S.
I have been to Old Town many times in visits to Ann Arbor. I like that its a good sized layed back bar where I can sit and share stories/jokes between my friends and feel like I am a part of something. It was a five star bar until my last visit. Four of my friends and I visited last weekend and although it was packed there was some seating available we just had to assemble it. So we snagged a small table up front, and grabbed loose chairs around the restaurant to complete our arrangement. The table wasn't quit big enough but behind a booth there was another small table, no chairs, no one using it and by grabbing it we had plenty of space. Our waitress took our order didn't mention anything about our makeshift table and chairs, which by the way did not look makeshift, and we went about our business. Next thing we know some troll looking waitress acting like she was the final say in anything that happened charged our table and stated that we stole a table that didn't belong in that section. Its a bar, there was no one waiting around us and the extra table was retrieved from two feet from where I initial table stood, not to mention it had NO CHAIRS AT IT. She continued to say we stole the table over and over like I had a sack of cash from a vault and I was walking out of a bank. Liz, the head mamma jamma there finally took over before I tossed salt on the slug accusing me of stealing furniture saving her from a tragic yet deserved fashion of death. Liz, by the way, is cool as hell and doesn't take herself too seriously and delivers on what a bar promises. I will go back to Old Town and will more than likely change this review to something better, but I don't take accusations idly, and the troll better watch her slug back because next time I won't stay quiet.
(2)Haroun K.
Rather non assuming place. Standard pub fare. I had a good hearty sandwich. And the prices are not bad. The best part of the meal was my Cherry Coke: it was coca cola mixed with Cherry Grenadine, like it is prepared in a Soda Shop. I really appreciated that. Otherwise, there seems to be a fair amount of regulars at the bar. It is a good place to go for lunch or a drink, away from the State and Main crowd.
(3)Nick H.
I've lived in Ann Arbor for 5 years and have never been here until last week. I know, I know, what's wrong with me? It wasn't until my boyfriend recommended it, as it's less than a block from where I live, that I finally tried it out. The food is good and I was surprised by the large portion size and inexpensive bill. The decor is the best though - a tin ceiling - lots of old pictures. It just feels like a classic pub. I'm definitely going back for late night drinks here. I can see it being a perfect place to go with a few friends and just spend the night drinking and talking. Can't wait.
(4)hailey h.
all you need to know: don't order something fancy don't be a minor
(4)Hong T.
Space is just right. Music is so so...
(3)Art K.
Old Town rocks. It's entirely unassuming and casual. It has bar food that is better than average and, shockingly for Ann Arbor, reasonably priced. The burgers are good. The atmosphere is comfortable, with wooden tables and trim. Clientele consists of a variety of regular people, especially townies, and few annoying people. Even though it is not a destination restaurant, it's one of the few places I like to go for an inexpensive meal. It's a great hang-out, compares well with Ashley's but less student-y.
(4)John L.
For some reason, this was the preferred post-workshop gathering place in my grad school days. A comfortably dim, nondescript neighborhood pub with decent enough fare (burgers, quesadillas, nachos, etc.). $2 PBRs. How we ended up at the Old Town I'm not sure -- probably because it was a bit apart from campus and so (we thought) safe from undergrads and obnoxious academic types.
(3)Matt M.
This location has a cool, low-key atmosphere, and everything feels kind of old (pun intended). Even the TV on the bar is like, 1970's vintage. Also, there are cool old newspaper articles framed on the walls along with very old pictures and paintings. Lots of wood, too. I genuinely enjoy stopping in for a Bell's Amber, chillin', and not being jostled about (smaller crowd) and not having some crazy undergrad girls screaming at the next table (the crowd seems at least a little bit older). I have not encountered bad service there. They also have pretty excellent hamburgers if you're feeling like a bite.
(4)Ben A.
Woohoo! As good as it gets! Yeah well... ...this IS Ann Arbor we're talking about. Best burger in town. They never EVER have kickass cheap drink specials, the servers are ... not necessarily the most alluring, but suitably chummy. Best burger in town. Southwest Salad is always good.
(5)Kate M.
Dark (but not too), cozy, great drinks and a pretty impressive lunch and dinner menu. REALLY good sweet potato fries. Also, the prices are right. This is a regular lunch spot for my office but I've also been here on a Saturday night, post Michigan game and pre-Blind Pig show, with friends for drinks. On both occasions, I was a happy camper with the food, libations, and service. Thumbs up for a "new" old standard.
(4)