The Eastside Tavern Mt. Clemens Oldest Bar. A Historic Blind Pig
The Famous Eastside Tavern Bar
Mt. Clemens oldest bar. A historic Blind Pig left over from Prohibition. A real basement bar. The Eastside Tavern has a long and colorful history. A basement was dug out under a small farmhouse near the Clinton River over a century ago and the locals used it as a gathering place to visit with friends and enjoy cheap beer.
How It All Started
With the passage of prohibition and the Eighteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution in 1919, the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors became illegal in 1920. This made the secret basement bar an ideal location to sneak a drink without the feds knowing your business. The bar supplied the community with a good time throughout Prohibition until the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment.
The basement speakeasy bar was named “The Eastside Tavern” in 1933. After the rezoning of Mt. Clemens in 1981 the bar was grandfathered into the town’s charter and made official. The bar holds the oldest liquor license in the county. It is still hidden under that small white farmhouse with a sign near the front covered stairway into the basement and the parking lot next to the house.
Front Entrance to The Basement Bar
The Bar is one of the Detroit area best best-kept secrets. It still hides away under a private residence like it did during prohibition. The 15×30 space is a small bar and a few tables. Watch the low ceilings for anyone much over six feet tall. If you want a seat to watch the band on Saturday nights you better get there early.
Eastside Tavern Can Cozy
The Eastside Tavern also received a 1919 historic marker.
The “basement bar” holds the oldest liquor license in Macomb County. The tavern features wood paneling, Tiffany lamps, and a cozy feel. Many friends have come throughout the years to play cards and enjoy the good food, drinks, and even live music tucked away in the corner.
The Bird Is The Word
Eastside Tavern Frank with The Bird Mark Fidrych
There are several photos throughout the tavern of old-time regular, Mark Fidrych (aka “The Bird”) who pitched for the Detroit Tigers from 1976-1980.
Eastside Tavern is currently owned and run by 4th generation family member,
Heather DeBruyn (who is Frank’s daughter and Jacob Highfield’s great-granddaughter). Heather took over Eastside when Frank passed away in 2017. Heather is doing an awesome job keeping the tradition alive at the Eastside Tavern and hopes to pass it on to her two daughters one day.
Bartender for Monday Funday Khatina Breiss and Screamin Scott WCSX
The Menu Is Unique And Tasty
Eastside Tavern Menu
Philly Cheese Stake at Eastside Tavern
October Scary Music Favorites To Rock The Halloween Season
October Scary Music Favorites To Rock The Halloween Season. From planning a party to rocking the trick-or-treaters. Are you ready for the upcoming spooky season? Nothing quite brings it all together like a jamming playlist. After planning a great costume for this year, you’ll want to play some tunes that will make everyone happy. To help you bring your spooky holidays I’ve compiled a list of killer Halloween songs. Nothing kills a party nowadays like karaoke Michael Jackson’s Thriller. Great tune if you let MJ sing it with Vincent Price and do it by themselves for 5 minutes and 57 seconds. If you want to be really scared listen to my show on WCSX
The Sounds Of The Season
How many remember having this album as a kid or visited a haunted Halloween house in the ’60s, 70’s’80s, or 80’s that used these “Spooky” sound
Who Can Forget Our Halloween TV Hosts?
Sir Graves Ghastly was always a favorite on Detroit TV. Actor Lawson J. Deming for the popular television show of the same name. Sir Graves was a vampire movie host who would do funny skits There Breaks. The best part is you can’t say the word Sir Graves without thinking of his haunting laugh. Sir Graves Ghastly (Lawson Demming) was on Saturday afternoon on Detroit WJBK-TV 2 from 1967-1982. There is a stone sculpture dedicated to him at the Redford Theater Check out by clicking here
A Halloween Tradition Was Always The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
“The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” started its run back in 1965. It’s part of my childhood forever. Sure, I could throw on the DVD easily any time of the year. But who plays DVDs much anymore? My DVD player has dust on it. Another reason I loved the Halloween special was the music soundtrack by jazz great Vince Guaraldi. Vince cornered the market on Halloween and Christmas music that is so recognizable to the ears when you listen you know it’s the Peanuts music. So this year, we are going to feel like Charlie Brown, as we are getting a rock this Halloween.
The GHOUL HALLOWEEN SHOW
My childhood hero and King and Leader The Ghoul. Ronald D. Sweed (January 23, 1949 – April 1, 2019) was an American entertainer and author, known for his late-night television horror host character “The Ghoul”. Stay sick, turn blue, scratch glass, climb walls do it while you can but don’t get caught.
The Scary Songs Of The Halloween Season
Born in Mt Clemens, Screamin’ Scott has been a part of the Detroit airwaves for 30-plus years. With 40 years of experience in radio. When he’s not out on the streets for WCSX, you can find him devoting time to local charities with his, “Screamin Angels”; and for 16 years with Rock 4 Tots charity. And last 10 years with his local band, "Chit!." Screamin Scott likes to write about nostalgic Detroit area memories, classic rock, and local metro Detroit topics.
