219 Bar and Grill

well where to start. i seen this location in its infant state and watched it open as a typical cool sports bar which was good. . I had the honor of being a regular here for a month or two before it got overran by local bikers and thugs from Gary and East chicago. At first this was your typical lake station place decent food a little overpriced beer and drinks at first but the prices have bee adjusted since . beautiful staff and alright owner. I had the privilage of talking to the owner Dan I believe is his name and he told me of the gameplan he had for this location family rest. during the day/sports bar at night. I thought to myself cool a new hang out just a few blocks from my house. Previously this was a gay bar. There no longer signs of that as the place was renovated from top to bottom. On occasion I would walk by and lend a hand with debri or talk to Dan and he would inform me of all the things he was doing to get opened. He saved alot on labor as the work was done by mostly family and friends he said...first thing I thought shouldnt pros be doing the work but we are in Lake station so Im sure there are ways around all that red tape but anyways back to my review. I honestly hope this place changes or sells to new ownership at first I would come in and they had a typical local sports crowd and it was nice and quiet and it was a good atmosphere with nice bartenders and limited menu. I dont know what happende in the months to follow but the scenery changed like the wind. This place went from one extreme to another. It went from having rock and a variety of music to dance club style and hardcore rap and techno type music. The clintele also changed the crowd is more edgy and looks intimidating..more outsiders and from gary and East chicago were coming in. Which was ok but then fights broke out and cops were involved and some how the local bike gang is involed in all this. I have since stopped going I given the joint one more try but when I came to the door the door guy told me I coould not wear my cowboys hat because of the cowboys star logo. So I says I walked from home will you hold it for me in the back office. He said no so I left it on a table outside. I walk in and music is blaring out of control and I feel a moment of disapoinment. I see many young possibly underage hoods with saggy pants ,caps with logos and tatoos everywhere. In the corner there was some type of card game going which Im pretty sure was not legal. The crowd was ruff and edgy and very drunk and almost chaotic. I order my self adrink from Vanessa a cute local girl and she gave me the beer which the price had changed from the last time I was in there no biggie a quarter more but people look for consistentcy in drink prices and here they are all over the map. I have not been back since. I just go to Nortons or the Tap house which are excellent places and well ran and local friendly. All I have to say is I hope the 219 bar and Grill changes its curent ways before it gets closed down. I understand that this atmosphere brings in a quick dollar but at the expense of losing local customers and neighboorhood distubance. So if you have a date and want to take her out for a nice coktail or good food I recommend the TAp House. If you are looking for a good fight or card game stop by the 219 bar and grill. Very disappointed with ownership and management for letting this place be overan by the local bikers and hoods. Iknow my spelling is bad but ohh well.