Blarney Stone Pub

My husband and I met up with friends here the other night, which was my first visit in a long time.  Wow, I was pleasantly surprised.  I don't remember them having so many beers on tap before, and at really good prices!  It's a friendly, casual atmosphere perfect for catching up with friends or catching a game.  They have free popcorn and a fun jukebox.  I have never eaten here but I'm sure I will soon, since we will definitely be coming back.  I especially enjoy the large parking lot adjacent to the bar.  There's no fighting (or paying) for a spot like in Ferndale or Royal Oak.

I have been coming to Blarney Stone at least once a week for a couple months now for name that tune Tuesdays and Quizzo Thursdays. These nights can get pretty busy, yet the service is usually friendly and quick. Beer is cheap and their food is good for bar food. However, last night, our server had one of the worst attitudes I've ever witnessed.

I was pretty sure I didn't feel like drinking last night, and I didn't. When I picked my friend up, he said he wasn't either. We had spent Saturday night and Sunday morning/afternoon in East Lansing (he is an MSU alum) celebrating St. Patrick's Day. We both indulged quite a bit and really just weren't feeling it. He had to pick his friend up from the airport around 1 AM last night anyways, so we were both kind of designated drivers.

We arrived and our team's table was full. We started to pull up chairs and our waitress suggested we move the table so there was more space. I sensed kind of an attitude, but didn't think much of it. They need to be able to move around. We each ordered a water, and I got a chicken Caesar salad. The waitress responded with something to the effect of, "That's all you're getting? Water?" ... "The game is free, but it's not free to be here." We were both shocked and taken aback to say the least. My friend said he thinks the same waitress has beef with him because last week or the week before, he ordered a $2 PBR and tipped her 50 cents, but I digress. I've been to a lot of bars all over the place and I've never heard a server say something like that. Maybe she was having a bad night and we just caught her at a bad time and set her off, but I don't think that was the appropriate response. It's not like it was a full house and we were taking up two seats that could have been occupied by paying/tipping customers. The other 8 people at our table were all drinking and some were eating. The salad was good, not as great as the Caesar at Duggan's, but still good. I was still hungry after I finished it, but I'm always hungry. Anyways, I downed my first water and she brought me another one. He finished his too, but another one never came. He said he was afraid to ask for another one. People shouldn't be scared in a business. They should feel safe and welcome.

Other than this one experience, Blarney is pretty cool. $2.50 20 oz Labatt Blue or Labatt Blue Light drafts, and if the Red Wings score, you can get a 20 oz draft for $2 or a 12 oz (I think) frosted mug for $1. I believe the same goes for when the Tigers score. Tuesday nights are 1/2 off pizza and 6 PBR 16 oz cans for $12. They have nightly events and specials.

I hope this was just a one night thing. I'm thinking about ordering just water if she's our waitress on Thursday to test her. Or maybe not, it might just push her buttons. I probably won't.

I like to consider myself a dive connoisseur. Okay, let's be honest, I like to drink for cheap where I don't care what I look like. I love Blarney for the transparency of this place. They don't pretend to be something they're not, the staff are friendly, and they don't take themselves too seriously.

It feels like it's permanently 11 PM in that place for whatever reason. As a previous poster brilliantly put it, it's like getting drunk in your uncle's basement.

If you're a local, you'll run into other locals. I have the pleasure of running into my high school teachers here. I also ran into Rich from Hardcore Pawn one time. It's pretty awesome and people who haunt this place are generally friendly.

The food is hit or miss, but what do you expect from a dive? My favorite drink is probably the "mocha mocha" to start off my night - it's white and dark chocolate Godiva liqueur with coffee and whipped cream and it is fantastic. Every time I drink it people ask me what it is - don't know why their specialty drinks don't get more love, especially since they all are about 5 - 6 dollars.

Anyway, I recommend this place if you want to take your friends somewhere you don't have to drive far or you just don't feel like spending a ton of money. Drink specials are great, come check it out.