I wanted to hit some dive bars and get some cheep drinks before dinner. We went down to union street because someone told us that there would be three bars in a row. They all pretty much fit the description of what I was anticipating.
This bar in particular I chose to stay the longest since they had a  sunday bloody mary bar at my disposal which was nice. The bloody bar wasn't any thing special. The bar contained a few bottles of mary mix, spices, peppers and pickels. The best part the price was only $3.50 a drink. All the drinks for that matter were fairly priced for all night drinking binge.
The place had abundance of flat screens for the sports enthusiast. The place seemed to be more of younger college crowd looking to drink and of course the few older regulars. The place was your typical shot and beer ambiance. The place and patrons seemed a little edgy for my taste.
The service was a little awkward. The server/bartender was eating when we arrived and didn't seem bothered by the fact that we sat down. I felt like we were intruding on her dinner. The staff should never eat at the bar in front of patrons. It was a little disgusting but she acted like it was perfectly normal. This leads me to believe that other bad habits might be acceptable as well. I wouldn't say that this is a reason to stay away, Â just something they should be aware of when customers are present.
Luckily, I didn't stay long because of a reservation at another restaurant. There are many options to choose around  the downtown area and I believe your wise to spend your money elsewhere.
Bootlegger's is attached to Dillingers, both located on Union Street in downtown Traverse City. The bar itself is bright, with a neat tin roof ceiling. Sadly, that ends my pro's list. The atmosphere is stuck somewhere in 1998, with music from said year, stale decorations and staff that is typically cynical and slow.
The only reasons I show up here: Â
a) I'm being dragged by someone else
b) I feel like seeing akward high school aquaintances whom I haven't spoken to since, well...high school
c) There is an air raid and I need to down my last beer, eat stale popcorn and listen to some KHQ.
But I keep going back! Something's got me hooked. With new pubs poping up downtown, however (see my 7 monks review coming soon!) Bootlegger's may be scramblin' Â to stay relevent. Til then, I'll be at the back, near the bathrooms snapping my fingers to Blind Melon.
Bootleggers, part of the notorious "doublewide", along with Dillingers, is the best place to go if you want to deal with bad noise, popped-collar and/or amateur MMA dudes, aggressive/rude bartenders (literally every time i've been there), and a general ambiance that seems to incubate hostility. Â As a local, i only go here if someone else drags me there, and i'll admit, if you have a big enough group, it's tolerable. Â but if you intend on going solo or with one or two other people, i've never felt less welcome in a bar. Â oh yeah, if you feel like seeing a fight, this place is your best bet.
Review Source:Ok - this is not a high class kind of place - just free popcorn, peanuts and cold beer. Great place to stop by after work. 40ish crowd until about 9pm then it gets 20ish. Â The food is good and reasonably priced but they could have a larger menu. It is joined together with Dillingers yet each has a different type crowd depending on the evening.
Review Source:Bootleggers.
Sigh.
One of those places that, despite prior knowledge, one (me) keeps going back to with the thought that it couldn't be any worse than the last voyage.
And I am wrong...as usual.
Granted, July 4th is NOT the night to head to Union Street. I blame my younger brother. The crowd was "post-fireworks" and "pre-Cherry Fest," which is a dastardly combination of fudgies, dynamite, alcohol and sweat.
All joined together at this very overcrowded bar. I'm sure on a different night it would've been better, but this is not the place to be if you want 1. fast drinks 2. a seat 3. to leave with a shred of dignity.
I asked my cousin (age 27) how she felt...
Me: So, hmmm, this is all sorts of awful, eh?
Her: Yes, I am disenchanted.
Me: Well said.
Her: Time to go.
Yep. The second star is for the staff, as I truly think they were bustin' ass to get people drinks.
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