Halfway Inn

I like this place. I like the vibe, and everything. I think EQMC people are a bit snobby though. At least, to the New Beat Happening crowd.

The first show I went to here, I left bored to get a sandwich from jimmy john's. When I came back, which was nice enough that it was allowed, I came back in time for some punk to try to steal money after jumping on stage and 'rapping'.

It's nice to have some of the Detroit bands out in ann arbor, but if you have a car, it's nothing you couldn't see every week in Detroit or Ypsilanti.

The Halfass holds such a special place in my heart, that I'm not sure that a simple review can really do it justice.

Sure, it sucks that that new management came in a few years ago and painted over a lot of the old scribblings.  The place has luckily regained more posters & records covers, etc. to adorn the walls.

You know what?  The kids here are still kinda the same -- at least in all of the important ways. When I played a show here a coupla years ago, I met a super-cool gal who reminded me of a reflection of myself at 19 or 20 -- into poetry and rock and roll.  We chatted about X, and I knew that the Halfass was in good hands of this next generation.

This is where I ate many greasy pounds of tempeh and curly fries in school.  It's also where I poured my broken 19-yr old heart out to friends working behind the counter, then used my meal card to buy and down an entire pint of Ben & Jerry's.  Not too much later, I got to do my laundry (the washers were right on the other side of the wall) while watching Low.

Throughout the years the EQMC consistently brings in great bands -- both local and touring. They also provided a home for the first few ever Bang! dance parties.  

I first spotted my current sweetheart here. I brought him along to a show here to get the official stamp of approval from a best friend while seeing Saturday Looks Good to Me.  Who knows -- without the trifecta of the Halfass, the Pirate House (RIP), and the downtown A2 Kinko's, my life may have taken a very different course.

But thankfully, the Halfass was and remains there -- providing delicious greasy-ass food, pretty reliably great people, and a little incubator for musicians and students with plenty of all-ages shows.

Lovingly called "The Half Ass", the Halfway Inn was in effect back in '98 when I was a freshman, and it is still kickin' it.  I fondly remember their chix sandwich being a deep fried heaven and their curly fries would be what nourished me in dark times.

What is especially great about this place is the fact that is also is a great venue.  You will get some great bands through here.  It is the best aesthetic for the college crowd -- the peeps who don't want to go to Rick's across the street.

The decor is much like the livingroom of your cool indie rock star uncle who never needed to grow up.  Lots of worn, well-loved furniture and vinyl are strewn across the place, as well as tables where you can sit and study or eat.  I also remember having a crush on most of the people who worked here.