Liberty Bar

I had always heard great things about this place and how nice of a bar it was from all the older folks so one day I decided to try it. Went on thursday for karaoke and although it wasnt too busy, everyone there sang so it was a good rotation. (Karen does it there Thurs). Went back next week, same story.

Read about a job available in the Metra and decided to give it shot. I live in Warren mind you so it is not a short drive. Went up there on friday and they were even slower than on thurs. Talked to the manager who was apparently up there drunk (and this is a common occurrence so i've been told) who told me to come the next day to talk to the owner and meet some people. It was leather night so i got dressed up a little for it and went up. It was Sat and even emptier than friday was! They also apparently cancelled it last minute and wouldnt give drink discounts to those who dressed up. Owner wasn't there, manager wasn't there. Bartender wasn't friendly at all. Wasted my gas when they had my number and could have called. But stuff like that happens when your manager is a drunk I guess...

Staff and clientele told me they are never busy except when they have strippers there on sunday. Otherwise the bar is dead with guys 50+. From what I've seen and experienced at the bar it is easy to guess the reason. It may have been great back in the day but their standard has seriously fallen and when the old folk crowd finally go they wont have anyone to replace them.

Literally the only place to eat that I found open in Pontiac on a Sunday. It's like you people have never heard of brunch before! Ridiculous! Why I am in Pontiac, Michigan on a Sunday however, is of no concern to you. Next question!

So I walk in and there's nobody there. Shocker. The one guy working there by himself is blasting some pop/dance song. Doesn't even notice me and my friend walk in. He was rocking out though. I guess I can't blame him, it being slow and all. Whatever.

So we sit down. The menu is a little weak. Some sandwiches. Some burgers. Some fried finger foods. Not one single thing jumped out at me. I ordered a house salad and a turkey reuben.

I should have nothing to complain about with the salad. The menu literally says "fresh greens, onions, and tomatoes." That's exactly what I got. But man did it suck. The fresh greens was just some chopped ice berg lettuce. The onions were sliced white onions (WHO PUTS WHITE ONIONS ON A SALAD?!). And the guy must have sliced up an entire tomato for the rest of this salad. Far too much. There was not enough balsamic vinegar in this bar to add some taste to this salad.

The reuben is what really offended me, however. This turkey reuben came on just some toasted wheat bread it seemed. No rye in sight! the thousand island dressing was bland and runny, which made the bread soggy. And it was served with tortilla chips! TORTILLA CHIPS! This is freaking sacrilege. Not to mention the dip that came with them. I still have no idea what it was. Spinach dip? French onion? What the hell happened to my reuben?! WHERE AM I?

Grumble, grumble, grumble! Why aren't you more awesome?!

I love a gay bar. I love Pontiac. I want to love you Liberty. But when seven tiny shrimp show up drowning in butter (or was it supposed to be olive oil?) and sprinkled with miscellaneous burned floaties (garlic?), what can I think? My date paid eight dollars for that?

We went with someone who had been a regular here a while back, and he was disappointed to see it so empty on a Friday night. He also told us they've changed the menu, had a little cry in his beer about it. (Looking at older reviews I can see it's true--they don't have the jambalaya or Mark's Italian sandwich anymore.)

But in all fairness, my husband's sandwich was good, and our bartender kept the drinks coming. The place is clean and they had the disco balls and laser lights going. Fun music.

So it wasn't that bad. Maybe if I hadn't ordered the shrimp? Maybe if they were hosting one of their events (karaoke, service industry night, s.t.u.d. sunday...) I could have seen more of what the Liberty has to offer?

Gonna put her on the back burner for a while. She deserves a second chance.