Paycheck's Lounge

Full disclosure, my band played Paycheck's Lounge. Well, not even sure there needs to be disclosure, as bands are just customers that get to see the ins and outs of the whole club!

Paycheck's in Hamtramck hosts bands, has a pool table, a light show that could be in a Russian Disco, and is generally still a Polish bar in an area still very much Polish. Beer is super cheap, befitting a dive bar- why not belly up to the long blue bar and see some bands? You might just see the next Nirvana or White Stripes, you never know!

Avoid this place like the plague. First time I went, my friend had his iPod stolen out of his zipped jacket pocket when he went to use the bathroom. A few years later, I went to a show and the guitarist had his guitar stolen, read a note he wrote on FB:

First of all, I want to thank every single one of you who called places, looked in pawn shops, reposted the story on your walls, etc. It really means a lot to me. I'm still completely shocked that I was able to have it returned to me. Extra special thanks to Eve for using her Hamtramck muscle in finding the name of the man who took it, and scaring the bar into returning it. Amazing.

I'll spare everyone the details, but the guitar was traced back to a person who lives in the apartments above Paychecks. When confronted, the bar employees became visibly nervous and surrendered the guitar thirty minutes later with some far-fetched story that the warm, in-tune axe was just found in one of the back alleys some five and-a-half days later. Yeah right.


Bottom line: Paychecks was involved directly in some way or another. Whether it was prompting the guy to do it or simply covering it up, They are definitely guilty of working together to find the opportune time to take it, and denying their knowledge and involvement. Therefore, any hard-working musician that values their equipment and the respect of other fellow musicians should avoid playing at Paychecks at all costs. Paychecks has always been known for being essentially a dump, but let my personal experience serve as tangible evidence that validates just how worthless that venue is.

It seems like every band in Detroit has at one point or another played at Paycheck's.

At least, any band that does something like rock.

If you're going to catch a random show here, expect a low cover charge and a pretty full bill of bands - they usually schedule four bands, but I've seen up to six in a single night. Not a bad bang for your buck!

And really it's convenient for me since it's a few blocks from my house.

It's your typical Hamtramck dive on the inside. What's not typical are the beer prices - you can get domestic bottles for $1.50, which is pretty good considering many of the other places are charging about $3 in town.

In all, it's a fantastic place to visit. Unlike the Alvin's, the staff is pretty friendly and courteous, which is exceptional for a dive.