Free Press readers share their favorite Macomb County dive bars

Fried bologna, music bingo, cheap beer.

Macomb County bar patrons know what they like and aren't afraid to make their opinions known.

Submitted by readers of the Free Press, these Macomb County dive bars are a testament to the adage that some things only get better with time. While they might not boast extravagant decor, these establishments have carved a place in the hearts of their patrons over the years.

Many of these bars claim to have the cheapest beers and the best burgers in town, but we'll leave that up to you to decide.

A list of readers' favorite Wayne County dive bars can be found here, while the Oakland County list can be read here.

If you submitted an establishment that is not featured, it's likely because they either declined participation (in true dive bar fashion), exuded a vibe that didn't quite fit the dive bar category or the list simply grew too extensive to accommodate all submissions.

More:Cheap drinks, shabby decor and good times: A list of metro Detroit dive bars

Fourth-generation owner Heather DeBruyn runs Frank's Eastside Tavern in Mt. Clemens, a dive bar in the basement of an old farmhouse — hence the low ceilings. Its liquor license is No.1 in Macomb County, the first one issued after Prohibition. DeBruyn's grandfather established the bar in 1933; her grandparents lived upstairs as they operated the business, and so did her parents. But when DeBruyn took over, she turned the upstairs area into an office space.

Their limited menu has not changed in decades. They are known for their fried bologna sandwiches, burgers and cold beers. Happy hour is Monday through Thursday from 3-6 p.m. Live music is usually available on Saturdays, but that is on hold for the summer. A juke box is available, and you can see the famous Frank's apron on display, which belonged to DeBruyn's father.

Wilson's Cafe is housed in a building that was built in 1885, and they have a historical plaque from Mt. Clemens to prove it. The bar has been known as Wilson's Cafe for at least 30 years; current owner, Doug Anderson, purchased the place this year and kept the name.

Wilson's is famous for its perch dinners, which is represented in their logo: a fish in a martini glass. As for drinks, there is something on hand for everybody and they claim to have the cheapest beers in town. A pool table and golden tee are available, as well as a horseshoe league hosted every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.

This bar in Chesterfield has been around since 1963 but became known Bigg's Bar & Grill when current owner Michael Venditti bought the place in 2001. They are best known for their chicken wings, burgers, rotisserie ribs and giant pretzel. Better yet, all the bread, burger buns and pizza dough are made in house, from scratch.

Bigg's has a daily special: a quarter-pound hamburger with French fries and draft beer for $4.99. As for drinks, you'll find a full bar and limited tap beer.

Along with two pool tables, dart boards, and horseshoe pits on the back patio, patrons can enjoy karaoke every Friday and Saturday, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Serving patrons since the 1940s, Waldenburg Bar is a beloved establishment in Macomb Township. The Stark family has owned the bar since 1971; current owners Troy and Cheri Stark met here 30 years ago when Sheri was a bartender and Troy's parents owned the business.

"All you see on the sign from a distance is BAR in big red letters," said frequent patron Vicki Schembri. "Of course, you can read the rest of it once you’re practically on top of it. This tiny little place has great burgers (and) onion chips."

Other popular items at Waldenburg Bar are their Philly steak and crispy chicken sandwiches. DJ trivia nights are on Wednesdays, and you'll find karaoke here on Saturdays — DJ Payne is known for including new customers into the karaoke rotation.

McClenaghan's Pub is your typical corner dive bar in Shelby Township, operating since 1931. Jimmy Walker has owned the establishment for about 30 years, which is best known for its hand-pressed, fresh burgers and onions rings. Specials often include fish and chips, chili, the meatball sub and more.

Customers can enjoy a wide selection of craft beer, bourbon and other drinks from the full bar menu, all offered at great prices. McClenaghans Pub also boasts a pool table, darts, keno and a large patio with seating.

Best known for its juicy cheeseburgers and $2 domestic drafts, Club FT in Roseville is the place to be. While it used to be more of a biker bar, it has grown into a reputable and peaceful place, said current owner Adelle Tuskey. Originally purchased by her and her mother in 1988, Tuskey took over on her own when her mother died at the end of 2018 and has worked the bar for 35 years.

Club FT has just about anything you'd want to drink, at a low price too. “It’s like the cheapest bar all the time, always," Tuskey said. "I never change the prices."

The space, originally built as a bar in the 1940s, has some entertainment options, including pool, darts, two TVs and sometimes a DJ on the weekends. Tuskey said her customers are often the ones to DJ, playing whatever they like. There is often a big turnout for Monday night wrestling, as customers like to watch the competitions.

Lumberyard Pub & Grub is a family-owned business with fresh and delicious food, lively entertainment on the weekends, and plenty of cheap drinks. What's even more wholesome — the couple that currently owns the place met there years before it became theirs. Jim and Darlene Luis are the current owners, along with their daughter, Tasha Luis. They purchased the bar around 11 years ago, but the location has been a bar since the 1970s, when it was originally built. Darlene has worked there for more than 25 years and met Jim long ago when his band was performing at the space, known as TJ's Lounge.

"I was lead singing in a band at the time and she was the day manager. I had never met her, but we were playing one night, and she walked in the door and I can still feel the hook in my mouth where she hooked me," Jim said.

Because Jim has been a local musician throughout his life, live entertainment became a major priority for Lumberyard. They often host performances on Fridays and Saturdays from 6-10 p.m. with a range of music from classic rock to Motown to blues. If you're lucky, you might even see Jim perform, as his band is in rotation for every 6 to 8 weeks.

“One of our features is our lumberjack sandwiches which come in a variety of Italian, turkey, corn beef, and roast beef. The secret to those sandwiches is we bake the bread for the sandwich when we make (it)," Jim said.

They also slice the meat and cheese for the sandwiches on site. Other popular menu items include burgers, which are bought fresh from a local meat market, fried mushrooms, and fries. As for drinks, Lumberyard serves beer by the bottle and keeps it on ice prior to serving. The bar has a daily happy hour from open to 7 p.m., with low prices available. Pool, darts, golden tee, a small patio with picnic tables are also available. The building has two garage doors opening to the patio, creating an open and airy feel.

Tracy Deryckere and her mother, Linda Doner, have owned and operated Eastpointe Pub since 2008, but the bar itself has been there for more than 50 years, Deryckere said. Frequented by firefighters, nurses and police officers, some patrons may remember that the bar was once known as East Town Lounge around 30 years ago.

With a pretty extensive food menu for a dive bar, Eastpointe Pub's kitchen typically stays open until 1:45 a.m. Customers particularly enjoy the Pub's Big Burger, the DogHouse Cuban sandwich, and wings. You'll also find $1.25 domestic draft beer here until 6 p.m., every day.

Eastpointe Pub is decorated for every holiday, and often hosts parties during the holiday season. You can enjoy some karaoke on Friday nights. A pool table, a dart board and a poker machine are also available for entertainment.

Town Pump Bar and Grill is a family-run business with a rich history dating to Prohibition. The bar, originally starting in the basement of the house across the street, was a blind pig, said current owner Eddie DiMaggio. When Prohibition came to an end in 1933, the owner at the time, Leo Riedal, eventually purchased the current building in 1941.

“When the prohibition was repealed, it became the second legal bar in Macomb County. Number one being the Eastside Tavern in Mount Clemons," DiMaggio said. “It’s the second-oldest continuously operated business in the city of New Baltimore. The number one is the barbershop."

DiMaggio purchased the bar in 1999 and his wife and two sons help out with the business. Popular menu items include pump fries, which are deep-fried red-skin potato cubes covered with cheddar cheese, green onions, and bacon. Customers can also enjoy the build-your-own burger station where they can choose their bun, meat, cheese and toppings. For drinks, all domestic bottles are discounted from 2-4 p.m. On tap are 21 draft beer options from which to choose and more than 70 brands of beers, seltzers and other bottled drinks are available, around $3 or $3.50 per drink.

Town Pump has indoor and outdoor seating with a small patio, pool, darts, keno and a jukebox. DiMaggio said he loves the history that comes with the building as it's something you won't find elsewhere at corporate chains and newer locations. Generations of families have sat at the same greasy bar stools and looked at the same old clock on the wall.

“We have a clock in here that was built in the 30s and it broke about five years ago. The customers were not going to let me not put that clock back up," said DiMaggio. "They said my grandpa and my great grandpa used to look at that clock to go home at night and you have to put it back up.”

Kristine and Dean Schmitt have owned Kozy Korner Saloon, a small-town dive bar in the heart of Armada, since 2015. Kristine's father purchased the building in 1969, which was previously a post office originally built in the late 1800s. The bar features a small outdoor patio, free pool, darts and a jukebox.

The most ordered item on the menu is the 1/2 pound, fresh, never frozen, Kozy burger; customers get to customize their toppings. Wings are also popular and are 50 cents a piece on Wednesdays. Happy hour is 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and 9 a.m. until midnight on Wednesday. You'll find an array of beer products here, including hard cider from Blake's Orchard and Cider Mill.

Contact Nour Rahal: [email protected]