Downtown Ypsilanti has become bare, with Pub 13, Savoy (once known as Club Divine), The Best Damn Sports Bar, J’Neil’s and Key Stone Underground Martini Bar all closing within a short span of time.
Depot Town however, just got a new bar up and running. Woodruff’s is located next to Frenchie’s and Sidetracks, and just opened Nov. 29.
Eastern Michigan University alumnus Hasan Mihyar rented out the Frenchies banquet space to open this bar.
When you walk into Woodruff’s you enter a darkly-lit room with music playing. Walking further in, you can warm up in front of the fireplace located in the middle of the room.
Unlike some bars, this one is clean. There is a stage, a few tables in back and a bar at the side with sitting and standing up.
Mihyer studied international business and graduated from EMU in 2008. Since then, he has worked in retail as well as the food and bar industries.
“This is my baby, and it is mostly for the community,” Mihyar said. “I do not make any profit.”
There is a $5 cover, but all of the money made goes to the bands and DJs who play, the employees and the rent.
“The Frenches have been an amazing help, as well as the City of Ypsilanti,” he said.
Bartender Nina Cislagha, who formerly worked at Savoy, said she loves Woodruff’s and would not go back to Savoy or any of the other bars associated with Savoy.
“It does suck though, all of those bars closing is taking business away from Downtown, and with everything closing it might turn into a more dangerous area,” Cislagha said.
There will be food at Woodruff’s, but the kitchen isn’t ready yet. They are, however, stocked up on their alcohol. Cislagha said they love their whisky and Pabst Blue Ribbons over there.
“Woodruff’s is a crazy hybrid of Savoy and the Elbow room,” Andy Garris, who runs Woodruff’s and also previously worked at Savoy, said.
There is always music playing, but it doesn’t stick to just one genre. The age range is pretty diverse as well. According to doorman Ryan Hampton the crowd usually ranges from 18-35 years old.
Cislagha and Garris did bring one thing from Savoy to Woodruffs: a bunny head. Apparently, the story is people like to put this pink bunny head on and run around the bar. The bunny head is sort of a mascot for the workers seeing as it has followed them from one bar to another.
“The rabbit is awesome,” Garris said. “It has character!”
Ross Sears, an accounting major at EMU, thinks Woodruff’s is a nice addition to Ypsilanti.
“It has a good atmosphere,” Sears said.
Mike Serra, an EMU alumnus, said Woodruff’s is the beginning of Ypsilanti creating more culture.
Scott Berick, another EMU student majoring in social studies and history, said Garris is the reason he was at Woodruff. A lot of people seemed to know Garris, and came to Woodruff’s, because of Garris. Garris just has that personality.
“This seems a lot like Sidetracks, but unlike Pub 13 and the other bars that closed, they actually sell alcohol,” Josh Smith, a junior at EMU said. “They have the alcohol that I want.”
Woodruff’s is open all week and depending on the day, there may be a band, a DJ or karaoke.
During break Woodruff’s will be hosting Mitttenfest, a community music festival.
The proceeds of the festival go to 826michigan, a non-profit writing and tutoring center based in downtown Ann Arbor. Check out Mittenfest at Woodruff’s or online at http://mittenfest.org for more information.
