ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor will soon have its own slice of New Orleans, thanks to a new concept opening in early October.
The North Star Lounge, 301 N. Fifth Ave., is set to bring a casual, New Orleans-style bar to Ann Arbor, with a focus on showcasing small artists from a variety of genres. The lounge, the newest concept from the Detroit Street Filling Station, also claims to be the first all-vegan bar in Michigan.
“We’re open to being challenged on that, but we haven’t found another vegan bar,” said Andrew Brown, the lounge’s artistic director.
The menu includes barbeque jackfruit sliders, galette pastries, seasoned popcorn, pasta salad and a variety of desserts. Beer, wine, cocktails and non-alcoholic mixed drinks will also be available.
When Phillis Engelbert, owner of the Detroit Street Filling Station, first rented the space, she was mostly using it for storage.
“Soon after the pandemic started, when it became clear this space would become available, I snagged it, knowing that we would want to use it for something,” Engelbert said. “…It didn’t take long before we thought, ‘Hey, this space could be a music venue.’”
The restaurant still hasn’t figured out storage, she added, laughing.
North Star Lounge will focus on small, acoustic acts in genres like contemporary jazz, bluegrass and boogie-woogie piano. The venue’s inspiration came from a recent trip to New Orleans taken by Englebert and other staff members.
“Ann Arbor has long been a really good musical market, but an odd musical market,” Brown said. “…We have a world-renowned folk venue. We have a gourmet restaurant and jazz club. But it’s been a long time since Ann Arbor has really had a sort of smaller, intimate venue.”
Rather than focusing on ticketed events, the bar will allow people to wander in and enjoy the music, similar to the venues in Louisiana, Brown said.
In addition to repeated appearances from artists like boogie-woogie pianist Mr. B, the venue will also host weekly themed night such as “Hot Club Wednesday” and “Bluegrass Friday.” LGBTQ night will see events like trivia or bingo.
Although the venue will not charge a cover for most events, it will be taking a “honor cover,” a pay-what-you-can model directly benefitting the artists. The honor cover helps the lounge pay artists while still allowing the venue to be accessible to everyone, Brown said.
Engelbert said she is hoping the venue will be both a walkable neighborhood bar and a more casual music venue for the city.
“It’ll be a little cool, a little swanky and very casual and fun,” Engelbert said. “That’s the purpose. It’s not stuffy. You don’t have to stay in your seat. You don’t have to be wealthy. You don’t have to be connected. You just come.”
North Star Lounge will host a grand opening event on Saturday, Oct. 1, featuring local artist Olivia Van Goor. The lounge will be open from 5 to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with live music playing from 7 to 10 p.m.
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