Detroit bar before the show

[Walsh75]

None unless you have a "Fake ID". Gotta be 21 everywhere usually.

MAYBE you can plead your case and tell them who you are meeting and MAYBE they will give you an under age wristband to let you in. Sadly not many places do that too often anymore, but it can't hurt to call ahead and ask.

[lizzytysh]

I would think if they serve food they would let you in, j... has it gotten that strict there, Walsh? If you were visiting with a family... I mean c'mon ... and all the way from the U.K.!?!

I sure hope so. I sure hope to meet you and maybe you could come in with us??


~ Lizzy

[Walsh75]

Yes it has. That is prime location for those bars due to the Tigers, Lions, and concerts always in the area. They do not want to risk getting shut down in a sting operation by Michigan State Police over under age drinking.

AND as of a few mintues ago, Detroit has a new mayor. Long story, but due to the City Charter after disgraced Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was thrown out of office months ago, there was an election today (Tuesday May 5).

Former NBA player with the Detroit Pistons, Dave Bing, beat interium mayor Ken Cockrel. Bing will be sworn into office sometime later tomorrow.

[jamie2304]

but do you think i could come in and not drink? rather have the company and just have a sprite...Maybe I could come and meet you guys outside, is it far from the theatre. If i get turned away i get turned away I suppose, but if I have a soft drink do you think it will be alright.

Thanks for answering questions
jamie

[Walsh75]

IF everyone decides on The Town Pump it is a block or two from The Fox itself.

All you do is walk out the main Fox doors. Then you walk left, then make another left. The street it's on is called Montcalm.

Again not sure on the exact rules, but maybe they do the under age bracelet deal to still let you in but not drink if you choose to explain your situation or not.

Here's the website: http://www.thetownpumptavern.com

[ladydi]

Hi Jamie,

It will be wonderful to meet you! Wow, coming all the way from the UK. First of all, see if you can make it to the Fox theatre by 630pm for early entrance. If you already have your ticket tell them that you're a member of the Forum or fan club and they should let you in. A few of the band members should be in the lobby between 630 and 7, when the doors open to the general public. We'll listen for your accent! Or, keep an eye out for a helium balloon....that will be me and come on over and say hi.

Yes, as Walsh says, the bars in that area are VERY cautious because none wants to lose their license, but having said that I don't see why you can't come in with us (we're all waaaaaaay older than you!) and have a soft drink. It will be great to hear your perspective! The Town Pump, as Walsh says, is not far away and as we're leaving the Fox I don't think we'll have any problem hooking up in the lobby.

Have a safe trip and see you in a few days!!

All the best,
Diana

[ladydi]

Will-Call people, I have no idea. Hopefully you guys were given some sort of reciept and can show that as your proof.

Hi Walsh,

Re the parking...we all should have the confirmation print out indicating they are will-call tickets. Hopefully they will accept that for parking. If not, we'll just head someplace else, but the $12 is pretty nice for downtown!

See you soon!

Diana

[lizzytysh]

Hi Jamie ~

Are you a young man or a young woman? If you could PM me with your full name, that would be helpful, too. At least then when I say we have a young friend coming from the UK, and that we'd like for you to be able to come in with us after the show; if they ask for your name, I'll be able to say more than "Jamie" . When I get home, I'll call the Town Pump and whatever the other place is that we're going [how does Leonard keep up with himself on this tour !?!] and try to talk to the owners; explain the situation [along with our ages]; and ask if we can get permission for you to join us. How's that? It seems prior requests and arrangements like that tend to work better than trying to talk the host/hostess/bouncer into something as you're standing at the door.

Will you be eating with us at The Fox ahead of time?


~ Lizzy

[jamie2304]

I am a young man, my full name is Jamie Jackson. I have to pick my ticket at the theatre but would love to come and eat with you before if thats okay? Are you all meeting in the foyer at six thirty, I'll look out for a helium balloon.....

Thanks again for all your help

[lizzytysh]

Hi Jamie ~

Thanks for the info. Actually, we're meeting at The Fox Grille/Restaurant/whatever it's called... it's within the same structure or right next door... something like that. We're meeting there [Diana will clarify] between 5 and 5:30. You'll be able to find it very easily and you could meet us at the front door. We'll still be the ones with the helium balloon . We're still trying to go on the cheap a bit and avoid the 18% automatic tip for reservations of 6 or more, and we're at 5 right now... however, I've no doubt that they'll have tables that are right next to each other, so if need be, I'll sit with you at a neighbouring one and maybe some others will, too. There's some other fellow from the U.K. that's going to the concert, too... "hotm" [Stephen], a Londoner... he says he wants to join in for the post-concert drink... perhaps, he'll opt for pre-show dinner, too. If not, no problem... we'll figure a suitable seating arrangement that will work all the way around.

I'll get back with you tomorrow on the outcome for the Town Pump. It just seems like they might go along with it, if someone agrees to assume responsibility [guess who... and NO SNEAKING! I take these things seriously... ]


~ Lizzy

[jamie2304]

Not to worry, if you have five already i can always come find you afterwards or something. See how we go

[lizzytysh]

Not trying to pressure you; just want you to know that you are unequivocally welcome to join us, Jamie. There's no reason for you not to come eat with us. We're liable to end up with another table of 5, anyway. As I've waitressed a lot in my life, 15% is standard for me, anyway... and 20% if it's good service... so another 3% could end up saving me money . It's just the principle more than anything, I think.


~ Lizzy

[hotm]

Hi - yeah, dinner before the show sounds a great idea - look forward to meeting people then. Not long now..........
Stephen

[lizzytysh]

Hi Stephen ~

That's great ! See... got our second table of 5 started already. I'm wondering who else might be around. Wondering, too, if someone needs/ought to make another reservation under a different name for 5 or under. Or, if we should just go with more and pay the 18% . That is a lot, especially for anyone coming from an area where it's not customary to even tip. What's 18% on 2 salads and a pizza, Diana ?

Well, I just called The Pump and the owner's not there; doesn't come in after hours because he has children. So, I explained the situation to the girl on the phone who said, "Who's Leonard Cohen? Is he a comedian?" Dang! Missed my opportunity. Shoulda said yes. Well, got it sorted, anyway. You have to be 18 to be in the bar. They'll card you at the door, but as long as you're with an adult, you can get in... still can't drink, but at least you'll be there, Jamie .

So, we'll be the ones with the balloon arriving sometime between 5 and 5:30... it seems like we were aiming for 5:15.


~ Lizzy

[ladydi]

Hi Lizzy,

That is TOO funny! Is he a comedian? Well, wait until we all crash through the doors of the Town Pump and are talking about the concert....perhaps we can set them straight!

So glad Jamie will be able to come in with us! Thanks for calling the Town Pump. I've been somewhat computer-limited the last few days because we are training and tied up in the evenings! Actually feeling the beginnings of Forum withdrawal.....shaking fingers, sweaty palms, difficulty breathing....yikes...

Only a couple of days now!

Diana