Goblue Member Username: Goblue
Post Number: 1074 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Saturday, February 02, 2008 - 10:08 pm: | |
Does anyone remember a bar located somewhere downtown called Mermaid's Cave...in the early-mid 60's...it was advertised as the noisiest bar in Detroit...everyone was given drum sticks to pound on the tables to keep time with the music...a fun place...can't recall exactly where it was located...or how long it lasted. |
Jman Member Username: Jman
Post Number: 113 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Saturday, February 02, 2008 - 11:27 pm: | |
On Library, behind J.L. Hudsons. |
Caldogven Member Username: Caldogven
Post Number: 151 Registered: 05-2006
| Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 12:46 am: | |
Goblue - Jman almost has it right. It was behind Crowley's east of the library. It was down stairs and there were sticks with balls on the end and you kept time with the music by beating them on the table, or when you wanted another drink. I remember being there one night and when I left, my car ran out of gas, I had to walk to Woodward and about Vernor to find a station that would let me have a gallon of gas without leaving a deposit! |
Jman Member Username: Jman
Post Number: 114 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 7:48 am: | |
Let's see, it's the 60's and I'm heading south on Woodward and turn left on Grand River, what's that building on the right? It's J.L. Hudsons. I continue heading east on Grand River and I come to a point where Farmer Street and Library Street converge which is directly behind Hudsons. I turn right on Library and go a short half block to find Mermaids Cave on the east side of the street. Just North of the Library which is on the corner of Library and Gratiot and also behind Crowleys. I think Caldogven and I are both correct. We just arrived there from different directions. |
The_rock Member Username: The_rock
Post Number: 2121 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 8:04 am: | |
They had a pretty good DixieLand band that played there and then in the old Newport Hotel on E. Jefferson. What was the name of that group? |
Jman Member Username: Jman
Post Number: 115 Registered: 10-2006
| Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 8:36 am: | |
An old acquaintance and co-worker used to play clarinet in that band before he became an asst. d.a. They also played at the Red Garter on Washington Blvd. Their name doesn't come to me right now. Thanks Rock, I'll probably be awake for days trying to remember the name. |
Jimg Member Username: Jimg
Post Number: 992 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 10:46 am: | |
Doug Jacob's Red Garter Band. |
Leob Member Username: Leob
Post Number: 114 Registered: 10-2005
| Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 2:39 pm: | |
Dougie Jacobs!! I remember him from all the MDA telethon's. I did not realize that band got its name from the Joint The Mermaids Cave must have been in the building were Vicente's is now (approximately. Sounds like a swingin' place... |
Goblue Member Username: Goblue
Post Number: 1077 Registered: 03-2007
| Posted on Sunday, February 03, 2008 - 3:25 pm: | |
Thanks folks...good memories of the M Cave...I remember being there one night with my roommate...he was pounding on our table with his stick...the ball flew off into the lap of a good lookin' sitting with her friends at the next table...she handed it back to him saying, "Excuse me...I think you lost a ball."...they chatted...he bought her a drink or two...I drove home alone and didn't see him again until the next afternoon...the Cave was a fun place in the 60's. |
The_rock Member Username: The_rock
Post Number: 2122 Registered: 11-2003
| Posted on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 8:40 am: | |
Red Garter Band. Thanks Jimg. I see they still have a website of their own so maybe they are still going strong. "When the Saints Go Marching In" Time to get out those sticks again. |
Ditman Member Username: Ditman
Post Number: 36 Registered: 05-2007
| Posted on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 9:31 am: | |
I remember the Mermaids Cave from the 60's. I think it was refered to by some as a "black & tan" club-racially diverse clientele. I went by myself after turning 21 in 1964 & thought it was so cool & sophisticated. Of course I had the same opinion of myself at that time. I remember there was a musician-sax player-King Bartel Dynamo of the Sax that played Mermaids frequently. Excellent music. Anyone remember seeing him? |
Norwalk Member Username: Norwalk
Post Number: 194 Registered: 11-2006
| Posted on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 4:03 pm: | |
I do remember those sticks with the balls on the ends. But not from the Mermaid Cave. They were called "knockers" at the old strip club Bensons at mound and Davison |
65memories Member Username: 65memories
Post Number: 523 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 4:12 pm: | |
Was Mermaid's Cave also called The Red Garter and located on Library later in the 60's ('66 -'69)? That's when I remember seeing Doug Jacobs and the Red Garter Band. |
Jimg Member Username: Jimg
Post Number: 993 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 1:00 pm: | |
I have a picture said to be taken at the Mermaid's Cave in the late 50s (I think) with Joe Henderson and other modern jazz musicians. Does anyone remember hearing 'modern jazz' at the MC? |