…But Some People Still Call It the Double O Pub

By Anison Roberts | May 7, 2026

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In 1999, members of the band DownTown Brown took me to a bar called the Double O Pub. They said they played there occasionally. At first glance, it looked too small for live music. I was wrong.

I went back for an open mic night and saw how much life that tiny stage could hold. The room didn’t just fit musicians—it amplified them. I caught sets from some of Detroit’s finest players, along with a few names that carried real weight beyond the neighborhood.

Before long, they talked me into performing there myself. That’s when it clicked: the Double O wasn’t just another bar—it was a hidden gem. Behind the bar, Mike hustled to bring in top-notch acts. On any given night, you might see bands like Choking Susan or N2 Submission, maybe even a touring act passing through—and more often than not, there was no cover.

These days, the Double OO goes by a different name: The Fireside Inn. The live music isn’t as frequent, but when they book a show, they still know how to build a lineup. And unlike a lot of places, they don’t spike drink prices just because there’s a band playing.

At its core, the Fireside Inn is still a neighborhood bar—Keno on the screens, drinks that won’t break you, and the occasional night where you can catch a solid live band for $10 or less. Try doing that anywhere else without paying the same for a watered-down domestic.

Stop in on a Thursday or Friday afternoon and you’ll find Heather behind the bar. She’s easy to talk to and part of what keeps the place grounded.

Just don’t ask when the kitchen’s reopening. The manager, Gary, isn’t interested in that conversation—and he won’t hide it.