Fifth Avenue Billiards is at 215 Fifth Ave., Royal Oak. The phone number is 248.542.9922
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I've heard the argument that the Detroit area club scene is a shell of what it once was, that videos, X Box, the Internet and other such diversions have eroded the very fabric of Motor City nightlife.
Don't believe it for a minute, my friends!
Have you been down to Royal Oak lately? More specifically have you been to Fifth Avenue Billiards?
On a recent Saturday evening, my wife, Lisa, photographer E.L. Conley and I took in this Oakland County mainstay that has been packing them in since 1990.
When we arrived at 7 p.m. the place was nearly empty, save for a few folks racking them up on any one of their 20 gold-topped pool tables.
Hotsauce funks up the Royal Oak establishment's stage.
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We wanted to grab some dinner and, perusing the menu, I was impressed with the array of appetizers, sandwiches, salads and pizza. The corn chips and salsa along with a Polynesian pizza were excellent and fulfilling choices.
Our server was sweet, attentive and very helpful and the atmosphere was relaxed, casual and very hip, with the strains of James Brown, Muddy Waters and Bob Marley wafting from the house sound system.
As one gazes about the expansive main floor, you notice a gallery of classic blues, rock, rhythm and blues and Americana artists displayed prominently on the rustic-hued walls.
Fifth Avenue is known for its music and has brought in many national rock and blues artists, such as Popa Chubby, Son Seals, Larry McCray and Alex Skolnick.
It also is the home to many top-shelf Detroit-based talents like classic rockers The Reefermen, jam rockers Blend, party band The Killer Flamingos and neo-funkmeisters Hot Sauce.
As we made our way to the upper level the atmosphere was just as spacious and impressive with tasteful brick walls, ample seating and a neon-lighted circular bar that was central to all the action.
It was 10 p.m. and, by this time, the place was nearly standing room only. Hundreds of avid clubgoers converged on the popular establishment to mix, mingle, hangout and take in the funky and well-polished sounds of house favorites Hot Sauce.
Katie (Lake Orion), Sarah (Ypsilanti) and John (Detroit) shoot some pool on a Friday night at Fifth Avenue.
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This band was, as the kids say, "off the hook," with a satisfying blend of time honored soul and hip-hop fused with a jazzy lilt. With their stellar harmonies and tight horn arrangements they were one of the best club acts I've heard in some time.
What a difference a few hours makes. As we left at about 11:30 p.m. the previously stark main floor was now abuzz with wall-to-wall chatter and activity as a line of anxious patrons trailed out the entrance door into the cold February night.
Fifth Avenue Billiards is at 215 Fifth Ave., Royal Oak. The phone number is 248.542.9922 and the hours are 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sundays and Mondays; 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays; and 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursdays and Fridays.
While the Royal Oak location is the franchise's original headquarters, you can find out about its Novi and downtown Detroit venues by going to www.fifthavenuebilliards.com.
Contact Eric Harabadian at Harab1@comcast.net.
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