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The original item was published from 6/23/2016 5:08:43 PM to 6/23/2016 5:10:20 PM.

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Royal Oak Life

Posted on: June 23, 2016

[ARCHIVED] Gusoline Alley Celebrates 30 Years in Downtown Royal Oak

The philosophy hasn't changed much in the 21 years Patrick Tierney has been bartending at Gusoline Alley, 309 S. Center St.

“Maybe we sell more American craft beers now – and it probably smells a little better since the statewide smoking ban came into play,” Tierney joked.

The no nonsense bar will celebrate its 30-year anniversary this month with a week of specials, commemorative swag and a juke box stocked with discs from the early ‘80s.

“Our jukebox has won the ‘best of’ Metro Times from as far back as I can remember,” said Sue Burrows, who has been bartending at Gusoline Alley for nearly two decades.

The neighborhood bar is a nice melting pot for corporate-types, hipsters, bikers and real deal rock stars, such as Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, who once stopped in to play pinball.

“Once Flogging Molly came and did a couple of acoustic sets after a show at the Royal Oak Music Theatre,” said Tierney.

The Celtic punkers played for 40 minutes for a pitcher of Guinness, Tierney said.

“It’s comfortable and unpretentious,” said Burrows. “Show up in your suit or your Carharts.”

The Gusoline Alley anniversary week blowout begins on June 22. A limited number of T-shirts, pint glasses and Zippo lighters will be for sale, as will pickled eggs.

Stop in and celebrate.

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