New bar The Underground opens with live music

The basement of the Riverwood Golf Course and Resort is going to have fewer golfers and a lot more rockers.

A new music venue called “The Underground,” below the 1313 E. Broomfield Road resort, opened Friday, said Jeremy Lawless, the resort’s director of operations and marketing.

“I’m looking for local bands, breakouts and kids who just need a venue to showcase their talents.” Lawless said.

He said the venue will only be open Fridays and hopes new bands perform every week.

The grand opening was Friday and featured local bands Day In Day Out, That Mustache Feeling and The Bloomill, who played to a crowd of about 100 people.

The venue can hold about 200. The front corner is lit with sound equipment and speakers for the bands to play.

There also are games such as darts and pool, and tables for beer pong.

Its beginning

The rock bar is occupying space left by Gimmie’s Pub, a former burger joint for golfers. During the winter, no golfers were coming through and the space was used for storage.

Lawless started discussing the idea of turning the empty room into a music bar with Troy junior Andrew Nalian, a Riverwood bartender.

The venue is open from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Fridays with drink specials and no cover for people 21 and older. There’s a $5 charge to get in for those 18 to 20 years of age.

Shelby Township senior Terry Bishop plays bass for Day In Day Out and said he enjoys the bar.

“It’s a good-sized space and it’s cool because it’s ground level, that way you can look people in the eye,” Bishop said. “If they don’t charge cover, we’ll be bringing friends here all the time.”

Lawless said people will enjoy hearing live music after bowling.

Lupton freshman Courtney Breining attended Friday’s grand opening and envisioned herself returning.

“I think that this place is going to become the spot to hangout every Friday,” Breining said.