Yes, we know "best of" lists are unreliable, subjective and not real journalism. At best, they're a whimsical diversion. At worst, they're a waste of minutes.
The most useful are based on reader polls with wide, diverse participation. (Talking 'bout you, Metro Times.)
Townhouse, a popular Birmingham draw since 2011, expands to Detroit this summer. (Facebook p[hoto)
The least worthwhile give one person's top-of-mind recollections about a region where she used to live.
A quick-hit example of the latter, posted Tuesday by Thrillist, is headlined "The 16 Best Bars in the Detroit Suburbs." Although it's natural for another bar-hopper's picks to differ from yours, a three-county rundown with four Ferndale spots and two each in Wyandotte and Saint Clair Shores seems narrow-focused. Three cities fill half the list, really?
Even Grosse Pointe Park is represented by Rustic Cabins Bar.
This puzzler makes one wonder how often Thrillist's writer, regular contributor Nicole Rupersberg, got above 11 Mile Road before moving to Las Vegas in January 2014.
(She also apparently remote-wrote the site's amusing comparison last week of Detroit and Chicago deep dish pizza.)
In addition to being a freelance writer, Rupersberg is a University of Nevada anthropology student "making the transition from a professional journalism background," her LinkedIn page says.
Fine choices are among her bar preferences, including the Berkley Front, Gusoline Alley and One-Eyed Betty's. (Yes, now we also show geographic bias.)
In addition, we recommend these hot spots that draw crowds to the bypassed Maple-Woodward area:
- The Corner Bar
- Dick O'Dow's
- Griffin Claw Brewing
- Luxe Bar and Grille
- Social Kitchen and Bar
- Tallulah Wine Bar
- Townhouse
Birmingham restaurants with lively bar seating areas also include 220, Big Rock, The Stand, Hyde Park, Fleming's, Mitchell's and Churchill's Bistro Cigar Bar. Later this week, Triple Nickel joins the lineup.
Rupersberg's latest post opens with this note:
Some of you have assumed . . . that we hate the suburbs. It's just not true! Sure, we may have some fun at their expense now and again, but there's plenty to love about the area just beyond Detroit's borders
In that spirit, we hope Thrillist's correspondent discovers there's plenty to love about Birmingham bars.
The writer is a Birmingham loyalist who usually walks to the sites mentioned.
