The world famous STONEHOUSE
bar is Michigan's oldest continuously operating bar. It's located in an 1860's two story Victorian house on Ralston St. one
block east of Woodward Ave. and one block south of State Fair Ave. and the Michigan State Fairgrounds on Detroit's near east
side. The "House", as it is affectionately referred to, was the original farmhouse when the surrounding area (including the
state fairgrounds) was still farmland. Sometime around the prohibition era it became the clubhouse for the legendary Purple
Gang. The Purple's were Al Capone's motor city muscle and ran most of his illegal enterprises in and around the Detroit area.
It is rumored that during the reign of the Purple Gang, the downstairs was the gang's clubhouse and the upstairs was a brothel
run by the gang.
By the mid 1940's the
last of the Purples had either been killed off or were in jail and the building at 19803 Ralston St. became known as the Stonehouse
Bar and Grill and has remained pretty much unchanged since then. The bar is definitely one of the coolest places you will
ever find and is a throw back to an earlier, easier way of social gathering. Currently frequented by several of the area's
faithfull everyday colorful characters, the bar has become a home away from home to many of the east side's independent bikers.
These guys and gals are an easy going and fun loving bunch and have become a family of sorts and are extremely loyal and close
knit. However, they maintain an open and accepting policy to anyone who wants to be part of the crowd. In fact, they have
a saying, "Come as a stranger, leave as a friend". (Some of us have another saying, "Come as a stranger, leave even stranger")
One of the most endearing
features of the Stonehouse is the big Victorian style covered porch out front where you can sit and enjoy your favorite cold
beverage. The jukebox is loaded with favorite old and new rhythm and blues and the music is piped out to the porch for the
enjoyment of the folks out front. There is ample parking in the area but the sidewalk and the street in front of the bar is
reserved for motorcycles and on most nights there are bikes of all makes lined up as far as the eye can see. There's a horseshoe
pit on the side of the building and the competition can test even the best of pitchers. There's also a yard out back were
on most weekend there's usually a bar-b-queue, weather permitting.
The Stonehouse is also
the east side's best bet for HOT ROCK AND BLUES MUSIC on most Saturday nights and features such bands as Easy Street, The
Immortal Winos of Soul and Chris Leigh And The Alley Cats as well as other local favorites. Check our "Upcoming Events" page
for up to date info on the happenings at THE STONEHOUSE. Hope to see you there
