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Six Classic Ann Arbor Bars and Restaurants Everyone Should Try

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Ann Arbor certainly has its share of trendy eateries, but this week, Eater is serving up six historic establishments in honor of Classics Week. Surely someone's been left out (as this is not reputed to be a list of the oldest of the old), so feel free to add some other Ann Arbor classics in the comments.

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Alley Bar

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Originally opened as Charles Binder’s Saloon in 1880, the site of the Alley Bar has continuously been operated as such since then. Slid into a narrow storefront on Liberty Street downtown, Alley Bar prides itself on low-key laid-back style where one can drink canned beer and watch the games. They also have separate lists for scotch and whiskey, but don’t expect of a glass of wine. Photo

Old Town Tavern

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Known as The Bismark when it opened in 1898, Old Town can be found just a few doors down from Alley Bar. It’s also operated as a bar or saloon since its founding, and as Old Town Tavern for over forty years. Self-described as the “last of the townie bars” they used to open at 6 a.m. to serve third shift workers. Now you’ll have to wait until 11:30am on weekdays and 4 p.m. on weekends. Photo

Weber's Restaurant

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Weber’s has been serving up classic steakhouse fare since 1937, although not in its current location on Jackson Road until 1962. The prime rib—still a menu staple—became the house specialty in 1950. Founder, Herman Weber, passed away last year after his 100th birthday, but leaves a family-owned legacy with Weber’s Restaurant and the adjoining hotel. Photo

Knight's Steakhouse

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Founded as a meat market in 1952, the Knight family opened their first restaurant in 1984. With two more locations downtown and in Jackson, Michigan, Knight’s hasn’t forgotten its beginnings. The meat market is still open in its original location, serving a tremendous selection of cuts of beef, pork, lamb, veal, and poultry. There is also an on-site deli and bakery where one can grab a muffin, soup or sandwich. Photo

Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger

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Featured on such shows as Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Man v. Food, as well as populating lists of the country’s best hamburgers, Blimpy Burger opened in 1953. Known for lines out the door, the original location was shuttered in 2013 when University of Michigan bought the land and building on which the business ran. It recently reopened on Ashley Street to much fanfare. Come prepared: there’s a method to ordering, and instructions can be found on their website. Photo

Heidelberg

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Whether eating in Heidelberg's Alpine Dining Room or drinking beer in their Rathskellar, this German-inspired establishment has been a town and college favorite since 1961. With many German and Michigan beers on tap, don’t forget to drink it from their signature vesse—the Das Boot—a large glass boot containing two liters of beer. Photo

Alley Bar

Originally opened as Charles Binder’s Saloon in 1880, the site of the Alley Bar has continuously been operated as such since then. Slid into a narrow storefront on Liberty Street downtown, Alley Bar prides itself on low-key laid-back style where one can drink canned beer and watch the games. They also have separate lists for scotch and whiskey, but don’t expect of a glass of wine. Photo

Old Town Tavern

Known as The Bismark when it opened in 1898, Old Town can be found just a few doors down from Alley Bar. It’s also operated as a bar or saloon since its founding, and as Old Town Tavern for over forty years. Self-described as the “last of the townie bars” they used to open at 6 a.m. to serve third shift workers. Now you’ll have to wait until 11:30am on weekdays and 4 p.m. on weekends. Photo

Weber's Restaurant

Weber’s has been serving up classic steakhouse fare since 1937, although not in its current location on Jackson Road until 1962. The prime rib—still a menu staple—became the house specialty in 1950. Founder, Herman Weber, passed away last year after his 100th birthday, but leaves a family-owned legacy with Weber’s Restaurant and the adjoining hotel. Photo

Knight's Steakhouse

Founded as a meat market in 1952, the Knight family opened their first restaurant in 1984. With two more locations downtown and in Jackson, Michigan, Knight’s hasn’t forgotten its beginnings. The meat market is still open in its original location, serving a tremendous selection of cuts of beef, pork, lamb, veal, and poultry. There is also an on-site deli and bakery where one can grab a muffin, soup or sandwich. Photo

Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger

Featured on such shows as Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and Man v. Food, as well as populating lists of the country’s best hamburgers, Blimpy Burger opened in 1953. Known for lines out the door, the original location was shuttered in 2013 when University of Michigan bought the land and building on which the business ran. It recently reopened on Ashley Street to much fanfare. Come prepared: there’s a method to ordering, and instructions can be found on their website. Photo

Heidelberg

Whether eating in Heidelberg's Alpine Dining Room or drinking beer in their Rathskellar, this German-inspired establishment has been a town and college favorite since 1961. With many German and Michigan beers on tap, don’t forget to drink it from their signature vesse—the Das Boot—a large glass boot containing two liters of beer. Photo

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