what does everyone think of The Works?

[krinkle]

I was just wondering what you guys think of this place. I'm always looking for someplace interesting to go. How's this one stack up? Details please.

[DJ Saint]

I was just wondering what you guys think of this place. I'm always looking for someplace interesting to go. How's this one stack up? Details please.

Heh, it's interesting that people post on here asking others what they think of a place. Regardless, thanks for asking and I hope you check it out for YOURSELF.

Anyways, I may be a bit bias as a resident DJ there, but for what it's worth...

I've spun the whole circuit of clubs in Detroit and Ann Arbor with residencies or guest spots (City Club, Luna, Mephistos, Sardine, Necto, etc...). I've also spent time in clubs in Lansing, Cleveland, Louisville, Madison, Chicago and more. With some arm-twisting, I came out of "DJ retirement" to be part of this new exciting night. Had never even been to the Works prior to last Thursdays opening night for DeadLine. Have to say walking in, I was impressed.

Very good sized space. Bar up front that is long against one wall. A small raised area along the other wall with a pool table and seating. Area 2's dj booth is tucked in a corner and there's easy access to the DJ's for request. The DJ's in the front room will be playing more goth, deathrock, psychobilly and punk. I spent a good portion of time up front here and the sound is not overly super loud, yet perfect to still carry on a conversation and not have to shout at the bartender for a drink order.

Through a hallway to the back - kitchen window on the left side and bathrooms on the right. The men's bathroom is clean. Noticed nothing broken. They had soap, TP and paper towels and a mirror. Working lights.

The back room (area 1) is big and cavernous. Dark and fairly smoke-filled. It's square with exposed brick, giving off a loft-like feel. DJ booth is positioned up in the left hand corner overlooking the dance floor. A little harder to walk up to the front of the booth for request, but come to the side door and ask. BIG ASS Cog wheel on the wall. Lights are really good, not some laser light spectacular that will fry your retinas or make you feel like you're on Solid Gold or Soul Train. Perfect for an underground vibe. Sound system is MUCH louder back here. No need to boast "best sound system in the state" as every bar is going to do the same. I pushed the levels pretty well during my set and everything sounded really really good and I've heard far worse audio dynamics elsewhere. You can feel the bass tickle your neither regions and pound into your heart - I haven't felt that elsewhere in any Michigan club save for maybe Xcel in Lansing. They've got the system wired. DJ's in this room will focus more on electro, industrial, tekno, noise, etc... Plenty of room to dance and there's benches along one wall to rest on.

Parking outside was fine, no problems and I wasn't even worried about my car. I noticed a guard out there hanging out as well. The area around the Works seemed very quiet.

What else... Security inside the club was super nice. Not a whole army of them but a good group. Staff was exceptionally nice as well. They too seem excited for the night.

DRINKS were strong!!! I had a few Jack and Cokes and they each packed a punch. Haven't tried the food (beyond 2 Tatter Tots) but it looks good as well.

Crowd opening night was good. Noticed a lot more people in Area 1 dancing. People moreso hanging, talking and shooting pool in area 2

One of my favorite clubs was the now closed Sardine Bar. Just the right size and the right atmosphere for a fun night. The Works is very similar in appeal - comfortable, fun and welcoming. A bit Industrial looking.

I encourage everyone to check out Thursday nights. Lots of good music you won't hear elswehere from 6 DJ's.

Hope that gives you an impression of what it's like.

See ya

[krinkle]

wow that was an in depth description. thanks. I'm sold. I'll definately check this place out now.

[Joey Deadcat]

Heh, it's interesting that people post on here asking others what they think of a place. Regardless, thanks for asking and I hope you check it out for YOURSELF.

Anyways, I may be a bit bias as a resident DJ there, but for what it's worth...

I've spun the whole circuit of clubs in Detroit and Ann Arbor with residencies or guest spots (City Club, Luna, Mephistos, Sardine, Necto, etc...). I've also spent time in clubs in Lansing, Cleveland, Louisville, Madison, Chicago and more. With some arm-twisting, I came out of "DJ retirement" to be part of this new exciting night. Had never even been to the Works prior to last Thursdays opening night for DeadLine. Have to say walking in, I was impressed.

Very good sized space. Bar up front that is long against one wall. A small raised area along the other wall with a pool table and seating. Area 2's dj booth is tucked in a corner and there's easy access to the DJ's for request. The DJ's in the front room will be playing more goth, deathrock, psychobilly and punk. I spent a good portion of time up front here and the sound is not overly super loud, yet perfect to still carry on a conversation and not have to shout at the bartender for a drink order.

Through a hallway to the back - kitchen window on the left side and bathrooms on the right. The men's bathroom is clean. Noticed nothing broken. They had soap, TP and paper towels and a mirror. Working lights.

The back room (area 1) is big and cavernous. Dark and fairly smoke-filled. It's square with exposed brick, giving off a loft-like feel. DJ booth is positioned up in the left hand corner overlooking the dance floor. A little harder to walk up to the front of the booth for request, but come to the side door and ask. BIG ASS Cog wheel on the wall. Lights are really good, not some laser light spectacular that will fry your retinas or make you feel like you're on Solid Gold or Soul Train. Perfect for an underground vibe. Sound system is MUCH louder back here. No need to boast "best sound system in the state" as every bar is going to do the same. I pushed the levels pretty well during my set and everything sounded really really good and I've heard far worse audio dynamics elsewhere. You can feel the bass tickle your neither regions and pound into your heart - I haven't felt that elsewhere in any Michigan club save for maybe Xcel in Lansing. They've got the system wired. DJ's in this room will focus more on electro, industrial, tekno, noise, etc... Plenty of room to dance and there's benches along one wall to rest on.

Parking outside was fine, no problems and I wasn't even worried about my car. I noticed a guard out there hanging out as well. The area around the Works seemed very quiet.

What else... Security inside the club was super nice. Not a whole army of them but a good group. Staff was exceptionally nice as well. They too seem excited for the night.

DRINKS were strong!!! I had a few Jack and Cokes and they each packed a punch. Haven't tried the food (beyond 2 Tatter Tots) but it looks good as well.

Crowd opening night was good. Noticed a lot more people in Area 1 dancing. People moreso hanging, talking and shooting pool in area 2

One of my favorite clubs was the now closed Sardine Bar. Just the right size and the right atmosphere for a fun night. The Works is very similar in appeal - comfortable, fun and welcoming. A bit Industrial looking.

I encourage everyone to check out Thursday nights. Lots of good music you won't hear elswehere from 6 DJ's.

Hope that gives you an impression of what it's like.

See ya

Funny that you mentioned The Sardine Bar - the back room at The Works kinda reminds me of the dancing area at the old Sardine Bar. Used to hang out there back when.

[prick]

If money allows I will go again this week.

[DJ Saint]

If money allows I will go again this week.

21+ = $2.00

18 - 21 = $4.00

and drink specials that won't break your wallet either!

Yeah I know it cost gas $$$ to get to and from, but still an affordable night out

[DJ Nocker]

From the people I spoke to who came out opening night (thanks again BTW) everyone had a good time. The place is actually a really cool set up, goth and punk in the front and industrial/ebm/synth/noise in the back, you get the best of both worlds

[Destroit]

Call me r-tarded, but where is The Works located again? I may want to go to this, now that gas is $2.54 a gallon. Hell, I want to stop out at Necto also before gas decides to spike again, I still haven't been to Necto.

[Jinx]

Call me r-tarded, but where is The Works located again? I may want to go to this, now that gas is $2.54 a gallon. Hell, I want to stop out at Necto also before gas decides to spike again, I still haven't been to Necto.

If you make it out I'll stop by the Dj booth and I'll hook you up with soem free drink tickets. Tonights our Hollween party should be mucho fun

[CypherZero1]

I had a good time there last Thursday. I like that you can just hang out in the front area and listen to music, play pool (quite terribly, haha!) and sit around at the bar. The back dance area was of a decent size also, though I will say that the smoke machine fog was a bit much.

The bar itself is almost a middle ground between City Club and Necto. Not as filthy as City, but not as clean cut as Necto.

I just hope that more people come out so that the night will continue.

[Msterbeau]

The more I read, the more I like. I will definitely check it out when I get home.

[DJ Saint]

Call me r-tarded, but where is The Works located again? I may want to go to this, now that gas is $2.54 a gallon. Hell, I want to stop out at Necto also before gas decides to spike again, I still haven't been to Necto.

The Works

1846 Michigan Ave.

Detroit, MI 48216

www.myspace.com/theworksdetroit

[Meta]

You should definitely check it out this Thursday, we're having a Devil's Night/Halloween celebration:

[The Summarizer]

Logging in under a pseudonym to circumvent infighting. None of this is personal against anyone of the DJs working there, so please keep panties unbunched. This is about the bar, not you.

Went there once and HATED it, refuse to return.

Watered down drinks served by annoying bartender who took much too long taking to one of his "friends".

Took forever to get into the bathroom due to all the drug deals and vomit sessions happening, both courtesy of some rude dreadlocked muppet and her nasty smack pills.

No one would even make eye contact, likely because of the nasty pills going around (don't look at me, I don't do drugs).

The music was ok for average house music and the DJ was alright too, but it was hard to get into it because of the itchy feeling from being a few feet away from that nasty scabies infested couch.

This is the last place I'd want to hang out, much less eat food, that place should be condemned by the city.

Save your money.

[DJ Saint]

Logging in under a pseudonym to circumvent infighting...

Aren't you a brave one

[CypherZero1]

Logging in under a pseudonym to circumvent infighting. None of this is personal against anyone of the DJs working there, so please keep panties unbunched. This is about the bar, not you.

Went there once and HATED it, refuse to return.

Watered down drinks served by annoying bartender who took much too long taking to one of his "friends".

Took forever to get into the bathroom due to all the drug deals and vomit sessions happening, both courtesy of some rude dreadlocked muppet and her nasty smack pills.

No one would even make eye contact, likely because of the nasty pills going around (don't look at me, I don't do drugs).

The music was ok for average house music and the DJ was alright too, but it was hard to get into it because of the itchy feeling from being a few feet away from that nasty scabies infested couch.

This is the last place I'd want to hang out, much less eat food, that place should be condemned by the city.

Save your money.

This is not an attack. Please do not take it as such. I'm not trying to be a dick. I am only saying this in defense of Thursday nights at this particular venue, and from my own experiences in general.

I head the drinks were a bit weak. BUT, this was the first week that this event was run. You have to keep in mind the crowd that certain events draw. You say that you went to an event that involved house music. What were you expecting? Cleanliness in the "rave" scene. Are you kidding me? You were asking way too much of that particular event. I know that The Works regularly runs events geared more towards other electronic music events including drum and bass, house, and even crappy hardcore on occasion I'm sure.

That music draws the same crowd as DEMF. If you haven't been to DEMF, save your money, because you can expect the same quality of life form that you witnessed that particular night at The Works.

As for the current event on Thursdays. The people that the Gothic/Industrial/EBM scene draws are a different crowd of people and should not be compared to the scum that permeates the electronic music/rave scene. Sure every scene has its drug/vice of choice, but my god it is nowhere near as prevalent as what you described. I saw no sketchy e-tards, no pills, never once was I asked if I wanted any "rolls" or had any. And my basis of comparison is from my involvement with both scenes. I have done both promotion and security at electronic music events in the past. What you just described above is one reason my friends and I quit doing such. (That and the fact that I was always "goth" Haha, I love the stereotypes.)

I don't mean to sound like an asshole here, but you should not be comparing this event to an event of a totally different kind. I'm not saying that everyone who goes to electronic music events (house, drum and bass, jungle, trance, ect) is total rave trash. Not at all. I ran with a clean crowd when I was involved. We were few and far between though, and that is the sad reality of those events. Too bad more people can't go out and have fun enjoying the music without the drugs. It ruins the night for people like us who just want to enjoy.

And if anything should be condemned by the city, it should be City Club. That place is nasty. But I still love it for some sad reason. Lol

[Joey Deadcat]

Had fun spinning and from I'd seen of the place it's a pretty decent enough bar.

[wilhelm k]

Logging in under a pseudonym to circumvent infighting. None of this is personal against anyone of the DJs working there, so please keep panties unbunched. This is about the bar, not you.

Went there once and HATED it, refuse to return.

Watered down drinks served by annoying bartender who took much too long taking to one of his "friends".

Took forever to get into the bathroom due to all the drug deals and vomit sessions happening, both courtesy of some rude dreadlocked muppet and her nasty smack pills.

No one would even make eye contact, likely because of the nasty pills going around (don't look at me, I don't do drugs).

The music was ok for average house music and the DJ was alright too, but it was hard to get into it because of the itchy feeling from being a few feet away from that nasty scabies infested couch.

This is the last place I'd want to hang out, much less eat food, that place should be condemned by the city.

Save your money.

most events that hold techno,rave,etc events get trashed by late night, so i don't doubt the venue was a mess at the techno event you went to. just because we hold techno events on fridays does not mean the same crowd is there on thursdays. hopefully you decide to change your mind and come down some thursday.

[Scary Guy]

This is the last place I'd want to hang out, much less eat food, that place should be condemned by the city.

Funny I've said the same thing about City Club for YEARS.

And if anything should be condemned by the city, it should be City Club. That place is nasty. But I still love it for some sad reason. Lol

Apparently it's starting to sink in :D

Oh a special hello to the DJ who can't figure out which thread he's in.

Right on with the rest of my post.

I went twice so far, once on a Friday (which was pretty tame for a bunch of "e-tarded techno people" or however mr. anonymous referred to them. I went to check out the equipment and such and while the music wasn't my style I appreciated the talent the DJ's had.

The second time was actually to DJ and I stayed from 1/2 an hour before opening until "close" (note that the works doesn't actually close, we just stop DJ'ing, and that might change eventually given enough support). Wow I had a ton of fun, my coworkers are GREAT (both nice people and good at what they do, even the new kid was good). The equipment is nice (with vinyl and video capabilities). They have wireless internet (although I'm not sure if it's for internal employee use only or if anyone can use it, but I'm sure it's probably anyone). It's the only other club (besides The Ritz, and that place sucks) that I've DJ'ed in with a kitchen and although they don't do as many foods as The Ritz did when I was there it's still some great food to munch on. Here's a menu in fact.

Fries - 2.00

Hamburger - 3.00

Turkey Burger - 3.00

Chicken Sandwich - 3.00

Mini Tacos - 3.00

Tater Tots - 3.00

Onion Rings - 4.00

Cheese Sticks - 4.00

Cheese Ravioli - 4.00

Chicken Tenders - 5.00

Wing Dings - 5.00

I never really thought of Necto as "clean". I mean it's certainly not dirty, but when I think of a clean club I think of Mephisto's (even though it needs some repair, it doesn't mean it's dirty). I'd say The Works is on par with Necto/Luna in terms of clean, but the industrial run down look could be throwing me off as well.

The staff is really nice, although I don't think they know what to make of us "goth people" they still do their jobs with a smile on their faces. Unlike it was at The Ritz where servicing you seemed to be a disservice to them or City Club where the bouncers are pretty much indifferent unless you're a regular (although that has gotten better I've heard).

This week I'm doing the last part of the night and doing my awesome Halloween set that I've been preparing for the last few months to play.

Oh and finally Saint, my area is area 1, yours gets to be area 2. Simply because area 1 can be open and area 2 closed (although hopefully there is never an instance where that happens).

I hope to see all of you there.

~SG

[void6]

I personally can't wait to come out there and check it out. I was unable opening day due to funds. But looking forward to it this week.

[n0Mad]

I love "The Works"! Do they still make those chips? I haven't seen them in a while.

[Rev.Reverence]

And if anything should be condemned by the city, it should be City Club. That place is nasty. But I still love it for some sad reason. Lol

...it is the kinda' "NASTY" that you want to take home & introduce to your mother...

...& It'll fall down before they close it down...

[Davo]

Funny that you mentioned The Sardine Bar - the back room at The Works kinda reminds me of the dancing area at the old Sardine Bar. Used to hang out there back when.

funny you mentioned it: I DJed there way back when. :-)

sounds like things are starting off well. keep it up, guys!

[the eternal]

I had a good time there last Thursday. I like that you can just hang out in the front area and listen to music, play pool (quite terribly, haha!) and sit around at the bar. The back dance area was of a decent size also, though I will say that the smoke machine fog was a bit much.

The bar itself is almost a middle ground between City Club and Necto. Not as filthy as City, but not as clean cut as Necto.

I just hope that more people come out so that the night will continue.

--Good assessment

Ok, so I just came on to read a quick PM, and the trash talking made me chime in.

For those of you that know my posts, you can count on me to be brief and polite, and this is no exception.

OK, WTF was that woman talking about???

I've been to the Works on two different nights (80s and Goth)

AND I LOVE THIS PLACE!

I really only have two criticisms:

1. The soft drinks are expensive and served in a dixie cup. (Bean and I don't drink--may I suggest free refills??)

2. More of us need to go to the Works!!!!!!!!

Bean and I can't go much, but we went to the 80s thing (now on Wednesdays I was told)

and it was fantastic. It was the 80s music I loved!

There was a good mix of the classic new wave, darker indie/goth stuff,

along with guilty pleasures sprinkled in.

Wilhelm K was the shit, what can I say?

Bean (who's not an 80s fan) tolerated it, so I knew it was a success.

It felt like a well-lit version of the front area to CC/Necto bar area, where you could talk but still enjoy the music.

It just felt awkward that it was basically us and Hunhee and a few others. I would've liked more people.

It definitely warrants it.

Long live the 80s!!!!!!!!!

--------------------------------------------

THEN

We returned for this last Thursday night.

Now, we weren't there long, since I made Bean stay with me at Proof for the Cure record release until I'd won a free Cure CD, but it was great as well.

We would've stayed at the Works longer but we had work early the next day.

AGAIN, the DJ (Scary Guy this time) did a good set, and we liked the music and there was a great vibe.

It's less pretentious. The people at the bar were more of a mix of gothy and downriver which was interesting.

But the problem, for us was---when you go to CC or Necto, there's a buzz in the air

and there's a bunch of people from the board to chat with.

This was much more subdued.

My thinking is--if Necto can pack em in on Monday, more of us should try to make it down on Thursday.

But my favorite part was absolutely the club area in the back.

We were there--I want to say 12:30-1:30--Scary Guy was playing when we arrived.

Anyway, I don't know who it was but the DJ in the back area was fantastic.

I feel that CC music on Saturday is so uneven some nights, it's frustrating.

This was solid.

It was the kind of music you'd expect at CC but somehow don't get to hear because crappier music usually

gets requested at CC. (Yeah I know--how can we possibly go an hour without "Sanctuary" and Naughty boys making noise or whatever...)

And the sound system IS better.

It's cleaner, if that makes any sense.

The actual dance floor and the light show is like at Necto, only smaller, which I liked.

Only problem, there were like 6 of us in the room, and that makes you feel like the wallflower at a junior high dance. You want to dance, but feel a little silly doing so.

(Although the thought of robbing the only other people on the floor--the latex twins-- and making off with their $60,000 BMW SUV did make me smile)--G-d I hate being poor.

So, I think the Works Wednesday and Thursday nights are great.

The sound system's good.

The atmosphere is good.

The DJs play great music.

The place is smaller so it doesn't need a ton of people to fill it up.

It's one of those things where you go---

"Wow cool. Too bad it won't be around for long"

My .02

FINAL SELF-SERVING PLEA (as if there's any other kind on this board)

GO TO THE WORKS EVERY WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!*

*So it'll still be doing great stuff when Bean and I can make it down--and we can see you all

[DJ Saint]

But my favorite part was absolutely the club area in the back.

We were there--I want to say 12:30-1:30--Scary Guy was playing when we arrived.

Anyway, I don't know who it was but the DJ in the back area was fantastic.

Heh, I think that would have been me (DJ Saint) in the back area. Thanks for the kind words about the set and the night.