The Lindell AC, said to be America's first sports bar, may be long gone, but its memory will burn bright at the Detroit Historical Museum this week with "A Night at the Lindell."
The Saturday pop-up marks the opening of the museum's new exhbit on the bar. For the occasion, the museum has created a makeshift Lindell, with original photographs and memorabilia.
Burgers and beers will be served, and there will be a screening of the documentary, Meet me at the Lindell.
Tickets are $100 here.
Here's a description of the exhibition, "Lindell AC: America's First Sports Bar:"
The Lindell AC was Detroit’s original watering hole for athletes, entertainers, hometown heroes, blue and white-collar workers alike. They would share stories with John and Jimmy Butsicaris while feasting on burgers, fries, and booze surrounded by wall to wall photographs and museum quality sports memorabilia. “Meet me at the Lindell!” was heard in the businesses throughout downtown Detroit for lunch and later in the evening for something to drink and good community.
After opening the bar with their father in 1949, the Butsicaris brothers started collecting photographs and game used artifacts on the advice of Yankee infielder Billy Martin in the mid 1950s. The bar soon become a favorite for visiting athletes and celebrities who stayed in the nearby hotels. Before long, sports enthusiasts began frequenting the bar to rub elbows with the likes of Mickey Mantle, Muhamad Ali, local favorite Norm Cash, comedian Milton Berle and actress Jayne Mansfield.
The original closed after half a century in 2002, but the legend and community that came together around the Lindell continues today.
