World of Beer bar to open Monday on South University Avenue
University of Michigan alumni Chad Wilson and Steve Rossi are opening World of Beer Monday at 1300 S. University on the first floor of the Landmark high-rise.
Courtney Sacco I AnnArbor.com
U-M alumni Steve Rossi and Chad Wilson are opening World of Beer, a Florida-based bar franchise and live music venue, at 1300 S. University on the first floor of the Landmark high-rise. The grand opening will be from 3 p.m. to 1 a.m. July 1.
“We’re expecting a busy night,” Wilson said. “We’ll be packed.”
The 3,200-square-foot space has a long bar, with 40 rotating beer taps and eight glass coolers stocked with bottled beer. One cooler is designated for 60 different Michigan craft beers.
World of Beer has 40 rotating beer taps and eight glass coolers stocked with bottled beer. One cooler is designated for 60 different Michigan craft beers.
Courtney Sacco I AnnArbor.com
World of Beer also offers a small selection of wine and craft liquors.
The Ann Arbor bar has a stage for live music, where artists will perform Thursday through Saturday. There will be two bands performing on the night of the grand opening, along with a raffle giveaway that will benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Ann Arbor.
Two garage-style doors open to a 40-seat outdoor patio along South University, and a small, outdoor bar faces an indoor television.
“The patios are huge for World of Beer in Florida,” Wilson said. “We wanted to bring that cool, open-air bar of Florida to Michigan.”
World of Beer does not have its own food menu, but customers can order from Mister Spots, Belly Deli, Sadako and Pizza House, and have it delivered directly to their seat for no extra fee. Eventually, World of Beer might offer a limited food menu, Wilson said.
Rossi and Wilson purchased the franchise rights for World of Beer in the state of Michigan. They plan to open six locations in the next three years, with Ann Arbor leading the way.
After the World of Beer’s grand opening on July 1, the bar will be open from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. seven days a week.
Lizzy Alfs is a business reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at 734-623-2584 or email her at lizzyalfs@annarbor.com. Follow her on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lizzyalfs.
Comments
John
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 6:56 p.m.
Anything called world of beer can't be bad!
Proleptically Living
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 4:11 p.m.
I'm glad they are opening this place. In regard to referring to people as "beer snobs", I'm confused. "Beer snobs" tend to drink beer made locally by people who put time and effort into their craft, use quality ingredients, and enjoy the taste of something that isn't mass-produced in Missouri. There really isn't anything wrong with enjoying beer that tastes good, in my opinion.
Ignatz
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 5:23 p.m.
I think there are beer snobs, just as there are snobs for anything else. I know some who enjoy craft beer look down their noses at those who prefer the macro brews. I'd much rather have the former, but if folks enjoy the latter, good for them.
Hugh Giariola
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 12:59 p.m.
Good for them, sounds as if it will be a hit!
Steve Beisheim
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 12:10 p.m.
I dislike bars... but I shouldn't complain until I open a unique retail establishment with a whole new concept myself..
A2Kimmie
Sun, Jul 14, 2013 : 3:59 a.m.
ball pit/candy store that serves craft fountain soda while showing sports on big screen TVs. Boom.
Ignatz
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 11:53 a.m.
I love how some folks deride this establishment before it's even open. How would one know what it's like?
A2Kimmie
Sun, Jul 14, 2013 : 3:59 a.m.
Maybe been to another one in FL... NC... another location across the country. It IS a franchise. You've been to one Denny's you've been to them all.
Dirty Mouth
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 11:27 a.m.
Yeah, the Denny's of Beer. How perfect. Pft.
Tom Joad
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 11:23 a.m.
Just what Ann Arbor needs, another beer emporium for insufferable craft beer snobs. The carrying capacity for drinking establishments I dare say has already been reached and the epicenter of downtown is where most of the carriage trade is located. I doubt this new venue will draw that many customers to that part of town. If its going to rely on the student base it picked the wrong time of the year to open.
a2miguy
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 7:56 p.m.
Wrong. It's the perfect time of year to open. Work the kinks out during the slower summer months, be ready for the rush in the fall. Yes, I consider myself a beer snob. I admit that freely and happily. I am, however, quite sufferable. Some would even say well-liked.
doctrsnoop
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 4:59 p.m.
beer emporium for insufferable craft beer snobs A great name for my brewpub should I ever be so lucky to open one!
A2comments
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 11:06 a.m.
If they have no food, not even appetizers, that's not a good thing - need food to absorb alcohol... plus to go along with the beer you need munchies. I wish them well, but was surprised that with this free press they don't have grand opening specials listed on their site. Downloadable draft beer list has 1 on it.
David Paris
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 2:09 a.m.
So, did they Major in Business and Minor in Beer, or vice versa?
MyOpinion
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 2:04 a.m.
@nowayjose Only way I see this working is if the sell all natural lite for $4 a beer. Don't think the students are going to pay for expensive beers. Prob work better on main st 1Students don't think twice about spending $3-$5 for coffee so spending north of $4 for beer won't faze most. As to having this venue on Main Street, it would probably work, but it is also a chain, which Main Street has mostly escaped. If it succeeds, look for another location for the "rest of Ann Arbor." Students aren't the only folks who drink and it is nice to be able to find more than a Corona, Labatt Blue, and Stella Artois for international beer choices.
DJBudSonic
Sun, Jun 30, 2013 : 11:27 p.m.
More beer? Why not? Too bad it is in such a hideous building, but I wish them well.
nowayjose
Sun, Jun 30, 2013 : 11:18 p.m.
Only way I see this working is if the sell all natural lite for $4 a beer. Don't think the students are going to pay for expensive beers. Prob work better on main st
Robert Granville
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 3:33 p.m.
I'm a student. Haven't had a cheap beer that I bought in some time. I pretty much only buy craft beers... same as my roommates. Granted we're all 24... but I'm not going to waste what little money I've got to spare on crappy beer. I'll be there today...
justcurious
Sun, Jun 30, 2013 : 9:44 p.m.
Booze and students....perfect match. Not.
A2Kimmie
Sun, Jul 14, 2013 : 3:55 a.m.
Rent to live at Landmark just went down... or up. Depending on how you llook at it. lol
NoPC
Tue, Jul 2, 2013 : 12:29 a.m.
@Robert -- better have your Daddy reload your Platinum Debit Card an extra couple thousand so you won't run out of cash buying that expensive beer...
nickcarraweigh
Sun, Jun 30, 2013 : 9:41 p.m.
Franchised saloons on S. University. That's what Ann Arbor needs more of. All they're short of now is a marijuana dispensary, a coffee shop that makes smoothies and a cellphone store.
Eep
Sun, Jun 30, 2013 : 9:14 p.m.
Seems a bit odd that customers can order food from Belly Deli but not from No Thai, considering that No Thai is just as close and has the same owners as the Belly Deli.
JBK
Sun, Jun 30, 2013 : 10:02 p.m.
Eep - I doubt this was intended to be an all inclusive list. My hunch is the paper just threw out a few names. Heck, you could probably order from B-Dubs!:)
Arboriginal
Sun, Jun 30, 2013 : 8:40 p.m.
Beer on South U? What is the world coming to!
A2Kimmie
Sun, Jul 14, 2013 : 3:54 a.m.
agreed. usually its just moonshine and jungle juice
Dirty Mouth
Mon, Jul 1, 2013 : 11:28 a.m.
What, did they earn their MBA's at U of M?