Gusoline Alley Celebrates 30 Years in Downtown Royal Oak

A news release from the City of Royal Oak:

The philosophy hasn't changed much in the 21 years Patrick Tierney has been bartending at Gusoline Alley, 309 S. Center St.

“Maybe we sell more American craft beers now – and it probably smells a little better since the statewide smoking ban came into play,” Tierney joked.

The no-nonsense bar will celebrate its 30-year anniversary this month with a week of specials, commemorative swag and a juke box stocked with discs from the early ‘80s.

“Our jukebox has won the ‘best of’ Metro Times from as far back as I can remember,” said Sue Burrows, who has been bartending at Gusoline Alley for nearly two decades.

The neighborhood bar is a nice melting pot for corporate-types, hipsters, bikers and real deal rock stars, such as Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, who once stopped in to play pinball.

“Once Flogging Molly came and did a couple of acoustic sets after a show at the Royal Oak Music Theatre,” said Tierney.

The Celtic punkers played for 40 minutes for a pitcher of Guinness, Tierney said.

“It’s comfortable and unpretentious,” said Burrows. “Show up in your suit or your Carhartts.”

The Gusoline Alley anniversary week blowout begins on June 22. A limited number of T-shirts, pint glasses and Zippo lighters will be for sale, as will pickled eggs.