The Green Door - A Bar that Lives and Breathes Eastside Character
Published: December 20, 2011Neighborhood: Eastside
Growing up on North Fairview Ave. as a kid, I always had the opportunity to roam around and check out the area, particularly in some of the parking lots and driveways throughout the blocks surrounding Michigan Ave. I remember seeing signs for The Green Door and wondering to myself, “What’s it like in there?” I was especially drawn to the constant hum of muffled music coming from the bar on select nights. Last week, I had the opportunity to check out the bar, hoping to explore the affiliation with the establishment and the Eastside neighborhood, learn about the acts that perform, and generally capture the image of the bar, inside and out.
Unfortunately, the owner was unable to sit down and chat throughout my multiple trips to the bar, but with every visit, I was able to gather some insight into the questions I had. The Green Door shares much of its interior design from that of your typical watering hole, complete with rustic wooden trim, a simple raised stage, brew posters, and KENO advertising. Yet, there are several very intriguing elements of the bar’s appearance that incorporate the distinctiveness of Eastside commerce, mainly at their main entrance facing the Michigan Ave.
The groove appeal of the bar’s iconic cat symbol, complete with sunglasses, fedora, and acoustic guitar is a careful representation of the vibe you’ll get from music here at The Green Door. As the bartenders and shift managers unanimously put it: you won’t find club dancing, raging, and bass-driven hip-hop here…it’s all about a mellow, laid back sound, which creates a nice ambiance throughout the bar-goers. As one bartender put it, “Most of the people who come in here are from the area; they’re regulars. For them, it’s an opportunity to spend time with friends without traveling all over the city to do it. The vibe here has always been laid back and chill.”
Regarding the music, most acts feature a smooth rock and jazz fashion spread across a typical week at The Green Door. For instance, every Monday the crowd-friendly blues/folk stylings of Steppin’ On It play to loyal fans, from local residents to traveling attendees from throughout the Midwest. Other acts include The Smoking Jackets, Suburban Euphoria, and EL-favorite Starfarm.(Alert: music plays on some linked websites)
Their website also does a great job of advertising their shows much like you’d see in a copy of City Pulse or Lansing’s former entertainment info-source, NOISE. A calendar grid page displays show times, and headlining acts, complete with links to band websites that have info and music samples, sometimes even downloadable albums. Speaking from experience, venues like The Green Door that showcase big acts with great music to a small, refined fan base and bar clientele creates a very unique, enjoyable experience that you just don’t get from the likes of large concerts or night clubs.
All in all, I’m hoping to nail down a chance to speak with the owner at some point so I can learn about the bar’s beginnings, their involvement with local Lansing-bred acts, and a well-refined perspective of the Eastside music scene. From what I can gather so far, however, is that Eastside music venues are very heavily influenced by the members of the community (who are the main customer base) and a near-rejection of contemporary, snobbish forms; meaning, the bar is characterized by great music, affordable drinks, and cool, interesting individuals. Coupled with the segment of East Lansing and other surrounding areas in the Capital Area, this can create a sophisticated, creative community that works together many cultures and experiences, further enriching the Eastside environment.
Ultimately, the best way to see this for yourself is to work your way down to The Green Door and see it for yourself. Check out the bar’s official website HERE.
