Port Huron gearing up for annual pub crawl

The organizers of Port Huron's Pub Crawl will be stepping down after this year's event, however that does not necessarily mean the tradition is over.

This will be the last year that the Blue Water Convention and Visitors Bureau will act as the organizer. CVB President Michael Hensley said via email that the organization's goal was to establish Pub Crawl before transitioning it to another organizer.

"The event has grown in recognition not only with local participants but also with visitors from outside our region," he said. "Pub Crawl has been an established event and it’s time for the CVB to step away as its organizer."

Hensley said another party has expressed interest in becoming the new organizer of Pub Crawl, but nothing is definite at this time. He said out of respect for their privacy, he did not want to reveal the interested party at this time.

Pub Crawl is taking place between 1 and 7 p.m. on March 16.

There will be 19 bars participating in Pub Crawl this year. Participants can purchase $15 wristbands that will allow them to board buses that will take them on one of two routes to visit each pub.

Wristbands can be purchased at any of the participating bars or at the Blue Water Convention and Visitors Bureau, located at 800 Harker St. Its hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

This will be the first year that Bootleggers Axe Co. will participate in Pub Crawl. General Manager Jeff Bennett said everyone is excited.

"It's one of our favorite events of the year," he said. "Hopefully this is a tradition we can keep alive."

Bootleggers will have 40 taps upstairs and all of its craft cocktails available downstairs. Additionally, there will be live music playing at the bar.

Port Huron Yacht Commodore Doug Lowe said Pub Crawl is a significant event for the club. He said he thinks it's a great idea and that he hopes to draw a lot of people. The Port Huron Yacht Club is normally a private club, but Lowe said they got a public license to participate.

"Come down and enjoy our beautiful club and the ambiance we exude," he said.

Downtown Development Authority Director Natacha Hayden said Pub Crawl encourages the community to celebrate at local bars. She said the downtown bars and restaurants are grateful for the foot traffic and boosted sales the event brings.

"As for me, I love seeing the community having a great time downtown," Hayden said.

Below are the participating bars and their locations separated by bus stop. Each bus will start out by Bootleggers and Wing's Etc., each located on Quay Street.

North Bus Route:

• Bus stop 1; Eighth Street Eateries, 301 Huron Ave.
• Bus Stop 2; Casey's on the Plaza, 701 McMorran Blvd.
• Bus Stop 3; Brass Rail, 410 Huron Ave.
• Bus Stop 4; Freighters, 800 Harker St.
• Bus Stop 5; Captain Skrip's Office, 1951 Water St.
• Bus Stop 6; Lynch's Irish Tavern, 210 Huron Ave.

South Bus Route:

• Bus Stop 1; Zebra Lounge, 522 Quay St.
• Bus Stop 2; CityFlats, 405 Water St.
• Bus Stop 3; Active Lounge, 708 Lapeer Ave.
• Bus Stop 4; Tailgators Sports Bar, 1934 Lapeer Ave.
• Bus Stop 5; Outpost, 521 24th St.
• Bus Stop 6; F.O.E Blue Water 3702, 2645 Howard St.
• Bus Stop 7; Figaro's Lounge, 1503 11th St.
• Bus Stop 8; City Limits Tavern, 2410 Connor St.
• Bus Stop 9; McCormick's Bar and Grill, 2326 Conner St.

Port Huron Yacht Club and Senor Tequilas are also participating in Pub Crawl but were not listed as bus stops.

Contact McKenna Golat at mgolat@gannett.com.

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