Brown Jug

We walked in and walked out. More of a «kids» hangout. Not clean but it’s a young adult hang out, maybe that’s what it was.

Brown Jug is a good time, it just doesn’t have anything that really sticks out for me. There are TV’s so you can watch the game. Service is what you would expect. There are a good amount of booths and tables. Food is your typical bar fare. My favorite thing may be their «Go Blue» kamikaze shots. Basically kamikaze shots with some blue curaçao. I have a good time at Brown Jug and it’s a good stop bar hopping along South U.

Seated outside on patio without IDs checked — both are recently 22 so yes, we should have been IDed — the bar was not busy on a Monday night but service was slow and orders were not followed/​written down. Drinks had to be ordered from a second waitress because first waitress could not be found for reasons that we could not understand. We were told that appetizers were buy one get one free. What we did not understand was that our bill would be 20% gratuity off of the original price without the «free» appetizer’s price subtracted.
This complex procedure was not clearly defined on menus or communicated to us as guests. When we questioned our server, she did not provide a satisfactory answer. Also our receipt said 4 guest when we were clearly at a 2 top table with 2 chairs, menus and silverware. Our server’s name was also RAT TAIL ON OUR RECEIPT NOT PROFESSIONAL OR COMFORTING!

This place has been around forever. We used to go for their drink specials during college 20 years ago. On a whim during a rainy evening, we decided to take our teenage son for pizza. We really should have kept walking to Neopapolis, rain or not.
We ordered 2 pizzas, a hand tossed and a thin crust. We picked 2 of their speciality pizzas.
The thin crust spring vegetable pizza arrived with different toppings than described on the menu. I guess they just toss whatever vegetables they have around, and when I say toss-​I mean this pizza was obviously a frozen cheese pizza that they cooked, and then threw on some olives, cooked mushroom, raw tomato, and an absolutely ridiclious amount of raw onions. The toppings were all sitting on top of the pizza, not cooked into the cheese, so of course they fell off when you picked up a slice.
The hand tossed pizza (brown jug special?) fared a bit better-​it didn’t seem frozen, but still they cooked the pie with the meat toppings, and tossed the vegetables on as an afterthought. This pizza also was covered in raw onions. This isn’t a coney dog-​hello?!
Luckily, they have Guiness on tap, so we were able to wash some of it down. We brought the leftovers home, but the only one who wanted them was our dog. We shook of the onions, so he wouldn’t get bad breath.
With all the wonderful pizza places in town, there is no reason to go here. If you must, stay away from the thin crust pizza and any of the «speciality» offerings. Go hand tossed, and simple toppings. But better yet, walk a half mile to somewhere worthwhile.

My girlfriend moved to Ann Arbor 40 years ago and this year we are going to visit all the bars and restaurants that have been in the Ann Arbor/​Ypsi area for that long.
I used to go to the Brown Jug when I was a student back in the 60’s and even though it’s gone through a couple of renovations it is still pretty much the same. We went during the day so we probably didn’t get the full effect of what it is like on a Friday night.
The food is much better than I remember. We each had a burger: Turkey Burger for her and a burger with jalepenos for me. Both were excellent. The menu has lots of options, many of which are named after persons (known and unknown). The service was really good and the beer was cold. Lots of TVs tuned to the sports. I’m sure the place rocks at night.

Bad service. The waiters/​waitresses don’t bother to even come to your table for 15 minutes, if you’re by yourself. They just want you to leave. A number of employees just look at you and walk away. Even offering a glass of water is beneath them.
When you do order (if you’re alone), they give you attitude instead of a good drink or finger food. «What can I get for you» — with out bothering to give me a menu. How on earth is anyone supposed to answer that?
I guess they serve groups well since the place is busy. But I’ll not return here given my experience going there alone!

Bad service. The waiters/​waitresses don’t bother to even come to your table imfor 15 minutes if you’re by yourself. They just want you to leave. When we do order they give us attitude instead of a good drink or finger food. «What can I get for you» — with out bothering to give me a menu. How on earth is anyone supposed to answer that.

Sorry Brown Jug. The Brown Jug was the location of my parents’ first date, so it’s pretty important to the whole being-​alive thing for me.
Sadly, I’ve tried it for food several times now and always come away disappointed. Obviously it’s a great spot to watch (or pregame) a Michigan game, and the atmosphere is fantastic. But the food is just not very good.

This place has great food. I was impressed that the chicken tenders weren’t too dry. Prices are fairly reasonable for a bar. The Monday buy one appetizer get one free deal is awesome. I’ve only been there once and I was impressed. Will visit again.

I dare you to find a bigger menu, with more choices in Ann Arbor. It’s not possible. This menu is huge! Food ranging from salad, to pizza, burgers, sandwiches, Greek. I have never had a bad meal here. The prices are great and the amount you get is well worth it. The staff is friendly and Perry the owner is awesome. It’s always packed and the ambiance is great too. Michigan themes pics fill the walls and plenty of TVs. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite places in Ann Arbor.

Swung through town to check out Ann Arbor. Found this place via Unilocal.Food is very good. My son says his pulled pork sandwich is «incredible» and my Jim Harbaugh Meatball sandwich is amazing. Great beer selection too.

The Reuben was really good, and at a low price ($ 8), and came with chips. Beer was also not expensive at all. And it was quiet. Friendly staff

Great food, great drinks, great prices! The brown jug has very good munchies food– I recommend the nachos! They also have one of the best shot menus that I have ever seen, and the specials are unbeatable. I have seen customers of all ages in here, but it is definitely a young environment. Whenever I have company in town I take them to the Brown Jug!

Only rating on drink prices and customer service. The man that served my boyfriend and I was very humorous, friendly and the woman not so funny and smiley, the pear shots she made for us that were on special, tasted awful, not sure if that was her fault or if that’s just a bad drink recipe. They do not split tips, so take care of each server accordingly, the bar seating was limited, very small bar but the vibes were good. I would return again for a quick drink before hitting up Pinball Pete’s!

Not a place to go for food. Great place to go on football saturdays with a group of friends.

This is a good place to go for cheap drinks and trivia night. The food isn’t that great, but it’s a decent atmosphere. Not a place to go for dinner, but a fun night spot.

Great pizza, quick and friendly service. Decent prices. A must for any Michigan fan… there’s memorabilia everywhere! Will definitely go again!

Went here for dinner with friends. It is a typical university bar with food. I got a BLT with steak fries. My sandwich was pretty big and had an ample amount of bacon. The bread was thick Texas toast. The bacon was nice and thick. It wasn’t too crispy or too soft. The steak fries were okay. They were weren’t amazing or bad. They do have drink specials every day so I recommend you take advantage of those.

Brown Jug is one of our favorite spots in Ann Arbor. Everyone is always so nice and welcoming. The saying «Come as strangers, leave as friends» is how I would describe this great, historical, sports bar. Named after the Brown Jug rivalry with Minnesota, this sports bar has photos from Michigan’s great football past, offers great drink specials nightly, and food specials most days of the week. The food is good and the drinks are awesome. My favorite was the Long Island Iced Tea for $ 3.75 in your choice of 6 flavors. I loved the Hawaiian whereas my sister loved the Jamaican version. The only downfall to this place is that they don’t sell their awesome apparel. My husband and I would have loved to purchase a Brown Jug hoodie, t-​shirt, and hat but they were not for sale. Great spot to hang and watch some games! :)

I have never posted a review on Unilocal before, but I thought the server that we had today warranted a great review.
Vicky was the most competent server I have witnessed on the job in some time. My wife and I watched as the the usual game day chaos happened… she handled it like a true professional. She was calm, collected, through, and most of all, patient.
We watched as a few drunken college kids loitered around taking up 2 of her 5 tables for over an hour without ordering a thing… therefore tipping nothing. .all during an after-​game rush with a line out the door/​wait-​list. She didn’t skip a beat and her demeanor never wavered. Nothing but smiles and good service!
We’ll be back, and we’ll definitely request Vicki’s section!

**I DO NOT TRUST THIS ESTABLISHMENT WITH MY CREDIT CARD!!!**
The Brown Jug prints your entire credit card number on the «restaurant copy» of the bill. My credit card number has been stolen 4 times this year and the Brown Jug is one of only 3 places it’s been used each time. When my boyfriend (DEAF in one ear!) tried to address this concern with the manager on duty tonight, 8÷25÷2014, the manager dismissed him by claiming my boyfriend was «yelling» (i.e., speaking loud enough to hear himself over the music!) even AFTER my boyfriend explained his disability.
I will only be paying CASH from now on, and I will only buy my place at our trivia table with ONE $ 3 drink. I had been spending $ 15-​$ 40 each week, but clearly the Brown Jug is not interested in my business.

Have ALWAYS loved this place! Started going as soon as I turned 21 and i make sure to stop in when I make it back to AA. Great food not your typical bar food and awesome drink specials as well. Plus doesn’t hurt that the owner id AWESOME! I love you Perry P!

This is ground zero for U of M Wolverine fans. Great burgers, and a good menu. I have been on days where it’s empty. The service is good and the staff friendly. If you go on a weekend, it is a college bar, but still good. And if you go on a Michigan Game night (especially football) then it is a zoo, but this great staff holds it together and the food is still good, though the place can be loud during game times. But it is known for being the premier UofM sports bar, so that is not at all surprising. I have been many times and will go again whenever I am in Ann Arbor.

I’m writing a review based on a visit for drinks only (no food) on a weeknight.
Price — 5 stars
$ 3 well drinks. Seriously, can’t think of a cheaper bar in an equitably busy area.
Service — 4 stars
Friendly, attentive bartenders. Decent beer selection and obviously full bar/​liquor.
Atmosphere — 4 stars
It was quite lively even though they were half empty on a cold weeknight. Enough TV’s to follow whatever games you want to watch.
Overall, this is a cozy pub that I will return to next time I’m in the neighborhood.

We always visit the Brown Jug when we head up North to Tailgate for the Ohio State/​Michigan Game. We have some Michigan fans in our group, so this is always a go to place.
We have a large group (10+) and go after the game is over, but it’s never a hard time to get seating for all of us, which is awesome! I have never eaten here, but some of our friends have and thought the food was pretty good for bar food.
Always notice, that everyone there is always playing the game Quarters, which leads us to always playing as well.
Always a pretty good time all around, I’m sure we will be back in 2015!

This place has okay food. It’s nothing special to go out of your way for, but if you are drinking here and are hungry, the food here could satisfy your drunk cravings. I’ve had the deep dish pizza which was mediocre at best, and the nachos were your standard buy in bulk and assemble fare.
They have pretty good drink prices. It’s not super cheap, but $ 3 shots of tequila & $ 14 bucks for a pitcher of Blue Moon or Angry Orchard Cider are reasonable for a Monday night. I still prefer Blue Lep though for reliving my undergrad years.

As a Charley’s loyalist, I still love a drink at the Jug, here’s why:
Pros:
FOOD — greek twist is nice, and their salads and fried food are really good
PATIO — small, but they have TVs for sports and you can see your friends and enjoy booze in the nice A2 weather
DRINKS — sometimes their specials are worthwhile; interesting Long Islands, better beer selection than Chuck’s
DAYTIME library — empty during the day pretty much, so you can have a beer and do some schoolwork
Cons:
LOUD! Their acoustics are unfortunate.
SERVICE — often very slow service; they’re understaffed often
Their thing is the hockey team…