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New Blind Pig bar worth hunting for in IM

Business showcase

BRITTANY LINSMEYER OF Kingsford, owner of The Blind Pig 906, and bar manager Marc McKee of Iron Mountain stand at the alley entrance to the new speakeasy-themed underground bar in downtown Iron Mountain. (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Blind Pig has an eyesight problem.

As in, it can be difficult to see the new downtown Iron Mountain business.

“You have to know somebody, who knows somebody, to get there,” laughed Brittany Linsmeyer, owner of The Blind Pig 906 that opened May 5.

Or recognize the blindfolded pig logo to find the entrance at 407 S. Stephenson Ave. in Iron Mountain.

“It’s a back alley and there is no name on the outside of the bar; it’s just our pig head,” Linsmeyer said.

“It’s part of the gimmick” the speakeasy-themed underground establishment wants to portray.

During the Prohibition era, the term “blind pig” referred to an illicit establishment that sold alcoholic beverages. The “speakeasy” owner would charge customers to see an attraction, such as an animal, and then serve “complimentary” alcoholic beverages to circumvent the law.

“The Iron Mountain News actually had a ‘Piggers Busted’ headline in the paper during the prohibition era,” Linsmeyer said.

Living in Kingsford as a single mother of a 6-year-old boy named Eli, Linsmeyer works full-time at Verso and said she “accidentally” became the bar owner when her mother and stepfather gave her a tour of the building.

Brad and Lori Staedt recently purchased several buildings in the downtown area and are renovating apartments above The Blind Pig.

“They walked me through the bar, and I joked, ‘Oh you guys bought me a bar.’ We joked around a little bit more, and then they were like, ‘I guess if we can find a liquor license, why not?'” Linsmeyer said.

Best known as Dear John’s or The Avenue, the bar last operated in the 1980s as The Varsity Club.

“The original back bar was here from the 1930s, when it was The Avenue,” Linsmeyer said.

Except for the bar itself, the interior of the business has been entirely renovated by Hercules Construction, also owned by Brad Staedt. Several other local companies were involved in the process.

They added a new pool table with their custom logo designed by Bill Hendrickson of Threads Embroidery. The walls are lined with historical photos of local saloons from files at The Dickinson County library put together by William Cummings.

Jeremy Mortl of Messersmith Manufacturing Inc. made the metal sign at the back entrance. KCD Landscaping supplied the planter that contains mint, basil, lemon balm and other fresh herbs used in their specialty drinks.

Liquor, wine, and beer are sold, and several specialty drinks use fresh herbs. For example, “The Blind Pig” is made with whiskey, lemon and mint. Fish bowls also are popular. The “Blue Fish Bowl” contains Malibu rum, Blue Curacao, vodka and pineapple juice, while the “Tropical Fish Bowl” contains tequila, Malibu rum, Triple Sec, peach schnapps, lime, pineapple and orange juice.

Because they don’t have a kitchen, the bar only serves frozen pizzas.

Linsmeyer said she didn’t want to quit her day job, so they are only open three days a week; Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

“It’s your weekend ‘date night’-type thing,” she said. The business also will be open for limited hours on Monday and Tuesdays during pool league season.

Marc McKee of Iron Mountain is the Blind Pig’s manager. “Marc has been my right hand since day one. I called him down here to tell me a little about pool league, and he never left. He worked with me through construction. He ripped the vanities out of the bathrooms. I work all week, so he meets the liquor sales, he meets the beer, he helps keep it running so I can still have my full-time job. I’d be lost without him,” Linsmeyer said. Carly Temple and Abby Ketcham also work as part-time bartenders.

The Blind Pig has a variety of special events planned this summer —

— Painting at the Pig, a summer painting party, will take place June 19. $40 per person includes food and drink specials with your step-by-step canvas painting experience instructed by Kirk Johnson. Johnson will provide catered food included in the price of the class. Drink specials will be offered to painters as well.

— A 1920s Gatsby Party is set for June 23, with special prizes for best-dressed male and female, giveaways and prohibition era inspired drink specials.

— June 29: Mojo will play live music from 6 to 10 p.m.

— Starting July 12, Thursdays will be Trivia night from 6 to 10 p.m. There is no cost to play, but teams must be pre-registered.

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