Lake St. Clair Restaurant History!  So Many Fun Boater - Hang Outs Gone Forever...

Originally Published Lake St. Clair Guide 2016 edition by Kim Darrah

On a bike ride up Anchor Bay Drive ending at the North Channel Launch ramp, I spied the “Pelle’s” boat in storage not looking too good. Pelle’s was a fun sports bar in a historic hotel building on M29 overlooking Anchor Bay in Fair Haven, owned by a guy that played football for Boston College... it burned down, and is now a vacant lot. Then in May 2015, a big blow to us boaters was the Tin Fish on Anchor Bay getting torn down for condos ... one of those waterfront gathering places that had been there forever, since the early 1900’s when it was a train stop! Over 100,000 people passed around my Facebook post showing bulldozers in progress, obviously touching a lot of us in a sad way, and many commented about personal fond memories & life events which occurred on that piece of land.

It made me start thinking of all the establishments where many had previously enjoyed the public waterfront, now gone forever.  Besides the restaurants where you could dock your boat, Jefferson Avenue in St. Clair Shores offered many popular options to boaters just a short walk from the marinas .... maybe you (or your grandma) remember names like Elizabeth’s on the Lake, Bobby Moore’s, Club Lido, Jerry’s on the Lake, Lighthouse Soda Bar & Grill, Huck’s Lakeshore, Kramerhof, Mike’s Palm Room, or Todd’s.

We used our memories, several other fellow boaters’, local historians, and librarians’ memories... which the boaters’ memories could be somewhat tarnished from our socializing at most of these establishments! The more chats I had with local boaters, the longer the historic restaurant list became, so here’s our best recollection with a short history lesson thrown in for free... Thanks! to all those who contributed for this nice walk down memory lane.....  there are still many bars and NEW places to go however!

FIND TODAY'S open restaurants in the Lake St. Clair Guide latest edition - or here at www.lakestclairguide.com/eat/

#1 St Clair Shores - Brownies (The original one), Beach Grill, and lastly, the Tin Fish is out of business... Remember the Brownies Yacht below?  (Brownies torn down to build Beach Grill in 1997).  Since this original writing, the Watermark Grill has resided on this property at Jefferson Beach Harbor.

#2 Harrison Township - Lakeview in torn down to build Gino's in 1970’s. Chapter XI 2015.  In 2016's original writing this was closed however, Gino’s back open 2024.

#3 Harrison Township on South River Road Harrison Twp.  Before its final remodel, many of us remember the old wood floors and the bar that sloped down to the lake!

ANOTHER GREAT ARTICLE TO READ if you'd like a more in-depth look at the Clinton River Restaurants here @ www.lakestclairguide.com/clinton-river-restaurant-history/

#4 - Harrison Twp. North River Road - Burned down in 1998 (was next to Crews Inn).   Ate my first escargot there. This & Johnson’s that was across the street is now a parking lot. Catfish Creek is boat docks & storage.

#5 - Conger Bay Drive Harrison Township - Original white old 2-story house bar restaurant torn down to build Garwood's. 2002 building moved to M59 (Aspen) Today's land is now residential.

#6 on Map - No photo available... but worth noting: The Sail Inn, now the grass DNR area in front of Anglers Point at the end of M59 Chesterfield Twp. ... I think their slogan was to sail in topless.

#7 - Chesterfield Twp. - Lou’s Lounge, Shipping Channel, Brownies, then the Buccaneer Building torn down 2002 and is now condos. The Bar where “Jobbie Nooner” was promoted.

#8 - Fair Haven - M29 - Hohnhorst Hotel, Kapitski’s, Anchor Bay Inn (IMAGES TOP OF PAGE), Surf North, Tryst, and Tin Fish.  Building torn down and now condos. According to local historians, was a destination for rum runners from Canada during prohibition.

#9 - Fair Haven on M29 - Hotel Cadillaqua, Van Pamels, and Pelle's.  Around as early at 1915.  Pelle's burned down in 1999 - vacant lot today.

#10 Fair Haven on M29 - Jiggers - Last owner “Chantelle” ran a few bars after, including the Island Grill @ Mayea Marina.   Closed down in 2009, now vacant... good lake landmark with bright roof

#11 - Fair Haven on M29 - Dew Drop Inn washed into Lake St. Clair during huge 80mph storm in 1955.  An old timer said the saying was “The Dew Drop Inn...did fall in”

#12 - Fair Haven on M29 - Rene’s Port Lounge overlooking Bouvier Bay in Fair Haven.  Bldg. is for sale (now sold as of 2026 and torn down). I can now share the secret to his pierogie dough ... sour cream!  RIP owner Rene from Poland.

#13 - Clay Twp. on M29 - Munchies Restaurant ... Namesake for our swim area; then The Brisbay Lounge.  Torn down 2013 & is now Rose Marine Showroom.

#14 Clay Twp. on M29 - Cheer's on the Channel - A lot of cigars, wine & snifters consumed at this once Detroit News 5 star dinner & bed.  Now a CPA office. Remember the big chair in
the bar?

#15 Clay Twp. - Anchor Bay Drive - Drift Inn - was next door to Decker’s Landing.  Torn down 1985 - Is now a fuel dock at Balfour’s Marina.

And I should add here in 2026... Decker's Landing on the North Channel Clay Township has been closed for maybe 5 years now.  The building has been in an on-going update.  Many offers to buy have been presented, however, the family owner Danny, Uncle Ted Decker's nephew is still working on it.... we hope to have it back someday.  This 2006 image is when it was at its best.

#16 - Algonac Inn, & Port O’Call in 1965.  Next to the Harsen’s Ferry - Opened 1948. Now a vacant lot.

#17 - The Boat - Next to the Harsen’s Ferry. 1989 to 1997. Went to Florida

#18 - Henry’s, then Downriggers on the River 1937-2001.  Torn down 2010 & now a parking lot for Russell Island

#19 By Harsens Island on the Middle Channel - The Ice House 1950 - Could only get there by boat.  Burned Down.