Nancy Whiskey’s Pub, a Corktown institution, was recently purchased
by Eva Reyes and her husband. Reyes, who was raised in the
neighborhood, plans to honor the tradition established by the bar’s
namesake, Nancy McNiven-Glenn, who owned and operated it for two
decades. “We’re not going to change the format,” she says. “How
can you change Nancy’s? The only thing we want to do is fix it up.”
Famed as an authentic blues joint, Nancy’s will continue to host
bands of that genre on Friday and Saturday nights. Thursday evenings
will continue as the ever-popular Open Mic Night, where a house band
provides back-up to anyone willing to try their hand — or voice — on
stage. “Such a huge range of people show up for Open Mic Night: kids
from Wanye State, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and even Western
come out to play. Benny and Martha Reeves show up to sing,” says Reyes.
Nancy’s serves lunch daily to a crowd that includes Wayne County
judges, casino construction workers, Carl’s Chop house employees, SBC
workers and iron workers. Reyes plans to offer a limited lunch
special daily — such as Southwestern fried chicken, corn, mashed
potatoes, and salad — to augment the regular menu of Philly cheese
steaks, burgers and chicken strips.
Reyes feels strongly about her investment. “I love Corktown, I love
the city of Detroit, and my husband feels the same way. You have to
invest in rebirth if you want it to succeed."
Source: Eva Reyes, Nancy Whiskey’s
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