This May, City Park Grill turns 25! To celebrate this milestone, the Petoskey restaurant is hosting charitable events, new entertainment, nightly features, the 25th Annual Morel Mushroom Wine Dinner, giveaways and more throughout the month.
This is an official press release brought to you by MyNorth News Service and City Park Grill.
A Storied Past
City Park Grill is housed in one of Petoskey’s oldest buildings, originally constructed in 1875. McCarty Hall, as it was then known, was a males-only billiard parlor that offered cigars and “intoxicating beverages.”
In 1888 it was called the Annex and provided dining and entertainment for guests of the Cushman Hotel. The 32-foot solid mahogany bar was installed at that time. In 1910, the owner added a bowling alley in the basement. With the beginning of Prohibition in 1918, the owner quietly broke the law and provided underground tunnels for the convenience—and anonymity—of his customers.
The young Ernest Hemingway, whose family had summered on Walloon Lake, became a frequent guest. He would sit at the second seat from the end of the bar and write the material that eventually would make him world-famous. His story “A Man of the World” makes mention of the Annex and surrounding buildings.
By 1932, the business was named the Park Garden Café, and for the next 50-plus years it saw a succession of owners.
In 1997, Bob and Mary Keedy, Dick and Laura Dinon, and John Norman purchased and renamed the restaurant City Park Grill. “It has been an amazing journey,” shares Bob Keedy. “Throughout the years, we have evolved, improved, grown, and expanded to a full restaurant group, along the way. Most rewarding are the friendships we’ve made, many of whom started as employees and restaurant guests.”
May Events at City Park Grill
HISTORY TOURS — Wednesdays, May 18, 25
History Tours with Chris Struble, 5:15 pm
WINESDAYS — Wednesdays, May 18, 25
Half-off Bottles under $85
Winesday, All Day
25th ANNUAL MOREL DINNER — Thursday, May 19
(Reservations Required)
Annual Morel Mushroom Wine Dinner at City Park Grill, 6:30 pm
PRIME & KARAOKE GONG BENEFIT — Friday, May 20
Prime Rib Night, 4–9 pm
Karaoke Gong Charity Event
RESTAURANT WEEK — Friday, May 20 – Friday, May 27
Petoskey Restaurant Week
EATING FOR OTHERS BENEFIT — Tuesday, May 24
20% of all food sales benefit Brother Dan’s Food Pantry at sister restaurant, Roast & Toast, All Day
PRIME & KARAOKE — Friday, May 27
Prime Rib Night, 4–9 pm
Annex Karaoke, 10 pm–1 am
MULTI DJ MUZIK NIGHT — Saturday, May 28
CIRCUIT Electronic Muzik Night
HAPPIEST HAPPY HOUR — Until May 27
Monday–Friday until May 27, 4:30–6 pm
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