Banfield's Closes Its Doors

Some called it Ann Arbor's "Cheers"

by Micheline Maynard

From the November, 2020 issue

Banfield's Bar & Grill on Packard was considered by some to be Ann Arbor's version of "Cheers." Karaoke night on Sundays and happy hour specials Monday through Friday drew a cadre of loyal customers.

But the longtime establishment is now closed.

Jan Hawkins, whose late husband Harry owned the building, confirmed in October that she had put the location up for sale.

Harry Hawkins bought Banfield's in 2014 from its founder Will Banfield. Banfield started the bar in 1982, but told Mlive.com that business had dropped off since Michigan implemented a 2010 law banning smoking in bars and restaurants.

Banfield's last updated its Facebook page in March. A DTE notice on the door warned of a September shutoff, its telephone number has been disconnected, and its website is defunct.

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[Originally published in November, 2020.]