Bar-on-bike make debut on Mount Clemens streets

This article was originally published on MacombDaily.com.

With sunshine warming up the temperatures, Thursday was a good day to get outside for a bike ride or even have a cold beer.

Lauren McDowell did both.

She was one of the riders on Barrel Bike Bar, a new bar on wheels service that operates in downtown Mount Clemens, part of a growing trend of party bikes. Groups can rent the vehicle, enjoy a glass of self-supplied beer or wine, get in a little exercise and a chance to see the city.

“We wanted to get everyone together to do a little networking in a unique and fun environment,” said McDowell, who works for Farm Bureau Insurance.

Barrel Bike Bar is owned by Debra Williams and Renee Poole of Clinton Township and is available for family reunions, bachelor/bachelorette parties, birthday parties, company outings and team building events. Similar party bikes are running in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Traverse City, and Williams hopes to bring one to Harsens Island in Clay Township this year.

Williams and Pool saw a television news reports about a party bike in Bay City and began making inquiries about bringing one to the Mount Clemens area. They did an inaugural ride on St. Patrick’s Day but expect reservations to pick up now that the weather is warming up.

“Everywhere we’ve gone, we get a great reception because no one has seen it yet,” Williams said. “It’s like a parade. People are taking pictures and honking their horns at us.”

The four-wheeled, 15-passenger vehicle weighs 1,890 pounds and is solely powered by people pedaling. It has a bar with cup holders, headlights, bar lights, and provides optional helmets. Barrel Bike Bar doesn’t have a liquor license, but customers may bring their own beer and wine and store it in a cooler.

It stops at several of the downtown’s collection of bars.

Don Puchalaski of Macomb Signs & Graphics created the metal signs for the party bike. He wanted to be one of the first people to try the traveling tavern.

“It looks like a lot of fun,” Said Puchalski. “You get a group of people together, break the ice and get to know each other.”

Barrel Bike Bar provides a two-hour tour of Mount Clemens for $300 on weekdays, $350 on weekends and $500 for a custom tour.

The rides begin in the Grand Trunk Depot Historic District parking lot on Grand Avenue near Cass Avenue, across from the Engine House tavern. Engine House owner Johnny Gusmano isn’t worried about losing customers to the bike — he plans to rent it himself.

“I think it’s a great idea,” he said.