City Park Grill 25th Anniversary

5 May

Petoskey, Michigan | May, 2022 — City Park Grill, housed in one of Petoskey’s oldest buildings, was originally constructed in 1875. May of 2022 marks 25 years for City Park Grill. To commemorate this quarter-century milestone, charitable events, entertainment, new nightly features, the 25^thAnnual Morel Mushroom Wine Dinner, giveaways, and more fill the month.

HISTORY TOURS — Wednesdays, May 4, 11, 18, 25
History Tours with Chris Struble, 5:15pm

WINESDAYS — Wednesdays, May 4, 18, 25
Half-off Bottles under $85
Winesday, All Day

CINCO DE MAYO — Thursday, May 5
All Day Happy Hour

PRIME & LIVE MUSIC — Friday, May 6
Prime Rib Night, 4 – 9pm
Live Music Festival Benefit

ANNEX KARAOKE — Saturday, May 7
10pm – 1am

MOTHER’S DAY — Sunday, May 8
Full Menu & Three-course Prix Fixe Features

EATING FOR OTHERS BENEFIT — Tuesday, May 10
10% of all food sales at sister restaurant, Palette Bistro, benefit Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council

BUY 1 GET 1 — Wednesday, May 11
Buy 1 Entrée, Get 1 Entrée, All Day

PRIME & KARAOKE — Friday, May 13
Prime Rib Night, 4 – 9pm
Annex Karaoke, 10pm – 1am

BEER CAN GLASS GIVEAWAYS TO FIRST 100 ON TAP BUYERS — Sunday, May 15
25th Anniversary Giveaway & Beer Special

SWAG DAY — Monday, May 16
Swag Day

EATING FOR OTHERS BENEFIT — Tuesday, May 17
10% of all food sales benefit Manna Food Project
City Park Grill, All Day

25^THANNUAL MOREL DINNER — Thursday, May 19

(Reservations Required)
Annual Morel Mushroom Wine Dinner at City Park Grill, 6:30pm

PRIME & KARAOKE GONG BENEFIT — Friday, May 20
Prime Rib Night, 4 – 9pm
Karaoke Gong Charity Event

RESTAURANT WEEK — Friday, May 20 – Friday, May 27
Petoskey Restaurant Week

EATING FOR OTHERS BENEFIT — Tuesday, May 24
10% 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 – 9pm
Annex Karaoke, 10pm – 1am

MULTI DJ MUZIK NIGHT — Saturday, May 28
CIRCUIT Electronic Muzik Night

HAPPIEST HAPPY HOUR
Monday – Friday until May 27, 4:30 – 6pm

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 to guests of the adjacent Cushman Hotel. The 32-foot solid mahogany bar was installed at that time. In 1910, the owner installed a bowling alley in the basement. With the beginning of Prohibition in 1918, he 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.”

Want to learn about City Park’s storied past? Find a full historic timeline online.

City Park Grill is located in Petoskey’s Gaslight District at 432 S Lake Street. (231-347-0101 | cityparkgrill.com)