Alissa Graff found out, despite the growing interest in women’s leagues, she would still need to fight for screen time if she wanted to watch women’s sports at her local bar. So, over the last year or so, Graf and others have taken things into their own hands—organizing watch party for women’s hockey, basketball and more.

Now she hopes to open her own sports bar called Bar IX. It’s a nod to the landmark Title IX amendment that, among many things, expanded women’s access in education and sports. 

Alissa Graff joined the program to talk about starting Bar IX and this moment in women’s sports. 

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In this episode of CuriosiD, listener Leah Warshaw asks the question:

“How did The Old Miami get its name?”

The short answer

The first Miami on Cass was the Miami Lounge, which opened in 1947. As the neighborhood took a turn for the worse in the 60s, the bar became the site of murder, prostitution, and other crimes that marred its reputation. 

The bar switched owners several times but kept “Miami” in the name, for the most part. Shortly after The New Miami was burned down, veteran Danny Overstreet opened The Old Miami, with “Miami” standing for “missing in action Michigan”. Though it started as a place to serve veterans, it’s an inviting dive for everyone in the neighborhood today, with gems like a koi pond in its expansive backyard.

Danny’s wife, Julie, credits the use of “old” to Danny’s sense of humor. She runs the bar today. 

Manager Dena Walker adds, “I mean what would you call it—the New New Miami?”

For more details on the history of The Old Miami and what to expect from today’s laid-back atmosphere, listen to the podcast above.

WDET’s CuriosiD series answers your questions about everything Detroit. Subscribe to CuriosiD on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NPR.org or wherever you get your podcasts.

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