In this world, there are few locations where really everybody is welcome. At “The Bird,” Lois Breidenstein, the bar’s owner, says, “Everyone is welcome here, but if they don’t behave, they have to go!”
On Saturday, July 29, 2023, The Bird commemorated its 90th anniversary. The date was selected to honor Lois’ partner, the late Dan Breidenstein, as the 29th of July was his birthday.
Mt. Pleasant female Erica Peters delights in the action on Main Street; the reflection in her glasses illustrates the Bird Bar and Grill in Mt. Pleasant, MI on Saturday, July 29, 2023. (Photo: Dan Gaken/Epicenter)
Bartender Allison Curtiss puts a beverage for a customer at The Bird Bar and Grill in Mt. Pleasant, MI on Saturday, July 29, 2023. (Photo: Dan Gaken/Epicenter) 
Amelia (age 7) of Mt. Pleasant, MI happily responds to winning a reward in the “Duck Catcher” arcade video game at The Bird Bar and Grill in Mt. Pleasant, MI. (Photo: Dan Gaken/Epicenter)
Allison Richards of Mt. Pleasant signed up with a group of good friends to commemorate the 90th anniversary of The Bird Bar and Grill in Mt. Pleasant, MI. (Photo: Dan Gaken/Epicenter)
Rachel Blizzard of Mt. Pleasant dances with the crowd on Main Street in front of The Bird Bar and Grill in Mt. Pleasant, MI on Saturday, July 29, 2023. (Photo: Dan Gaken/Epicenter) In 1933, John Breidenstein bought the Bennett Hotel Restaurant and altered the name to the Rathskeller.
Lois informs the story of John checking out Lansing to lobby the legislature to permit the sale of beer by the glass. When Prohibition was rescinded, he was granted the very first Class-C alcohol license in Isabella County, she says.
In 1941, John moved his bar to its present place on South Main St.
After a journey to Florida, he altered the name to the Flamingo Cocktail Lounge, however university student simply called it “The Bird Bar,” and the name captured on.
John Breidenstein, the initial owner of The Bird, tends bar at the establishment’s initial place in Mt. Pleasant’s Bennett Hotel. (Undated picture thanks to the Breidenstein Family)
The initial façade of 223 South Main St., now The Bird Bar and Grill. For several years this image was included on postcards of the bar. The reverse of the card read: “Home of the Original Thursday Happy Hour.” Two of the stained glass windows were harmed when the building was remodelled, however the Breidenstein Family keeps the staying 2. (Undated picture thanks to the Breidenstein Family)Lois remembers The Bird being her bar of option when she was operating at Central Michigan University. After a break up, she went to the bar and kept in mind the compassion of the staff.
“There was a guy at the bar who wasn’t leaving me alone. Sally and Helen saw this and asked, ‘Is he bothering you?’ They were running a business, but they also cared about you as a person. That’s what made this place special,” Lois says, remembering the experience.
Lois ultimately wed Dan, Sally’s child. Louis has actually owned the bar considering that Dan died in 2002—she hopes her kids will take it over quickly.
The July 29th event included food from Mt. Pleasant dining establishments Dog Central and Wood Shop Social, live music from Douglas James, and, naturally, a lot of beverage specials.
A regional man using a grizzly bear attire orders from the Dog Central food truck at the 90th anniversary of The Bird Bar and Grill in Mt. Pleasant, MI. (Photo: Dan Gaken/Epicenter)
Performing artist Douglas James sings throughout the 90th anniversary of The Bird Bar and Grill in Mt. Pleasant, MI on Saturday, July 29, 2023. (Photo: Dan Gaken/Epicenter) 
Crowds keep bartenders and servers at The Bird Bar and Grill hectic throughout the night commemorating their 90th anniversary in Mt. Pleasant, MI on Saturday, July 29, 2023. (Photo: Dan Gaken/Epicenter)
Crowds keep bartenders and servers at The Bird Bar and Grill hectic throughout the night commemorating their 90th anniversary in Mt. Pleasant, MI on Saturday, July 29, 2023. (Photo: Dan Gaken/Epicenter)
Ben Breidenstein, among the bar’s supervisors, said with all the excitement he wasn’t aiming to make a big earnings.
“I’m happy if we break even,” he said. “This event is about showing this community how much we appreciate their support for the last 90 years.”
Bird Bar and Grill supervisor Stacy Rabish puts a beverage for a client throughout the anniversary celebration for The Bird Bar and Grill in Mt. Pleasant, MI on Saturday, July 29, 2023. (Photo: Dan Gaken/Epicenter)
Bar clients keep the billiards table and dart boards active throughout the 90th anniversary event for The Bird Bar and Grill in Mt. Pleasant, MI on Saturday, July 29, 2023. (Photo: Dan Gaken/Epicenter)
Bird Bar and Grill supervisor DJ Blizzard tends bar at The Bird Bar and Grill in Mt. Pleasant, MI on Saturday, July 29, 2023. (Photo: Dan Gaken/Epicenter) 
Bar clients keep the billiards table and dart boards active throughout the 90th anniversary event for The Bird Bar and Grill in Mt. Pleasant, MI on Saturday, July 29, 2023. (Photo: Dan Gaken/Epicenter)
