Sports fans in and around Marquette have a new place to watch their favorite teams in action as the doors closed to the Blue Lounge and reopened as a sports hangout.
Situated in downtown Marquette on Washington Street, The 906 Sports Bar & Grill has a menu that features the names of some of the Upper Peninsula’s high school mascots, such as the Redman of Marquette, Mich. and the Hematite from Ishpeming, Mich. The 906 is open for lunch, dinner and drinks.
The 906 has 12 flat screen televisions and sports memorabilia displayed on the walls, which any sports fanatic would appreciate. Lake Superior is also showcased with large windows that have tables next to them to allow for a view of the game, as well as mother nature.
Junior marketing major Joanna Pellizzer visited The 906 last week and said that she enjoyed being able to eat at a restaurant with such a fun atmosphere.
“The 906 combines the feel of a sports bar with a family restaurant and doesn’t forget about the appeal of Lake Superior,” Pellizzer said.
The 906 offers the NFL Sunday Ticket to customers, which according to DirecTV’s website, brings viewers “every out-of-market game every Sunday.”
Manager of The 906 Kurt Ghiardi said one game will be featured on the main television set that is connected to the stereo system so patrons around the bar will be able to enjoy. Ghiardi also said the crowd will dictate the main game and whatever the majority of people want to watch is what will be shown.
Ghiardi has eight years of experience running successful sports bars in Arizona and wanted to transition this location into a place where families and sports fans alike could enjoy a relaxed environment while keeping up with the latest game.
“We are setting out to provide an atmosphere that everyone can enjoy,” Ghiardi said.
In addition to the U.P. inspired items, the 54-item menu offers homemade wing sauces and dressings, handmade burger patties and a kids menu.
There are also dessert options that include a unique choice of a cookie skillet, which is a chocolate chip or macadamia nut cookie baked in a skillet served with ice cream.
The 906 takes a different approach than the previous Blue Lounge, as it opens at 11 a.m. every day and the kitchen stays open until 9 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
The bar is open until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday and until close Sunday through Wednesday.
“People aren’t used to coming up here (The 906) during the day, so we want to get people in here to enjoy things other than the night-life,” Ghiardi said.
As NFL season kicks off, The 906 offers mass viewing opportunities, as football will be the main focus for what games are shown in the restaurant.
However, Ghiardi points out that NHL fans will be in luck when hockey season rolls around. The 906 will offer a similar package for the NHL as they currently do for the NFL.
Another aspect that appeals to a wide demographic of customers, especially the college crowd, is that The 906 is open to all ages.
“It will be nice to have a cool environment where I can go to watch a game and not have to be worried about getting carded at the door,” Dan Kamppinen, junior communications major, said.
