Catch the game at Benchwarmers

By Tim Sutherland
Sun sports writer
One of the great venues to hit the scene in the last 15-20 years has been the sports bar. A chance to meet friends, enjoy good food and drinks and watch the big game is a dynamite combination for any sports fan. Add to that live entertainment, 11 big screen televisions, a non-smoking room and a deck, and you’ve got a winner in Benchwarmers Sports Bar & Grill in Maple City. On assignment recently to catch a high-intensity playoff game, I enjoyed watching the Detroit Redwings’ epic three-overtime heartbreaking loss on June 2 at Benchwarmers. Luckily, the Wings would wrap up a Stanley Cup championship two days later.

Having worked in the bar/restaurant business myself at places that at least attempted to attract sports fans, I exalted this winter when I learned that Benchwarmers offered the Big Ten network package. So I checked out several U-M and Michigan State basketball games during the cold months. When my editor suggested that I catch a playoff hockey game this spring and write a review, I jumped at the opportunity.
After a couple of ownership changes since the venue first opened in 1997, Lee Ann and Gary Hecht took over in December, 2006, and decided to make a sports bar. Lee Ann, who has worked over 30 years in the restaurant business, says, “I was looking to do more of a white tablecloth, fine-dining restaurant when Gary suggested a sports bar.
We are both big sports fans, but it took a while for the idea to grow on me. We decided that for a sports bar we needed lots of TVs, so we ended up with 11. Our goal was a family bar atmosphere with good food at affordable prices and a friendly clean atmosphere built on great service.”
Gary Hecht, who owns a successful construction company, renovated the building, featuring all-wood furnishings, a 23-seat rectangular U-shaped bar, 26 seats in the main bar area, with 28–30 seats in the non-smoking back room.
But the key to success in any bar or restaurant is the food, and Benchwarmers hits a grand slam in that category. The two most popular sandwiches are the M.C. Club with bacon, chicken, ham, cheddar, lettuce and tomato on cherry oat bran bread, and the French Onion Dip that I ordered the night of the Wings game. Chef Ryan slow cooks a tender roast beef and serves it with Swiss cheese and au jus on this tasty onion roll with chunks of onion baked right into the bread. It is incredible. All sandwiches are served with special homemade chips with a special spice Lee Ann refuses to divulge. The menu also features a great selection of salads — the two most popular being a fantastic Greek Salad and the specialty Leelanau Salad made with all locally grown ingredients. To that add great appetizers like Grouper Fingers and Coconut Shrimp, homemade soups and chili, entrees featuring a Sirloin Steak, a Thursday night Rib special, delectable desserts including Mary’s homemade apple dumplings smothered in ice cream and whipped cream, (which more than satisfied my sweet tooth craving that night), and any culinary aficionado will be a happy camper.
Benchwarmers offers eight beers on tap including Killians and Oberon, an around-the-clock 10 oz. Pabst Blue Ribbon draft for $1, and a 3:30-7:30 happy hour every afternoon with 50 cents off all drinks. When you add lots of game-time specials, like 25-cent wings during Wings games and $1 Labatt drafts during Tiger games, you’ve got a winning combination.
Although it was a Monday night when I stopped by, 15-20 diehard Red Wings fans were there to watch the game, many (including myself) sporting jerseys or hats. One of my prized possessions is a game-worn Lee Norwood jersey that I wore that night. My buddy, Johnny Mac, and I sat next to a Wings fan from Lake Ann named Captain Mike. “It’s the best sports bar in the area,” he said. “I drive over to watch lots of games.” The Hechts have their own horn that Kris the bartender honks after each Red Wings goal. There is also a flying monkey mascot that sails around the bar for good luck. Lee Ann mentioned that the U-M-Michigan State football game has drawn the biggest crowd, followed closely by the Super Bowl.
Benchwarmers features live entertainment every Friday and Saturday night from 7-11 out on the deck. Five different local bands alternate nights throughout September, including Blind Dog Hank, Mark and the Meteors, Big Rand and New Third Coast.
Lee Ann describes Benchwarmers as a “sports bar with a chick’s flair,” adding, “business has exceeded expectations and even been overwhelming at times.” The family, including daughter Jennifer who bartends and hostesses, contributes to the friendly atmosphere, and as Lee Ann says, “the great chemistry connects the back and the front of the house. We offer something for everyone.” In this reporter’s opinion, they’ve won the Stanley Cup with great food, service, sports and entertainment. Benchwarmers is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. until midnight.