The Noggin Room

Historic Landmark Hotel Shows Off Its More Casual Side

The Perry Hotel has a long and storied history, starting in 1899 when it was built as one of 20 luxury resort hotels in Petoskey. Today, it’s the only one of those 20 still in operation and it’s diversified its offerings by adding three levels of restaurants to its properties: one upscale, one outdoors and one very popular pub.

SIXTIES REVAMP

“The Noggin Room was created when John R. Jack’ Davis purchased the hotel in 1961 and did extensive renovations to it,” explained Reg Smith, Stafford’s vice president of hotels.

It was specifically designed to be a relaxing pub alternative to the more formal dining room upstairs, and it soon became known as a locals’ place, especially during the off-season.

“It’s also become a family favorite for visitors to the area and a spot to enjoy live music, as well,” Smith added.

A mix of knotty pine, bricks, girders and exposed ductwork imparts a unique, speakeasy feel to the room, which is decorated primarily in warm earth tones; seating includes repurposed pews from a Harbor Springs church and an authentic bench from Petoskey’s Pennsylvania Railroad station.

“One of the other remarkable elements of the decor are the monkeypod wood tables,” Smith added. “These were originally at the Edgewater Beach Hotel in Chicago and were later purchased by Nick Bicking for the Harbor Inn around 1963. They were in the Harbor Inn bar for years until that hotel was torn down for redevelopment and Stafford’s was able to purchase them.”

There’s a reason you’ll feel like you’re underground when you’re in The Noggin Room.

“Portions of the place actually are under the grand front porch of the Perry Hotel,” Smith explained.

HALL OF FUN

One of the most notable features of is the collection of mugs hanging on the walls. You’ll notice their quirkiness, but what you might not know is that each mug is actually linked to an individual person.

“We started the Hall of Foam back in the ’90s,” Smith explained. “A person can go through a sampling of some 40-odd international brews to earn an engraved mug with their name on it. For every one you see, we probably have three more that have been retired over the years!” The mugs not only mark the brew selections at The Noggin Room, but also the customers who have become regulars over the years, transitioning from their youthful years to marriage and family.

“If only the mugs could talk!” Smith laughed.

The brews are further promoted with The Noggin Room’s pizza and beer special (a three-topping pizza for $11.95, plus 16-ounce draft brews for $2 each), which has brought new life to the pub’s Sundays, with tables full of people enjoying a fun evening before their workdays return on Monday. “Sunday used to be the slowest day of our week, but now we fill right up,” Smith said.

FAMILIAR FAVORITES

Pizza isn’t the only option the Noggin Room offers. While Smith confirmed the menu is definitely considered “casual pub fare,” there are plenty of other top picks from which to choose.

“We sell more burgers than anything, but we try to have a little something for all tastes,” he said.

For appetizers, spinach artichoke dip is a locals’ favorite, with its base of cream cheese and accompanying pita chips, and Pigs DO Fly are the pub’s signature oven-roasted BBQ pork “wings” served with red onion and pickled vegetables. Soups include Stafford’s seafood chowder with shrimp, scallops and clams, and salads range from the fried green tomato mix to wild rice and quinoa with toasted pine nuts or the classic Caesar.

There’s a full list of burger and hot dog options to choose from, whether you prefer your dog Chicago-style or your burger “Loaded and Truckin’,” stacked with bacon, blue cheese, sport peppers and, yes, a hot dog on top. An Italian pesto grinder sandwich; French dip made from roasted prime rib; a classic Reuben; and fish tacos, with pineapple mango salsa, key lime ranch and cheddarjack cheese, round out the entree options.

To complete your meal, stop in soon to try some of Chef DJ Flynn’s new desserts and don’t miss the live entertainment every weekend, with such favorite local performers as Mike Ridley and Michelle Chenard.

If you’ve already been to The Noggin Room and find that this all sounds pretty familiar, well, that’s all part of the plan.

“A place like The Noggin Room changes very little and that seems to be the way our regulars like it,” Smith said.

The Noggin Room is located in the lower level of the Perry Hotel in downtown Petoskey at 100 Lewis Street. For more information and a complete menu, visit staffords.com or call (231) 347-4000.

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