The Blue Slipper, a celebrated institution in Onekama, Michigan, boasts a continuous operational history spanning over 130 years, though its identity has shifted significantly since its presumed construction in the mid-1880s. While known today for its vibrant atmosphere, featuring live music, local brews, and a robust food menu, the building’s past is steeped in local lore. Initially operating as Hansen’s Saloon, it gained lasting notoriety in 1890 when a drunken dispute following the county fair escalated into a fatal shooting. Local troublemaker Seth Aiken attempted to shoot a Deputy Sheriff but instead killed farmer Charles Brown; a bullet hole from this infamous incident remains visible in the bar today, serving as a tangible link to its violent origins.
The establishment continued its colorful existence through the 20th century, rumored to have housed a brothel upstairs during the 1930s, and later transforming into the chaotic “Blue Shoe Zoo” in the 1970s—a local hangout where patrons reportedly rode motorcycles indoors and broke bottles against the walls. After a period of closure, the bar was resurrected in the early 2000s, adopting its current name and structure. Now, The Blue Slipper stands as a quintessential piece of Michigan history, preserving the unique character of its past while serving as a popular and enduring fixture in the Onekama community for both long-time residents and new visitors alike.
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