Every great bar has a story. Ours just happens to start hundreds of miles away—with a spark that couldn’t be ignored.
A Moment That Changed Everything
Back in 2005, Laura and her friends took a trip to New Orleans. Like so many unforgettable nights in that city, one stop changed everything—Coyote Ugly.
It wasn’t just a bar.
It was energy. It was chaos. It was people singing, dancing, and letting go in a way that felt electric.
That night, Laura and Jenny looked at each other and said something simple—but powerful:
“We need a bar like this.”
Sometimes, the biggest ideas start in moments like that.
But life had other plans.
When Hurricane Katrina hit, their trip was cut short, forcing them to head home earlier than expected. What could have been the end of the story… was really just the beginning.
The Idea Grows
Weeks later, during a family trip to Tunica, Mississippi, another spark lit the fire.
On a stop in Memphis, they found themselves walking down Beale Street—a place known for its music, its energy, and its unforgettable nightlife.
Inside a karaoke bar packed wall-to-wall with people, something clicked again.
Frozen drinks. Costumes. Music. A crowd that didn’t want the night to end.
That’s when Laura’s husband turned to her and said:
“You need a bar like this—frozen drinks, karaoke, and more.”
Now it wasn’t just an idea.
It was a vision.
Back in Michigan: Seeing What Others Didn’t
When Laura returned home, she got serious.
She partnered with a broker and began searching for the right location. Eventually, she came across a struggling local bar known as Jamie’s.
Most people would have walked away.
- The coolers didn’t work
- The fryers were broken
- The seating was falling apart
- Business had nearly disappeared
But Laura didn’t see what it was—
She saw what it could become.
From Run-Down to Rockstarz
It didn’t happen overnight.
It took three years of persistence, vision, and belief in something bigger. But eventually, Jamie’s was transformed into something entirely new.
Rockstarz was born.
With upgraded lighting, a real stage, fresh floors, and a dance floor that stayed packed, the bar quickly became something special.
And people noticed.
The Rise of a Nightlife Icon
For over a decade, Rockstarz became a staple of Michigan nightlife.
It wasn’t just about going out—it was about being part of something.
- Two-for Tuesdays
- Wacky Wednesdays
- Thirsty Thursdays
- Weekend karaoke where YOU were the star
People didn’t just come for drinks—they came for the experience.
They came to sing.
To laugh.
To let loose.
Some even walked out with CDs of their performances—a piece of the night they could take home.
And as word spread, Rockstarz grew beyond just a local favorite.
Celebrities like Demi Moore and Ron Perlman stopped in, joining the same crowd as regulars who came week after week.
Lines stretched down the block.
Nights turned into memories.
And Rockstarz became a destination.
A Turning Point
Then came COVID.
Like so many businesses across the country, everything changed.
At the same time, country music was dominating the scene—on the radio, in the bars, and across the nightlife culture.
In an effort to adapt, Rockstarz rebranded as Renegades.
It was a bold move.
But it never quite captured the same magic.
Back to What Made It Special
Now, in 2025, the story comes full circle.
Renegades is a chapter in the past.
Rockstarz is back.
Back to frozen drinks.
Back to karaoke that brings the house down.
Back to shot specials, unforgettable nights, and the kind of energy you can’t fake.
Because at the end of the day, the foundation never changed.
It was always about the people.
The music.
The memories.
And as Jenny said all those years ago:
“There’s no party like a Rockstarz party.”
