Dial back the decades: Old Skool Bar opens with a no-phones philosophy

Editor’s Note: This story is part of Momentum: The people and companies shaping what’s next, a weekly series that explores new ventures, founder support, and the resources powering entrepreneurship and small businesses across seven counties in Southwest Michigan. This project is sponsored by Southwest Michigan First. All photos were taken by Al Jones.

BY AL JONES | THURSDAY, FEB. 19, 2026

KALAMAZOO, MI — When was the last time you focused exclusively on the people around you?

And do you need your cell phone to call friends when lots of people are standing or sitting next to you?

The folks at Old Skool Bar are betting that you don’t. And they’re pretty sure you’ll have a better time at their place without one.

“Old school is a philosophy,” says James Flora, co-owner of the new tavern and eatery at 125 S. Kalamazoo Mall. “It’s just saying we want to kinda go back to the way it was before all the tech and before all the stuff that grabs our attention — and be present. That’s really the motto is to be present, connect, and talk like we are now.”

Old Skool Bar opened on Valentine’s Day weekend, refurbishing and reclaiming a large space that has not been used since the Union Cabaret & Grille closed there in December 2020. It was a restaurant that focused on live entertainment. The space has now been opened up to allow more room for billiards, dancing, karaoke, and special events.

“We took out the big stage so we could have more flexibility on our grand opening weekend,” Flora says. “We were able to take two of these pool tables out. And we were able to put in a big 15-foot by 15-foot dance floor and have a DJ. In the future, we will be doing live bands, as well.”

A mounted steer head on a center wall represents Taurus, the astrological symbol for Flora and his business partner, Mark Hanus. Both men are also pinball players and have eight quarter-operated pinball machines in the bar, as well as ski-bowl games, and room for up to eight pool tables. A disc jockey will play vinyl records. And a compact-disc juke-box is soon to be added to play selections of the hits from great bands and artists.

But from what throwback era?

“It’s not so much the year,” Flora says. “We’re looking for the best compilation or the greatest hits from some of the best bands of all time.”

Who is the bar’s target audience?

“Everybody should come check us out,” Flora says. “Anyone who wants to leave their phone in their pocket or turn it off and be present and connect in person, that’s who should come here.”

He says the no-phones concept (which is being implemented on the honor system) was inspired by a visit he and friends made to The Pinky Ring, a two-year-old Las Vegas nightclub cultivated by singer Bruno Mars. It has a retro-chic atmosphere, in which cellphones are not allowed.

‘We followed the rules, for as much as we didn’t want to,” Flora says of his visit there. “We wanted to sneak pictures and capture the moment. But we followed the rules, and we had a really great time that night. That inspired me to say we need to do something like that back from where I’m from, in Michigan.”

Flora and Hanus were co-owners of the Kalamazoo Beer Exchange. After downsizing in late 2024, that 15-year-old business closed in 2025. Many of its employees are now part of Old Skool’s 20-person staff.

Flaura says he is encouraged about the prospects for entertainment venues in downtown, including the ongoing construction of the Kalamazoo Events Center, a 453,000-square-foot place for sports, concerts, and community events. It is expected to open in the Fall of 2027. Speaking for himself and Hanus, he says, “I think we’re most excited about the reopening of the State Theater. That’s a block down from us.”

He says that the iconic venue brought a lot of great live music, comedy, and other performances to downtown Kalamazoo. Although its operations were suspended in November of 2024, it now has new owners and is expected to be reopened in 2027.

What makes this a good time to open a new entertainment spot?

Hands-on games, like ski-bowl, pinball, and pool, help set the casual mood for The Old Skool Bar, which opened on Valentine’s Day weekend in downtown Kalamazoo.

“Well, we’re running behind,” Flora says. “We were hoping to be open about three months ago.”

He says the opening was delayed by red tape, and there was a lot of work needed to reopen the location.

“We’re very excited to have them next door,” says Ryan Wheeler, manager of the Rocket Fizz candy shop. “We loved having the Union (Cabaret & Grille) as neighbors, and we’ve missed having some sort of bar culture next door. So we’re very excited to have a new fun-focused neighbor. We wish them the best.”

Rocket Fizz, which will celebrate its eighth year in Kalamazoo in March, sells all kinds of retro-nostalgic candy, signs, and memorabilia. It also sells newer candy lines, as well as wacky sodas and classic sodas.

Flora wants people to experience a night of entertainment without cellphones and big technology (Old Skool also doesn’t have wi-fi service) 

“I want them to leave the outside noise and the politics out there,” he says. “When you come in here, let’s come together as a community and talk to each other and spend time together and get away from all that stuff for a minute.”