07/26/2004: Thanks to Chad for submitting this story about an odd experience he had at Club Bijou. The club was supposedly haunted, but Chad did not know about the hauntings at the time of his experience. It sounds like he ran into one of the ghostly brothers who used to run a pizza parlor next to the club. The building was demolished to make way for a new downtown stadium.
The Club Bijou used to be called the Citi Theater. Back years ago in the 1920s or 1930s, I guess it was a hangout for gangsters from Chicago and Detroit. At the time of my “sighting,” I didn’t know it was haunted. Me and some friends were at the club one night and as we were walking up the narrow back stairway, I was up in front leading the way. I looked up and saw a Mexican-looking guy blocking the top step. I stood off to the side to let him pass down. He didn’t move either out of our way or down the steps. My best friend asked me what I was doing. I told him about the guy blocking the steps and he told me I was seeing things, nobody was there. I looked back up and he was gone!
I started back up the stairs and as I turned the corner, he was there beside me. As I walked past him, he tripped me. I looked at him and he smiled at me. I jumped up to confront or fight him, but he was gone. I asked my friends if they saw the Mexican guy and they said no one was around us. I must let you know I wasn’t drinking yet. Me and my friends take turns driving when we go out. This night was my turn. But after that, I traded nights with one of the guys and started drinking. I have been back only a few times since as I feel uncomfortable there now. At the time I didn’t know this place was haunted, but I new something wasn’t right. But now that I know it is haunted, I will be back.