Behind the Stone Balloon
Part 1 of 2 Part Series: The Balloon Rises
Published: Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Updated: Sunday, July 19, 2009 05:07
He avoids details in his book, but after a turbulent court case, Stevenson walked away only paying Jacobs less than half what we she had wanted, not including the half-ownership she sought of the bar. Within months she was married to Biden.
These scandals, plus the implementation of sobriety checks, increasing the drinking age, competition with other bars, disco and the effect MTV had on the music world by making live music less popular, would wear on The Balloon and Stevenson. It was the beginning of the bar's decline after its peak in the early '80s, when it was making over $2 million a year.
6 comments
Anonymous
A Newark cop on duty at the time permitted my girlfriend to enter even tho she was 18. He knew her my girl.
Anonymous
Does anyone recall what date England Dan & John Ford Coley playing the Balloon?
Anonymous
Hey Michael - No doubt you served me a beer! I was at UD 77 and 78 - left for Florida after that. I loved the Balloon - stale beer smell, sticky carpet, meat market and all!
Alex Josey Sulecki
Alex Josey Sulecki
Karen Coker Catanzaro
I knew a Michael Watkins from about 74-77ish. I loaned him a Rolling Stones album and never got it back. lol! He was from West Virginia. His roommate was a bartender at the Balloon also. I'm on Facebook.
Anonymous
the book is available on amazon.
Michael Watkins
I bartended 78-80 it was my best memory of Delaware. I'd love to hear from anyone who remembers me.
I'd also like to get a copy of Bill;s book. He always treated me kindly.........Michael Watkins
I'd also like to get a copy of Bill;s book. He always treated me kindly.........Michael Watkins
is a member of the 
