Daniel Overstreet, a Vietnam veteran infantryman, bought the burned out building in 1979 and opened the The Old Miami in 1980.

Due to Mr. Overstreet's service to the country, it is a veteran's bar, first, and any veteran is granted free entry for all the events. It has morphed into one of the gems of The Corridor and has a huge backyard & patio, including a koi pond and bonfire area. It is a place where locals, artists, musicians and punks get along over whiskey and a game of pool.. But this place garnered credibility by supporting the great local bands and traveling musicians that come to city.

Since the bar started booking shows, it has gained notoriety as the "CBGB's of the Midwest," playing host to national/international artists like The Allman Brothers, The Vibrators, Butthole Surfers, D.O.A., Booker T and the MG's, Richie Hawtin, Dead Milkmen, Country Joe and the Fish, Red Elvises, and PF Sloan. The music venue has, also, been home to some of Detroit's biggest talent including Iggy Pop, The White Stripes, Mitch Ryder, Patti Smith, MC5 members Rob Tyner & Wayne Kramer, Sonic's Rendezvous, Carl Craig, Jay Dilla, Rodriguez, Amboy Dukes, Eminem, Royce da 5' 9", Big Sean, Visionquest crew, Detroit Cobras, The Dirtbombs, The Gories, Destroy All Monsters, Mary Wells and many Motown performers.