Detroit
Detroit City Overview
It seems Detroit is the city everyone loves to hate. Go on just about any sports message board and you’ll see people spewing venom.
Not here, though. We’ve been to Detroit about a dozen times and have had an enjoyable and safe experience every time. Does Detroit have problems and areas to avoid? Of course it does, just like any other city. But the city is no longer defined by heavy industry and recession. Detroit is turning things around, and is actually attracting new residents for the first time in decades.
It’s a slow but sure process, as old sturdy buildings are being renovated into lofts and condominiums, attracting a whole new wave of younger residents. There are pockets of economic growth and the long neglected downtown is rebounding.
For baseball and beer fans, there are quite a few very good restaurants and bars in downtown Detroit and near Comerica Park, Ford Field, and the Fox Theater. Just across the river into Canada is Windsor, home of a few swanky casinos and other adult diversions.
Our advice? Don’t listen to the naysayers and trash talkers. There are plenty of good things going on in Detroit and our list of bars, restaurants, and taverns will give you a glimpse.
The Neighborhood – Comerica Park
Comerica Park is in an area slightly north of downtown Detroit, although some would say the area around Comerica and Ford Field is actually a part of downtown. Either way, the two sports stadiums and the historic Fox Theater anchor this part of town. And when there are sporting venues, there are sure to be bars and restaurants. Most are within safe walking distance.
There are numerous parking lots around the stadiums and downtown Detroit’s public transportation system, The People Mover, has a stop nearby.
In our estimation, be most cautious in the area directly north of Comerica, away from Woodward Avenue.
The Ballpark
Comerica Park replaced beloved Tiger Stadium beginning with the 2000 season. The ballpark has undergone some minor remodeling since then, most notably to the outfield fences. There are touches of Tiger Stadium all around but this is a ballpark with its own identity.
The Tigers ownership is continually striving to add entertainment options within the ballpark itself, and making things affordable for families. Outfield seats are particularly poplular, near the statues of former Tiger greats.
Ballpark Tours
Tours of Comerica Park are available from June through September. Dates are Tuesdays and Fridays, as long as it’s a non game day. Tour times are 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. Cost is $6. You’ll see the dugouts, press area, clubhouse, and more.
Historic Baseball Sites
One of the most historic baseball sites in the country is no longer in a state of transition. Tiger Stadium, now a memory, was located about a mile and a half west of Comerica Park at “the corner”, aka the corner of Michigan and Trumbell.
Tiger Stadium was finally demolished after the ballpark sat in limbo for almost ten years. Preservation groups were working with the city to maintain the main structure behind home plate and the grandstand sections up to first and third base. Sadly, efforts failed to preserve any part of historic Tiger Stadium and the last remaining portion of the ballpark fell to the wrecking ball on September 22, 2009. There are no current plans for redevelopment of the site.
Tigers Tickets
The Tigers are popular in Detroit and many weekend games sell out or come close to selling out. But for the most part, you can buy tickets on game day.
Public Transportation
Downtown Detroit has a monorail system called The People Mover that circulates among primary downtown landmarks like the Renaissance Center, City Hall, Greektown, and the Fox Theater. If you’re staying at the Renaissance Center, The People Mover is a good, safe option to get around and save on parking costs to boot.
Bars, Taverns, and Restaurants
If you ever hear someone say “there’s no where to go in Detroit”, point them to this section as proof they’re wrong. You’re especially in luck if you’re a fan of beer, as there are three brewpubs in the general vicinity of Comerica Park along with a couple of historic taverns that emphasize good beer. And within a ten or so minute drive, there are a few specialty beer bars that will impress any beer lover. So … here’s our top ten, plus one:
Detroit Brewing Company: A friendly, lively brewpub just five minutes from Comerica. They have a well respected sister brewery in suburban Detroit. The vibe is sports bar, so it’s a good meeting place pre or post game. 1529 Broadway St., Detroit. Phone: 313-962-1529.
Jacoby’s Since 1904: This is one of our first stops in Detroit for the last 25 years. Billing themselves as one of Detroit’s oldest saloons, Jacoby’s serves excellent food with a German flair in an old Rathskellar type setting. Try the lake perch sandwich if it’s on the menu specials. They offer a house lager and dunkel, made locally according to a special recipe. Both are excellent! 624 Brush St., Detroit. Phone: 313-962-7067.
The Town Pump: The closest, and probably most popular spot within walking distance of Comerica Park. This place is friendly, the food is very good, and the crowd is fun. There are 18 beers on tap too. 100 W. Montcalm St., Detroit. Phone: 313-961-1929.
Atwater Block Brewery: Atwater Block is a longstanding Detroit brewpub and microbrewery about a 5 minute drive from Comerica near the Detroit River. It’s a big industrial space and there’s plenty of room to spread out and enjoy handcrafted beers and an entree or appetizers. 237 Joseph Campeau St., Detroit. Phone: 313-877-9205.
Nemo’s: If you’re craving baseball nostalgia and a great burger, stop in at Nemo’s. This restaurant/bar is two blocks from the former Tiger Stadium site on Michigan Avenue and they run shuttles to all the games. Very popular locally, especially at lunch. Nemo’s is a real slice of Detroit and we love it. 1384 Michigan Ave., Detroit. 313-965-2633.
Comet Bar: Comet Bar is a close walk from both Comerica Park and Ford Field. It’s a locals place where the beer is cold and the talk is straight. Very popular with those in the know, and the crowd is generally young and attractive. 126 Henry St., Detroit. Phone: 313-963-6763.
Motor City Brewing Works: Located about 10 minutes away from Comerica near the Wayne State University campus, this is Detroit’s original brewpub if memory serves. It’s like walking into someone’s living room, and there’s an adjacent larger bar and nightclub. But the beer is the star at Motor City, and it’s a real joy to support one of the Midwest’s original microbreweries. 470 W. Canfield, Detroit. Phone: 313-832-2700.
Third Street Saloon: Just two blocks away from Motor City Brewing Works is the Third Street Saloon, which for some reason is located on Forest Avenue. With 50 beers to choose from and a diverse crowd that packs them in for live music four nights a week, this is a true Detroit gem. 701 W. Forest Ave., Detroit. Phone: 313-831-3434.
The Lager House: OK, so you like beer. How can you go wrong with a place named The Lager House? The answer is, you can’t. A block away from Nemo’s, The Lager House has a comfortable vibe and a crowd ranging from local movers and shakers to students. Later on, it becomes one of Detriot’s preeminent spots for live music. 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit. 313-961-4668.
Union Street: It’s after the game, and you’re looking for a place a bit more upscale, where the crowd is in their 30′s and 40′s and the scene is comfortable yet classy. Union Street is your spot. It’s north of Comerica on Woodward Avenue about 20 blocks, and it’s a gathering spot for the Detroit professional set. Enjoy a late dinner and some drinks from an excellent list of spirits and draught beers. 4145 Woodward Ave., Detroit. 313-831-3965.
Ye Olde Tap Room: The name definitely tells all. Ye Olde Tap Room has been around since Prohibition (that’s 1933 for all you non history types). It’s a fun, bustling yet laid back place with almost 300 varieties of beer available. Located in east Detroit at the border of Grosse Point, where there are several other nightlife options available. 14915 Charlevoix, Detroit. Phone: 313-824-1030.
