Detroit—With the city’s massive techno festival bringing electronic music fans from all over the globe to town this weekend, visiting friends may be asking where to get brunch, dinner, cocktails or just hang out when not at Hart Plaza.
Movement has been a pulsing attraction to downtown Detroit Memorial Day weekend since 2000, and this year the festival is celebrating 20 years under the guidance of current promoter Paxahau.
Among the 115 performers are Carl Cox, Carl Craig and Cajmere, Kevin Saunderson and Dantiez (as E-Dancer), Juan Atkins and Moritz von Oswald (as Borderland), Dom Dolla and Sara Landry. Detroit’s poet laureate Jessica Care Moore will lead in Carl Craig’s 69 performance with a spoken word set of her own.
The festival is Saturday through Monday.
Here are 20 places for visitors and locals to enjoy and refuel in downtown Detroit. Most are within a short walk from Hart Plaza.
Rooftop bars in downtown Detroit
Kamper’s: Named after the Book Tower’s original architect Louis Kamper, this 4,350-square-foot space has a stunning patio with a skyline view of the downtown Detroit. If you’re afraid of heights, the 14th-floor destination also has seating inside. The menu offers some small plates and bar snacks, but it’s mostly about the bar, which offers a lot of gin cocktails, sangria and sherry. Reservations are suggested. 1265 Washington. kampersrooftop.com.
The Monarch Club: History buffs, architecture nerds and cocktail aficionados can all mingle at this impressive rooftop destination that offers a unique, eagle-eye view of downtown’s majestic buildings. This is an upscale experience, with cocktails starting at the $20 mark and most guests dressing to impress. You can make a meal out of the small plates menu, which has flatbreads, charcuterie boards and other shareables. Reservations are suggested. 33 John R. monarchclubdetroit.com.
The Godfrey: This one is a few beats outside the downtown footprint in Corktown. A new hotel on Michigan Avenue, one of the attractions at the Godfrey is its I|O Rooftop Lounge with retractable glass walls and ceiling. The bar bites menu has a global flair with yuzu deviled eggs, lamb cigars, baked goat cheese, chicken and biscuits, a short rib grilled cheese and the ubiquitous smash burger. Reservations are suggested. 1400 Leverette, Detroit. iogodfreydetroit.com.
Classic Motor City staples
Golden Fleece: Greektown is a bit under construction right now, which is even more reason to skip over to Monroe and support a restaurant that has some of the best gyros the city has to offer. The family-owned spot has been part of the fabric of the city for more than 50 years. It recently got a cosmetic update and the owners also opened Bakalikon, a Greek market and bar next door. Golden Fleece is open daily for lunch and dinner and also open late on the weekends. 525 Monroe. (313) 962-7093. goldenfleecedetroit.com.
Cliff Bell’s: Live music, classic cocktails and an impressive atmosphere, Cliff Bell’s is a jazz club steeped in history. It’s open through Sunday night this week, with entertainment nightly. Hear Detroit trumpeter Jauron Perry and his band Wednesday through Saturday, and the Satin Doll Revue will pay tribute to iconic female vocalists on Sunday. Each night offers two shows, plus a full dinner menu. 2030 Park. (313) 961-2543. cliffbells.com.
Jacoby’s: One of the oldest bars in the area, this Bricktown favorite has a mix of pub grub and German fare, like rouladen and schnitzel. The bar has a large selection of craft beer, local brews and liquors that appeal to a wide variety. It’s a come-as-you-are kind of place with no reservations needed. (There’s a swanky cocktail lounge on the upper level, Room 1904, that does take reservations.) The best part is that Jacoby’s is open noon to 2 a.m. daily. 624 Brush. (313) 962-7067. jacobysbar.com.
The Coney Islands: Some Detroiters prefer Lafayette Coney Island, which has a retro vibe and friendly staff. Others think American Coney Island is more comfortable and welcoming, with its large windows and colorful atmosphere. Either way, you’ll get a menu of Detroit-style coney dogs, fries, and pop or beer. 114 and 118 W. Lafayette. Locals will also point you in the direction of southwest Detroit for a coney dog at Duly’s, 5458 Vernor Hwy.
Cafe D’Mongo’s Speakeasy: Locals know that this eclectic hangout with a lot to look at inside is only open two nights a week, Fridays and Saturdays. That’s part of what makes the bar so charming, along with the strong drinks and cozy layout. 1439 Griswold. facebook.com/cafedmongo.
‘Bougie’ downtown brunch spots
Central Kitchen & Bar: A contemporary spot at Campus Martius Park, Central is one of those downtown spots where you may spot a local celebrity or top athlete. They serve brunch Saturdays and Sundays, with a menu that mixes sweet and savory favorites. There’s a full bar, too, with mimosas and Bloody Marys. Get mimosa refills for just $6, or order a whole bottle of Cava and a carafe of juice for a reasonable $25. 600 Woodward. centraldetroit.com.
Le Suprême: A slice of France in the Paris of the Midwest, Le Suprême is open for dinner nightly, but also Saturday and Sunday brunch. Many of the restaurant’s best dishes — the French omelet, steak frites, wild mushroom tart and escargot a la bourguignonne — are on the brunch menu, along with salads, sandwiches, pastry and cheese plates. There’s excellent European wine and beer offerings, mocktails, absinthe and more, but I can’t resist the elegant martini service, even at brunch. 1265 Washington. lesupremedetroit.com.
The Apparatus Room: Another flagship restaurant on the ground floor of a renovated hotel, Apparatus Room serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, plus a Saturday and Sunday brunch. Go all out with a $16 Bloody Mary made with locally crafted horseradish vodka and house-brined pickles. The biggest splurge on the brunch menu may be the fried chicken and waffles with lemon-thyme syrup and kale, with a pepper mash vinaigrette, but there’s also a full raw bar with caviar, oysters, crab claws and more. 250 W. Larned. (313) 800-5600. detroitfoundationhotel.com/dine/apparatus-room.
Sugah Please: Also very close to Hart Plaza, this daily brunch and breakfast spot has a full bar and a Creole-inspired menu, plus sweet brunch favorites like cinnamon roll French toast and sweet cream pancakes. There’s also a dog-friendly patio, and no reservations are needed. 150 W. Jefferson. (313) 502-5873. sugahplease.com.
The newest destinations in downtown Detroit
Sunda New Asian: Filipino, Japanese, Thai and Chinese cuisine, plus a full bar of eclectic and trendy cocktails, beer, wine and sake are offered at this new downtown restaurant, which just opened in March. The design-forward space has room for around 200 guests, with seating near a sushi bar adorned with hanging capiz shells, in a versatile dining room that can be cordoned off for private parties and around a huge pink quartzite bar with retractable glass walls along Columbia Street.
Saksey’s: Tucked away underneath the sports bar Gilly’s, Saksey’s is giving mid-century modern dive bar through the lens of contemporary luxury. The drinks are cute and fun, with a lot of nostalgic touches, and the food menu has enough elevated pub grub to make a meal out of. 1550 Woodward. sakseysdetroit.com.
Baru Kitchen & Cocktails: A very colorful and on-trend bar and restaurant serving interesting cocktails and a menu that fuses Latin and Caribbean cuisine. It’s open for lunch and dinner Wed.-Sun. and is open until 1 a.m. Fri.-Sat. Check out the hidden bar on the lower level, called Por. Both concepts accept reservations. 1407 Randolph. (313) 402-1563. barudetroit.com.
Chenin: Seats are limited, there are no craft beers and you can’t make a reservation. Bar Chenin is one of the city’s most popular new bars — they’re even up for a James Beard Award — because in spite of, or maybe because of all that. The wine list is super interesting, the menu has just a few items but they’re all good, and if you’re lucky, you’ll be there while someone behind the bar decides to start making burgers. The crowd is on the younger side, too. Located in the Siren Hotel, which is also home to the very tiny, pink and elegant Candy Bar. 1509 Broadway. barchenin.com.
Where the locals go
Sweetwater Tavern: Open until 2 a.m. every night, Sweetwater is known for serving good chicken wings and no-frills drinks in an 1880s brick building. It’s been a go-to for chicken wings so long that people are starting to say the wings are overrated, which often happens with true culinary institutions. Storied music venue Saint Andrew’s Hall is across the street. 400 E. Congress. (313) 962-2210.
Checker Bar: Need a quick burger and a beer, or a casual meet-up with pals? Checker Bar reopened in March after being closed for more than a year following an electrical fire. It has had new life breathed into it after renovations that kept a lot of the original charm. Find seating at the bar, in the dining area or upstairs where there’s lounge seating and board games. 124 Cadillac Square. See also, Grand Trunk Pub at 612 Woodward.
Queens: An authentic and stylish corner bar where you don’t need to worry about reservations or a dress code. 35 E. Grand River. (313) 285-8019.
The Bronx Bar: Not downtown, but up the Cass Corridor, you’ll find one of Detroiters’ favorite watering holes for affordable drinks and one of the best bar burgers in the area. Chill inside in the dark or head out to the porch. 4476 Second. (313) 832-8464.
Melody Baetens is The Detroit News restaurant critic
mbaetens@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Visiting Detroit? Here’s where to eat and drink downtown near Movement
Reporting by Melody Baetens, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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