Inside: Doc’s Sports Retreat in Livonia

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Status: This 15,000-square-foot bar and grill in Livonia is a sports lover’s dream come true. More than 100 TVs grace the walls at the Doc’s Sports Retreat, located at Seven Mile and 275 at the site of the former Rio Bravo restaurant. The televisions are literally everywhere, even in the bathrooms, so you won't miss a moment of the game.

Doc’s, which is celebrating its fourth anniversary this June, can seat up to 400 and features a popular enclosed patio that overlooks a pond and its wildlife. A bright fish tank greets customers when they enter the cavernous building, and General Manager Todd Clickner describes this bar as a place that welcomes everybody.

“We don’t go after a certain demographic,” Clickner says. “In here, you will see everyone from young adults to kids and couples and some seniors as well.”

The customer makeup definitely shifts throughout the night. “Later at night we have younger crowd and many local restaurant employees finishing shifts,” Clickner says.

Smoking is confined to the bar areas until 9 p.m., and the Retreat is well-ventilated, which is a crowd pleaser for non-smokers.

Gear: There's no formal dress code at Doc’s, and it is common to see people decked out in their favorite team’s jersey on game night. Jeans and t-shirts are everywhere, and because Doc’s is a popular after-work hangout, business casual dress is on display as well as more professional looks (especially for the lunch-time crowd).

Male patrons will enjoy some eye candy along with their sports fix, as the female servers’ uniforms of black tee shirts and short shorts leave little to the imagination.

Mood: Casual, fun and comfortable.

"Doc’s has a cool atmosphere and friendly staff,” says Jim Nicholson, 31, of Redford Township. “It’s a great place to watch sports with the guys or take a date, and the food is good.”

Games are scattered throughout Doc’s , including pool, darts, Golden Tee, a bag- tossing game and others. When it comes to watching sports, everything from soccer to hockey can be found on the TV screens.

“It’s important to note we show all sports, not just Detroit teams,” Clickner says. “If you are a Chicago Cubs fan, you can find your game on, too.”

“In most bars you go to around here, if the Red Wings are playing that night, they are on every screen,” Clickner says. “Here we have enough TVs to saturate the Red Wings around Doc’s and still show several other teams.”

With the combination of music, blaring TVs, chattering customers and busy wait staff, Doc’s is buzzing with activity.

Heather Doba, 29, was slightly overwhelmed by the lively atmosphere on her first visit to Doc’s.

“There’s definitely a lot going on here,” she says. “but it is fun, and everyone is very friendly.”

Pick me up: Doc’s Sports Retreat is a true Metro Detroit beer house with 36 different beers on tap, including a mix of microbrews and domestic selections and seasonal summer ales. Doc’s also has regular specials, including happy hour from 4-6 p.m.Monday through Friday, appetizers are half off, and on Thursdays, specials include half off all drafts and well drinks. Sunday is the “you call it” special after 9:30 p.m. when drinks goes for $3. The Wootini and Hypnotiq Kiss martinis are crowd favorites.

Doc’s also has a full food menu with burgers, salads, sandwiches and pizza and pasta.

Entertainment: Trivia nights are held every Tuesday, and throughtout the summer on Wednesdays, local band Fifty Amp Fuse plays on the patio. Musician Scotty Giles performs from 6-9 p.m. Friday nights, and his mellow sound adds a Jimmy Buffett-feel on the patio.

Giles says the crowd at Doc’s is very enthusiastic. “Sometimes I even get people dancing.”

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