Inside: Goodnite Gracie and D’Amato’s

(Credit: Erin Branstner/Special to Metromix)

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Goodnite Gracie

D'Amato's Neighborhood Restaurant

Status: For more than a decade, D’Amato’s and Goodnite Gracie have been giving the eternally hip a place to hang their hat.

Pairing up to deliver a one-two punch of gourmet Italian cuisine and some of the best evening entertainment around, these two Royal Oak staples continue to pack ‘em in week to week.

Just north of Washington and Fourth Street lies the narrow, vibrant backdrop of Goodnite Gracie; martini, jazz, and cigar bar beloved by young professionals and trendy hipsters alike.

The art deco design and tuxedo-shirt-clad bar staff make it feel as though you’ve stepped into an era gone by, and you’ll dig it.

Weekend nights find Gracie filled past capacity which leads sexy singles to shift between Gracie, D’Amato’s and the small outdoor patio.

Manager Brian Day says he thinks Goodnite Gracie's continued popularity can be credited to serving stiff drinks and offering remarkable drink specials. They also never charge cover, and at a time when every dollar counts, who doesn’t appreciate not having to pay just to walk through the door?

Mood: A cozy, neighborhood bar with an edge, Gracie is a “bar’s bar.”

At a time where more and more establishments have become watered down versions of their former selves, Gracie revels in its role as a place to drink and smoke till your heart desires.
 
Columns of cigar smoke weave through the air and the sight of well-shaken martinis make this chic dive bar no place for amateurs.

Gear: The variety of clientele is obvious as you look around at the vast array of clothing choices.

Anything from jeans and tees to suits and ties is good to go for the gentlemen folk, while the fairer sex can feel comfortable in dressed up jeans or a sexy ensemble.

Pick me up: D’Amato’s head chef Myles McVay guarantees you the freshest fare available including fish arriving daily from Hawaii, Boston and Florida. Using local produce as much as possible, you can taste the freshness in every bite. Dishes are moderately priced, averaging around $18 and served until 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

Not to be outdone, Goodnite Gracie sports an award-winning selection of martinis, specialty cocktails and fine wines. Swing by Monday thru Friday from 5-7 p.m. and give them a taste for half the price.

If smoking is your vice of choice, you won’t want to overlook Gracie's fully stocked humidor which holds an ever changing assortment of 200-300 cigars.

Entertainment: Five nights a week, your ears can enjoy a wide variety of entertainment ranging from jazz and soul to the latest on the turntables.

Setting itself apart from many of the other mainstream clubs in Royal Oak, you won’t hear any hip-hop or top 40 dance tracks at Gracie. Resident DJs Urban Kris and Jared Sykes keep the crowd moving every weekend with their very own mix of heart-pounding house music.

You can also hear live house bands perform weekly every Wednesday and Thursday night.

Music occasionally takes a back seat as D’Amato’s and Goodnite Gracie host their frequent wine dinners and international wine tastings, which makes dinner and a movie seem just a little lame.