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Auto show night spots

Rev right up and hit Detroit's bumpin' nightlife scene

Andrea K. Farmer

Metromix
January 9, 2009

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Inspired by the glitz and glamour of the North American International Auto Show? Longing for more laid-back surroundings? Whether you're Michigan made or here from out of town, if you're revved up to hit the Detroit nightlife scene near Cobo after the auto show, let Metromix be your guide to the hottest night spots. Looking for a hip lounge downtown? Longing for a good dive bar to chill at? The city's after-dark action is extremely diverse and has something for everyone, so whatever drives you socially, Metromix is pretty sure we can get you there.

Pulse

156 Monroe - Detroit

313-420-0313

Pulse is a classic martini bar with an edge. Although it's a great place to sip on a fancy vodka cocktail, it is also a great place to hear new music, dance and mingle in a sophisticated yet funky venue. Pulse isn't a snooty, upscale bar, though. It's just as great for chilling out after a night game at Comerica as it is for after-theater drinks. The staff is friendly, and the interior is posh yet not overdone. --Sara Kandel

Premium Resto Lounge

1431 Times Square - Detroit

313-598-4555

Located within the breathtaking, newly renovated Book-Cadillac building, this swanky two-level lounge is sleek, sophisticated and the epitome of class. A state-of-the-art light and sound system and three DJ booths keep the party going throughout the night. Posh seating includes 20 VIP booths that keep style at the forefront. --Andrea K. Farmer

Capital Square (formerly Plan B)

205 W. Congress - Detroit

313-226-1200

World-renowned acts and a huge dance floor make this nightspot popular with locals and visitors alike. With late-night hours, an awesome lounge area and a cool second-floor VIP system, the expensive drinks don't seem so bad. The upstairs VIP is more like a wide catwalk around the dance floor where patrons can dance and mingle on the same level as the entertainment. The ultra posh interior contends with nightclubs around the country from Miami to Los Angeles. --Sara Kandel

Esko Lounge

201 Michigan - Detroit

313-962-3000

The Esko Lounge is the kind of club that Saturday nights were made for. The clientele dresses to the nines, the music is loud and joyfully intrusive, the drinks keep on flowing and anyone not dancing just isn't getting into the spirit of the place. OK, so it's not for everyone. But if you want to meet new people, have a ball with old friends or simply dance the week away, Esko is the venue. --Brett Callwood

Reliv

625 Shelby - Detroit

313-962-2244

This big-city style club is extremely trendy with swanky lounge style seating off the huge dance floor and a popular hookah lounge on level two. Everyone inside is dressed to impress in chic club wear that fits in perfect with the surroundings. The price for such luxury isn't cheap so come ready to drop some cash. The main floor party room is a fantastic nightclub, but the real action is on the second floor, where VIP accommodations provide world-class fun and service. More than 100 people can fit in the upstairs hideaway. The sprawling area is filled with booths and tables overlooking the madness downstairs. The sophisticated clientele usually indulges in private bottle service: champagne, a wide variety of liquor or a simple bottle of wine. Formerly Elysium Lounge --Sara Kandel

Prive UltraLounge

155 W. Congress - Detroit

313-965-6560

Looking for a chilled-out place to cozy up and get your groove on? Prive in Detroit, the former London Chop House, is a super-smooth and intimate venue that offers dinner, dancing and drinks. With leather booths and sheer drapes, which provide an Elizabethan-meets-Middle Eastern feel, the place is drenched in romantic ambience. Burgundy hues and soulful vibes radiate urban chic. With recent visits by Mos Def and MC Lyte, it might be hard to keep Prive flying under the radar. Stop by if you want to flatter your date in Rat Pack style.

Ignite at MGM Grand Detroit

1777 Third - Detroit

313-465-1777

Decked out in a serene red and with a lengthy and modern fireplace running down the room (hence the bar's name), Ignite is the perfect place to chill out after a hard evening of blackjack while sipping on a quality cognac and puffing on a fat cigar. Had a good night at the tables? Try one of the vintage whiskeys. Try the sushi or tapas style menu Thursday through Saturday. Local DJs spin hip, contemporary music Friday and Saturday nights. ---- Brett Callwood

The Well

1228 Randolph - Detroit

313-964-0776

The wood-paneled walls and dartboard give the Well a traditional British pub feel. The Wayne State University and University of Detroit campuses produce a student-heavy clientele, though on game days there are plenty of sports fans around the place, too. The vibe is generally laid-back and pleasant, which makes drinking at the Well an enjoyable experience. --Brett Callwood

Eclipz Ultra Lounge

555 E. Lafayette - Detroit

888-771-4386

Tucked away within Greektown Casino, this chic ultra-lounge provides the ultimate lounge experience. Sleek and sophisticated, Eclipz is the newest hot spot to see and be seen in Detroit. Enjoy a selection of gourmet fare and specialty martinis and cocktails. Bottle service is available and live entertainment is offered regularly. --Andrea K. Farmer

The Motor Bar

1114 Washington - Detroit

313-442-1600

This soaring space adjoining the guest registration area on the second floor is surely the most beautiful place in the city to sip a Cosmopolitan or enjoy a fine cognac. The grand space features a small bar at one end with seven or eight seats, but the room is mainly furnished lobby-style, with low tables, chairs, sofas and circular banquettes. Much of the furniture is by Baker and Henredon. --Sylvia Rector

Delux Lounge

350 Monroe - Detroit

313-962-4200

The place to find a party seven days a week, Delux Lounge is a friendly, hip place to hang out, grab a bite, dance, mingle and drink. The outgoing staff pulls people into an energetic yet laid-back world with tasty drinks and genuine smiles. The music is a mix of pop, hip-hop, rock and house. Though the place is small and usually packed on weekend nights, there is always room for one or two more on the dance floor. With a free shuttle to and from all downtown sporting events, Delux's busiest days coincide with game and event schedules. --Sara Kandel

The Baltimore

1234 Randolph - Detroit

313-964-2728

More of a bar than a restaurant with a dimly-lit interior, dining room pool table and diverse alcohol selection, the Baltimore serves a mean grilled cheese that makes the homemade version seem boring. People pack this downtown joint, which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and claims to cook the best burgers downtown. On the weekends, expect shoulder-to-shoulder crowds of all ages as DJs play an eclectic mix. But during the week, patrons pick at the Internet jukebox. --Sara Kandel

Lot 1210

1344 Broadway - Detroit

888-900-1210

An upscale cocktail club, Lot 1210, is sure to please most of the senses. The colorful decor is energizing after a long day, the cocktails (both alcoholic and not) are sweet and the music almost forces people to sway and occasionally tap their feet to the beat. The staff and the guest usually share two things in common: Everyone is friendly and everyone looks like they spent time getting ready. A great place to bring a date or head when in search of one. --Sara Kandel

Vain Ultra Lounge

1500 Woodward - Detroit

313-963-9797

Vain, which boasts an inviting ultra lounge atmosphere that allows for high-energy dance nights, opened September 2009 replacing Pure Nightclub. The classical, Victorian interior is complemented by warm colors, cool lights and a lighting system by Eye Cue along with a solid sound system. --Rachel May

Coaches Corner Bar & Grill

1465 Centre - Detroit

313-963-4000

The DJs at Coaches Corner play music ranging from Motown (of course) to one-hit wonders. The beats don't intrude too much on conversation if you're inclined to sit back with friends. The atmosphere is fun, and the drinks flow. --Brett Callwood

Marilyn's On Monroe

419 Monroe - Detroit

313-963-1980

This shady-looking bar is a little dive, but it's a good time on the weekends as it is packed with people dancing to the top hits of the '80s and '90s and the best of funk, soul, rock and RB. It can get crowded, so be sure to arrive early and in clothing you don't mind sweating in because at this Marilyn Monroe-themed bar, it gets hot. Hours vary during the week, so its always best to call ahead of time when heading to this Greektown watering hole. --Sara Kandel

PJ's Lager House

1254 Michigan - Detroit

313-961-4668

It began life as an Irish/union bar and morphed into one of the must-play venues for up-and-coming Detroit bands. The front room holds the bar, a usually vacant Ping-Pong table and a video screen broadcasting the show from the tiny stage in the Jerome P. Cavanaugh Social Room. On live music nights, it's packed to its 150 capacity, and it's LOUD. We wouldn't have it any other way. $5 cover on band nights. --Emilana Sandoval

Foran's Irish Pub

612 Woodward - Detroit

313-961-3043

Once a ticket office for the impressive Grand Trunk Railway, Foran's, now an Irish bar, capitalizes on that historic atmosphere. This old but beautiful two-story building with vaulted ceilings and a brick wall interior was built in 1879. Foran's uses the second level as a stage for live techno, electronic and Irish music. The first floor houses a long bar. Foran's serves many locally produced food and beverages like Motor City Brewing Works beer, Avalon Bakery bread and meats and produce from Eastern Market. --Sara Kandel

Cobo Joe's Bar

422 W. Congress St Lbby - Detroit

313-965-0840

A fun, vibrant bar in the heart of downtown Detroit, Cobo Joe's offers great beer and excellent food without breaking the bank. The parties (Halloween, Super Bowl, etc) are semi-legendary, and they have a selection of salads that means diners don't necessarily have to pile on the pounds. --Brett Callwood

Anchor Bar

450 W. Fort - Detroit

313-964-9127

Located conveniently close to Joe Louis Arena, the Anchor Bar is a haven for those in need of a postgame beverage. It's not a sports bar, but the hockey fans perched on the bar stools under the cloud of smoke give the place a lively vibe, and the talk usually centers on the Red Wings' last performance. --Brett Callwood

Beaubien Street Saloon

641 Beaubien - Detroit

313-961-5766

It's strictly drinks at the Beaubien Street Saloon, a bar that claims to be one of the oldest in Detroit. Here, patrons can sit back and relax while watching sports without interference from loud music or dancing. There isn't a lot going on inside, but the dull interior doesn't at all reflect on the crowd or staff. It's all about the game, the drinks and time spent playing pool. The Beaubien Street Saloon is neither a hole in the wall nor a popular party spot. It falls somewhere in between. --Sara Kandel

Old Shillelagh Pub

349 Monroe - Detroit

313-964-0007

Drunken Irish fun all year round. On any given night, you can wait in line to climb the narrow wooden staircase to the top floor where the energy from popular Irish drinking songs has people singing along, clapping their hands and, when the music calls for it, stomping their feet. The bar is wood from floor to ceiling, including the long, cafeteria-style tables and benches, where friends and strangers sit together. Everything about the decor and the patrons here gives the bar the atmosphere of an old-style Irish pub. Despite its antique look, Old Shillelagh is filled with a mix of college students, young professionals and older regulars. --Sara Kandel

Proof Martini Lounge

2001 Woodward - Detroit

313-309-3200

Whether this is the first stop of the night or the last, with a friendly staff, posh environment and good mix of music, the surroundings will please you. Early in the evening, it's easy to get a table, and the glass walls facing Woodward make Proof ideal for people watching. Proof has a good scene throughout the week and hosts some great parties, usually with a cover under $10, and always worth a first visit. Information on the martini bar's parties can be found on its MySpace page. --Sara Kandel

Post Bar

408 W. Congress - Detroit

313-962-1293

The Post Bar is one of those places where it is easy to find a wide mix of people from sports fans to indie rockers and hipsters. Everyone enjoys this laid-back but high-energy bar, supposedly even professional hockey players. Its Web site says, and bar staff confirms, that the Stanley Cup has visited the wild, graffiti-laden bar numerous times. The Detroit Post Bar was the first location of six to open its doors. Other locations are in Dearborn, East Lansing, Novi, Auburn Hills and Ferndale. --Sara Kandel

A Bar

1000 Brush - Detroit

313-962-2323

Perfect for grabbing appetizers and cocktails before a night on the town, A Bar is a cocktail lounge in the lobby of the luxurious Atheneum Hotel in Greektown. The bar opens daily at 4 p.m. but doesn't have a definite closing time. If you're planning to make it part of a night out on Greektown, put it near the beginning of your evening. Remember to dress nicely -- cutoffs and dirty wife-beaters won't work here. --Sara Kandel