Dee-troit Basketball
Five places to score for the Pistons playoff action
By Colleen Miller
Special to MetromixApril 17, 2008
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Callahan's
2105 South Blvd. -
Auburn Hills
248-858-9508
There are three generously-sized plasma TVs behind the quaint bar at Callahan's and another set just like it on an adjacent wall and a couple of smaller, individual sets scattered throughout the rest of the bar. The best angle is belly-up to the bar, but bar space is limited. Callahan’s will be running food and drink specials during playoff games and the big screens will be blaring with Pistons pride. The bartenders sport fitted T-shirts that say “Cally Girl” on the front and their name on the back like a jersey. Between quarters you can have a go at one of their arcade games near the door, including Golden Tee. With a professionally lit stage at the back of the bar, which could still easily draw attention away from any TV, it's no surprise that Callahan's features top entertainment on the weekends ranging from nationally known rock bands to Celtic performances, but they usually tend more towards blues.
The Post Bar
3880 Lapeer - Auburn Hills248-370-8909
The Post Bar is right across Lapeer Road from the Palace, making it one of the best places to pre-game and post-game. Along with 20 TVs, the Post also has a patio and valet parking. They offer round-trip shuttles to the Palace for $4 per person. If the grub and brews are too costly at the game itself, hold out for the Post's two-for-one appetizer specials post-playoff game. Don't miss out on the spinach and artichoke dip or their unbelievable wood-burning oven pizzas. Plus, you never know who you may run into after the game – Pistons have been spotted on the scene.
Red Ox Tavern
3773 E. Walton Blvd. - Auburn Hills248-340-7070
Red Ox Tavern has it all: From a bar lined with 10 TVs with a fountain of water pouring down behind them into the rows of liquor bottles, to shuffleboard, delicious kabobs and flat-screen TVs to ogle over. With 17 televisions total, there isn't a bad seat in the house when it comes to watching sporting events here -- unless you're sitting outside on their patio enjoying the view and the fireplaces. Come early and enjoy happy hour Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Or stay past the game and enjoy half-off select appetizers and various drink specials from 10 p.m. to close Sunday through Thursday.
Hoops Sports & Spirits
2705 Lapeer - Auburn Hills248-373-4744
As its name and the basketball net above the front door suggests, Hoops is the grand-daddy of sports bars with a special obsession with basketball. They are the official Pistons’ playoff headquarters and began their business run back when the Palace opened in 1988. There are a total of 30 TVs spread out throughout Hoops -- behind the bar, at every booth and above the booths with framed jerseys in between. There's a huge screen on one side of the bar and even more TVs everywhere else. Fans know they can come to Hoops to watch the game or hang out post-game to be amongst a familiar crowd, possibly even the same people in their section at the Palace. Take advantage of the shuttle to and from the Palace for $4 per person round trip. Shuttles start an hour before the game and run every 15 minutes after that. WDFN will be broadcasting live at Hoops during the playoffs (check the venue for more details on what games and times). Not going to the game? No worries: Enjoy half-off wings and $5.50 Bud Light pitchers during games.
Stan's Dugout
3350 Auburn - Auburn Hills248-852-6433
During the playoff games it's all basketball, otherwise expect a healthy dose of musicians jamming out to an acoustic Steve Miller Band cover or DJs spinning groovin’ house music. The live entertainment and karaoke is usually held off ‘til after the final ticks of the clock, but sometimes the crowd just wants to sing (This is Dee-troit basketball! And it is playoff time). Chances are you'll catch happy hour during a game, which is from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday. There's also a $2 beer of the month (Michelob and Michelob Ultra long necks for April), and various food specials during the day, like 25 cent wings on Mondays. There is free municipal parking in the back, which makes Stan's a great place to meet up with friends, have a bite and a brew before carpooling to the Palace. There’s plenty to do at Stan’s during the game besides starting at the 11 sets (including three big screens): You can shoot some stick on one of their two pool tables or play a few arcade games in a separated area (which also sports its own giant TV). If you're catching a Saturday event, don't be surprised by Euchre matches, which start at 7 p.m. Stan’s also rocks the karaoke on Wednesdays, Thursdays (which draws a huge college crowd) and Saturdays. And don’t visit without checking out the hideaway arcade room. Game on.
