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The arrival of autum is when metro Detroit steps up its nightlife game and the true players shine.
The season kicked off last week with the unveiling of the pristine Motor Bar on the second floor of the downtown Detroit Westin Book Cadillac, the refurbished $200-million hotel complex that opened Oct. 6 after being shuttered since 1984.
Three striking circular chandeliers hanging from 30-foot plastered ceilings suggest that you’ve entered a realm of sophistication not usually found in your standard corner bar.
Targeting the after-work crowd as well as suburban weekend warriors, Motor Bar boosts custom carpet, marble and mahogany everywhere you look and an abundance of seating, ranging from plush eggplant-color couches to beige arm chairs and dark leather benches tucked away in alcoves.
“This building has a long and sordid past and a rich history and heritage -- that’s the first reason to come to the Motor Bar,” says Scott Stinebaugh, director of sales and marketing at the Westin Book Cadillac. “The interior architecture is so unique, so stunning, so striking. I think it’s a must-see when you come downtown.”
The opening of the Motor Bar serves as a reminder that despite the tough economy, nightclub fans and bar-goers have been blessed by the opening of a number of top-tier venues throughout metro Detroit this year. In the no-guarantees world of nightlife, where it’s not unusual to see a club open and close in the same calendar year, opening a new venue is never an easy proposition. But the tough economic times have made things even more pressure-packed, club managers say.
Here’s a look at some of the key new players -- and what they’ve done to stand out and stick around -- in a crowded and competitive marketplace of 800 bars and clubs in the tri-county area.
