Detroit has risen like a phoenix in recent years, especially with its nightlife scene revitalising many relics of this historic port city. Motown, techno, blues, and jazz would not be what it is today without the touch of old-town Detroit, and you can now enjoy their iconic classical entertainment with a modern twist, and experience first-hand the renaissance period of Motor City.
From hidden bars to movie time with the family, Detroit has something to offer for any traveller and guest seeking an evening in the city. Spice up your evening in Motor City with music, drinks, and more with this guide to the best things to do after dinner in Detroit.
- 1
St. Andrew’s Hall
Live music is the perfect way to start the evening
- Nightlife
St. Andrew’s Hall has become a musical staple in Detroit, hosting some of the biggest names in the business such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, Bob Dylan, and more. It’s known to be one of the ever first stages where rapper Eminem performed on.
To this day, St. Andrew's is always the stop for live performances, offering face-to-face view at the standing area near the stage and balcony seating for those looking to rest their legs. The acoustics of "the shelter" is well maintained and tuned to give you one of the best rock venue experiences in the city.
Location: 431 E Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
Open: Daily from 5 pm to 2 am
Phone: +1 313-961-8961
Mapphoto by Mx. Granger (CC0 1.0) modified
- 2
Motor City Casino
Place your bets, and spin the wheel at this local casino
- Nightlife
Motor City Casino is always ready for the next lucky patron to walk through its doors. It boasts a 100,000-sq-ft casino floor with almost 3,000 slots and tables, as well as 2 poker rooms. If you haven't had dinner yet, the casino is the perfect place to get your food fix before placing your bets.
Motor City also hosts live music in their spacious 2nd-floor venue and offers a luxurious spa treatment to bring the evening to a close. If you need a nap after all of the winnings, the attached hotel offers a cosy place to rest your head.
Location: 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
Open: 24/7
Phone: +1 866-782-9622
Map - 3
Go Comedy! Improv Theatre
Prepare yourself for an evening of belly laughs and smiles
- Nightlife
Go Comedy! Improv Theatre is a sweet escape on the outskirts of Detroit where people from across the county come to get a good knee-slapping evening. The comedians, whether professional or novice are well selected and never fail to get a roaring rise from the crowd.
The theatre has comfortable seating with views of the stage from every area. Try to catch the early shows as the venue fills up quickly, and once you have your table, the attentive staff will introduce you to the adult beverage menu, so you can sit back, relax, and get ready for a laugh with your date or friends.
Location: 261 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220, USA
Open: Wednesday–Saturday from 7 pm to midnight, Sunday from 6 pm to midnight
Phone: +1 248-327-0575
Map - 4
Cliff Bell's Jazz Club
Step back in time and swing to the sounds of Motown
- Nightlife
Cliff Bell's Jazz Club dates back to the early years of Detroit, serving as the city's iconic venue for live jazz since the 1930s. You may want to make reservations in advance if you want to get the front row seats to the show.
Cliff Bell's offers a full dinner menu in the evening. The music goes into the night, so order up a signature negroni and take in the ambience of the bar that made Detroit the vibrant city it is today.
Location: 2030 Park Ave, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
Phone: +1 313-961-2543
Map - 5
Cafe D'Mongo's Speakeasy
A funky local hideaway with tasty cocktails
- Nightlife
Cafe D'Mongo's Speakeasy is a great combination of hipster and blues in Detroit. The music here can be less refined, but it matches well with the laidback vibe of the bar and the eclectic ambience by design.
The Rick's Grilled Cheese Sandwich is famously the only food item on the menu, but comes highly recommended. With a skilled and friendly bar team, the speakeasy's cocktail menu and 3 signature drinks will quench your thirst well into the night. It attracts many local regulars who are typically nice enough to share travel advice and pointers with the guests of their home city.
Location: 1439 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
Open: Thursday from 5.30 pm to 1.30 am, Friday from 5 pm to 1.30 am, Saturday from 7 pm to 1.30 am
Phone: +1 313-961-0000
Mapphoto by Lbeck1945 (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
- 6
Ford Drive-In Theatre
Enjoy a movie in the comfort of your car
- Nightlife
Ford Drive-in Theatre is the largest of its kind in the world, with 5 separate screens and a 1,700-car capacity. It allows you to spend time with family and friends and watch movies the same way your grandparents did in the 1950s. Park your car in a designated lot, where speakers are provided as well as walk-up food and drink services and a concession stand.
Every screen at Ford Drive-in Theatre offers a double feature per visit. On special evenings, the large screen features a live concert experience from the comfort of your vehicle.
Location: 10400 Ford Rd, Dearborn, MI 48126, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 7.30 pm to 2 am, Friday–Sunday from 8 pm to 2 am
Phone: +1 313-846-6910
Map - 7
Atwater Brewery & Tap House
Locally brewed craft beer to compliment your evening
- Nightlife
Atwater's Brewery & Tap House has been reviving Detroit's brewery scene since 1997. It has successfully become one of the hottest drinking holes in the city with 25 craft brews on tap, along with seltzers and a full food menu. The favourite drinks on the list are the java porter, dirty blonde, and their special selection of German-style lagers.
For sure, you can not try them all just on your first visit, meaning your next won’t likely be the same experience. The tap house is a lively place to meet new friends, enjoy old ones, and even to celebrate special events by booking the private ‘game room’.
Location: 237 Jos Campau, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
Open: Friday–Saturday from 11 am to midnight, Sunday–Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 313-877-9205
Map - 8
Vertical Detroit Wine
Drink lavishly at Detroit’s top-rated wine-centric restaurant
- Food
- Nightlife
Vertical Winery has been given the title, ‘Detroit's first upscale wine-based restaurant’, making it one of the best establishments to enjoy wine in the USA. Book in advance for this date-worthy evening spot, where you will get an exclusive selection of ports, reds, and chardonnays that are only available here.
The ambience is very relaxed with calm music and the design makes for a perfect backdrop to capture photos of a special day. If your date does not enjoy wine as much as you, Vertical Winery also a full cocktail and beer list.
Location: 1538 Centre St, Detroit, MI 48226, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 4 pm to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 4 pm to midnight, Sunday from 4 pm to 9 pm
Phone: +1 313-732-9463
Map - 9
Fox Theatre
Step back in time when entering this historic icon
- Nightlife
The Fox Theater in Detroit is nothing short of an architectural marvel, displaying the beautiful craftsmanship of the Roaring Twenties and immersing you in the early art deco era. The theatre holds more than 5,000 seats, making is one of the largest venues in the state for live events. Music concerts, comedy skits, musicals, and even river dancing regularly take place here.
The Fox Theater is listed as a national historic landmark, and the beauty of the architecture is only matched by the unmatched service, entertainment, and a wide selection of food and beverages.
Location: 2211 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
Open: Box office: Monday–Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm
Phone: +1 313-471-7000
Mapphoto by Ken Lund (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
- 10
Detroit City Distillery
Taste the locally made flavours of your favourite spirits
- Nightlife
Detroit City Distillery is a must-do for any visitor looking for a fun and unique evening in the city. It has a selection of whiskey, vodka, rye, rum, bourbon, and gin offered all year round. It also produces smaller batches of seasonal spirits, a bottle of which makes a great souvenir for your liquor cabinet at home.
Detroit City Distillery welcomes you to participate in the facility tour, where you will get a hands-on insight on the distilling process, sample their spirits in the different stages of ageing, and learn the rich history of alcohol production in Detroit.
Location: 2462 Riopelle St, Detroit, MI 48207, USA
Open: Wednesday–Friday from 6 pm to midnight, Saturday from 10 am to midnight, Sunday from 3 pm to midnight
Phone: +1 313-338-3760
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