Game Places

Watching the action at a watering hole that’s close to the stadium can rival the pleasure of cheering your team in person. Don’t have a ticket to the big game? Grab a front-row seat at one of these downtown (and near downtown) Detroit bars and enjoy the shoulder-to-shoulder camaraderie of fellow fans

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Harry’s Detroit Bar and Restaurant
2482 Clifford
313-964-1575
harrysdetroit.com(
8 big-screen TVs, food

Hockeytown Café
2301 Woodward
313-965-9500
hockeytowncafe.com
(30 big-screen TVs, food)
Last year, during the Wings’ run to the Cup, this place was complete bedlam — in the best possible way. Fans, who jammed Hockeytown inside and out, were yelling with alternating joy and disgust at goals for and against. For the occasion, the Café opened a patio, projected the game on a big screen, and served burgers, dogs, and beers. There were high fives and hugs all around, among friends and strangers alike. No matter; everyone had the Wings in common. Hockeytown is like that during the regular season, too, just a tad more subdued. Go for all sporting events, but know that it’s a Wings haven above all.

Honest John’s Bar & Grille
488 Selden
313-832-5646
(2 big-screen TVs, food)

Hoot’s on the Avenue
1460 Michigan Ave.
313-961-1960
hootsontheave.com
(10 big-screen TVs, food)

Loco Bar & Grill
454 E. Lafayette
313-965-3737
locobarandgrill.net
(4 flat-screen TVs, food)

Nemo’s Bar
1384 Michigan Ave.
313-965-3180
nemosdetroit.com
(15 TVs, food)
 It’s no surprise that Sports Illustrated voted Nemo’s the third-best sports bar in America. Since 1965, Nemo’s has drawn sports fans from all corners of metro Detroit. Located near what remains of Tiger Stadium, Nemo’s is a classic sports bar of the old school. Patrons scarf burgers and chips served on white paper plates until 2:30 a.m. while watching the action on 15 televisions that line the walls of the saloon. It’s no wonder that this was the first spot Mike Ilitch brought the Stanley Cup to in 2007. Nemo’s fleet of green-and-white striped buses shuttle ticket holders to and from all games. Those who stick around can take advantage of breaks in the televised action and read vintage Detroit newspaper sports stories displayed throughout the bar.

Niki’s Pizza
735 Beaubien
313-961-4303
nikispizza.com
(9 TVs, food)

The Motor Bar
Westin Book Cadillac
1114 Washington Blvd.
313-442-1600
bookcadillacwestin.com
(1 big-screen TV, food)

Motor City Sports Bar
9122 Jos Campau
313-875-4710
(8 flat-screen TVs, food)

Old Shillelagh
349 Monroe
313-964-0007
oldshillelagh.com
(12 big-screen TVs, food)

Pappy’s Sports Bar & Grill
517 Monroe
313-983-4000
(7 TVs, food)

Park Bar
2040 Park Ave.
313-962-2933
myspace.com/theparkbar
(4 big-screen TVs)

Post Bar
408 W. Congress
313-962-1293
postbar.com
(4 TVs, no food)

Proof
2001 Woodward
313-309-3200
myspace.com/proofmartinilounge
(2 big-screen TVs, food)

River’s Edge Grille
673 Franklin
313-393-3337
riversedgegrille.com
(6 plasma screens, 2 mega screens, food)

Town Pump Tavern
100 W. Montcalm
313-961-1929
townpumptavern.com
(2 big-screen TVs, food)

U.Me.Drink
MGM Grand Detroit
1117 Third
313-465-1777
mgmgrandetroit.com
(22 plasma screens)
This is not your classic sports bar. Centered in the heart of MGM Grand Detroit’s gaming area, U.Me.Drink is for those looking to swap basic wooden bar stools for more sophisticated seating in raised booths. Between periods, innings, or quarters, hit the slots or (on weekdays) create your own musical playlist.

The Well
1228 Randolph
313-964-0776
(3 big-screen TVs, no food)

Reported by Giuseppa Ferrara, Michelle Martin, and Terry Parris Jr.

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