Detroit is lucky. We’ve had a long history of phenomenal sports teams, never mind the occasional decades-long slump. We’re also the only city in North America with all of its major sports venues in a concentrated area downtown: The Lions, Tigers, Pistons, and Red Wings all play within a few blocks of one another.
Add to that our concentration of stellar concert venues, from the world’s largest Masonic temple to the architectural jewels of the Fisher and Fox theaters to smaller spots like the Majestic Theatre, Saint Andrew’s Hall, and The Fillmore … all this makes fall in Detroit a fantastic time to head downtown and grab a drink.
Trouble is, it can sometimes be tough to make your way through the hordes of concert- and gamegoers. Luckily, I’ve drawn on my own experience bartending downtown during events and brought in another expert for some advice on the best and fastest ways to enjoy pre- and post-event libations.
For my Resident Expert, I leaned on my friend Chris Garcia. He’s been a bartender for decades, starting at Bookies and then moving to Howe’s Bayou in Ferndale, where he’s been for the last 20 years. He’s also a diehard Tigers and Red Wings fan.
Timing and Tipping
“I like to get there early,” Garcia says. “Make sure you tip your bartenders so if you do go back post-game, they’ll see you.” The best way to become a regular at any spot is by going during off-peak hours — and going regularly. The same applies for speedy service. If your bartenders know you’re a decent person and can pick out your friendly face in a crowd, they’ll probably be just as happy to see you as you are to see them.
Cash and Tabs
“I prefer paying in cash,” Garcia says, “but every establishment is different. Definitely tip your bartenders and servers in cash.” This might even gain you a discount, as credit card processing fees are increasingly common on bar and restaurant transactions. Bars pay a per-transaction fee, so in the long run, it saves time and money to pay only one time (either with cash or by starting a tab) rather than running a card for each round.
Tried and True or Something New
Detroit has, fortunately, no shortage of bars and restaurants clustered around our concert and sports venues. You can go with no-fuss spots like Harry’s, Temple Bar, Second Best, or Tin Roof, where the bar staff knows the drill and has efficiency down to a science.
Or, you can choose from any number of newer spots designed to cater to eventgoers. The Conservatory, a garden bar at the AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle, for example, opened last spring with a setting and menu designed around folks looking for a quick bite and drink before or after shows or games nearby. (LCA is just a few blocks down Woodward.) The tapas menu allows for speedy service and consumption, and the extensive bar menu offers a lengthy by-the-glass wine list as well as cocktails, bourbon, and beer.
With so many established and new places to grab a drink near our many venues, there’s sure to be a great place just around the corner to slake your thirst.
This story originally appeared in the October 2025 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Click here to get our digital edition.
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