Rock & Brews, the national franchise co-owned by Kiss frontmen Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, has officially opened its first Michigan location in downtown Royal Oak. A spring grand opening ceremony is scheduled for April 9, and Simmons is slated to make an appearance.
“We’re excited to bring a Rock & Brews Restaurant and Concert Bar to Detroit Rock City,” said Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons in a joint statement released earlier this year. “We’ve all worked hard collaborating as a team to create Rock & Brews destinations we could be proud to share with the community, and that is without a doubt what we will do for our newest location in Royal Oak.”
Inside The Restaurant
When you walk in, you’re instantly greeted by a mural of Kiss cutouts: Stanley, drummer Peter Criss, the late Ace Frehley, and Simmons. The Hour Detroit editors couldn’t help but take advantage of the photo op.
It features three levels, each with its own dedicated bar. The first floor is the main dining area, while the second features a stage for live music and plenty of tables. The third floor features a smaller indoor space that opens to an open-air patio called its “outdoor Sky Lounge,” which will also feature music when the weather gets warmer.
Everywhere you look, the restaurant is decked out with unique music memorabilia. There are several nods to Detroit: an Eminem art piece with turntables and the lyrics to “Lose Yourself”; plus images of Motown legends like Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder.
On the second floor, a young Madonna and a White Stripes-era Jack White in peppermint garb are among the music icons depicted in a wall of windows covered with pseudo-stained glass. Other rock legends featured are Eddie Van Halen, Ozzy Osbourne, Prince, Joan Jett, Carlos Santana, and more.
The space, which previously housed Pastaio Handmade Pasta & Pizza and a HopCat before that, was one of the franchise’s quickest revamps to date, Rock & Brews CEO and partner Adam Goldberg tells Hour Detroit. The goal was to start “in time for March Madness.” And although construction didn’t start until early January and the interiors had to be transformed from an Italian restaurant-theme into a rock & roll club atmosphere, they accomplished their goal. Luckily, the space had “good bones with bars on every floor,” says Goldberg.
Live Music
Musical performances will be a major part of the experience at Rock & Brews. Thursdays will feature touring tribute acts. Fridays and Saturdays will feature local performers — typically cover bands as well, according to Goldberg. Tonight (March 19), The Wildflowers, known as “America’s #1 Tom Petty Tribute,” are on at 7 p.m. Tickets start at $19.95 ($10 on Fridays and Saturdays), and can be purchased on EventBrite.
The Menu
Rock & Brews’ menu promises to serve “Those Who Rock!” Its founders believe “the best and most satisfying food is found in burger joints, pizzerias, and brewpubs,” per the company’s website. There’s plenty of pub grub. But there are also lighter options and accommodations for gluten-free and vegetarian diners.
True to the Rock & Brews name, there are plenty of beers on draft. Plus, the restaurant serves wine and signature cocktails like the Detroit Rock Tiki Tai. It contains two strains of Kiss’s signature rum: Detroit Rock and Black Diamond.
Notable soft beverages include several Dirty Sodas. That’s pop (as we call it here) modified with cream and/or flavored syrup and juices. The drink, which originated in Utah, has made its way to more metro Detroit spots, likely due to its virality on TikTok.
At a media preview on March 18, Hour Detroit editors had a chance to try several selections from the menu.
The appetizers are dubbed “Opening Acts.” The Bavarian Pretzel hangs from a guitar-shaped serving vessel (note: Stratocaster-style body, Gibson-like headstock) and comes with a sweet & spicy mustard and Bier cheese. On the menu, the Rockin’ Hot Wings appear next to a guitar icon (which signifies “spicy”). Tossed in hot sauce, they come with blue cheese dressing, carrots, and celery.
For lunch, the team tried the Oklahoma Smash Burger, Chicken Teriyaki Protein Bowl, and Greek Salmon Salad. As we sat there, our eyes were drawn to the televisions, which play nonstop music videos of eras past. They would work themselves into our conversations: Ronnie Spector’s iconic feature on Eddie Money’s “Take Me Home Tonight,”; The Smashing Pumpkins’ “1979” music video by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, who would go on to direct Little Miss Sunshine. For dessert, AKA “Encores,” we split a brownie sundae and beignets.
Behind The Scenes
The local partners for the Royal Oak location include radio star and podcaster Drew Lane. There’s also brothers Tony and Danny Yezbick, who own nearby Fifth Avenue and the 562 Main Piano Bar.
Rock & Brews was founded in 2010 by Simmons, Stanley, restaurateur Michael Zislis, and brothers Dave and Dell Furano — pioneers of music merchandising who had a working relationship with Kiss dating back years (Dell passed away in 2021).
Since opening its first location in LAX, the company has opened over 20 restaurants in Southern California. It has also expanded to Florida, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.
Rock & Brews is located at 208 W Fifth St, Royal Oak. The street is currently closed for renovations; diners can access it via the sidewalk from Washington Ave. The restaurant’s current hours are 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday; and until 2 a.m. Thursday through Saturday. For more information, visit rockandbrews.com/royal-oak
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