20 Things To Do In Detroit At Night

Located right on the Canadian-American border, Detroit is a contrasting city with a history of significant financial success during the early 20th century. It’s a city that went bust during the late 20th century. More recently, Detroit is experiencing a renaissance and establishing itself again on the national and international scene.

Detroit’s gritty heart oozes into everything the city puts forth. From its speakeasy bars and comedy clubs to its sports teams and fine dining options, Detroit knows how to have fun despite all the past setbacks the city has faced. With fun and engaging activities and experiences to enjoy after dark, you’re bound to find something interesting to do and see in Detroit at night.

Detroit At Night

20 Things To Do In Detroit At Night

1- Join A Night-Time Bar Tour

Detroit has a vibrant bar scene, including historic bars established during the city’s golden era of the early 20th century, modern bars spurring the city’s renaissance, and everything in between.

The best way to get to know Motor City’s best bars is by joining one of the many popular bar tours organised by tour operators in Detroit.

Of the many bar tours available in Detroit, the Detroit Bus Co. stands out as one of the favourites among visitors.

The Detroit Bus Co.’s Drunks of Antiquity bar tour takes visitors to some of the city’s most infamous and iconic bars on Friday and Saturday evenings.

Even if you’re not a fan of bars, you can be assured that you will have a blast visiting Motor City’s best breweries, historic bars and pubs.

2- Catch A Live Show At The Historic Fox Theatre

Listed as a National Historic Landmark, the majestic Fox Theatre in Downtown Detroit is a testament to the city’s heyday during the roaring 20s.

Built in a beautiful Art Deco style, this stunning Detroit historic landmark can seat up to 5,000 people at any given time while regularly hosting music concerts, stand-up comedy and musicals.

Located on Woodward Avenue near Comerica Park and the Detroit Opera House, the Fox Theatre is right in the heart of Detroit’s nightlife scene.

Serving a wide selection of food and drinks while guests are watching a show, the Fox Theatre is a wonderful venue to visit in Detroit at night to grab a bite to eat or to catch a live performance.

The Fox Theatre is at 2211 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201.

3- Visit The MotorCity Casino

The huge MotorCity Casino is Downtown Detroit’s gambling mecca, covering a casino floor area of over 100,000 square feet (9,290 m2) with more than 3,000 slot machines, game tables, and two separate poker rooms.

Not only is the MotorCity Casino a remarkable gambling destination, but the venue’s reputation as a premier destination for live music and a culinary hotspot makes the MotorCity Casino much more than just somewhere to place your bets.

Complete with an adjacent hotel, the MotorCity Casino in Downtown Detroit is a must-visit after-dark destination in Motor City.

MotorCity Casino is at 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48201.

4- Sample Craft Beer At Atwater Brewery &Tap House

Turning Detroit’s beer scene on its head since 1997, the Atwater Brewery & Tap House has over 25 beer brews on tap, a selection of seltzers and a full dinner menu.

The Atwater Brewery & Tap House specialises in German-style lagers while also serving up a mean dirty blonde and a java porter.

Complete with a game room that can be rented for special events, the Atwater Brewery & Tap House near Downtown Detroit is the place to meet new friends and enjoy a cold one in Detroit at night.

The Atwater Brewery and Tap House is at 237 Jos Campau, Detroit, MI 48207.

5- Enjoy Live Music At St. Andrew’s Hall

The historic St. Andrew’s Hall in Downtown Detroit has cemented itself as one of Detroit’s most legendary live music venues, with names such as Bob Dylan, Nirvana and Red Hot Chili Peppers all once-upon-a-time performers at the venue.

St. Andrew’s was one of the first-ever venues where local favourite Eminem first appeared on stage.

Thanks to its fantastic acoustics, St. Andrew’s remains a top destination for live music in Detroit.

There’s a standing area right in front of the stage where spectators can get close to the person on stage and a balcony area with comfortable seats for those who’d rather rest their legs a bit, making St. Andrew’s a fun after-dark destination for everyone.

St. Andrew’s Hall is at 431 E Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226.

6- Expose Your Inner Thespian At The Actor’s Workshop

The Actor’s Workshop caters to beginner actors and actresses hoping to make their mark on the silver screen or just anyone interested in learning a few tricks of the thespian trade.

Opened in 1984, just as Detroit was transitioning away from the car-dominated city it once was, The Actor’s Workshop is located just up the road from Downtown Detroit.

It hosts regular acting and filming classes open to anyone interested in the film industry.

Even if you’re not a professional actor, The Actor’s Workshop is still a fun and laid-back venue where you can engage with fellow film fans and pick up a trick or two while you’re busy having fun.

The Actor’s Workshop is at 25129 Dequindre Rd, Madison Heights, MI 48071.

7- Sample Spirits At The Detroit City Distillery

Home to a selection of spirits, vodka, whiskey, bourbon and rum, the Detroit City Distillery hosts regular tours of their facility where visitors can get a hands-on experience of the distilling process up close.

The Detroit City Distillery is also open to tastings, where visitors are welcome to sample some of their excellent spirits and purchase smaller spirit bottles to take back home as a souvenir.

The Detroit City Distillery is an excellent destination to get a behind-the-scenes sneak peek at the entire distilling process, including the ageing process, to get a new appreciation for how your favourite spirits are made.

Detroit City Distillery is at 2462 Riopelle St, Detroit, MI 48207.

8- Watch The NHL’s Redwings Fly On The Ice

The iconic Detroit Redwings of the NHL has been one of the league’s most successful hockey franchises, with over 11 Stanley Cups since the team’s inception in 1926.

Enjoying a cult-like following from hockey fans around the world, the Redwings’ home games in the recently built Little Caesars Arena are always a lively affair, with tickets hard to come by.

If you find yourself in Detroit and manage to score some tickets to a Redwings game, enjoy one of the biggest nighttime spectacles in the Motor City.

The Redwings play at 2645 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201.

9- Kick Back And Watch A Movie At Emagine Royal Oak

Emagine Royal Oak is the flagship theatre in the Emagine Entertainment group’s collection of movie theatres spread out across Michigan, Minnesota and Illinois, which treats patrons to plush recliner seats with head-and-footrests.

Emagine Royal Oak recently added a Las Vegas-esque sports lounge area where patrons can bet on live sporting events and watch the action unfold on the cinema-size screens.

Complete with free WiFi and all your favourite cinema snacks, Emagine Royal Oak is the best place to visit in Detroit to catch that late-night movie screening of your favourite film.

Emagine Royal Oak is at 200 N Main St, Royal Oak, MI 48067.

10- Savour Top-Class Wines At Vertical Detroit

Detroit’s number one wine-only restaurant/bar, Vertical Detroit, offers visitors a wide selection of world-class chardonnays, ports and red wines exclusively available at Vertical.

Detroit’s first upscale wine-centric restaurant, Vertical Detroit, opened its doors in 2015 and has since carved a reputation as a cool Detroit night spot to enjoy a glass of wine.

Comfortable yet stylish and elegant, Vertical Detroit is a truly unique Detroit venue that is well worth stopping by one evening.

Vertical Detroit is at 1538 Centre St, Detroit, MI 48226.

11- See The NFL’s Lions On The Gridiron

The Detroit Lions have been an ever-present force on the football field since the team’s inception in 1930.

With four NFL Championships under their belt, the Detroit Lions are a very successful NFL franchise, but the team fell on hard times, with multiple losing seasons and consistently missing out on the playoffs.

No matter their struggles on the football field, the Lions always have a passionate fan base cheering on their beloved Detroit Lions at home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.

Playing in the NFL’s regular season between September and January every year, watching the Detroit Lions live in Motor City is always a rowdy affair and well worth putting aside one evening to experience first-hand.

The Lions play at 2000 Brush St, Detroit, MI 48226.

12- Visit Cliff Bell’s Jazz Club

A mainstay on the Detroit jazz scene since it first opened in 1935, Cliff Bell’s Jazz Club offers an all-encompassing jazz experience, complete with a full dinner menu and music which plays well into the night.

Named after John Clifford Bell, a Detroit entrepreneur during the city’s glory days of the 1930s, Cliff Bell’s Jazz Club is one of the city’s best destinations for live music.

Situated in Downtown Detroit Cliff Bell’s Jazz Club fills up quite quickly, so it’s best to make reservations ahead to be assured of a spot near the front of the club.

Cliff Bell’s Jazz Club is at 2030 Park Ave, Detroit, MI 48226.

13- Catch A Concert At The Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Offering both paid and free concerts and performances, Downtown Detroit’s Detroit Symphony Orchestra, or DSO for short, is one of the best family-friendly after-dark activities to do in the Motor City.

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra performs most of their concerts at the Max M. Fisher Music Center’s Orchestra Hall, where visitors are treated to everything from Mozart to Beethoven.

Serving preshow cocktails, beers and mocktails, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra is a delightful cultural-rich experience highly recommended as a top nighttime activity in Downtown Detroit.

Detroit Symphony Orchestra is at 3711 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201.

14- See The MLB’s Tigers Roar Past Home Plate

The Detroit Tigers are Motor City’s much-beloved baseball franchise applying their trade in the American League Central Division of the MLB.

Formed in 1894, the Detroit Tigers have won four World Series Championships and played their home games in Downtown Detroit’s Comerica Park since 2000.

The Tigers enjoy a large fanbase of loyal Tiger supporters at all their home games played between April and October, and the atmosphere at Comerica Park is always lively.

Be sure to catch America’s favourite pastime and cheer on the local Tigers at Comerica Park in Downtown Detroit.

Comerica Park is at 2100 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201.

15- Taste Cocktails At Cafe D’Mongo’s Speakeasy

The easy-going Café D’Mongo’s Speakeasy is a popular Detroit bar/club famed for its raw music, perfectly matching the venue’s laid-back atmosphere.

Café D’Mongo’s has quickly established a reputation as one of Detroit’s premier bars and lounges, despite only opening in 2007.

Café D’Mongo’s signature dish, the Rick’s Grilled Cheese Sandwich, is the bar’s most popular meal, though it might be because it’s the only item on the food menu.

Café D’Mongo’s specialises in cocktails, however, and serves up some mean cocktails that leave guests coming back for more every time.

This New Orleans-style speakeasy bar will instantly transport you to the South with its authentic décor, friendly hospitality and sublime drinks menu, which is certainly one of the best Motor City offers.

Café D’Mongo’s Speakeasy is at 1439 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226.

16- Watch The NBA’s Pistons Fire On The Court

The Detroit Pistons, one of Motor City’s most iconic sports franchises, is applying their basketball skills in the Eastern Conference of the NBA.

Established in 1937, the Pistons might be Detroit’s youngest professional sports team, however, with three NBA Championships, they are one of the city’s most successful.

The Pistons play their home games in the Little Caesars Arena in Detroit’s Midtown area, which they share with the Detroit Redwings of the NHL.

Hitting the court during the NBA’s regular season, which runs between October and April, the Pistons always bring a different energy and atmosphere to Downtown Detroit whenever they play at home.

If you’re looking for a fun after-dark experience out and about in Motown, catch a late-night game or two while travelling around Motor City.

The Pistons play at 2645 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201.

17- Laugh Unabashedly At The Go Comedy! Improv Theater

The Go Comedy! Improv Theatre is an intimate and comfortable comedy club that draws some of the biggest stand-up comics and up-and-comers from around the world to entertain the locals on a nightly basis.

Located near the outskirts of Detroit, the Go Comedy! Improv Theatre treats visitors to unobstructed views of the stage and friendly staff who are quick to serve patrons drinks while they’re watching the show.

Every night at the Go Comedy! Improv Theatre is a hilarious and jovial experience, making it a worthy venue to try out on an evening in Detroit.

The Go Comedy! Improv Theatre is at 261 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220.

18- Marvel At The Detroit Skyline Over A Great Meal At Iridescence

Iridescence is the crème de la crème of Detroit’s fine dining scene, focusing heavily on dishes prepared using local flavours.

Located inside the sprawling MotorCity Casino in Downtown Detroit, the Iridescence treats guests to some of the best views of the Detroit skyline and the surrounding areas.

Honoured with AAA’s 4-Diamond rating and listed on the coveted Forbes Travel Guides list as a ‘Recommended’ destination, the Iridescence is a wonderful after-dark destination situated right in the heart of all of Detroit’s top attractions and landmarks.

Book a reservation in advance as Iridescence fills up quickly, especially during weekends.

Iridescence is at 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48201.

19- Enjoy An Old-School Drive-In Experience

Capable of accommodating over 1,700 vehicles across its five separate outdoor movie screens, the Ford Drive-In Theatre is the world’s largest theatre of its kind.

First opened in 1950, the Ford Drive-In Theatre is a homage to the good old days when drive-in theatres were all the rage, allowing modern folk a taste of yesteryear.

The Ford Drive-In Theatre treats guests to a double feature per visit, as well as a concession stand and walk-up food and beverage services to keep the hunger and thirst at bay while relaxing with friends and family.

Hosting live concerts on certain occasions, the Ford Drive-In Theatre is a truly unique Detroit nighttime venue that will treat you to a delightful experience every time you come by.

Ford Drive-In Theatre is at 10400 Ford Rd, Dearborn, MI 48126.

20- Unlock Your Inner Picasso At The Lush Brush

The brainchild of two women from Detroit’s Lincoln Park neighbourhood, The Lush Brush promises painting with a twist, with fun and engaging painting sessions open to all ages where guests are encouraged to let loose and just enjoy themselves.

The Lush Brush caters to the evening crowds, with the studio’s first painting session starting at about 7 p.m.

Visitors can bring their own alcohol, which can be stored in the on-site refrigerator and enjoyed while painting.

The Lush Brush is also a venue that can be rented for private functions such as bachelor/bachelorette parties and birthdays.

It also accommodates kids with tailor-made classes where the little ones are encouraged to explore their creative side.

The Lush Brush is at 3406 Fort St, Lincoln Park, MI 48146.

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