THE ULTIMATE 2024 NFL DRAFT GUIDE TO EATING AND DRINKING IN DETROIT

Excitement is in the air this week in Detroit, as hundreds of thousands of spectators make their way to Detroit for the 2024 NFL draft. The nationally televised event takes over much of downtown from Thursday, April 25 to Saturday, April 27.

A stage has been constructed near Campus Martius around the former site of the National Theatre Building, where the league’s 32 teams will announce their picks live and in person. Elsewhere, Hart Plaza has been transformed into the NFL Draft Experience, featuring family-friendly games, autograph signings, and Taste of Detroit — which includes dozens of local food and drink vendors.

If you’re visiting Detroit — whether it be from out-of-state, across the country, or from far-flung suburbs — here’s a guide to help you navigate the many dining and drinking options available.

Welcome to Detroit, the Motor City

Bringing the NFL draft to the Motor City has been a years-long effort, with organizers taking notes since Detroit hosted the 2006 Super Bowl. That experience drew a similar crowd, but the city itself was much different. According to a 2006 Freep article, sidewalks had to be widened to make them more walkable, streetlights and signs needed replacing, and organizers famously dressed up derelict buildings to make them look alive.

Today, most of downtown has been renovated, and with that, a robust dining scene has emerged that goes beyond the scarce lunch options and greasy coneys that previously dominated the central business district. Now, visitors can indulge in a range of cuisine, spanning swanky steakhouses, fun happy hours, intimate cocktail bars, ambitious sports bars, casual chains, and summertime food trucks.

Recently, a flood of new establishments has been pushing to open ahead of the NFL Draft. Among some of the downtown newcomers over the past several months: a Chipotle, Nuevo Seoul, Gilly’s Clubhouse, Adelina, clubstaurant Experience Zuzu, and Sexy Steak — a high-end chophouse situated in the Grand Army of the Republic Building.

Getting into Downtown

Traffic was a nightmare during the 2006 Super Bowl, with visitors having to wait late into the night to make use of an overwhelmed park and ride set up to address the throngs of visitors.

Transit advocates at the time urged officials to use the fiasco as a cautionary tale, as outlined by Outlier Media. City brass do not want a repeat of 2006 and have partnered with SMART (the only regional public transportation option available in Southeast Michigan), QLINE, and Visit Detroit to provide visitors with several park and ride and shuttle services to accommodate the 300,000 people expected to descend upon downtown over the three-day festivities.

What does that mean for visitors? Plan ahead.

The city of Detroit began closing off sections of traffic on March 29, adding more road closures each week, with the final closure taking place on Wednesday, April 24. Street parking will be largely prohibited throughout the central business district during the Draft. If you do need to be downtown in the days ahead of the event, use the Park Detroit app to see where street parking is available. Meanwhile, many off-street garage parking options are already fully booked. The Detroit People Mover will operate 24 hours a day beginning at 7 a.m., Thursday, April 25 through midnight on Sunday, April 28.

Secure entry points to the Draft can be found at Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street, Jefferson and Griswold Street, and Cadillac Square and Randolph.

The QLINE light rail, which runs north-south along Woodward Avenue from downtown to New Center will run from 8 a.m. to midnight and offer park and ride spaces on a first-come, first-serve basis for $5 per vehicle in the following locations:

  • Wayne State University Lot 12, at Harper & Woodward near the Amsterdam station
  • New Center Garage at 116 Lothrop, near the Grand Boulevard station
  • Cass Garage at 6540 Cass Ave, near the Baltimore station
  • John R and Piquette at 6230 John R., near the Amsterdam station

Shuttles

Shuttle service is also available in the following locations in Midtown, Corktown, and near the Detroit Riverwalk:

  • Wayne State University Structures 1, 5, and 2 at 450 W. Palmer Avenue on a first-come, first-served basis for $10 per vehicle
  • Bagley Mobility Hub parking structure at 1501 Wabash Street for $15 per vehicle (prepay recommended)
  • River East Garage, 214 Rivard Street for $15 per vehicle (prepay recommended)

SMART Park and Ride

In addition, SMART’s park and ride option is available with locations throughout metro Detroit. One-way fare is $2 per adult, $1 per child ages five to 18, and 50 cents for adults age 65 and older and for people with disabilities. SMART buses will depart from park and ride locations once an hour from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. on all three days, while buses will depart downtown to return to these locations once an hour between 1 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., Thursday and Friday, and 1 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Saturday.

On the eastside, the pick-up and drop-off location will be at the Bricktown People Mover Station. The westside, pickup and drop-off spot will be the Fort/Cass People Mover Station.

Here’s where to find park and ride locations in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties:

  • Mount Clemens Farmers Market, 141 North River Road, Mount Clemens
  • Lakeside Mall, 14000 Lakeside Circle, Sterling Heights
  • Meijer, 36000 Van Dyke Avenue, Sterling Heights
  • Great Lakes Crossing, 4000 Baldwin, Auburn Hills
  • Oakland Community College Orchard Ridge Campus, 27055 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington Hills
  • Troy Civic Center Park and Ride lot, 520 W. Big Beaver Road, Troy
  • Southfield Civic Center bus terminal, 24350 Civic Center Drive, Southfield
  • Fairlane Town Center, 18900 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
  • Lincoln Park Community Center, 3525 Dix Highway, Lincoln Park
  • Southgate Meijer, 16300 Fort Street, Southgate
  • Westland Police Department, 36701 Ford Road, Westland

Watch Parties

The District Detroit (Columbia Street between Woodward and Park avenues) — An outdoor Draft party will take place in this pedestrian-friendly, stadium-adjacent entertainment zone. Listen to live music and try some of the food and drink specials from the district’s restaurants, including Frita Batidos, Jo Jo’s Shakebar, and the sprawling Union Assembly.

Draft Day in the D Downtown Detroit Partnership (Capitol Park, Beacon Park, Paradise Valley Beatrice Buck Park, Grand Circus Park West and Grand Circus Park East) — Several parks downtown will be getting in on the action, with a live feed from the Draft projected onto 10, 20-foot video walls, and a lineup of dozens of food truck offerings, such as Slow’s Bar BQ, Cousins Main Lobster, Los Dos Amigos Taco Truck.

Experience Zuzu (511 Woodward Ave Suite 100) — For a luxe, club-like atmosphere, Experience Zuzu is hosting a ticketed party on each of the three days of the Draft, featuring a 150-inch video wall for live viewing and a nightclub-level sound system. A limited menu of hand-rolled sushi, appetizers, and wok-fired dishes will be available, as well as surprise celebrity DJs. Tickets start at $150 and VIP tables are also available, starting at $1,500.

Greektown (Monroe Street between St. Antoine and Brush streets) — Two blocks of the Greektown District will make way for the Greektown Tailgate, which involves live music, games, Draft viewing, and food and drinks (including a variety of food trucks).

Siren Hotel (509 Broadway Street) — The gorgeously renovated Siren Hotel will host its tailgate party in neighboring Pocket Park. Happy hour drink specials will be available from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The popular pop-up Side Biscuit will serve wings, pizza logs, and fries from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. In addition, the lobby will feature vintage pop-ups and local DJs will also be on hand.

  • Recess Detroit (160 W Fort Street) — The space formerly occupied by the Fort Street Galley is has been transformed into a pop-up venue called Recess Detroit. The space will be activated for the duration of the Draft and will feature four Black-led restaurants: Pequeno Cantina, Jerk @ Nite, Hot Rod’s Wing Ding Joint, and Savannah’s Smokehouse. A 40-foot bar will serve cocktails and fans can view the Draft from several TV screens that will broadcast the live stream.

Taste of Detroit at the NFL Draft Experience

The NFL Draft Experience takes place at Hart Plaza and is free. Visitors are required to register for entry online or through the NFL OnePass app. Guests can also register on-site with a fan services staff member.

More than two dozen different food and drink businesses from across the region, representing metro Detroit’s diverse dining options, will post up for the duration of the Draft at Hart Plaza. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Waka by Baobab Fare
  • Fried Chicken and Caviar
  • Good Cakes and Bakes
  • Chef Greg’s Soul-N-The-Wall
  • Juicy Oistre
  • Chita’s Nefertiti Bar & Grill
  • Supercrisp
  • The Kitchen by Cooking With Que
  • Brome Modern Eatery
  • El Parian Taco
  • Fusion Flare Kitchen and Cocktails
  • Louisiana Creole Gumbo
  • M Cantina
  • Detroit 75 Kitchen
  • Good Vibes Lounge
  • Kuzzo’s Chicken and Waffles
  • Bangkok 96 Street Food
  • Shibam Coffee
  • Haraz Coffee House
  • For the Love of Cheesecake
  • Lush Yummies Pie Company
  • Golden Fleece
  • La Marsa Cuisine
  • Detroit Water Ice
  • Mom’s Spaghetti

Hotel Food and Drink Options

Downtown has had a wave of boutique and high-end chain hotels open in recent years — a reflection of efforts to boost the city’s tourism and convention sectors. And now a slate of worthy hotel restaurants and bars are on hand, giving you more ways to splurge on the fly.

A few notable recent additions include Le Suprême, Kamper’s Rooftop Lounge, and Bar Rotunda — all tucked within the dramatically renovated Book Tower Building in downtown’s Washington Boulevard Historic District; the Cambria Hotel Detroit Downtown, featuring Cibo Modern Mediterranean; and the Godfrey Detroit, Curio Collection by Hilton, which offers views of the city skyline from the I|O Rooftop Lounge and new American options at Hamilton’s on the ground level.

Where to Grab a Drink (or Coffee)

Detroit has been known as a scofflaw’s paradise from the Prohibition Days, giving way to the OG speakeasies, while the region’s standing as a working-class factory town means many of the neighborhoods are dotted with corner dive bars capable of serving a shot and a beer or even casting a spell or two.

Over the past decade or so, Detroit has also made way for a thriving coffee shop scene — ideal for the morning co-workers in need of a caffeinated pick-me-up, the sober-curious who want a nice little kick without the booze, and those who might while away an afternoon over an oat milk latte and then switch to bubblies — all in the same space.

Here are a few options for wetting your whistle around metro Detroit:

Ladder 4 Wine Bar (3396 Vinewood Street) — It is one of the coolest spaces for a bar in Detroit, hands down, Ladder 4 occupies a century-old fire station in southwest Detroit. With seating for 300 on two floors, the space manages to be intimate, thanks in part to the staff’s dedication to spreading the gospel of natural wines. Rooftop outdoor lounges round out the space for a unique Detroit experience. The show-stopping food menu is curated by 2024 James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef in the Great Lakes region John Yelinek, who takes a playful, sometimes edgy approach in the kitchen, such as with his much-talked-about sausage made by stuffing chicken necks with a blend of chicken and pork. Each link still comes with the chicken’s head still intact.

The Red Hook Greenway (2761 E Jefferson Avenue, Suite C) — Here, customers can knock out their morning emails while enjoying any number of the spot’s espresso beverages, made with thoughtfully sourced coffee beans, as well as a selection of pastries and takeaway-friendly breakfast items. Come back later and purchase a bottle of wine to take home, crack one open for a corkage fee, or order select wines by the glass. When weather permits, the outdoor seating area offers the occasional pop-up, happy hour, DJ set, and collaborates with its neighbors Breadless and empanada shop Empacho to encourage folks to stick around awhile. Expect a selection of cold climate offerings from Oregon, New Zealand, Germany, and beyond.

Cafe Sous Terre (445 W Forest Avenue) — Situated in the basement of a 19th-century brick mansion turned Airbnb, Cafe Sous Terre is an homage to the French cafes of the early 20th century where one could while away the afternoon over espresso, a glass of wine, or small bites. Vibes here are accentuated with a charming, midcentury aesthetic with a row of two-tops and banquette seating, a standing bar in one corner, and seafoam and green-colored accents throughout. Bust out the laptop and get a little work done or stick around for happy hour, which takes place daily from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Expect a full lineup of beer, wine, tea, coffee, and a cocktail menu designed to incorporate aspects of French culture.

The Congregation (9321 Rosa Parks Boulevard) — Set in a restored 1920s church with a sprawling patio and garden, the Congregation is an any-occasion type of spot where you can get a charcuterie board and a bottle of Beaujolais with friends or a veggie sandwich and a cold brew while reading a book. For each day of the Draft, the Congregation hosts a tailgate party from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., featuring yard games and food from Mr. Pit Master BBQ.

Summertown Fresh Bar (2015 Michigan Ave) — This all-day cafe and snack bar is set inside the former Corktown Ima location and is a salve for folks on the run but in need of a refreshing pick me up. The menu features smoothies, sweet or savory soba crepe wraps, power bowls, fresh juices, a small line of boozy beverages, packaged grab-and-go munchies, and more. Take a break from the hustle and bustle from the shady, outdoor patio, equipped with comfy seating.

For the Chill Vibes

Some of you are in Detroit because a spouse, a sibling, or a BFF is obsessed with football. And you want to be a good companion. So you go along with all the fuss. But you also want to see what other parts of metro Detroit have to offer while you’re here. Maybe somewhere a little... quieter?

Now’s a great opportunity to check out the many neighborhoods and communities that define the region, that are just far away from the madness of downtown to offer you a bit of respite — while enjoying a Detroit-style meal or drink. Such as Mexicantown in Southwest Detroit, home to numerous taquerias and regional Mexican cuisine; Dearborn — home to the largest Arab American population in the United States and a high concentration of Arab-owned cafes, globally-inspired bakeries, and traditional and modern restaurants — Madison Heights, where you’ll find a huge selection of Vietnamese restaurants and cafe, as well as several Asian-owned supermarkets; and Hamtramck, once a Polish American enclave, now boasting large Yemeni and Bangladeshi communities. Or, head to the city’s westside and sample some of the dining options available at Whatcha Wanna Eat, the first Black-owned food hall in Detroit.

For those of you who need a little relief from the hoopla downtown, here are some chilled out options for visitors.

Flyleaf (92 Kercheval Ave, Grosse Pointe Farms) — This space offers a haven for book enthusiasts. Chef André Fuentes and his team craft intricate small plates in a cozy setting where guests can cozy up by the fireplace on dreary days or bask in the rooftop patio ambiance during sunnier times.

Castalia at Sfumato (3980 2nd Ave Suite E) — Named after a fountain from Greek mythology where poets and artists sought inspiration, this below-street-level space in Midtown has an intimate setting and accommodates 16 to 20 guests. The bar serves cocktails and mocktails that are thoughtfully paired with scents from its perfumery, Sfumato.

Oak Parker (13621 W Eleven Mile Road, Oak Park) — This neighborhood bar in Oak Park exudes cozy modern vibes, complete with a vinyl room that regularly hosts various DJs and offers a bring-your-own-vinyl night every Wednesday. The vibrant ambiance and music pairs perfectly with offerings such as a platter of schnitzel or a patty melt, and a dirty martini.

Anthology Coffee (1948 Division St) — Anthology’s Eastern Market coffee bar is highly regarded by enthusiasts for its house roasts and innovative beverages of coffee soda and coffee tonic. The expansive cafe boasts abundant natural light, complemented by lush greenery throughout the space. On warmer days, the garage doors open, inviting in the summer sunshine and expanding into outdoor patio space.

Bumbo’s (3001 Holbrook Street, Hamtramck) — Low-key Hamtramck neighborhood bar Bumbo’s serves affordable cocktails and beer in a nostalgic retro setting, which makes sense since the bar was built in 1928. The drink menu rotates frequently but expect well-made cocktails, hot toddies in the cooler months, and snacks from Rocco’s Italian Deli. The enclosed patio is perfect for any weather.

Baker’s Keyboard Lounge (20510 Livernois) — Conveniently located just off Eight Mile, Baker’s stands as one of the world’s oldest jazz clubs. Go for house favorites like fried chicken, collard greens, peach cobbler, and of course the live jazz. To ensure a spot on busy weekends, call ahead for a reservation.

Coriander Kitchen and Farm (14601 Riverside Boulevard) — Canal-side dining in Jefferson Chalmers might be the quintessential outdoorsy Detroit experience. This casual spot offers a garden-like setting with views of the water (some folks even kayak to the restaurant) and a regularly changing scratch menu featuring local produce that’s romantic without being stuffy. The canal-side destination now also features extended daytime hours during the week, a grab-and-go retail section, space for private events, and community-focused programming like live music.

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