Afterhours bars in Detroit

**night-timer** · April-14-19, 09:12 PM

Are there any safe afterhours bars in Detroit? I mean, trouble could potentially occur at any bar at any time of night.

I was reading about the death of the rapper 'Proof', a friend of Eminem, who was shot at the CCC nightclub on 8 Mile. Apparently it had been his local area and he felt 'safe' going back there.

Club management denied operating an afterhours venue, but they closed down shortly after the incident.

Another rapper stated after Proof's death that rappers from the 'hood who become successful should avoid the hood for fear of arousing jealousy or resentment.

I don't want to rub shoulders with the rap crowd particularly, but I'm often awake after 2am.

**O3H** · April-14-19, 09:25 PM

Perhaps it is something else ~ and not a bar ~ open after 2am and before ?
With zero booze being sold, or allowed onsite [[strictly enforced)
would anyone actually go to the venue ?

**ct_alum** · April-15-19, 08:23 AM

Originally Posted by night-timer

Are there any safe afterhours bars in Detroit? I mean, trouble could potentially occur at any bar at any time of night.

I was reading about the death of the rapper 'Proof', a friend of Eminem, who was shot at the CCC nightclub on 8 Mile. Apparently it had been his local area and he felt 'safe' going back there.

Club management denied operating an afterhours venue, but they closed down shortly after the incident.

Another rapper stated after Proof's death that rappers from the 'hood who become successful should avoid the hood for fear of arousing jealousy or resentment.

I don't want to rub shoulders with the rap crowd particularly, but I'm often awake after 2am.

They are called "blind pigs". Awake at 2am? Read a book unless you have a death wish.

**Wheels** · April-15-19, 08:29 AM

It was an after hours club where the “67” riots started. But don’t let that stop you.

**Zacha341** · April-15-19, 08:40 AM

'Death wish' LOL! Yeah, I'd say 'drink-at-home' or with friends home after hours. Get some surround sound, cue up some good movies, play music etc.

Not very much good dwelling in de' 'after' hours...

.. Considering the maniacs hopped-up/stoned/drunk driving about are a fright as well!!

Originally Posted by ct_alum

They are called "blind pigs". Awake at 2am? Read a book unless you have a death wish.

**Former_Detroiter** · April-15-19, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by ct_alum

They are called "blind pigs". Awake at 2am? Read a book unless you have a death wish.

Isn't there a difference between a blind pig and an after hours bar?

**masterblaster** · April-15-19, 09:08 AM

Bert's in Eastern Market
There is an afterhours club above the Brass Rail Pizza downtown
The Works, previously in Corktown, is in the process of moving to Hamtramck.

**Zacha341** · April-15-19, 09:14 AM

Shhh-ish... perhaps we should keep the identities of these places on the 'low-low'... Hah!!

**Ray1936** · April-15-19, 10:59 AM

Move to Nevada as I did. Bars are open 24/7 with no problem.

**night-timer** · April-15-19, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by Ray1936

Move to Nevada as I did. Bars are open 24/7 with no problem.

That's so f-cking right. I mean, if eveywhere else can do it...

**poobert** · April-15-19, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by Zacha341

Shhh-ish... perhaps we should keep the identities of these places on the 'low-low'... Hah!!

I mean seriously. It's like asking to join the Hell's Angels online. You're either a cop or a dweeb.

**gnome** · April-15-19, 02:48 PM

Nighttimer, it would be in your best interest to stay away from such places. They are clubby places with patrons who know each other. You will stand out in a way that will put your health in jeopardy.

If you need company in the middle of the night, a casino is your best bet.

**softailrider** · April-15-19, 04:14 PM

I wouldn’t know, I’m usually asleep
by about 11:00. I’m not the party animal I used to be.

**Zacha341** · April-15-19, 04:48 PM

Yes! I would say the casino is the safest for the night owl person, IF you 'must' see/ interact with others after hours.

You'll find ALL manner of folk, most minding their own business [[or misery). You can interact with some of the socially-minded regulars.

Drinks are cheap too I hear. I used to be a gambler [[sans the boozing) and you'd get to know the regulars by sight even if you never talk to them.

Watch out for getting addicted to gambling however; which will bring forth another set of problems and regret!!

Originally Posted by gnome

....They are clubby places with patrons who know each other. You will stand out in a way that will put your health in jeopardy.

If you need company in the middle of the night, a casino is your best bet.

**Zacha341** · April-15-19, 04:58 PM

LOL!--

-- Yeah, you often learn of such places word of mouth/ associations and interests.

I recall in the 90's there was a huge west side home featuring holistic potlucks, poetry, spoken-word, reggae on the t-table in the basement all hours of the night, about twice a year.

The noise factor accepted by the homes on either side as the guests were respectful, mostly family folk... No bottles in the yards, or horn blowing!

This went on some time. Until the owner moved. I did NOT find out from the internet...

Originally Posted by poobert

I mean seriously. It's like asking to join the Hell's Angels online. You're either a cop or a dweeb.

**MrMichigan** · April-16-19, 03:09 PM

Originally Posted by masterblaster

Bert's in Eastern Market
There is an afterhours club above the Brass Rail Pizza downtown
The Works, previously in Corktown, is in the process of moving to Hamtramck.

Thank you. Anyone know of any others?

**Meddle** · April-16-19, 04:29 PM

I closed a bunch of bars in the 80s and early 90s. Our 'after hours' clubs were iHops, Clocks or similar.

**Zacha341** · April-16-19, 08:56 PM

^^^ Don't forget Denny's before the rolling fist fights and gun fire!!

**EastsideAl** · April-16-19, 09:40 PM

No one is doing anyone any favors by naming names here.

Back in my hard drinking days there were several places that one could go after the 2:00 witching hour. Usually a few sincerely placed semi-discreet inquiries as a crowded bar closed down would bring the desired information. A lot of bar and restaurant worker folks patronized those joints, since they couldn't really party on the job before 2, and thus they were often a very good source for knowledge. My favorite was the jazz/R&B club on Chene that went to daylight on the weekends [[anyone remember that place?) where a lot of musicians hung out. But you had to be with or know the right people to get in there, and it wasn't always the safest place. But the scene and the music were mellow.

**surenowinlife** · April-19-19, 09:13 AM

Back in the 90's I could choose West or East side's locations depending on where I was getting my drink on! Back Pocket on Greenfield, Numbers on Woodward, Stingers on Sherwood or Works on Michigan Ave. There were a couple more that came and went but again it was the free wheeling 90's!

**kathy2trips** · April-19-19, 11:03 AM

Originally Posted by O3H

Perhaps it is something else ~ and not a bar ~ open after 2am and before ?
With zero booze being sold, or allowed onsite [[strictly enforced)
would anyone actually go to the venue ?

There used to be a club in Houston in the late 80s-early 90s called "The Headbanger's Ballroom" that was open from 6pm to 6am. At 1:55am, the bar would close the cabinet behind the bar that contained the booze and lock it. Then, they'd bring the coffee pots out and start 'em brewing. It was a great after hours place for wired musicians to go after gigs; therefore, it was heavily patronized by girls, and in turn was heavily patronized by guys. I was a booking agent at the time, and acts would specifically ask to be booked there after 2am for the opportunity to play for other musicians, increasing their street cred. A fun time was had by all.

**65memories** · April-21-19, 01:27 PM

Eastside Al... was the bar on Chene called The Raven?

**iheartthed** · April-21-19, 02:36 PM

What is considered after hours now? Aren't bars and nightclubs allowed to stay open after 2am in Detroit?

**EastsideAl** · April-21-19, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by 65memories

Eastside Al... was the bar on Chene called The Raven?

The Raven Lounge was, and is, definitely a cool place, but it isn't the one I was thinking of. I'm not sure if the Raven ever did the opening extra late thing.

Anyway, a little concentrated research based on the hazy memories of myself and a close friend of mine who used to go there too [[we were mutual friends with the person who took us there and got us in) brought the answer. It was Mr. Kelley's, which was about a block south of Forest.

According to the information I can find on the web, apparently the owner was an old friend and associate of Berry Gordy's and once booked top-end R&B and jazz names into his club back in the '60s. I do remember that the place didn't last long after he was sent to the federal pen on a drug trafficking charge in the late '80s. But by then the destruction of Poletown to the north and the ongoing abandonment of the neighborhood had brought on a serious decline for a place that once had been jammed most Friday and Saturday nights [[which is perhaps why Mr. Kelley was seeking an alternate income stream).