Detroit Tigers Opening Day Question

**JROLLA** · March-20-09, 07:54 AM

Hello everyone. I have been browsing the boards for a while and love what a read. Now I have a question and figured this may be a great place to get an answer.

I am attending my first Tigers opening day this year. I'm geeked but just have a few questions.

What time should I get down there and grab a spot in the bar? I just don't know when it really starts to get busy and don't want to be really early, or really late.

Also, What is the best bar for opening day pregame? I go downtown all the time but as mentioned before, never for opening day. Is there anywhere in particular I should hit up [[Corktown,Chelis,Beer co., etc...)

Also, a Buddy and I got a room at the Doubletree Fort/Shelby to avoid any drinking and driving. Has anyone ever been there? How far is it from the people mover?

Thanks a lot everyone for your help. GO TIGERS!

cheddar bob · March-21-09, 10:55 PM

The earlier you get there the better, but 7am may be a bit early for you and you would probably be passed out by 4pm. If you park the car by 9am, you 'll be fine. Assuming you're parking near where you're staying, just walk over to woodward and start making your way up. It doesn't matter what bar you go to, they all serve beer/alcohol. Bars I've been known to stop at before the game include, the Park Bar, Town Pump, State, The Well, Baltimore Lunch, Old Sheleighly, Hard Rock [[they used to have the best price for Cabo Wabo), Foran's, Proof, Beubian Street, Cliff Bells, Detroit Beer Co., and The Detroiter.

The last couple of years we've made our way around the block with The State, Park, Cliff Bells and Proof. This will be my 10th consecutive Opening Day and the first time I've seen it on a Friday, so I'm eager to see what it will be like. I don't think I'll be able to keep my normal routine of starting to drink at 2am the morning of the game and continuing drinking until Midnight. Even a professional such as myself has limits.

You will have a blast for Opening Day, I know I have every year.

**JROLLA** · March-22-09, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by cheddar bob

The earlier you get there the better, but 7am may be a bit early for you and you would probably be passed out by 4pm. If you park the car by 9am, you 'll be fine. Assuming you're parking near where you're staying, just walk over to woodward and start making your way up. It doesn't matter what bar you go to, they all serve beer/alcohol. Bars I've been known to stop at before the game include, the Park Bar, Town Pump, State, The Well, Baltimore Lunch, Old Sheleighly, Hard Rock [[they used to have the best price for Cabo Wabo), Foran's, Proof, Beubian Street, Cliff Bells, Detroit Beer Co., and The Detroiter.

The last couple of years we've made our way around the block with The State, Park, Cliff Bells and Proof. This will be my 10th consecutive Opening Day and the first time I've seen it on a Friday, so I'm eager to see what it will be like. I don't think I'll be able to keep my normal routine of starting to drink at 2am the morning of the game and continuing drinking until Midnight. Even a professional such as myself has limits.

You will have a blast for Opening Day, I know I have every year.

First off, thank you for your advice and your reply.

Secondly, 2am to midnight drinking? You are my new hero.

Thirds, The State, and Park both look promising and I have not been to either. Have you been to corktown for opening day since it's been at CoPa? I just don't want to be out of the action.

cheddar bob · March-22-09, 04:02 PM

Now that you mention it, I did stop by a corktown bar one time but it was years ago. They do have shuttles so if you're so inclined, you can get a ride right to the park. Personally, I prefer to be close to the park so I can walk right on over whenever I feel like it. I just remembered that I told Jams I would stop by Foran's sometime that day so that will be on my list.

I think I'm getting too old to stay awake for 36 hours and drink for 22 of those hours. Last year, I paced my drinking but was beyond exhausted by 9 or 10pm. I think I might need to actually try to get some sleep the night before, but we'll see. The last thing I want to do is go into sleep deprivation induced convulsions or something.

There's so many bars within two blocks of the stadium that you would not be able to get to them all before game time, but post game is a good time to get to those bars.

**JROLLA** · March-23-09, 09:33 AM

I think I might check out the State Bar. I have never been, but walked by a ton of times. Looks real promising.

**Saultp** · March-29-09, 12:09 PM

I'm attending my first opening day too, and had the same concerns about when to get there. I'd like to park somewhere away from the park and take the people mover to the stadium. Anyone have any suggustions?

cheddar bob · March-30-09, 02:35 AM

I used to park at MGM, but the new Greektown garage is a little closer. Better people mover ride if you park at MGM and walk over. Of course, I usually going to end up at the casino at some point anyway, so it's convienent.

**DLife** · March-30-09, 08:35 AM

FYI...on Opening Day Greektown makes you show your Casino Players Club card to park. Any other day--I've never had to...so throw it in your wallet if you have one.

**Mackinaw** · March-30-09, 09:48 AM

Don't forget Jacoby's on Brush. It's a few blocks further but still a super quick walk.

**JROLLA** · March-30-09, 10:49 AM

Again, everyone, thank you so much for your advice. Keep it coming.

I have heard Jacobys was fun.

cheddar bob · March-30-09, 01:28 PM

At the Greektown garage, they used to close it off and/or require your club card the morning of the game. At the new parking garage off of 375 that was not the case last year. In fact I don't recall there even being ticket booths at the entrance, just free parking. It could have changed since last year, but I'm assuming that the new garage is open for the parking. That's where I'm going first. I've had a Greektown club card since they opened, but if there's any problem I'll just go over to MGM and take a cab to Woodward.

**tarkus** · March-30-09, 05:56 PM

$7 60oz. pitchers and $3 hot dogs plus ribs at The Detroit Opera House. Free Admission.

cheddar bob · March-30-09, 06:00 PM

$3 for a hot dog with ribs, or $3 for a hot dog plus ribs are available?

dosee · March-30-09, 07:28 PM

Buy beer lots of it...

**raptor56** · March-31-09, 07:12 AM

I've stayed at the Fort Shelby. Real nice place. Friendly staff. About a block/block and a half from the people mover. The hotel offers a free shuttle van until 11pm. Just give them a call and they will pick you up from where ever and drive you to where ever downtown.

**JROLLA** · March-31-09, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by raptor56

I've stayed at the Fort Shelby. Real nice place. Friendly staff. About a block/block and a half from the people mover. The hotel offers a free shuttle van until 11pm. Just give them a call and they will pick you up from where ever and drive you to where ever downtown.

Perfect. I booked through hotwire so I am hoping they will change my room to smoking. I have to call the night before.

I also doubt they will let me do an early check in. Like 9am check in so I can drop my stuff off.

**401don** · March-31-09, 02:42 PM

It should be interesting having opening day on Good Friday with the 2 churches right by the park. When I was a kid in our hometown Good Friday was a very solemn day. You didn't even go outside to play because you weren't allowed to make noise until church services were over. Things have obviously changed but it's odd to have beer tents and loud music surrounding Good Friday ceremonies.
I just booked at the Shelby for a couple of nights in July. Rates are getting so cheap at downtown hotels I don't know how they're going to survive.The rate was 84.15 non-refundable and 99.00 regular. Greektown now limits their 99.00 deal to weekdays and is sold out for most weekends through to late August.

**ghein** · March-31-09, 06:12 PM

I'm predicting the D will be a madhouse due to the Friday date. Everybody seems to be taking at least a half day that day.

Anybody been to Cheli's on opening day? I went there once for a Tigers playoff game and it was uncomfortably crowded, even with the tents outside. Wondering if it's the same experience on opening day.

**Hamtragedy** · March-31-09, 09:30 PM

It really doesn't matter if you're in a hotel or plan on driving down. Downtown is so small you can park at one end and walk to the other end in under 15 minutes. People will be everywhere, so stretch that walk into several hours by hitting the bars suggested above. You don't need to Mover unless it's raining, and since there's no cover in the new ballpark anyways, you might as well walk thru the rain.

**raptor56** · April-01-09, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by JROLLA

Perfect. I booked through hotwire so I am hoping they will change my room to smoking. I have to call the night before.

I also doubt they will let me do an early check in. Like 9am check in so I can drop my stuff off.

You may not be able to checkin early, but many hotels will let you drop your stuff off in a secure storage area, to be picked up later when you are able to check in. Call the hotel directly and inquire.

**thefishwrap** · April-01-09, 12:38 PM

This will be my first year going down without tickets. I'm wondering what to expect in terms of the going rate for a standing room ticket from some guy on the street?

cheddar bob · April-01-09, 12:51 PM

About $50-$65.

**thefishwrap** · April-01-09, 01:04 PM

That's pretty much what I expected. Thanks.

**JROLLA** · April-01-09, 03:29 PM

Yea Chelis is always too packed for my liking. That is why I was exploring other options.

I am going to try and park and just drop my stuff off at the Shelby in the morning.

**Genesyxx** · April-02-09, 02:50 PM

This has gotta be the first Opening Day in some time that they're doing this on Good Friday. I have the day off! Just couldn't get tickets. [[sigh). I'll pile into Cheli's or Proof and enjoy a good drumming.