Downtown Detroit

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by TomCat11, Feb 14, 2017.

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  1. TomCat11

    TomCat11 Pooh-Bah (2,062) Jul 21, 2012 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    I'll be traveling to Detroit next month (mid March) staying downtown . Looking to get a list of recommendations for breweries and bars/restaurants/food with solid MI selections. Maybe even a good spot to grab some bottles to enjoy while there. Hotel I'm staying at is flexible so below are a few choices I have. Would prefer spots within walking distance (1 - 1 1/2 miles max) to where I choose to stay. Which hotel is the most centrally located to the most recommended spots. Last time I was in Detroit was 2015 and the only brewery I had time to check out was Detroit Beer Co.. Was hoping to check out Atwater and Jolly Pumpkin but didn't have the time. Thanks in advance!

    POSSIBLE HOTELS
    - Hilton Garden Inn Downtown
    - Doubletree Fort Shelby (where I stay at in 2015)
    - Marriott at Renaissance Ctr.
    - Courtyard Downtown

    **Not sure how much the day of the week or time of day would help but I'll be arriving on a Wednesday around lunch and then would have Wednesday evening as well as Thursday evening. Where I live in VA most breweries are closed on Mondays and do not open until 4pm during the week**
     
    #1 TomCat11, Feb 14, 2017
    Last edited: Feb 14, 2017
  2. apendecto

    apendecto Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2009 Michigan

    I'm not doing too much digging for you, but Hop Cat has a ton of beer in tap. Jolly Pumpkin is nearby and cool as well. Breweries are pretty weak in Detroit.

    Who knows if this is in the area or not but Slows BBQ has a huge selection of beer. I'd pass on the food and get there after the rush for drinks.
     
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  3. mbockstruck30

    mbockstruck30 Pooh-Bah (1,776) Dec 31, 2010 Illinois
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Yeah, Jolly Pumpkin and Hop Cat are going to be two of your better options right in downtown. Last time I was in town, I hit up a newer brewery called Batch Brewing. Nothing amazing, but a good vibe and the brewers are very excited to chat with people who know beer. So worth checking out.
     
  4. TomCat11

    TomCat11 Pooh-Bah (2,062) Jul 21, 2012 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Didn't expect much digging. Just feedback from someone who knows the area well. I have already done some research and just trying to narrow places down or areas of downtown would be the best to stay based on what beer spots are nearby. I did check out Slow's on my visit in '15 but the food was forgettable. Beer selection was good though.8 Degrees Plato appears to be the best (and possibly only) shop for bottles downtown. If I end up going towards Jolly Pumpkin and HopCat then I will check them out.

    Thanks for that. I had both of those on my list. Have been to HopCat in GR and it's pretty good. I figure the week I'm in town will be the same that KBS hits taplines so one I'll try to catch to see if it's worth it again this year to grab bottles once it hits shops in VA on April 1st. Batch Brewing is also one I have heard a good amount about. Said they make some solid beer and are the newer kids on the block. Not really expecting anything amazing but really looking for good beer that does not get distributed to Virginia and being around people who know beer.
     
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  5. moshea

    moshea Initiate (0) Jul 16, 2007 Michigan

    Jolly Pumpkin, Great Lakes Coffee, Batch, Slows BBQ, Grand Trunk, Hop Cat, motor city brewing (average beer, great tap room)

    Seva is a veg restaurant with a decent but small tap list, but a great half off all draft hour.

    8 degrees Plato is the best bottle shop in the City of Detroit proper and has a nice tap list as well. The Whole foods can be hit or miss for bottles. Ask at the cheese counter if they have any rare beers held back

    Downtown and mid town are booming, these are just a few that I know of but I am old and can't keep up..
     
  6. moshea

    moshea Initiate (0) Jul 16, 2007 Michigan

    A few of those are outside of The walking range you asked for, but you can take the people mover train to the far north stop and walk into mid-town. Use big city common sense when walking in Detroit. Walk up Woodward to err on the side of caution if you do make the trek from downtown to mid town
     
  7. TomCat11

    TomCat11 Pooh-Bah (2,062) Jul 21, 2012 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Good info. I assumed Woodward would be a good bet walking and was curious how the area was to midtown. I walked from the Doubletree to Detroit Beer Co. and by Comerica last time and that did not seem too bad but that was as far as I went.
     
  8. K-jack211

    K-jack211 Crusader (443) Jun 22, 2014 Michigan

    Use Uber. Hopcat, Jolly Pumpkin, and 8 Degrees Plato are all at least a half hour walk from any of the hotels you're considering. If you stay at the Doubletree, Batch (and the rest of Corktown) is only about a 15 minute walk. You'd also be able to walk to Grand Trunk (good beer bar) and the Detroit Beer Co. without too much trouble.
     
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  9. apendecto

    apendecto Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2009 Michigan

    Corktown is also good for Two James distillery. Do yourself a favor and get a shawarma from Bucharest Grill.
     
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  10. moshea

    moshea Initiate (0) Jul 16, 2007 Michigan

    Depends on the mind set. Sometimes walking is part of the fun when traveling.

    It is less than a mile from the Grand Circus People Mover station to 8 Degrees. Have a few drafts and walk a few blocks up to Hopcat and Jolly Pumpkin. Catch an Uber back.

    It will be nice when the M-1 line opens, you can quickly take the train up. It is almost open but I don't think it will be open on time for OP.
     
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  11. ClarkstonMark

    ClarkstonMark Crusader (491) Feb 21, 2016 Michigan
    Trader

    Seriously! Get a chicken shawarma at Buch
     
  12. Breaking_Beard

    Breaking_Beard Initiate (0) Oct 17, 2014 Michigan

    Skip Atwater. Seriously.
     
  13. TomCat11

    TomCat11 Pooh-Bah (2,062) Jul 21, 2012 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Society Trader

    Yeah. That's sort of my mindset when traveling to places I don't visit regularly. It's nice to walk not only to work off what I'm drinking but also allows me to see more of what's in the area. A lot of under the radar gems have been found by just going it on foot from place to place if it's convenient enough. I can make a list of places I want to check out based on some research but there's likely some local spots that are well worth uncovering. I don't mind a 20-30 minute walk either. Helps me pace myself more. :slight_smile:

    Good to know. Atwater is the one farthest out and in the wrong direction of most other spots I am looking at. When I was up 2 years ago, though, that was a popular recommendation.
     
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  14. Billet

    Billet Pundit (760) Dec 17, 2013 Michigan

    Depends on what you like, Atwater has some solid German style Lagers and Pilsners.
     
  15. 98green

    98green Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Michigan

    Completely agree
     
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  16. 98green

    98green Initiate (0) Jun 13, 2014 Michigan

    Also, if you are hitting that Jolly Pumpkin/Motor City Brew Works block, might as well hit Traffic Jam and Snug.

    The beer isn't worth a trip just for that stop, but worth a visit if you are in the area. They have been there forever and the vibe is very old school (or maybe just very old).
     
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  17. BrewUrbanist

    BrewUrbanist Initiate (0) May 11, 2012 Wisconsin

    Visited Detroit for the first time last Spring and was able to visit Batch Brewing just SW of downtown. Walkable (in my opinion) from most downtown hotels. Laid back taproom w/ pretty solid beers.

    Also - Mudgie's is a solid deli around the corner from Batch if you're looking for a low-key meal.
     
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  18. lftwng4

    lftwng4 Crusader (497) Oct 12, 2007 Ohio

    Also, John Brannon(ex Negative Approach, ex Laughing Hyenas, current Easy Action) used to work there, might still.
     
  19. mike409

    mike409 Initiate (0) Jan 25, 2012 Michigan

    there is a place across from Batch call brewed detroit or something along those lines.

    Skip Atwater.

    only place for bottles near you is 8 degrees.

    Spend your time at Hopcat.

    Get a schwarma
     
  20. steebo777

    steebo777 Initiate (0) Jun 30, 2009 Michigan

    This is the correct quick answer for sure.
     
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