Detroit Rock City. Motown. Hitsville, USA.
Detroit may be known as the home and epicenter of the automotive industry, but Motor City is also known as one of the greatest cities for music, where blues, jazz, soul, techno and rock n’ roll have all emerged to take over the airwaves across the country.
Today, Detroit still has a thriving music scene, and you can discover it yourself by venturing into one of the following live music venues.
1. Cliff Bell’s
Cliff Bell’s, aside from being what basically kept Detroit “wet” during Prohibition, has been the site of many jazz and other bands both in the day and since it reopened in 2006. If you find yourself at a sporting event, definitely follow up at Cliff’s, which is conveniently nearby, and check out who’s playing.
2. Small’s
Having been voted the best of pretty much anything you can think of that’s music-related, Small’s is the place to see up-and-coming acts. It is known by musicians for having great sound and lights, as well as a killer atmosphere. It’s located near the GM factory in Hamtramck, so if you find yourself checking that out, you should pop in and have a listen to who’s playing. Dress code: anything rock and roll goes!
3. The Magic Stick/Majestic Theatre
This is by far one of the coolest venues to visit because it’s basically three in one. The Magic Stick is a pool hall bar that features 10 different tables and an intimate setting for music. The Garden Bowl below hosts DJs and, of course, bowling. The Majestic Theatre is practically a part of the other two, and it rocks. This old-school theater venue can pack in around 1,000 people, has two fully functional bars and boasts a lot of history. It’s definitely a must for music lovers to check out this trinity of venues.
4. The Fillmore Detroit
The Fillmore Detroit is a beautiful theater, plain and simple — not to mention it has also been voted one of the best Detroit venues in 2015. It is in the heart of Detroit’s “entertainment” district, which makes it pretty easy to see that it’s a definite to visit. Just make sure to get tickets early; the place packs it in!
5. The Old Miami
The Old Miami has been dubbed the CBGB of the Midwest, and for a good reason. It has possibly the best outdoor seating and music venue. Pretty much every great artist from Detroit has played there. Depending on the night, you could find yourself immersed in the hip-hop world, raging hardcore at a rave or rockin’ out to a solid rock band. It also has a history as a haven for veterans of the Vietnam war in the ‘70s.
6. Saint Andrew’s Hall
Three floors of fun is exactly what awaits at Saint Andrew’s Hall. Anything from rock to hip-hop to even house can be blasting in this musical funhouse. It has been rocked by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam and Jane’s Addiction, to name a few. It’s definitely a good place to be in Detroit on a Friday or Saturday night.
7. Hart Plaza
Plain and simple, the premier place to check out awesome large-scale festivals is Hart Plaza. There have been electronica/techno events and so on at Hart. It’s a wonderful amphitheater located on the waterfront and is sure to be a party if you catch one of these outdoor shows.
8. PJ’s Lager House
The Lager House is your home-sickness cure. It totally reminds you of the neighborhood bar scene in your hometown. PJ’s has been voted one of the best bars in Detroit, as well as best venue. It features an intimate setting, great food and drink, and great times.
9. Fox Theatre Detroit
The Fox is another beautifully crafted theater, similar to the Fillmore but with more of a theater-esque atmosphere. It’s a huge place where you can see pretty much anything you can think of. From magicians to Macklemore, the possibilities are endless. It is a great place to see a top-notch show.
10. The Magic Bag
This old-school movie theater actually still shows movies on some nights. The Magic Bag is a great place to see great rock bands and jazz bands. It is a pretty cool and sizable venue with a great atmosphere to see pretty awesome performances. Definitely call ahead to see who or what is playing.
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If you’re itching to experience the Detroit music scene, check out these apartment listings in the Detroit area.