OT: MGoAdvice Tigers Opening Day Bars

Submitted by brewandbluesaturdays on

So, I've been a season ticket holder for the Tigers for 3 seasons now, and this will be the first time I will actually be able to use my opening day tickets. I was looking for some advice from the board on where the good spots are downtown before the game. I plan on rolling downtown around 7:00 am and beginning my festivus day of drinking and baseball.. Any advice would be appreciated.

MDave

April 3rd, 2012 at 11:25 PM ^

Hockeytown Cafe, Cheli's Chili, and Detroit Beer Co are all within walking distance .  Detroit Beer Co has some decent brews too.

MDave

April 4th, 2012 at 8:24 AM ^

I also like parking at the Detroit Opera House when going to Detroit Beer Co. because it's practically around the corner from hopping on the freeway.  Altogether, it is pretty convenient, good food, great atmosphere, and normally their seasonal brews are pretty interesting.

Surveillance Doe

April 3rd, 2012 at 11:33 PM ^

The Fillmore puts on a good pre-grame party.  I highly recommend the Elwood parking structure for after-party.  During the game, Beer Hall is the place to get your booze as it's your one spot for Anheuser Busch products inside the park, but I'm sure you already know that one.  

Surveillance Doe

April 4th, 2012 at 12:49 AM ^

I haven't seen any advertisements for any all-you-can-drink deals anywhere, but I would be interested if someone else has.  Opening day tends to get pricey quickly.  

Hoots on the Avenue (Trumbull & Michigan) had some ridiculous gameday specials last season, and they run a free shuttle to and from the park.  You also don't have the issues with shuttle lines that you see at Nemo's just down the block.  

Hoots is my regular gameday spot, and that's just because a whole season of parking and drinking expensive booze takes a nasty toll on my wallet by the end of the summer.

WMUgoblue

April 3rd, 2012 at 11:42 PM ^

Town Pump Tavern is very close to Comerica, and always has a good atmosphere on gamedays, its also very close to the parking lots on Woodward

redhousewolverine

April 4th, 2012 at 12:27 AM ^

Town Pump is a fun place. Also, just a block (of parking lots) further west down Montcalm is Bookies which usually has some really good game day specials (special for any day there is a home sports game). I think the special was a pitcher and 5 shots (crappy kamakaziee types) for like 13 bucks (maybe 15) but that was a year ago or two.

If you prefer Greektown, then the Old Shillelagh is a fun place and there are lots of good restaurants nearby.

HELLE

April 3rd, 2012 at 11:49 PM ^

is right across Woodward on the corner of Elizabeth and Park (next to the Filmore). Great location and great food. They open at 10 am on Opening Day. It's going to be packed.

Ike Pond

April 4th, 2012 at 7:19 AM ^

Nemo's at Michigan and Eighth is always a fun place to stop especially on Opening Day.  They will have a tent set up in the parking lot and I'm sure they will be open first thing in the morning.  From Nemo's you can catch the shuttle to Comerica or you could hike it and do a pub crawl on the way....Lager House, one hand of blackjack at MGM, one round on the deck at Bookie's and one at the Filmore right before game time.  There's plenty of parking on the streets behind Nemo's and you could hit up Slow's for some bbq after the game.    

gopoohgo

April 4th, 2012 at 9:01 AM ^

Second Nemos.  Great burgers, lot of fun.

May not have as much eye candy as Town Pump, however, Town Pump isn't the biggest of placest and becomes absolutely jam packed on Opening Day. 

Inflames

April 4th, 2012 at 11:10 AM ^

I park in the lots off Woodward near Hockeytown and tailgate. After a good beer foundation has been set I head to Hockeytown which seems to have a good atmosphere. After all these other good suggestions though I may need to wander a bit more this year.

 

Tomorrow might call for an MGOBLOG meet and drink. Just a thought.

Itsahilger

April 4th, 2012 at 11:26 AM ^

The Old' Shillelagh is a fun bar, but IMO, you are better off just paying the $50 to park and tailgate (BYOB). If that won't work, I would for sure stay away from Hockeytown Cafe and Chelli's. The beer prices at those places are ridiculous!

saveferris

April 4th, 2012 at 12:10 PM ^

If you want more than just keg beer, Centaur carries a pretty good selection of whisky and vodka. The cigar selection was pretty good too back when you could smoke at a bar in Michigan. Right across the street from Town Pump.