blog - Detroit

Praise Be to Detroit’s Newest Bar: A Church Garage Transformed in East Village

Detroit’s East Village has a new kind of sanctuary – one where wine glasses and cocktail shakers stand in for stained glass and steeples. In a former church garage on Parkview Street, a wine and cocktail bar cheekily named Father Forgive Me has opened its doors, breathing new life into a historic property. Locals are already flocking to this unique spot, drawn by the blend of old-world charm and contemporary Detroit creativity. It’s the kind of place that feels at once like a well-kept secret and a community gathering space, the moment you step inside. The bar’s debut earlier this summer (on a Saturday, fittingly) has quickly turned into one of the Eastside’s hottest talking points, and for good reason.

fatherforgivemedet, instagram

A Sacred Space…

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Detroit’s Historic Dakota Inn Rathskeller Gets New Life Under New Ownership

Detroit’s historic Dakota Inn Rathskeller – one of the city’s most iconic German beer halls – is entering a new chapter after nearly a century in the same family. The beloved establishment, founded in 1933 by German immigrant Karl Kurz, has been passed down through three generations of the Kurz family. Now, for the first time in 90 years, the Kurz family has handed off the reins to a new steward. Local entrepreneur Paddy Lynch, known for revitalizing old Detroit favorites like The Schvitz spa and Dutch Girl Donuts, has purchased the Dakota Inn Rathskeller from Karl E. Kurz (the founder’s grandson), sparking excitement about the restaurant’s future.

Detroit’s Dakota Inn Rathskeller has been a beloved gathering place since 1933, known for its Bavarian…

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Must-Try Restaurants, Cafes, and Bars in Detroit’s Midtown Neighborhood

Detroit’s Midtown neighborhood is a hub of creativity, culture, and culinary innovation. Located just over a mile from downtown, it’s home to beloved institutions like Wayne State University, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and Little Caesars Arena — but for locals and visitors alike, the true magic lies in Midtown’s walkable streets lined with world-class restaurants, cozy cafés, and buzzy bars. Whether you're chasing bold global flavors, enjoying a casual patio hangout, or hunting down the best late-night eats, Midtown has something to offer every palate.

This updated, family- and foodie-friendly guide includes the best restaurants, cafés, and bars in Midtown Detroit — alphabetized for easy browsing and organized with locals in mind.

Bangkok 96…

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Best New Outdoor Patios in Detroit: Stylish Spots to Dine and Drink

Detroiters know that when the sun comes out, so do the patio umbrellas. After a long winter, there’s nothing better than gathering on a great patio for food, drinks, and community vibes. The city’s bar and restaurant scene has exploded with new outdoor patios in Detroit just in time for summer 2025 – and these aren’t your run-of-the-mill picnic table setups. We’re talking chic rooftop lounges, spacious beer gardens, and sidewalk cafes perfect for outdoor dining Detroit style. From lively downtown rooftops during Movement Festival and Grand Prix weekend, to cozy neighborhood hideaways, we’ve rounded up the best patios in Detroit that are making a splash this season. Grab your shades and let’s dive into Detroit’s newest stylish spots to dine and drink al…

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Ultimate Guide to Detroit Cinco de Mayo 2025: Parades, Parties & Authentic Eats

Cinco de Mayo is around the corner, and Detroit is gearing up for a vibrant weekend of festivities. From family-friendly cultural celebrations in Southwest Detroit’s Mexicantown to lively nightlife events downtown, the city offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a Metro Detroit local or just visiting, get ready to enjoy parades, authentic Mexican cuisine, taco and tequila parties, and community spirit in true neighborly Detroit fashion.

Mexican Patriotic Committee Of Metro Detroit, Facebook

Southwest Detroit’s 60th Annual Cinco de Mayo Parade & Fiesta

Date: May 4, 2025
Starts at Patton Park and travels along W. Vernor Highway to Clark Par | Southwest Detroit’s, Mi 48201
Admission: Free
Website: Southwest Detroit’s 60th Annual Cinco de Mayo…

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Major National Apparel Retailer Announces New Downtown Detroit Store Opening

Detroit, MI – Free People, a well-known national women’s apparel retailer celebrated for its bohemian fashion, has opened a new boutique in the heart of downtown Detroit. The store, located at 1425 Woodward Avenue in the Lofts at Merchants Row, officially welcomed shoppers on Friday, April 25, 2025​. This opening marks Free People’s first location within the city of Detroit, bringing the brand’s eclectic style to downtown and adding to the growing momentum of the local retail scene. Shoppers and visitors alike can now find Free People’s eclectic, boho-chic collections right along Woodward, further energizing the downtown Detroit shopping experience.

Bohemian Fashion Finds at Free People Detroit

Free People bills itself as “the destination for…

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Dan Gilbert’s Innovative Live Sports Video Dome Breaks Ground in Downtown Detroit

Downtown Detroit is scoring a futuristic new attraction. Imagine enjoying a Pistons or Lions game as if you had floor seats or 50-yard-line tickets – but instead, you’re in a dome in the heart of the city. That’s the vision behind Dan Gilbert’s latest development: an innovative live sports “video dome” set to rise at Cadillac Square in downtown Detroit. This immersive sports and entertainment venue, called Cosm Detroit, just broke ground and promises to bring a “front row seat” experience of live events to our city​. In a town that bleeds sports and craves new things to do, this high-tech dome is generating buzz among Detroit sports fans, families, and real estate watchers alike.

Mayor Mike Duggan, Facebook

A High-Tech Sports Dome Rises in Cadillac…

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Detroit’s Renaissance Center: Local Gems and a New Chapter

Detroit’s iconic Renaissance Center (RenCen) is facing a turning point. General Motors has announced plans to relocate its headquarters from the RenCen to the new Hudson’s Site development in 2025, leaving much of the complex empty​. Once GM departs, the seven-tower complex – long a fixture of the city skyline – will be largely vacant​. This moment, while bittersweet, opens the door for exciting changes. What does life after GM look like around the RenCen? In many ways, the area’s vibrancy is poised to continue, fueled by beloved local businesses, new attractions, and ambitious redevelopment plans that have Detroiters cautiously optimistic about the future.

GM Ren Cen, Facebook

GM’s Departure and the RenCen’s Next Act

GM’s exit from the RenCen…

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Space Dive: Detroit's Mos Eisley Cantina Pop-Up Brings Star Wars to Life

“Mos Eisley spaceport. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy.” Those famous words of Obi-Wan Kenobi might echo in your head as you step through the doors of Detroit’s Space Dive – and that’s exactly the point. Imagine walking into a dimly lit cantina filled with alien creatures, the upbeat jizz-wail of a cantina band playing, and a bartender sliding you a frothy blue cocktail. This isn’t a scene from Star Wars; it’s a Detroit Star Wars pop-up experience that’s very real, very immersive, and coming soon to a galaxy near you (specifically, 715 East Milwaukee Ave, Detroit, MI). In May 2025, Detroit’s own Mos Eisley Cantina will spring to life at the Tangent Gallery, inviting fans and curious locals alike to drink, dance, and mingle in…

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Detroit’s Best Breakfast Spots: Top Morning Eats in the City

Whether you're living in Metro Detroit or moving to Metro Detroit, one thing is certain: this city knows how to do breakfast right. From soulful diners tucked into historic neighborhoods to sleek, modern cafés offering globally inspired fare, Detroit’s breakfast scene is as diverse as its communities. Whether you crave a stack of decadent pancakes, a savory shakshuka, or handcrafted pastries fresh from the oven, there's no shortage of locally loved spots to satisfy every kind of morning craving. This roundup of Detroit’s best breakfasts showcases the city’s flavor-forward approach to the most important meal of the day—delivered with heart, heritage, and a whole lot of hospitality.

Yellow Light Coffee & Donuts, Facebook

Yellow Light Coffee and…

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