It’s Friday, and you know what that means! Time to relax this weekend after working hard all week. What better way to do so than by kicking back and enjoying some local music over a delicious meal?
There are countless venues with live music in Metro Detroit, but the ones on this list not only offer live music several nights a week, they’ll also provide you an excellent meal any day of the week. Live music and tasty eats are one great way to start the weekend, and here are a few options to get you started:
Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, 20510 Livernois Ave., Detroit, has been in business since 1933, when it first opened as a lunchtime restaurant. In the years to follow, Baker’s expanded into a jazz club and has been booking notable acts ever since.
You’ll find live music here six days a week (Baker’s is closed on Mondays), and upcoming performances include 313 The Live Experience, Alan Barnes and Prime Time and OGD. Cover charges for each show typically range between $5 and $10 and can be found on the events calendar. To get a feel for the intimate setting of Baker’s shows, take a look at past performances here.
As for the food, there are plenty of entrees to choose from, including Fried Pork Chops, Ocean Perch and T-Bone Steak, as well as sandwiches including Catfish and BBQ Rib. Don’t forget a brownie or peach cobbler for dessert!
Plymouth Roc, 1020 Ann Arbor Rd., Plymouth, hosts an open mic night every Tuesday, so it’s a guarantee you’ll hear some fresh new sounds while you dine. Live bands play every weekend, including Motor City Soul this Saturday, March 7 and Black Jack Band next Friday, March 13.
The new dinner menu has something on it for everyone, from the Smokehouse Spicy Burger (with spicy mayo and Gouda cheese) to the Sicilian pizza (with Italian sausage, bacon, pepperoni, roasted garlic and tomato) to entrees like Jambalaya (a house specialty with chicken, shrimp, sausage, wild rice and Creole sauce) and Ariel Herb Chicken Pasta (with sautéed chicken, spinach, basil, garlic, shallots, lemon, white wine and linguine in a garlic sauce).
Oak City Grille, 212 W. 6th St., Royal Oak, hosts local musicians five nights a week, so no matter what genre of music you enjoy or night of the week you choose to dine out, it’s likely you’ll find something to fit your fancy. The music begins around 8:30 or 9 p.m. and bands play until close, so it provides a great ambiance for a late dinner.
Dinner itself consists of American fare with plenty of variety. Try the Cajun Salmon Sandwich (served with lemon caper mayonnaise and fries), Three Cheese Tortellini with Cranberry Apple Sausage (tossed in a Cajun cream sauce) or Bacon Wrapped Bleu Filet (with homemade bacon, crumbled bleu cheese and zip sauce, served with mashed potatoes and veggies). There is quite an impressive wine list, so you should be able to find something suitable to your tastes.
PJ’s Lager House, 1254 Michigan Ave., Detroit, is located in Corktown, and with a motto like “live life loud,” it’s obvious that you’re in for a good time. There’s always a show happening, and if there’s not, there’s certainly more than one on the horizon. Upcoming acts include The Ruiners with The Whiskey Daredevils and The Hi-Views tonight! The show starts at 9 p.m. and doors are open to those 21 and up only. Don’t forget $7 for your cover charge.
Make sure you arrive early enough to eat dinner too, because everything here is made fresh daily, down to the homemade salad dressings and fresh ground veggie burgers. You might enjoy PJ’s Detroit Gumbo, Corktown Classic sandwich (with corned beef, Swiss cheese, coleslaw and Thousand Island on rye bread), Michigan Avenue Burger (with lettuce, onion, tomato, pickle and your choice of cheese) or a Deep Fried Catfish Strip Po’Boy with Fries.
Check out the upcoming live bands here and get ready to mark your calendar!
Atwater in the Park, 1175 Lakepointe St., Grosse Pointe Park, is a biergarten and tap house that hosts a number of local acts each month. During the month of March, you’ll be able to catch the likes of pop/rock musician Julie Haven (on Monday, March 9) and Christina Chriss and Joey Fava of local band Kaleido (on Wednesday, March 18). Take a peek at the full schedule of performers here.
While you’re at the biergarten, it’s imperative that you try one of the brews that is brewed onsite and is unavailable anywhere else. Those include Coconut Porter, Black IPA, Mango Wheat or Red Crown Red. At that point, you’ll likely be hungry. Luckily, there are plenty of food offerings, including Beer Cheese Soup and plenty of other German dishes, such as Eggplant and Portobello Schnitzel (with roasted tomato sauce and your choice of two sides) and Wurst Plate (with your choice of bratwurst, kielbasa or knockwurst).
The Atwater Burger (with pastrami bacon, coleslaw and Swiss cheese) and Pretzel-Crusted Fried Chicken (with mustard cream sauce, new potatoes and asparagus) are also solid choices.
One Under Craft Beer & Eats, 35780 5 Mile Rd., Livonia, offers over 70 craft beers on tap to enjoy while you listen to any one of the live bands perform. Tonight, catch Metro Detroit pop-rock band The Killer Flamingos when they take the stage at 10 p.m. Detroit-based country band Annabelle Road will perform in a few weeks on Friday, March 20.
While you enjoy the show and sip on a Bell’s Hopslam or Founders Dirty Bastard, you might find yourself needing some grub. If you’re looking for a meal, the Summer Salad (marinated chicken, greens, pineapple, strawberries, candied walnuts and raspberry vinaigrette), Birdie Club (with grilled chicken, ham, applewood bacon, Swiss cheese and pesto mayo) or Sirloin French Dip (with Swiss cheese and horseradish aioli) will suffice.
There you have it, Metro Detroiters. Now go unwind with some music and a glass of wine or pint and a hearty meal. You deserve it.