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Restaurants and bars near Ford Field are offering special hours and menus for the Lions opener.Establishments are located throughout downtown Detroit or a short ride on the QLINE to Midtown.
When football fans swarm downtown Detroit for the Lions’ home opener at Ford Field, nearby restaurants and bars will be geared up to welcome them.
Some are opening earlier than their normal hours and will have special menus. Many will host outdoor events and rooftop seating, as the weather is expected to be favorable.
The area around Ford Field, from Greektown to Capitol Park to a QLINE ride up to Midtown, offers a wide array of options.
For example, in Greektown, you’ll find a range of options, from longstanding restaurants such as Pegasus Taverna and Niki’s Pizza.
Around downtown and nearby Ford Field, there are casual places, many with plenty of TVs for game-watching, where fans will find burgers, pizza and, of course, Detroit’s beloved coneys. Here’s a sampling of restaurants nearby, within walking distance or a QLine ride from Ford Field. Also, much of metro Detroit’s food landscape is beyond downtown. You will find a slew of restaurants in many nearby Detroit neighborhoods like Corktown, Core City and Eastern Market areas, to name a few.
And if we’ve missed a favorite spot, be sure to let us know. Send an email with the name and location to sselasky@freepress.com.
Atheneum A Bar
The Atheneum Suite Hotel is serving Sunday brunch in the Atheneum’s A Bar and lounge area in the lobby. Brunch features traditional breakfast and lunch items, salads and entrees, plus endless mimosas. It’s served 8 a.m.-1 p.m. for walk-ins only. Cost is $34.95; $16.95 for kids 10 and under. 1000 Brush St. atheneumsuites.com
Bakersfield Tacos Tequila Whiskey
On Woodward, about a 15-minute walk from the stadium or a quick trip on the QLINE, Bakersfield serves up authentic Mexican street fare with a vast selection of more than 100 tequilas and American whiskeys. It’s a spot where the food is simple, the service is warm, and the atmosphere is alive. 3100 Woodward Ave. bakersfieldtacos.com
Basement Burger Bar
Burgers, of course, are the star here. Choose from beef, bison, chicken and turkey, or a vegetarian burger. There is also an array of appetizers, salads, and sides. 1326 Brush St. basementburgerbar.com
Bert’s Marketplace
This longtime Eastern Market eatery offers its classic fried chicken and barbecue ribs as well as other bar food menu options. 2727 Russell St. eatatberts.com
Brass Rail Pizza Bar
Appetizers, salads, and burgers are on the menu at this establishment on Adams off Woodward, along with red, white, and build-your-own pizzas. The Brass Rail also has dozens of TVs for game-watching. It’s also connected to Love & Tequila and the Annex. 18 W. Adams.
Buddy’s Pizza
Buddy’s Pizza is known for its square pizzas with thick crusts, crisp and caramelized edges, with sauce drizzled atop the cheese. A downtown location offering its popular Detroit-style pizza and traditional salads is on Broadway just minutes from Ford Field. 1565 Broadway. buddyspizza.com
Buffalo Wild Wings
The spot for all things chicken wings — boneless or classic — and game-watching football. There are also salads, appetizers, burgers, and more. Buffalo Wild Wings, downtown on Randolph, is a several-minute walk from Ford Field. 1218 Randolph St. buffalowildwings.com
Detroit Beer Co.
Just a short walk from Ford Field, this longtime establishment has plenty of beer options that pair with its burgers, twice-cooked chicken wings, sandwiches, and main dishes. 1529 Broadway. detroitbeerco.com
Elwood Bar and Grill
The Elwood, at the corner of Brush and East Adams, just across from Ford Field, opens at 9:30 a.m. There will be a tailgate-style setup with a limited menu that includes hot dogs and hamburgers. 300 E. Adams. elwoodgrill.com
Firebird Tavern
Opens at 9 a.m. for Lions home games. Here, the game-day menu includes the tavern’s popular burgers and chicken wings. You can also try steak frites and corned beef sandwiches. The drink highlight is the Lions Kool-Aid shots and Honolulu Blue mimosa. 419 Monroe St. firebirdtavern.com
Fixins Soul Kitchen
This soul food restaurant opened in the Paradise Valley area in downtown Detroit in 2022. Classics on its menu include the 24-hour brined and then fried chicken served alone or with waffles, shrimp and grits and collard greens. There’s a full bar. 1435 Randolph St. fixinssoulkitchen.com
Frita Batidos
Frita Batidos offers Cuban-inspired street food and is located on District Detroit’s pedestrian-friendly, brick-lined street. They will open at 9 a.m. with breakfast burritos, drink specials and a full menu. 66 W. Columbia St. fritabatidos.com
Harry’s Detroit Bar and Grill
Here, the vibe is an outdoor party taking over the entire parking lot with outdoor grills and a vast menu that includes appetizers, entrees, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. The restaurant is known for its burgers, with beef ground in-house. Free shuttle service to Ford Field and other major events. 2482 Clifford St. harrysdetroit.com
Hockeytown Cafe
On Woodward Avenue, the multilevel Hockeytown Cafe has a playoff tailgate on Sunday. 2301 Woodward Ave. hockeytowncafe.com
Hollywood Greektown Casino
Restaurants inside the Monroe Market’s quick-service dining hall include 313 Burger Bar and Red Lotus Asian Kitchen. Other casino dining venues are ESPN Bet, fine dining Prism Steakhouse and the Rock Bar. 555 E. Lafayette St. hollywoodgreektown.com
Javier’s
Opening at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Javier’s offers happy hour that includes half-off appetizers, signature cocktails and wines by the glass on game days. Javier’s has a nightclub/lounge vibe with a menu that infuses Latin and Mediterranean cuisines. 1452 Brush St. javiersdowntown.com
JoJo’s Shakebar
A spot for over-the-top shakes paired with craft cocktails and classic bar food like wings, burgers, and fries. There are also soups, salads, and entrees. Specials include the Tailgate Shake — basic shake topped with a cone loaded with four crispy chicken tenders, golden waffle fries, and a half-order of onion rings. When the weather cools down, look for JoJo’s Game Day Hot Chocolate. 88 W. Columbia St. jojosshakebar.com
Mom’s Spaghetti
The restaurant is inspired by Detroit rapper Eminem’s lyrics for “Lose Yourself.” It has a walk-up window on the side of Union Assembly on Woodward offering spaghetti, spaghetti, and meatballs or a Sghetti sandwich. There’s also an upstairs retail store within Union Assembly. The project is a partnership with Union Joints Restaurant Group. 2131 Woodward Ave. momsspaghetti.com
Mootz Pizzeria
Mootz serves New York-style pizza with a crisp crust along with a selection of starters, salads, beer, wine, and a full cocktail menu. Within walking distance of Ford Field, fans can also grab a slice to go from their slice house if not dining in. 1230 Library St. mootzpizzeria.com
Parlay Detroit
This downtown Detroit Sports and craft cocktail bar is co-owned by former Detroit Lion Joique Bell. On its menu is a variety of starters, including chicken wings and bang bang shrimp. There’s also brick oven pizzas, burgers, a wide variety of entrees, soups and salads. 1260 Washington Blvd. parlaydetroit.com
Sahara Restaurant & Grill
Located on District Detroit’s pedestrian-friendly, brick-lined street, Sahara offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu. For Lions game day, they are featuring the Blue Roar drink plus other food and drink specials. 77 Columbia St. saharadining.com
The Brakeman/Penny Red’s
At the Brakeman in Parker’s Alley, you can watch the game and play a few games. There’s foosball, table shuffleboard, or beer pong. If you work up an appetite, the Brakeman has an attached walk-up window serving up buckets of fried chicken, sweet-savory honey-butter biscuits, and a small offering of sides from Penny Red’s. For every Lions game, The Brakeman will offer happy hour prices ($7 drink tokens) all day long. Both will be open before and after the game. 22 John R St. thebrakemandetroit.com or pennyreds.com
The Old Shillelagh
This classic, longtime downtown Detroit Irish pub has been around since 1975. Its menu highlights sourcing local ingredients. Offerings include starters, salads, sandwiches, Irish fare, burgers, tacos, and nachos. Multi-level, The Old Shillelagh opens at 9 a.m. on Sunday and features patio and rooftop, live bands and DJs. 349 Monroe St. oldshillelagh.com
Tin Roof Detroit
Steps from Ford Field, Tin Roof is a multi-level spot with entertainment and game-watching paired with a menu that includes wings and Nashville hot chicken. On Sunday, doors open at 9 a.m., per its website, with DJs throughout the day. 47 E. Adams. tinroofdetroit.com
Union Assembly
Multi-level Union Assembly is on the ground floor of Little Caesars’ world headquarters. The restaurant is launching a new game-day brunch menu available throughout the season. There’s a second-floor outdoor terrace with elevated views of Woodward Avenue. 2131 Woodward. unionjoints.com
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.
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