Baker’s Keyboard Lounge 20510 Livernois Ave., Detroit, 313-345-6300, $$; Baker’s bills itself as “The world’s oldest jazz club,” and, in the club’s 72-year history, almost every jazz musician of national importance has played its bandstand. Baker’s complements the music with some amazing down-home cooking, their catfish being a true showstopper. Live entertainment nightly, with metro Detroit’s finest local musicians every weekend. Entertainment begins at 7 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and at 9:30 p.m. on weekends. Check out the Dwight Adams Quartet Friday, Oct. 5, and George Davidson Saturday, Oct. 6.
The Berkley Front 3087 W. 12 Mile Rd., Berkley, 248-547-3331, $: The Front is a mainstay in downtown Berkley, doubling as an American biergarten as well as a martini lounge. Patrons can choose to enjoy the Old World charm and laid-back style of the downstairs or to chill out in the ’50s-style lounge upstairs, where live music plays every weekend. Friday, Oct. 5 you can catch Lotus Tribe and the Misinformants; on Saturday, Oct. 6, catch a “hillbilly hop” with backwoods Buckeye-stater Ace Brown and his Ohio Valley Boys, with Johnny Carlevale and the Rollin’ Pins ($7; doors 9 p.m., show 10 p.m.). Open until 12:30 a.m. Monday and Tuesday and until 2 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Bert’s Marketplace 2727 Russell St., Detroit, 313-567-2030, $$; Anyone can show up here. Detroit’s only late-night jazz club serving up Cajun catfish and red beans and rice all night long. Dozens of regulars turn up Wednesdays and Thursdays for the open-mic jazz jam sessions. Bert’s serves the music fans bargain-price soul food from rows of steam tables: meat and two sides for $9, or as much as $21 for a whole slab of ribs. Be there this Friday, Oct. 5, for the John Douglas Quartet and Saturday, Oct. 6, for John Lee Hooker Jr.
The Blue Goose Inn 28911 E. Jefferson Ave., St. Clair Shores, 586-296-0950, $; This east side staple has been bringing a little piece of Memphis to Macomb County for years, featuring some of the Detroit area’s best blues bands. The venerable restaurant serves a full menu of such tavern fare as steaks, pizza and burgers; lake perch is a house specialty. And live rip-roaring blues can be seen and heard every night except Monday at the Goose. Don’t miss the band that helped the Blue Goose start the music: the Detroit Blues Band, with living legend Jimmy McCarty, Tommy “T-Bone” Wagner and Emmanuel Garza at 9:30 Friday and Saturday night. Open until 2 a.m. daily.
Butcher’s Inn 1489 Winder St., Detroit, 313-566-0966, $; Located in the heart of Eastern Market, Butcher’s Inn is a popular spot offering delicious food at budget-friendly prices and great music on the weekends. They keep things economical and local by doing virtually all their shopping within a two-block radius in the market. Butcher’s features bluegrass every Friday and straight-up blues on Saturdays. This week’s performances include acoustic open mic from Howard Glazer (8:30 p.m. Oct. 3) and bluegrass from the Cass Avenue Ramblers (7:30 p.m. Oct. 5). On Saturday, Oct. 6, come by for blues from Pete “Big Dog” Fedders at 9:30 p.m., then stay for an after-event for the Twenty to Life premiere at Detroit’s MOCAD, with poetry from beer-drinker and bullshitter John Sinclair at 10:30 p.m.
Buzz Bar 546 E. Larned St., Detroit, 313-962-1800, $; The Buzz is a popular hangout that couples a hip atmosphere with great food and drinks. Now their sights are set on becoming the No. 1 music venue in the city. Along with their famous pizza, paninis and cappuccino, the Buzz Bar serves all kinds of music including blues, rock and jazz. Local and national musicians alike grace the upstairs of this future Detroit landmark. Since Oct. 5 is the first Friday in October, expect their Fourth Horizon monthly DJ event.
Cadieux Café 4300 Cadieux Rd., Detroit, 313-882-8560, $$; Feather bowling is not the only draw to this Belgian cultural hub. Cadieux Café combines European flair with a unique menu, and the current owners have furthered the popularity by bringing in live musical acts and staying open until 2 a.m. daily (Midnight on Sundays). So whether you are in the mood for steamed mussels, Belgian beer or Elvis impersonators (sometimes), this is the place for you. This week’s live performances (doors usually at 9 p.m.) include Joe Neely and the Suburban Legends (Thursday, Oct. 4), King Mellowman (Friday, Oct. 5), Paul’s Big Radio with special guest Scotty Karate (Saturday, Oct. 6), an acoustic open-mic night (Sunday, Oct. 7) and Hot Club of Detroit (Tuesday, Oct. 9).
Club Bart 22726 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 248-548-9256, $: Club Bart bills itself as the only metro Detroit restaurant and bar that’s open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. — and the eatery makes the most of every hour it’s open. Club Bart draws in the masses early with its amazing cinnamon buns. During the day, they offer great lunch and dinner specials in a laid-back environment. But it all comes together at night, when good food, live music and liquid libations combine to create one of the best hangouts in Ferndale. Club Bart features live music on the weekends and open jazz on Wednesdays. Catch jazz R&B and Motown from Even Exchange every Friday and Saturday, comedy on Thursday nights, and DJ Melissa English every Sunday night. Catch a special rocking show from the Orbtisuns on Tuesday Oct 9.
Coach’s Olympia Grill 1067 S. Cass Lake Rd., Waterford, 248-683-7252, $; Named after the former home of the Detroit Red Wings, Coach’s Olympia Grill is foremost a sports bar. However, their 25 televisions are muted during great local live music on Saturday nights. With an extensive menu, Coach’s goes far beyond traditional bar food, but if that’s your thing, don’t miss “Build Your Own Coney” Saturdays. Mark Blackheart will be performing this Saturday. Open daily until 2 a.m.
El Comal 3456 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit, 313-841-7753, $; Elda Castellanos’ Central American fare includes pupusas (tortillas filled with beans, cheese or pork or a mixture of all three) and chuchitos (miniature pork tamales), and is augmented with Mexican fare. With unpretentious setting and service, El Comal offers great food at an affordable price. Their buffet offers a good selection of fare, including pupusas, menudo and Mexican, Colombian and Guatemalan tamales in corn-husk wrappers. As if things aren’t already spicy enough, El Comal has live music and dancing on weekend nights from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m . and Mariachi on Sundays from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Jacoby’s German Biergarten 24 Brush St., Detroit, 313-962-7067, $; Jacoby’s has been a favorite downtown Detroit eatery and hangout since 1904. The main floor dining area retains that classic appeal, but many don’t realize that Jacoby’s hosts live music from lots of local bands in its upstairs lounge. Call for scheduled acts. Open until 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Los Galanes 3362 Bagley St., Detroit, 313-554-4444, $; In addition to the expected enchiladas, tacos and burritos, this Mexican-style seafood bar serves such dishes as roasted baby goat, caldo de res and swordfish that will please those who want to avoid the emphasis on tortillas. Outdoor seating on the side street affords great people watching. Plus, their all-you-can-eat buffet is available daily. Los Galanes also provides music and dancing every Friday and Saturday hosted by a DJ. Open 9 a.m.-11 p.m. Sundays through Thursday and 9 a.m.-2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Pi Restaurant & Lounge 28875 Franklin Rd., Southfield, 248-208-7500, $$$; Pi has a menu featuring eclectic European cuisine. The atmosphere includes a 45-foot copper bar and soaring sheers reminiscent of southern Europe. There is a martini-and-cigar bar with couches and several HDTV’s. The food consists of dishes from all over Europe. The bar is stocked with 65 European beers and wine from various regions of the world. Live jazz is performed Thursday night on the patio from 6 to 9 p.m. as well as Friday and Saturday nights 8-midnight. The artists are chosen by artistic coordinator Alexander Zonjic. Call for schedules.
