Where to celebrate Detroit Tigers Opening Day

By Layla McMurtrie on Wed, Apr 3, 2024 at 4:44 pm

For many Detroiters, the Tigers’ Opening Day is an annual holiday, marking the start of the baseball season and the beginning of spring. Even for those not attending the game, the streets are filled with baseball fans dripped out in blue and orange attire. This year, the season opener is happening on Friday, April 5 at 1 p.m.

While the game is pretty early in the afternoon, many local bars are opening up as soon as the sun is up so people can start partying beforehand. Others are just having after-parties, and some are open from morning to night to celebrate, with many screening the game live for those who can’t attend. To make it easier to choose where to go, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best places to pregame this year's Detroit Tigers Opening Day, or (hopefully) celebrate a win afterward.

Scroll on for our recommendations.

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Facebook, Downtown Detroit Partnership

Grand Circus Park

101-157 Witherell St., Detroit; downtowndetroit.org

From 9 a.m.-5 p.m., this free Opening Day Tailgate Party presented by the Downtown Detroit Partnership will feature food trucks, music, giveaways, and the game playing live.

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The Fillmore

2115 Woodward Ave., Detroit; facebook.com/FillmoreDetroit

Beginning at 7 a.m., Dave & Chuck “The Freak” from WRIF will be broadcasting live from this top Detroit venue. The free event will also have entertainment, food, lawn games, and a chance to win tickets to the game.

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Facebook, Vital Productions

Madison Avenue Festival Grounds

440 Madison Ave., Detroit; detroithomeopener.com

Detroit's Home Opener Festival coins itself as the biggest Opening Day party in the city. The event features giant heated tents, DJs, bands, local food vendors, full bars, music, games, and more. All proceeds will benefit Angel's Share.

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Stephen Boyle, Flickr Creative Commons

Old Shillelagh

349 Monroe St., Detroit; oldshillelagh.com

This bar, which has been voted Best Irish Pub in the Metro Times Best of Detroit reader's poll, will start its Opening Day party at 8 a.m. There will be food, live music, DJs, and a free shuttle to and from Comerica Park. It's a classic and its mellow vibe is great for sipping on brews and watching sports.

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Facebook, Detroit Opera House

Detroit Opera House

1526 Broadway St., Detroit; eventbrite.com

The Grand Slam Detroit Festival will happen at the Opera House’s outdoor festival grounds for Detroit’s “biggest opening day party.” The 21+ event will run from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. with a pre-game broadcast, heated tents, local DJs, festival games, sports apparel, food trucks, and more.

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Facebook, Tin Roof Detroit

Tin Roof

47 E. Adams Ave., Detroit; tinroofdetroit.com

One of the best spots to watch the game is right outside Comerica Park at Tin Roof. It opens at 8 a.m. and will have live entertainment, food, and drinks for an entry fee of $10.

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Alex Washington

The Whiskey Factory/Detroit City Distillery

2462 Riopelle, Detroit; detroitcitydistillery.com

From 10 a.m.-11 p.m., at the Detroit City Distillery and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at The Whiskey Factory, there will be drink specials, a tailgate, and streaming of the game. The event is free.

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Facebook, The Michigan Pedaler

The Michigan Pedaler

McShane’s Irish Pub & Whiskey Bar, 1460 Michigan Ave., Detroit; eventbrite.com

The Michigan Pedaler can take you on a ride to check out some different tailgating parties before the game. The rides start at McShane’s just after 10 a.m., then pedalers can be taken to Comerica Park, or head back to the bar to watch the game on screen.

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Facebook, Detroit Shipping Company

Detroit Shipping Company

474 Petersboro St., Detroit; detroitshippingcompany.com/entertainment

This Detroit food hall has parties for all of the city’s big events. For Opening Day, there will be drink specials, games, and discounted Tigers gear from 4-11 p.m. The event is free.

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Hockeytown Cafe/Facebook

Hockeytown Cafe

2301 Woodward Ave., Detroit; hockeytowncafe.com

Since 1999, Hockeytown Cafe has been one of Detroit’s top sports bars. For this year’s Opening Day, it will offer a rooftop party, live entertainment, and drink specials. The event is $10 and will take place from 9 a.m.-11 p.m.

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Instagram, @partywitmikey_

Opening Day Block Party

Various downtown Detroit venues; eventbrite.com

The Annex, Brass Rail, and Love & Tequila are all a part of a celebratory block party, happening from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. with live entertainment and a live broadcast, plus food and drink specials.

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Facebook, Firebird Tavern

Firebird Tavern

419 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-782-4189; eventbrite.com.

This parking lot tent party at Firebird Tavern will include live DJs Rock City and Jun Bugg, food trucks, and plenty of drinks. Food available will be from Pablo's Tacos and Bro's Burger Joint, with everyone's favorite beverages including Miller Lite, Coors Light, Tito's Handmade Vodka, and Jack Daniel's. The event is running from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. and tickets are $5-$20.

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Lizz Wilkinson

The Corner Ballpark

1680 Michigan Ave., Detroit; detroitpal.org

The “Swing for the Fences Fundraiser” is happening in Corktown at The Corner Ballpark for Opening Day. The event will run from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m., featuring food trucks, game streaming, and a chance to take swings of your own at the ballpark. Attendance is free. Swings are 10 for $10.

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Facebook, Nemo's

Nemo’s

1384 Michigan Ave., Detroit; nemosdetroit.com

Coining itself as “Detroit’s original sports bar,” Nemo’s is hosting a Tigers Opening Day party starting at 10 a.m. The old-timey spot will have lots of tents set up for different vendors, plus its usual full menu of food and drinks.

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The Statler/Facebook

The Statler

313 Park Ave., Detroit; statlerdetroit.com

Celebrate Opening Day at The Statler with live music, drinks, and foods like hotdogs, sausages, and burgers. The free “Swing Into Spring,” event will start at 11 a.m., with live music by Cliff Erikson from 3-7 p.m.

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Facebook, Gem Theatre

The Elwood/Gem Theatre Parking Garage

333 Madison St., Detroit; killerflamingos.com

Killer Flamingos, Detroit’s hit punk-rock party band, is hosting a show for Opening Day. The band will play before and after the game. The event is free, with food and drinks for sale at The Elwood. The bar and grill will be open from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. for a party, with the Killer Flamingos performances happening between 12-5:30 p.m.

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Dwight Burdette, Wikimedia Creative Commons

Biggby Coffee

Multiple locations, biggby.com

If you want a more chill alcohol-free way to celebrate Opening Day, head to Biggby for some Tigers-themed drinks. New beverages include The Game Day Latte, The Tiger Stripe Sweet Foam Cold Brew, The Tiger Cub Magic Milk, and The Triple Play Red Bull Mocktail. On April 5, all Tigers specialty drinks will be on sale for just $2.99.

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