Detroit’s dining scene is full of unique spots that go beyond just serving food. Many local eateries blend delicious cuisine with unique atmospheres, fire entertainment, games to play or watch, and other one-of-a-kind experiences.

For when you want a memorable outing with a little more than just good food, we compiled a list of some of the best experiences in the Detroit-area where great dining meets extra fun.

Cliff Bell’s 2030 Park Ave., Detroit; 313-961-2543; cliffbells.com This renowned jazz club and restaurant offers upscale American dishes and great drinks within an Art Deco ambiance, complemented by nightly live jazz performances. Originally opening in 1935 following the prohibition era, the spot is also steeped in history. Credit: Google Maps
Best Bowling Alley (Detroit): Garden Bowl 4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; majesticdetroit.com Credit: Garden Bowl, Facebook
Learn how to dance with free salsa lessons at Vicente’s Cuban Cuisine 1250 Library St., Detroit; vicentesdetroit.com Every Friday and Saturday night from 10:30 p.m. to close, this local Cuban restaurant holds free salsa lessons. The class is for both beginners who need to learn the basics and experts who want to pick up some new moves. Credit: Vicente's Cuban Cuisine/Facebook
The Yard 1375 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-285-8080; theyardatcorktown.com You need food to fuel you at this interactive entertainment venue. There’s pizza, burgers, and other classic American favorites that you can enjoy alongside board games, ax throwing, cornhole, and other fun activities. The casual yet super fun atmosphere makes The Yard a standout in the city. Credit: Facebook, The Yard at Corktown
Clothing Swap When: Feb. 10 from 12-4 p.m. Where: Spot Lite What: A clothing swap Who: Detroiters Why: Bring up to 10 pieces of clothing you’re done with and get new clothing for your closet. Credit: Layla McMurtrie
Play indoor sports This historic Cadieux Cafe on the city’s east side is the only home to feather bowling in the nation, a Belgian game where you roll balls down a lane toward a feather target (4300 Cadieux Rd., Detroit; cadieuxcafe.com). Another bowling alternative in metro Detroit is fowling, where you throw a football at bowling pins. There are Fowling Warehouses in Hamtramck and Ypsilanti (3901 Christopher St., Hamtramck and 3050 Washtenaw Ave., Ypsilanti; fowlingwarehouse.com), great for an after-work get-together or a day of family fun. Credit: Michelle Gerard
Joe Muer Seafood 400 Renaissance Center, Detroit; barksidedogbar.com This restaurant combines an elegant dining atmosphere with a focus on high-quality seafood. With stunning views of the Detroit River, this spot stands out for special occasions and live piano music. Credit: Courtesy photo
The Whitney 4421 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-832-5700; thewhitney.com When you’re talking about fine dining in Detroit, it’s hard not to mention The Whitney. The mansion is not only a restaurant, but also holds The Ghostbar and The Katherine Mcgregor Dessert Parlor. Credit: Google Maps
Cafe D’Mongos 1439 Griswold St., Detroit; facebook.com/cafedmongo If you want to show someone the real Detroit, this is where you should take them. Founded by Larry Mongo in 1985, the legendary bar is only open on Friday and Saturday. With Detroit-themed cocktails and Southern-inspired dishes, it is considered the great connector — attracting folks from all walks who just want to have a good time. Credit: Google Maps
McShane’s Irish Pub 1460 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-961-1960; mcshanespub.com Offering a warm, welcoming atmosphere, this Corktown whiskey bar serves Irish-inspired fare and features a large selection of drinks, providing a genuine pub experience to Detroiters. Credit: @dna_313, Instagram
Raven Lounge & Restaurant 5145 Chene St., Detroit; 313-924-7133; facebook.com As Detroit’s oldest blues club, Raven Lounge is steeped in musical history. The space started as a polka dance hall in the late 1800s, opening with a new focus on blues in 1966. Now, the spot continues to serve up delicious soul food alongside cocktails and live blues music. It was even featured on Detroit-based Starz series BMF. Credit: Photo with permission from @emilyanomaly
Detroit City Clubhouse 3401 E. Lafayette St., Detroit; 313-656-2480; detcityfc.com If you’re a soccer fan, there is no better place to watch Detroit City Football Club games than the Detroit City Clubhouse. The watering hole offers watch parties for the soccer club, and the atmosphere can get festive. Throw back some beers and cocktails and order from a reasonably priced menu that includes hamburgers, chicken wings, chili, hand pies, and fries. Credit: Detroit City Clubhouse, Facebook
Checker Bar 124 Cadillac Square, Detroit; 313-961-9249; checkerbar.com Offworld Arcade adds a nostalgic touch to this classic pub, with old and new games to play. Located right downtown, the combination of hearty American food, good drinks, and fun make it a great spot to go with friends or a lover. Credit: Facebook, Checker Bar
Bert’s Marketplace 2727 Russell St., Detroit; 313-567-2030 Located in Detroit’s Eastern Market, this spot combines delicious barbecue and soul food with live jazz, blues, and Motown performances. Credit: Facebook, Bert's Marketplace
Flyleaf 92 Kercheval Ave, Grosse Pointe Farms; 313-771-5544; flyleafgp.com This charming bookstore that just opened in 2023 is super unique. You can peruse the selection of novels, enjoy a cocktail and relax surrounded by books, or order some high-quality tapas for a well-rounded experience in a memorable setting. Credit: Facebook, Flyleaf
They Say Restaurant 267 Jos Campau Ave., Detroit; 313-446-4682 | 17810 Vernier Hwy., Harper Woods; 313-30903600 | theysayrestaurant.com This eatery features a modern design with a creative menu using musical language to make every dish memorable. Plus, there’s live music on Friday nights. The spot has been in downtown Detroit since 2006, more recently opening a second location in Harper Woods. Credit: Courtesy of They Say
Detroit Blues Cafe 14493 Gratiot Ave., Detroit; 313-466-3400; detroitbluescafe.net Renowned for its live blues performances and Southern-inspired dishes, this multi-level spot offers a perfect atmosphere for music lovers. On Thursday nights, there are free ballroom and hustle lessons offered on the lower level. New live music and DJ events take place every weekend, so visitors can always have a unique experience. Credit: Facebook, Detroit Blues Cafe
Thou shalt enjoy a beer at a local brewery. The city of Detroit and its surrounding suburbs are well-stocked with breweries and bars that serve up great drinks and food, some no-frills and unpretentious, and others more high-end. Some even have extra fun activities for you to have a good time. Whatever you have in mind for summer fun, sipping brews is a necessity. (Besides, it’s Oberon season.) Credit: Brew Detroit, Facebook
Go to an arcade bar As long as you don’t buy too many drinks, hitting a bar that also has games is a fun way to enjoy a date and maybe engage in some lighthearted competition too. There are lots of options in Detroit such as Checker Bar, The Yard, Barcade, and more. Credit: Steve Neavling
Caucus Club 150 W. Congress St., Detroit; 313-965-4970; caucusclubdetroit.com If you want something fancy and memorable, this may be the place. The spot offers an upscale dining experience where business casual is the minimum attire required to enter. The setting is elegant and there’s live music to enjoy on the weekends. Credit: Courtesy photo
Shelby 607 Shelby St., Detroit; shelbydetroit.com Inside of an old bank vault in downtown Detroit, this spot evokes the charm of the Prohibition era. The gem of the city offers many inventive cocktails and gourmet shareplates that are perfect for a high-level night out. Credit: The Shelby / Instagram
BLKLUV: The 10-year Anniversary Show When: Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. Where: Aretha’s Jazz Cafe What: A show of poetry, music, comedy, and more Who: Hosted by Joel Fluent Greene with beats by Drake Phifer Why: Celebrate Black History Month and Valentine’s Day at once by supporting local Black performers and vendors alongside your lover. Credit: Facebook, The Satin Doll Revue
Gilly’s Clubhouse 1550 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-651-7050; gillysdetroit.com Just opening earlier this year on Detroit Tigers Opening Day, Gilly’s is a spot mainly for the sports fans. The venue has tons of TVs, many drink options, and delicious American cuisine – perfect for social gatherings on game days. Credit: Courtesy photo
The HUB Stadium 44325 W. 12 Mile Rd.; Novi; 248-946-8888; novi.thehubstadium.com This entertainment complex features six ice curling lanes, ax-throwing, eight football bowling lanes, six private event rooms, and four full bars with draft beer, craft cocktails, New American cuisine, and an upstairs lounge with a massive outdoor balcony. Whether you’re looking to celebrate with friends or hold a corporate meeting, there’s plenty to do at the HUB Stadium. Credit: Courtesy photo
PUMA 4725 16th St., Detroit; 313-819-6804; pumadetroit.com This Argentine street food restaurant is a more casual sister brand to Chef Javier Bardauil’s upscale Barda restaurant. By night, PUMA transforms into COUGAR, a full-service cocktail bar featuring live DJ sessions. For the younger late night crowd in Detroit’s Core City neighborhood, this is the new spot. Credit: Nate Sturley/Courtesy photo
Best Romantic Restaurant (Washtenaw): Blue LLama Jazz Club 314 S. Main St., Ann Arbor; 734-372-3200; bluellamaclub.com Credit: Lee DeVito
DraftKings Sports & Social 2850 Coolidge Hwy., Troy; sportsandsocial.com/troy This 10,000-square-foot metro Detroit spot is an ultimate sports fan experience with tons of TVs, local beverages, game-day specials, and some classic arcade games. Tables can be reserved in advance. Credit: DraftKings Sports & Social Troy, Facebook
168 Crab & Karaoke 32415 John R. Rd., Madison Heights; 248-616-0168; 168crab.com Tucked inside a strip mall, this bar is loads of fun. With Cajun seafood, karaoke, and a full bar, what else do you need for a fun night out? If you’re shy and don’t want everyone to hear you belt out a tune, this spot offers private karaoke rooms with a complete song list. Credit: 168 Crab Karaoke, Facebook
Apotheculture Club apothecultureclub.com This is not a regularly-opened restaurant, but this weed-infused dining experience is Detroit-based and like nothing you’ve ever heard of. The club hosts events occasionally in Detroit and other cities, serving fine dining cuisine infused with cannabis at a secret location, before taking guests to the opera or a classical music show. If you get the chance, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss. Credit: Virginia Harold/ Courtesy photo
Dining in the Dark dininginthedarkexperience.com/detroit Also not your traditional eatery, Dining in the Dark offers a sensory-deprived experience where meals are enjoyed in complete darkness, enhancing taste and smell. Guests can choose from a three-course meal that is vegan, seafood, or meat-focused. Dishes are crafted to complement this unique dining concept, creating a memorable outing like no other. Credit: Great Lakes Culinary Center

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Layla McMurtrie is the digital editor of Detroit Metro Times. She's passionate about art, music, food, and Detroit's culture and community. Her work has been featured in the Detroit Free Press, Between...