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.

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. Credit: Facebook, Downtown Detroit Partnership
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. Credit: Shutterstock
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. Credit: Facebook, Vital Productions
Best Irish Pub (Detroit): The Old Shillelagh 349 Monroe St., Detroit; 313-964-0007; oldshillelagh.com Credit: Stephen Boyle, Flickr Creative Commons
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. Credit: Facebook, Detroit Opera House
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. Credit: Facebook, Tin Roof Detroit
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. Credit: Alex Washington
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. Credit: Facebook, The Michigan Pedaler
March du Nain Rouge Party When: March 24 from 12-10 p.m. Where: Detroit Shipping Company (Detroit) What: A pre-party and after-party for the March du Nain Rouge Who: People who want more fun than just the march Why: Stop here before and after the parade for entertainment, dancing, a Devil Lounge, and more. Credit: Facebook, Detroit Shipping Company
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. Credit: Hockeytown Cafe/Facebook
Best Sports Bar (Wayne) Brass Rail Pizza Bar 18 W. Adams Ave., Detroit; 313-964-0782; brassraildetroit.com Credit: Instagram, @partywitmikey_
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. Credit: Facebook, Firebird Tavern
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. Credit: Lizz Wilkinson
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. Credit: Facebook, Nemo's
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. Credit: The Statler/Facebook
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. Credit: Facebook, Gem Theatre
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. Credit: Dwight Burdette, Wikimedia Creative Commons

Have something to share?

SEND US A NEWS TIP

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...