Michigan is no stranger to the sports community. In fact, Detroit has the distinction of hosting a pro team for each major sport: the Red Wings (hockey), the Lions (football), the Pistons (basketball), and the Tigers (baseball).
And as is true of any metropolitan hub, Detroit has a wealth of bars that give sports fans top-notch atmosphere, food, drink, and screens.
Plus, with a Michigan online sports betting launch imminent, Detroit sports fans will soon be able to place bets on their favorite teams using a mobile device. That means sports bars will soon become hotspots for a full-circle sports experience that includes watching the game, placing bets, and sharing in the fun with fellow Detroit diehards.
Michigan’s largest city boasts a wide selection of excellent sports bars for every type of fan. Here are some of the best spots to catch a game in Motor City
Nemo’s Bar
1384 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Best for: Tigers fans, baseball diehards, and pre-game shuttle hoppers
At Nemo’s Bar, you’ll dine and drink amidst newspapers heralding iconic Detroit championship teams across every sport. Baseball, however, is Nemo’s game of choice. Catch Tigers games and MLB fare throughout the season. And if you’re in town for a Detroit Red Wings or Tigers game, you can hop the cheap Nemo’s shuttle to either arena. Suffice it to say Nemo’s earns its slogan: “A Detroit classic.”
Thomas Magee’s Sporting House
1408 E Fisher Service Dr, Detroit, MI 48207
Best for: Spartans (Go green!), whiskey aficionados, and soccer fans
Before you even visit in-person, a quick look at the Thomas Magee’s website shows how dedicated a sports bar it really is. One click to the “sports calendar” section summons a quick view of major Michigan, allowing you to peruse a season schedule. All the Detroit and wider Michigan teams are here: Tigers, Pistons, Lions, Red Wings, and the MSU Spartans. Plus, Thomas Magee’s broadcasts Liverpool and other soccer matches, bringing an international flair into the mix.
Sports aside, Thomas Magee’s is famous for its wide selection of whiskeys. Throw in an array of TV screens and you’ve got yourself a full-service sports destination.
Andrew’s on the Corner
201 Joseph Campau Ave, Detroit, MI 48207
Best for: Red Wings fanatics, hockey fans
Andrew’s on the Corner is the bar for Detroit hockey fans. The bar is a hub for the city’s biggest hockey fans; many flock to the institution in hopes of seeing Red Wings players, refs, coaches, and other big names in hockey.
Stack that on top of a full menu of draft beers and classic bar cuisine, and Andrew’s becomes a top-tier Detroit sports destination.
Detroiter Bar
655 Beaubien St, Detroit, MI 48226
Best for: Pre-game shuttle hoppers
The Detroiter is a Motor City mainstay. Pop in for a few beers and a hearty burger before hopping onto a free shuttle for a ride to Comerica Park, Little Caesars Arena, or Ford Field.
TAP at MGM
1777 3rd Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Best for: Sports bettors
If you’re eager to put some money down on a hometown team, MGM’s TAP is the place to do it. Located in the MGM Grand Detroit, TAP puts sports fans just steps from the BetMGM sports lounge. Grab a drink and some classic pub food, then head to the sportsbook to place a bet and catch a game.
For more action, you can head to the TopGolf Swing Suite or hit the casino floor for slots, table games, and more gambling fare.
Harry’s Detroit
2482 Clifford St, Detroit, MI 48201
Best for: Detroit sports diehards
Harry’s is a classic top-to-bottom sports bar perfect for any Detroit sports fans. Stop by for any match that features a Detroit team and you won’d be disappointed. During Football season, Detroit-dwellers flock to this destination for a great meal, drinks, and the rowdy company of fellow Lions fans. The same is true of, well, every other sport. Lions, Tigers, and Pistons fans all come to Harry’s to cheer on their hometown heroes. Enjoy the game alongside views of Detroit’s iconic skyline on the Harry’s rooftop.
If you snag tickets to a game, hop on the Harry’s shuttle after a few beers for a free ride to the arena.
Bookie’s Bar & Grille
2208 Cass Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Best for: Party bus goers, shuttle pre-gamers
Bookies is another Detroit spot that conveniently shuttles sports fans to the city’s arenas on game day free of charge. Prep for a Pistons, Lions, or Red Wings game at Bookies’ packed bar and enjoy a wide menu of bar food options.
Don’t have tickets? Want a different way to enjoy game night? Rent the Bookies Bar Bus for up to 50 people and gallivant around downtown Detroit on a three-hour boozy bus cruise/bar crawl.
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