BLAC Detroit magazine is known for expressing our love and appreciation for Detroit’s Black life, arts and culture – and all the things that cater to that mission. We’ve dedicated a special issue to highlighting some of the best that metro Detroit has to offer, from nightlife to food. Some establishments are new to the community while others have been around for over 100 years, but you’ll get why each made the list.
1FOOD & DRINK
Steve’s Soul Food – BEST SOUL FOOD
1440 Franklin St, Detroit • 313.393.0018
Steve’s Soul Food has etched its way into the go-to spot for African American cuisine in Detroit, offering oxtails, pork chops, corn muffins, peach cobbler, Kool-Aid and more.
Hudson Café – BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH
1241 Woodward Ave, Detroit • 313.237.1000
The Hudson Cafe is home to an eclectic and modern twist on brunch. Guests enjoy hearty, sweet and savory options in the heart of downtown Detroit. Bring your appetite for dishes like chicken and waffles, salmon croquettes, Florentine benedict and more.
Dutch Girl Donuts – BEST SWEET TREAT
19000 Woodward Ave, Detroit • 313.368.3020
Since the day Dutch Girl Donuts was established in 1947 they have captivated the sweet tooth of Detroiters and beyond. The glazed, freshly powdered or iced donuts sink into your taste buds to cause you to come back again and again.
Narrow Way & Shop – BEST COFFEE SHOP
19331 Livernois, Detroit • 313.397.7727
Narrow Way Cafe & Shop was created to meet the needs of the community, both spiritually and physically. With natural light illuminating the space, guests are welcomed into a stress-free environment to enjoy coffee, smoothies and baked goods.
Good Times on the Ave – BEST COCKTAIL
19416 Livernois, Detroit • 313.739.6601
Good Times on Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion is a full-service restaurant, bar and event space, perfect for a family hangout or date night. Signature dishes like the shrimp cake benedict and grouper po’ boy, plus cocktails including Bellinis and mimosas, keep guests coming back time and again.
2Nightlife & Entertainment
Motor City Casino Hotel – BEST CASINO
2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit • 866.782.9622
The MotorCity Casino is equipped with all of Detroit’s favorite casino games. Guests can spend a full day at MotorCity enjoying dining and
cocktail experiences, hotel and spa services and entertainment.
Floods Bar & Grille – BEST CLUB OR LOUNGE
731 St Antoine, Detroit • 313.963.1090
Flood’s Bar & Grille is for the grown and sexy and has been that way since 1987. It has graced Greektown in Detroit with happy hour specials, live entertainment, karaoke, soul food and more. Bring your dancing shoes and get ready for a good time.
The Woodward BAR & GRILL – BEST GAY BAR
6426 Woodward Ave, Detroit • 313.872.0166
Dance, drink and mingle at this hub known to cater to the LGBTQ community. The Woodward offers the music and vibes you and your guests need to make it a night to remember.
Baker’s Keyboard Lounge – Best Live Music OR Open Mic
20510 Livernois, Detroit • 313.345.6300
Coined “the world’s oldest jazz club,” Baker’s Keyboard Lounge transports guests back to a time when dinner was served with live jazz. Let the music hit your soul while the food we love ignites your taste buds.
El Club – Best Neighborhood Joint
4114 Vernor Hwy, Detroit • 313.279.7382
Located in Southwest Detroit, El Club is home to the arts, showcasing everything from exhibitions to live music to DJ sets. Walk into the space and be transported.
3Health & Wellness
The Trap Yoga & Massage Studio – BEST YOGA STUDIO
3179 Franklin St, Detroit • 313.980.8727
The Trap Yoga & Massage Studio guides you toward mental and physical flexibility. Using yoga, meditation, bodywork and massage, they help guests let go and enjoy the natural flow of life.
Bee’s Beauty Bar – BEST SPA
18308 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield • 248.281.3044
beesbeautybarspa.com
Bee’s Beauty Bar specializes in luxurious spa treatments, from sugar waxing to massages and more. Their mission is to enhance natural beauty and create an experience that drives guests to come back for more.
Grindtime Gym – BEST GYM
18451 Wyoming Ave, Detroit • 313.205.3107
Grindtime Fitness has been dubbed by its patrons as “Resultsville.” Opened five years ago, they’ve created group and individual training programs designed to strengthen the body and provide results.
Moor Herbs – BEST HEALTH STORE
16140 W Seven Mile Rd, Detroit • 313.583.9709
moorherbs.com
Moor Herbs is Detroit’s marketplace dedicated to healing and enhancing your mind, body and soul, while helping Detroiters transition to a healthier lifestyle. Shop sea moss capsules, essential oils, alkaline water and more.
The Dequindre Cut – BEST WALKING & BIKING TRAIL
Dequindre Cut Greenway, Detroit
detroitriverfront.org
Located on Detroit’s east side, the Dequindre Cut features greenery, beautiful and alluring murals, a music stage and more. Enjoy the miles of ambience as you skate, walk, run or just relax along the way.
4Family & Fun
Eastern Market – BEST FARMERS MARKET
2934 Russell St, Detroit • 313.833.9300
easternmarket.org
Eastern Market opened in 1891 has since grown into a must-see attraction in Detroit. After you’ve shopped the fresh fruits and veggies, stay for the local vendors, original artwork and events.
Belle Isle PARK – BEST PARK
99 Pleasure Drive, Detroit • 1-844-235-5375
belleisleconservancy.org
Belle Isle Park is a piece of heaven on earth. The 982-acre island park is filled with attractions including a beach, a nature conservatory, fishing spots, an aquarium and more.
Ford-WYOMING Drive In – BEST MOVIE THEATER
10400 Ford Rd, Dearborn • 313.846.6910
forddrivein.com
The Ford-Wyoming Drive In has been serving up nostalgia, new releases and all of our favorite movie snacks since 1950. Catch a double feature for the price of one until the wee hours of the morning.
Charles H Wright Museum of African American History – BEST EDUCATIONAL OUTING
315 E Warren Ave, Detroit • 313.494.5800
thewright.org
The Charles H. Wright Museum explores African American history and culture through art. Their vision is to present and preserve the culture, inspire others, and create understanding, acceptance and unity.
Wayne County Family Aquatic Center – BEST POOL OR SPLASH PAD
12600 Chandler Park Dr, Detroit • 313.822.7665
Splish! Splash! Wayne County’s largest family water park sits on over 22,000 square feet. The space offers wave pools, water slides, splash pads, kayaking and more, great for the whole family.
5Fashion & Retail
The Peacock Room – BEST WOMENSWEAR
3011 W Grand Blvd, Detroit • 313.315.3061
15 E Kirby St, Detroit • 313.559.5500
Inspired by the fashions of the 1920s through ‘50s, the Peacock Room offers women’s apparel, accessories, stationery, gifts and furniture. Both locations are chock-full of one-of-a-kind finds.
THE RESTAURANT Fashion Bistro – BEST MENSWEAR
18212 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield • 248.809.9370
therestaurantfashionbistro.com
The Fashion Bistro is a family-owned shop showcasing local and national streetwear brands. The husband-wife duo has been curating looks and
serving the community for eight years.
HOT SAM’S DETROIT – BEST MENSWEAR
127 Monroe St., Detroit • 313-961-6779
hotsamsdetroit.com
Since 1921, Hot Sam’s has served as Detroit’s one-stop shop for classy men’s fashion. Located in downtown Detroit, they offer men of the city custom suits, tailored alterations, wedding and prom packages, and more.
Mama Coo’s Boutique – BEST THRIFT OR VINTAGE SHOP
1701 Trumbull Ave., Detroit
313-404-2543
Burn Rubber is a staple in the sneaker and streetwear culture in Detroit and beyond. The boutique is dedicated to collaborating with different companies and creating alliances with the community that supports them.
Burn Rubber – BEST STREET WEAR
512 N Main St, Royal Oak • 248.543.3000
burnrubbersneakers.com
Burn Rubber is a staple in the sneaker and streetwear culture in Detroit and beyond. The boutique is dedicated to collaborating with different companies and creating alliances with the community that supports them.
Thumbprint Artifacts – BEST HOME GOODS
800.957.1105
thumbprintartifacts.com
Thumbprint Artifacts supports and showcases fair trade artisan companies from around the world. They offer hand-crafted unique and high-quality South African home decor.
6Arts & Community
Norwest Gallery of Art – BEST GALLERY
19556 Grand River Ave, Detroit • 313.293.7344
norwestgallery.com
The Norwest Gallery of Art is dedicated to showcasing contemporary art of the African diaspora. They promote work that invites conversation to move the culture forward. The gallery also provides a variety of client services.
Motown Museum (Hitsville USA) – BEST MUSEUM
The Motown Museum and Hitsville U.S.A Museums gives the inside scoop as to what it was like to live in the Motor City during the time where Motown was on top and Berry Gordy was conditioning some of America’s greatest musicians of all time.
2648 W Grand Blvd, Detroit • 313.875.2264
motownmuseum.org
Sydney G. James’ Girl With the D Earring – BEST MURAL
2937 E. Grand Blvd., Detroit
Located on the Chroma building in Detroit’s Milwaukee Junction, Sydney G. James reimagines and puts a modern twist on the renowned painting by Johannes Vermeer, Girl with a Pearl Earring.
Matrix Human Services – BEST NONPROFIT
1600 Woodbridge St., Detroit • 313-962-5255
matrixhumanservices.org
Matrix Human Services has served the metro Detroit community for over 100 years, dedicated to assisting children, teens, adults and seniors toward self-sufficient lives. By offering essential lessons, they help defuse crises and prevent abuse and neglect.
Coleman A. Young Community Center – BEST COMMUNITY CENTER
2751 Robert Bradby Dr, Detroit • 313.628.0995
The Coleman A. Young Community Center in Detroit is a one-stop shop for all things recreational. They offer a swimming pool, racquetball courts, boxing rooms, game rooms, meeting rooms, a weight room and more.
Facebook Comments