10 Best Things To Do In Detroit, Michigan At Night

1. Catch a live show at Saint Andrew's Hall

There are so many places to go in Detroit at night, and Saint Andrew’s Hall is one of them.

Once used as the meeting place for the Saint Andrew’s Society of Detroit, this legendary venue now hosts live bands and DJs. While you may not know the names of the artists at the time, there’s a good chance you’ll be seeing a future superstar. Breakthrough artists that have performed at Saint Andrew’s Hall include Eminem, Iggy Pop, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nirvana. In fact, there is still a dent in the floor from Kurt Cobain diving off the stage and slamming his guitar into the floor. Sure, they could fix it, but it was caused by one of the greatest musicians to ever live…so why would they want to do that?

Saint Andrew's Hall

Address: 431 E Congress St, Detroit, MI 48226

Contact: +1 313-961-8961

Website: Saint Andrew’s Hall

2. Join the Detroit Electronic Music Festival

Since 2000, the Detroit Electronic Music Festival has been held every Memorial Day weekend, in Hart Plaza, in Downtown Detroit. The festival was originally created to celebrate techno music in Detroit (the birthplace of techno), is one of the first electronic music festivals in the United States and annually brings in crowds of around 100,000 people. If you like dancing, meeting awesome people, and being part of something real, then a weekend at the Detroit Electronic Music Festival is right for you.

Detroit Electronic Music Festival

Address: Hart Plaza in Downtown Detroit

Opening Hours: Every Memorial Day weekend (the last weekend in May)

Duration: All weekend

Website: Detroit Electronic Music Festival

3. Have a blast at Motor City Casino

Like Las Vegas, only with better odds, closer to home and far less crowds, the Motor City Casino has everything a person needs to have a great night and/or weekend. Aside from the obvious gambling, the casino contains its very own concert hall that the greatest performers entertain every night. It also has the V Nightclub, a spa, five-star dining and a five-star hotel, for when you’ve had too much or not enough. As the casino itself says, “Motor City Casino is like being a million miles away, right down the street”.

Motor City Casino

Address: 2901 Grand River Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

Opening Hours: All day, everyday

Duration: As long as you’d like

Contact: +1 866-782-9622

Website: Motor City Casino

4. Enjoy a night of laughs at Go Comedy! Improv Theater

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Catching a comedy improv show should definitely be included in your “what to do in Detroit at night” list. That means you should stop by Go Comedy! Improv Theater at least once during your Detroit trip. After all, this has been voted Detroit’s best improv and sketch comedy theater.

Go Comedy! is located in a nearby suburb of Detroit and has nightly comedy games (like Whose Line is it Anyway?), live-action movie remakes (made into comedies, of course), and great crowd interaction (you might even get pulled on stage to perform with them). Plus, to make the experience even better, they have a full bar including beer and sodas you can only find in the Detroit area. If that’s not enough, they do weekly improv classes, so you can one day join the team.

Go Comedy! Improv Theater

Address: 261 E 9 Mile Rd, Ferndale, MI 48220

Price: Tickets range from 5 - 20 USD

Opening Hours: Wednesday-Thursday 7pm - 12am, Friday-Saturday 7pm - 2am, Sunday 6pm - 12am

Contact: +1 248-327-0575

Website: Go Comedy! Improv Theater

5. Jam to some jazz at Cliff Bell's

Known for their live jazz, Cliff Bell’s opened in 1935 and has been voted the best Jazz Club in Detroit by multiple Detroit publications. They also serve brunch and dinner and have a full-service bar so you can enjoy the nightly jazz shows while sipping on your favorite beverage, surrounded by your favorite people. Many notable artists have performed at Cliff Bell’s, including the legendary Marcus Miller.

Cliff Bell's

Address: 2030 Park Ave, Detroit, MI 48226

Opening Hours: Monday - Select Events, Tuesday-Thursday 5pm - 12am, Friday 5pm - 1am, Saturday 5pm - 1:30am, Sunday 11am - 10pm

Contact: +1 313-961-2543

Website: Cliff Bell’s

6. See what's on at Fox Theater

Opened way back in 1928, the legendary Fox Theater is a grand theater with Asian inspired decor. It has been deemed a national historic landmark and is one of Detroit’s crown jewels. It was originally used a movie theater but now hosts the biggest names in music and entertainment. It is conveniently located directly across the street from Ford Field, Comerica Park and Little Caesar’s Arena, where all of Detroit’s local sports teams play their home games.

So, go catch a baseball or hockey game in the afternoon and then a play or concert across the street at night. If you’re in town and want to experience everything that is Detroit, then the Fox Theater is a must-see.

Fox Theater

Address: 2211 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201

Contact: +1 313-471-3200

Near by Food: Across the street from Hockeytown Cafe

Website: Fox Theater

7. Sample the drinks at Cafe D'Mongo's Speakeasy

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

This speakeasy is one of Detroit’s hidden gems as it is located a little off the beaten path. This is the perfect place for the hipster in you with its quirky decor, live music and eccentric staff. Frequent visitors have often said the drinks may be a little strong, but that’s exactly the way the hipsters like it. But be sure you get there early as Cafe D'Mongo’s often fills up fast, especially since it’s only open Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Cafe D'Mongo's Speakeasy

Address: 1439 Griswold St, Detroit, MI 48226

Opening Hours: Thursday 5:30pm - 10:30pm, Friday 5pm - 1:30am, Saturday 7pm - 1:30am

Contact: +1 313-961-2543

Facebook: Cafe D'Mongo’s Speakeasy

8. Watch a movie at New Center Park

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

You know those parks you see in the movies where you can watch a zombie movie at night in the dark on a large screen? Well, those things actually exist! At New Center Park you get to experience the fun of watching a classic movie on the giant projection screen while enjoying a picnic with the kids or with that special someone. Complete with food, soft drinks and hard beverages for the adult crowd, this park is perfect for any spring, summer or fall night in Detroit.

New Center Park

Address: 2998 W Grand Blvd, Detroit, MI 48202

Opening Hours: 8am - 9pm June - October

Website: New Center Park

9. Have a unique movie-watching experience at Ford Drive-In

Much like New Center Park, the Ford Drive-In allows you to watch movies in a unique way that has become increasingly rare in today’s society. Here you can step into the past and relive childhood memories of going to the drive-in with your parents or with your then girlfriend (now wife) and enjoy a movie from the comfort of your own car. Plus, thanks to the new in-car heaters, the Ford Drive-In is open all year. So even if you don’t have that old station wagon anymore, you can still enjoy this blast from the past.

Ford Drive-In

Address: 10400 Ford Rd, Dearborn, MI 48126

Opening Hours: 8pm - 3pm (Vary based on showtimes)

Contact: +1 313-846-6910

Website: Ford Drive-In

10. Check out what's playing at Redford Theater

Opened in 1928 to play silent films, the Redford Theater has a three-story grand foyer and full-size stage and has a continuously full schedule of movies for parents and children, as well as live music and performances before each show. It is devoted to playing classic films like Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Singin’ In The Rain, but it will venture away from that and show current movies on occasion. The Redford Theater is a great place to relive old favorites or introduce them to your children in an environment that is reminiscent of those days.

Redford Theater

Address: 17360 Lahser Rd, Detroit, MI 48219

Contact: +1 313-537-2560

Website: Redford Theater

The Comeback City

Detroit is on its way back to being one of the greatest cities in the United States, and all of the great things that have been happening to this city over the last few years has caused the nightlife to come back with a bang. With its many music venues, hilarious comedy shows and a wide variety of ways to watch your favorite films, it’s no wonder why it’s called Detroit Rock City.