Beyond the Ballpark

[Matt]

Beyond the ballpark

Get out of Comerica Park's shadow during playoffs and discover a cool downtown
Michael H. Hodges / The Detroit News


Wayne E. Smith / The Detroit News

Slows Bar BQ, 2138 N. Michigan Ave.: Just half a mile west of old Tiger Stadium -- directly across from Detroit's grand old abandoned train station -- Philip Cooley and his energetic crew of young hipsters serve up Southern comfort food in a cool, comfortable atmosphere. See full image


Brandy Baker / The Detroit News

Nemo's Bar, 1384 Michigan Ave.: (313) 965-3180. The classic, with a ton of TVs and a shuttle to the stadium. See full image


Brandy Baker / The Detroit News

Detroit People Mover: Children bored and fussing before or after the game? Take a ride on the People Mover — about 25 minutes for a complete loop. Coolest part is just beyond the Joe Louis Arena stop where the train veers out wide over the Detroit River. You’ll find the closest station to Comerica Park on the southwest corner of Grand Circus Park, just a block or so from Comerica Park. See full image


John T. Greilick / The Detroit News

Centaur, 2233 Park Ave.: This remarkably hip-looking bar opened up during last season's Super Bowl, and is still one of the coolest spots within walking distance of Comerica Park. See full image


Lafayette Coney Island, 118 W. Lafayette Blvd.: The Detroit classic. Who says chili doesn’t go on French fries? See full image

Admit it. It's been a while since you came downtown.

Or perhaps you're an out-of-towner coming to the playoffs who'd like to see a little more than the interior of Comerica Park, outstanding though that is.

For all wandering strangers in the big city, here's a road map to cool things to do -- from soup to nuts to bars to walking tours -- if you're planning on making a downtown Detroit day of it.

EATS

Opportunities around Comerica Park, such as the Elwood Bar & Grill, right at Ford Field, are great, but likely to be mobbed all throughout the playoffs. You might want to consider these options a bit farther afield:

■ Harry's Bar & Grill, 2482 Clifford St.: This congenial eatery at Clifford Street and the Fisher Freeway Service Drive has both great food -- try the sesame salmon salad -- and perhaps the sharpest-image, big-screen plasma TV in the whole city.

■ Small Plates, 1521 Broadway St.: This venerable tapas joint on Harmonie Park is still one of downtown's coziest places to dine. And the four-cheese pizza is to die for.

■ Mosaic, 501 Monroe St.: The three Papas sisters opened this upscale temple to international food in Greektown, just down the street from their father's venerable foodfest, Pegasus.

■ Slows Bar BQ, 2138 N. Michigan Ave.: Just half a mile west of old Tiger Stadium -- directly across from Detroit's grand old abandoned train station -- Philip Cooley and his energetic crew of young hipsters serve up Southern comfort food in a cool, comfortable atmosphere.

■ Detroit Breakfast House & Grill, 1241 Woodward Ave.: Right on the recently renovated Merchants Row just south of Grand Circus Park, this is the upscale joint where you'll spy Motown movers and shakers tucking into breakfast and lunch and early dinners. (Note -- evening hours are limited.)

■ Cliff Bells, 2030 Park Ave.: This rebirth of a Detroit landmark is just around the corner from Grand Circus Park, and features the fabulous food and feel of that great American decade, the 1950s.

■ Coach Insignia, Renaissance Center: At the high end of fine dining, Coach Insignia allows you to take in the scene from the top of GM's Renaissance Center. But choose your seat wisely in this stylish bar/restaurant on the 72nd floor. While the whole shebang once rotated for 360-degree views, it has stayed put since reopening a few years back after being closed for years. Closed Sunday.

DRINKS

■Centaur, 2233 Park Ave.: This remarkably hip-looking bar opened up during last season's Super Bowl, and is still one of the coolest spots within walking distance of Comerica Park.

■Proof, 2001 Woodward Ave.: Another Super Bowl legacy, this sleek bar sits right on Woodward Avenue with great people-watching through huge windows.

■Honest? John's Bar & No Grill, 488 Selden St.: A rowdy Detroit classic with great burgers and Michigan microbrews.

■LJ's Lounge, 2114 N Michigan Ave.: If Slows Bar BQ is mobbed, consider dropping into this agreeable, unpretentious bar three doors down on Michigan Avenue, overseen by the unflappable Sue Wallace, one of Detroit's legendary barkeeps.

WANNA WALK?

■Campus Martius Park, Woodward Avenue at Michigan Avenue: Even though the weatherman says it's going to be chilly — very chilly, actually — it's well worth walking from Comerica Park downtown to Campus Martius, the beautifully constructed park that sits smack in the middle of Woodward Avenue, right in front of the Compuware Building.

■The RiverWalk, Hart Plaza: After a century of turning its back on the Detroit River, the city now boasts the first installment of a riverfront promenade that will eventually stretch from Belle Isle to the Ambassador Bridge. You can find the completed section, with its monument to the Underground Railroad, just west of the Renaissance Center.

MORE KID-FRIENDLY PLACES

■Astoria Pastry Shop, 541 Monroe St.: This sugary universe is sure to please the offspring, with everything from baklava to cookies to ice cream to great coffee for the parents.

■Pure Detroit, 500 Griswold Ave.: In the Guardian Building — downtown's towering, orange-brick, art-deco masterpiece — you'll find this great memorabilia store dedicated to all things Motor City. And right adjacent to it, in the middle of the Guardian's whoop-ti-do four-story tall lobby, is the Rowland Café, easily one of the coolest coffee shops in these United States. Both closed Sunday.

■Avalon International Breads, 422 W. Willis St.: This monument to superior breadstuffs — foccacia, anyone? — is located just south of Wayne State University off Cass Avenue. Stomping-good coffee and pie, too. Closed Sunday.

■Lafayette Coney Island, 118 W. Lafayette Blvd.: The Detroit classic. Who says chili doesn’t go on French fries?

SPORTS BAR EXPERIENCE

Didn't score playoff tickets but still want to experience the games in a communal setting? The following downtown sports bars all feature TVs with enthusiastic fans that are guaranteed to raise the roof when the Tigers win:

■Nemo's Bar, 1384 Michigan Ave., (313) 965-3180. The classic, with a ton of TVs and a shuttle to the stadium.

■Hockeytown Café, 2301 Woodward Ave., (313) 965-9500. Close enough to hear the stadium crowds roar.

■Detroit Beer Co., 1529 Broadway St., (313) 962-1529. Enjoy the game with local microbrews.

■Post Bar, 408 W. Congress St., (313) 962-1293.Best known as a (Red) Wing-nut bar, the Post gets behind the Tigers.

■Coaches Corner, 1465 Centre St., (313) 963-4000. Near the stadiums in Harmonie Park.

■Cheli's Chili Bar, 47 E. Adams St., (313) 961-1700. Practically in the stadium's shadow.

You can reach Michael H. Hodges at (313) 222-6021 or mhodges@detnews.com.

[Vinny]

Wayne E. Smith / The Detroit News

Slows Bar BQ, 2138 N. Michigan Ave.: Just half a mile west of old Tiger Stadium -- directly across from Detroit's grand old abandoned train station -- Philip Cooley and his energetic crew of young hipsters serve up Southern comfort food in a cool, comfortable atmosphere.

That Phil kid went to college with me and worked where I work now. Kind of a goofball but I hear the place is pretty cool.

[Matt]

"slows bbq" has me enivsioning slow, smoked ribs........might have to check that place out. any idea if there are TVs there to watch the game?

[Vinny]

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