DETROIT GAY BARS AND
GAY-FRIENDLY HOTSPOTS

Have you been thinking about renting a party bus and spending an entire night cruising around in style, club hopping at the most gay friendly bars and hotspots in the Detroit Metro area? If you're new to the area or just in town for a short time, you may not know all the gay friendly hotpots. But you need look no further for that info. We did the leg work for you, asking longtime locals what the best Detroit gay bars were and just what makes them so great. Let's take a virtual tour through all of them, and then later in this article we'll tell you where to rent your party bus to get this night on the town popping. Let's go...

Five 15

Five 15 in Royal Oak is a nice spot to begin your night before you hit the bars. Unique books, music, and entertainment, including drag queen bingo! Great place to grab a coffee and set the mood for the rest of the evening.

• Gay friendly coffee shop
• Great books
• Movies
• Music
• Good java
• Great people and staff
• Fun bingo

For more information on Five 15:
Hours: Mon-Wed 11am-9pm; Thurs-Sat 11am-10pm; Sun 11am-6pm
515 South Washington Avenue, Royal Oak MI 48067 - Ph. 248-515-2551
www.five15.net

Rainbow Room

One of Detroit's oldest and most respected gay bars, the Rainbow Room is known for its great entertainment, the warm and welcoming atmosphere, and its excellent staff. The Rainbow Room is also known for supporting the LGBT community by raising thousands of dollars for causes such as the HIV and AIDS organization Higher Ground, the Triangle Foundation, and Pride Source.

What our contacts had to say about the Rainbow Room:

• Great shows
• Friendly staff
  

For more information on the Rainbow Room:
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 7pm-2am
6640 East 8 Mile Road, Detroit MI 48234 - Ph. 313-891-1020
www.clubrainbowroom.com

Detroit Eagle

The Detroit Eagle is our city's levi and leather bar. Leather isn't an essential but it's definitely appreciated here. The Detroit Eagle has a laid back atmosphere and a very friendly staff. There is no cover on Saturdays. There is an ATM, pool is always free, and there is a coat check during the winter. The outdoor patio is open in the spring, summer, and early fall. Definitely an essential if you're into the leather scene.

What our friends like about the Detroit Eagle:

• Mostly men
• Spacious area
• Plenty of bathrooms

For more information on the Detroit Eagle:
Hours: Wednesday-Friday 8pm-2am; Saturday-Sunday 9pm-2am
1501 Holden Street, Detroit MI 48208 - Ph. 313-873-6969
www.detroiteagle.com

Gigi's

Gay owned and operated for over 30 years, Gigis bar and lounge is a Detroit staple. Gigi's is usually packed with mostly men in their 20s and 30s and is known for good times with good people. Incredibly friendly service, talented DJ, and valet parking are just a few of the good things here. Drag show downstairs; dancing and mingling on the main floor. If you love dancing, drag shows, cabaret, karaoke, go-go boys and strippers, then Gigis is one spot not to miss.

Our friends say the perks at Gigi's are:

• Reasonable drink prices
• Great shows
• Good music/DJ

For more information on Gigi's:
Hours: Mon-Fri 12pm-2am; Sat-Sun 2pm-2am
16920 West Warren Avenue, Detroit MI 48228 - Ph. 313-584-6525
www.gigisbar.com

Hayloft Saloon

They call Hayloft Saloon "The Bar with Balls" and Detroit's number one men's cruise bar. No cover, no minimum, no bullshit. They have two LCD televisions and one of the best jukeboxes in the area. After 28 years in business, it's clear that Hayloft Saloon has established itself as a Detroit landmark.

Some patron comments on the Hayloft Saloon:

• "Everybody bar"
• Friendly atmosphere
• Great Friday nights

For more information on Hayloft Saloon:
Hours: Daily 3pm-2am
8070 Greenfield Road, Detroit MI 48228 - Ph. 313-581-8913
www.hayloftsaloon.com/home.html

Club Gold Coast

Since 1973, Gold Coast has been a big player on the Detroit gay bar scene. Known for their sizzling exotic male dancers, they also have great dancing, a live DJ who plays great music, a restaurant, pool tables, dart board, three large screen projection TVs, drink specials, free wi-fi, and coat check in season. The staff is very friendly and the crowd is diverse in age.

Our friends mentioned these things about Club Gold Coast:

• Great food
• Mostly men
• Great drag shows
• Decent drink prices
• Cheap cover
  

For more information on Detroit's Club Gold Coast:

2971 East 7 Mile Road, Detroit MI 48234 - Ph. 313-366-6135
Hours: Mon-Fri 4pm-2am; Sat-Sun 7pm-2am
www.detroitsclubgoldcoast.com

The Works

If you're tired of the same old fashioned gay bars and are looking for something a little more current, The Works is your place. They're new on the scene but already known as an essential on Detroit's electronic music scene. On Fridays the DJ serves up Drum & Bass, Dubstep, Jungle, Oldskool, and Breaks, plus Electro, Ghetto Tech, Booty House, Hip Hop, House, and Techno. Throughout the week they do House, Techno, Electronic, Hip Hop, Industrial/EBM, Metal, Punk, Goth, 80s/New Wave, and more. The Works is a full service club/bar and grill. Every Friday those who are 21 and over get in free before 2am.

What did our friends have to say about The Works?

• Mixed crowd
• Great music
• Cool videos
• Friendly staff

For more information on The Works:
Hours: Daily 7pm-Late (no alcohol after 2am by law)
1846 Michigan Avenue, Detroit MI 48216 - Ph. 313-961-1742
www.myspace.com/theworksdetroit

Backstreet

Voted Best Gay Bar in Real Detroit for 2009 based on reader votes, Backstreet is clearly a crowd pleaser. Despite rumors that have been flying around, Backstreet is definitely not closing. A local favorite among our circle of friends too, Backstreet often hosts events like CD release parties, blackout parties, and nights with fun drink specials like 50 cent drafts til the keg is gone. It's definitely worth checking this one out.

So what did our inner circle have to say about Backstreet?

• Friendly and fun
• Great music

For more information on Backstreet:
Hours: 9pm-2am
15606 Joy Road, Detroit MI 48228 - Ph. 313-838-6699
www.boysonjoy.com
www.myspace.com/backstreetdetroit

Menjo's

For a third of a century, Menjo's Complex (or just Menjo's for short) has been a gathering place for the gay community of Metro Detroit. It's also a bit of a Madonna mecca since she used to be a regular when the Material Girl was also a local Michigan girl. The mostly male 20-to-30something crowd comes for the $1 Thursdays and stays for the dancing. They've got pool, pinball, and a couple of arcade games. Parking is available up and down McNichols or you can opt for valet.

The people we know had this to say about Menjo's:

• Great dance floor
• Lots of restrooms
• Cheap drinks
• Sexy bartenders
• Cool lighting

For more information on Menjos:
Hours: Mon-Wed 2pm-10pm; Thu-Fri 12pm-2am; Sat-Sun 1pm-2am
928 West McNichols Road, Detroit MI 48203 - Ph. 313-863-3934
www.menjoscomplex.com
www.myspace.com/menjos

The R&R Saloon

Home of the Mr. Leather Detroit Contest, The R&R Saloon is one of the more laid-back choices on our list of gay bars. Cheap beer and leather are the two things that R & R is best known for, and that's what keeps the crowds coming back for more.

Our friends' comments on The R&R Saloon:

• Mostly men
• Leather
• Cheap beer
• Good food
• Great music

For more information on R&R Saloon:
Hours: Open 7 Days
7330 Michigan Avenue, Detroit MI 48210 - Ph. 313-849-2751
www.myspace.com/rnrsaloon

Club DG

We couldn't find as much info online about Club DG as we could on the others, but this is a really popular spot among our lesbian friends. This techno dance club has great atmosphere, plenty of room to dance and have a good time, and a DJ spinning great sounds.

Notes from our friends on Club DG:

• Mostly lesbians
• Awesome DJ
• Friendly staff
• Good looking crowd
  

For more information on Club DG:
Hours: Fri-Sat 8pm-2am; Sun 8pm-1am
10001 Hubbell Street, Detroit MI 48227 - Ph. 313-273-8941

Necto

While not exclusively a gay/lesbian club, Necto has Pride night on Fridays, and plenty of us come out in force on the other nights of the week too. The atmosphere here is upscale and impressive. Sexy lighting, roomy booths for groups, and a large dancefloor so you can shake that tailfeather with all your friends or that hottie you've had your eye on all night.

What our friends had to say about Necto:

• Great loud music
• Fun times
• Cheap drink prices
• Decent bathroom space
• Friendly people

For more information on Necto:
516 East Liberty Street, Ann Arbor MI 48104 - Ph. 734-994-5436
www.necto.com

Stiletto's

With drag shows and entertainment on one side, a DJ and dancing on the other, and a bar and pool table right in the middle, Stiletto's is one bar that really has it all. Originally a lesbian bar, this one seems to draw a pretty mixed crowd now--lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and straight.

Our friends' comments on Stilettos:

• Great drag shows and theme nights
• DJ spins hot R&B of the moment and takes requests
• Unisex bathrooms on both the show side and dance side

For more information on Stiletto's:
Hours: Fri-Sat 8pm-2am; Sun 8pm-12am
1641 Middlebelt Road, Inkster MI 48141 - Ph. 734-729-8980
www.myspace.com/stilettosclub

Pandora's Box

Pandora's Box is a dance club in Hamtramck just outside of Detroit with a mixed crowd but mostly black lesbians who really make this club what it is. Less of a hot party spot and more of a cozy old school joint where you can chill with your girls and enjoy some good music. Pool tables, dancing, plenty of bathrooms. Free before eleven.

What our crew had to say about Pandora's Box:

• Friendly
• Sexy staff
• Good music
• Fun

For more information on Pandora's Box:
Hours: Thu-Sun 9pm-2am
6221 East Davison Street, Hamtramck MI 48212 - Ph. 313-892-8120

Numbers Video Night Club

Numbers is an after-hours gay club in Detroit. Located on Woodward between the Detroit Institute of Arts and the I-94 freeway. Mostly gay crowd dancing to great sets by different DJs throughout the week. If you love to dance, Numbers has got your number.

Here's what our crew liked about Numbers:

• Great light show
• Fun game room
• Sexy people
• Good food

For more information on Numbers:
Hours: After hours, open late
17518 Woodward Avenue, Detroit MI 48888 - Ph. 313-869-9524

Soho

A classy upgrade from the usual bars and club, Soho is a Ferndale wine bar where you can listen to jazz and enjoy great company. Despite the fancy first impression, their slogan is "Always casual, all the time," so you can definitely kick back and relax in this cozy nightspot. $2 off martinis on Tuesdays, Karaoke on Wednesdays, free pool on Thursdays plus $2 Bud and Bud Light, $5 martinis on Fridays, and infused organic martinis on Saturdays. Happy Hour daily until 7pm.

Perks mentioned by our friends about Soho:

• Great host
• Nice prices
• Good music
• Wonderful service

For more information on Soho:
Hours: Mon-Fri open at 4pm Sat-Sun open at 6pm
205 West 9 Mile Road (one block west of Woodward), Ferndale MI 48220 - Ph. 248-542-7646
www.sohoferndale.com

Inn at 97 Winder
(Bed and Breakfast)

For a romantic change of pace, you may even want to wrap up your night of partying by staying at Inn at 97 Winder, a gay-friendly bed and breakfast. This is one of the largest remaining 1870s Victorian mansions in Detroit. Featuring 10 guest rooms with private baths. Located just two blocks from Comerica Park and three blocks from Ford Field.

Mentioned by our friends about Inn at 97 Winder:

• Beautiful rooms
• Peaceful
• Well-lit parking
• Romantic
• Gay-friendly

For more information on Inn at 97 Winder:
97 Winder Street, Detroit MI 48201 - Ph. 313-832-1538
www.theinnat97winder.com

 

BOOKING YOUR NIGHT ON THE TOWN WITH PARTY BUS DETROIT

If you're ready to spend your night club hopping from gay bar to gay bar, let Party Bus Detroit take care of the driving for you. You can relax with your group of friends, without worrying about having a designated driver or finding a parking. We charge by the hour just like a limo service, and we operate 24/7 365 days a year.

You are able to bring alcoholic beverages into the bus and enjoy them because of our MDOT registration, which is something that you definitely can't do in your own car. With us, the party begins when you get picked up. We are not able to provide alcoholic beverages to you, but you may bring your own. There is no smoking allowed on our buses.

Click on our pricing page to begin the booking process, or call us at 248-630-5605, or email us at info@partybusdetroit.com. We'll confirm availability of the date that you request and begin planning the night of your dreams! Thank you for choosing Party Bus Detroit. We can't wait to hear from you.