Thirsty Tales - Hockeytown Cafe

When you ask any hockey fanatic where Hockeytown is, they will automatically tell you Detroit. This is largely in part due to the Detroit Red Wings having trademarked the name, but also because Detroit also has one of the best Sports Bars of all time - Hockeytown Cafe!

Hockeytown Cafe

Situated right in the heart of downtown just blocks away from Comerica Park, Hockeytown is a Sports Bar unlike anything I have seen before.  A two-story building two-story shrine highlighting the past successes of two of Detroit’s greatest sports teams – the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League, and the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball.  Throw in some custom designed motorcycles in the mix that you would normally see on American Chopper instead of your typical Sports bar, and there you have Detroit’s greatest establishment.

Welcome to Hockeytown!

Even though I have been to my fair share of Sports bars, there are three main factors that make this establishment the best bar I have ever been – the ambiance, atmosphere, and location.

Ambiance  
As you walk into the main entrance, you will see a huge “Hockeytown” sign attached along the second floor balcony to your right, a small boutique shop directly in front of you, and several photos of legendary Red Wings players from Gordie Howe to Steve Yzerman attached to the second floor balcony on your left.

Hockeytown Cafe – Main Bar

You will also see two custom designed motorcycles – one honouring the Detroit Tigers and the other honouring the Detroit Red Wings.  While it may seem odd there are motorcycles in the bar, you have to keep in mind that Detroit (aka Motor City) once had a booming Automobile Manufacturing industry in the 20th Century.  So, the inclusion of these bikes certainly does fit in this case.

"Wings & Wheels" – Custom Designed Red Wings Motorcycle

Hockeytown gets packed immediately before, during and after Red Wings and Tigers games with wait times of up to 2 hours.  If you don’t mind waiting, then head to the bar, grab a pint or two of Two Hearts, and walk around the place to admire the mini-Walls of Fame for the Red Wings on the bottom floor and Tigers on the top.

Atmosphere
Granted I was here a couple of days before the 2014 Winter Classic, it was not surprising to find this place filled with a lot of hockey fans, as well as a lot of Canadians belting out O Canada in drunken unison.  Throw in a surprise appearance from the “Voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs” himself, Joe Bowen, and you got yourself quite the party here!

Joe Bowen – The Voice of the Toronto Maple Leafs

What really stuck out with me about this place was the camaraderie and friendly banter going on between American and Canadian hockey fans alike.  Even though I was only 5 hours away from my hometown, I felt like I was in some faraway place.  It gave me a much-needed break from life – a chance to get away for a while; a chance to rejuvenate and reinvigorate myself before the start of a New Year, which I desperately needed.  Sports are one of the few things guaranteed to unite people, so it is always rewarding to bond with strangers over a few beers to discuss a common passion.  Hockeytown is a safe bet if you seek this type of atmosphere.

Detroit Red Wings Hall of Fame

And if you are a huge fan of sports history, seeing the likes of Terry Sawchuk, Jack Morris, and Chris Chelios plastered all over the place gives you a brief glimpse into the passion and pride Detroit has had for her beloved teams over the past Century.  It’s a side of Detroit you don’t always get to see, but when you do, you feel it.  You breathe it.  You love it.

Location
Hockeytown is very hard to miss as it is located in the Theatre District right beside the Fox Theatre. Interestingly enough, Detroit has the second largest theatre district in the United States behind New York City.  So, if you have had enough of your fair share of beer, food, and sports history, you can always cross the street and partake in some culture.

Detroit Red Wings Alumni Wall

Both the Fox Theatre and Fillmore Theatre are known to also host concerts, as well.  Or if you want, you can literally walk a couple blocks over to Comerica Park to catch a Tigers game if they are in town.  Should neither option tickle your fancy, you are but a short cab ride away from Greektown where you can enjoy some of the best food, drink, and gambling Detroit has to offer.

Nick enjoying the atmosphere at Hockeytown

You can find Hockeytown Cafe at:

Hockeytown Cafe

2301 Woodward Avenue

Detroit, MI 48201

Phone:  (313) 471-3400

Hours:  Monday - Saturday from 11am EST (10am EST for any afternoon games).

Steve Yzerman's 1024th Career Assist Game Puck

Of course, there are a lot more bars in and around Detroit to check out if you have the time.  But, if you find yourself with only a few hours to spare in Motown, then head down to the Theatre District and check out Hockeytown.  It will not disappoint!