Detroit isn’t playing around when it comes to nightlife. While everyone else is stuck on the whole Motor City thing, I found a city that comes alive after dark. From jazz spilling out of Cliff Bell’s to blackjack tables at MGM Grand, searching for the best things to do in Detroit at night led me to spots that make most cities look boring.
Want to know what makes this city tick after sunset? Between the riverside hangouts, underground music spots, and bars tucked into 100-year-old buildings, Detroit’s got a whole different personality once the lights go down. Let me show you where the real action is!
- 👉 Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend this historic bar crawl through Detroit’s oldest drinking spots! They take you to authentic taverns dating back to 1874, plus share wild stories from Prohibition and the Purple Gang era. Perfect for exploring Detroit’s boozy history in bars older than your grandparents, this tour is absolutely a must-do on a Detroit itinerary in my opinion.
Best Things to Do in Detroit at Night (Updated for 2025)
Are you ready to explore the most unique things to do in Detroit in the nighttime? As mentioned earlier, there’s a wide range of exciting activities in Detroit after dark. Keep reading to find where to go in Detroit at night!
1. Try your luck at Greektown Casino-Hotel
Hollywood Casino at Greektown is honestly way more fun than I expected for a casino night out. The place runs 24/7, so you can roll up whenever the mood strikes. I’ve spent way too many nights here testing my luck on their 2,500+ slot machines and 60 table games. The poker room gets pretty intense, especially on weekends.
What I actually love about this place is that it’s not just gambling. You can grab dinner at one of their five restaurants, catch a show at their entertainment venues, or just hang at one of the five bars. The ESPN Sportsbook is killer if you’re into betting on games while you eat. Parking is free if you’re a PENN Play member (which is free to join), and they’ve got valet service that’s pretty clutch when you don’t want to walk.
The hotel rooms are actually nice too if you want to make it a whole thing. I stayed there once during a Tigers game weekend and the views from the higher floors are solid. Fair warning though – this place gets packed on Friday and Saturday nights, so expect crowds. But that’s part of the energy that makes it fun.
2. Browse world-class art at Detroit Institute of Arts
The Detroit Institute of Arts stays open late on Fridays until 9 PM, which is perfect for an after-work culture fix. I went there on a whim one Friday night and ended up staying for three hours. The Diego Rivera murals alone are worth the trip – they’re absolutely massive and way more impressive in person than any photo shows.
Here’s the best part: if you live in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb counties, admission is completely free. Just bring your ID to prove residency. Everyone else pays $20 for adults and $8 for kids 6-17. The museum’s got over 65,000 pieces, so you definitely won’t see everything in one visit.
Their Friday evening events are actually pretty cool. They do art talks, special exhibitions, and sometimes they show films. I caught a lecture about their Van Gogh collection that was way more interesting than it sounds. The Kresge Court has a cafe where you can grab coffee and snacks if you need a break. Pro tip: parking across the street costs a few bucks, but it beats circling the block looking for street parking.
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3. Attend after-hours events at Detroit Zoo
The Detroit Zoo isn’t just for daytime anymore. Their After Hours 21+ events are some of the coolest nighttime activities in metro Detroit. Zoo Brew kicks off their 2025 season on May 16th from 7-10 PM, and it’s exactly what it sounds like – craft beer and animals after dark.
I went to one last year and it was way more fun than expected. You get to walk around the zoo without crowds, plus they’ve got over 100 craft beverages from Midwest brewers and live entertainment. General admission runs $55 and includes 10 beer samples plus a drink from Griffin Claw Brewing. They also have VIP and designated driver tickets if you want to upgrade or stay sober.
The whole vibe changes at night. Animals that are lazy during the day actually get active, and the zookeepers share cool facts you’d never hear on a regular visit. They run these events throughout the year – Summer Sips in July, Spooky Spirits in October, and Polar Beers in December. Just know these sell out fast, so don’t sleep on buying tickets when they go live.
4. Grab craft beer at Motor City Brewing Works
Motor City Brewing Works has been Detroit’s craft beer king since 1994, and their Canfield location in Midtown is where you want to be for a chill night out. They’re open Tuesday through Thursday 4 PM to 10 PM, Friday and Saturday noon to midnight, and Sunday noon to 10 PM. Mondays they’re closed.
I love their rotating tap selection – you’ll find everything from their signature Ghettoblaster to seasonal brews you can’t get anywhere else. The brick oven pizza is actually fire too, especially if you’re one of those people who gets hungry when you drink. Their Bronx Bomber pizza hits different after a couple of Nut Brown Ales.
The atmosphere is exactly what you’d want from a neighborhood brewery. It’s not pretentious, the staff actually knows their beer, and they’ve got a cedar deck that overlooks Canfield Street and the downtown skyline. Plus, they’re right across from Shinola and Third Man Records, so you can make a whole evening of it in Midtown. Fair warning – their prices have gone up a bit, but the quality is still solid.
5. Take a night cruise with Diamond Jack’s River Tours
Diamond Jack’s River Tours runs their evening cruises Thursday through Sunday during summer months, with tours at 1 PM, 2:30 PM, 4 PM, and 5:30 PM. The 5:30 PM tour is the money shot – you get to see Detroit’s skyline as the sun sets, and it’s actually pretty spectacular.
I took the cruise last summer and was surprised by how much history you learn. The guides know their stuff about Detroit’s riverfront, and you get great views of Canada, Belle Isle, and all the industrial stuff that makes this city what it is. The whole tour lasts about an hour, which is perfect – not too long to get bored, not too short to feel ripped off.
Regular adult tickets are around $20, seniors $18, kids 5-12 are $15, and little ones under 5 are free. You can grab snacks and drinks on board, including beer and wine if you want to make it a proper evening cruise. Pro tip: the upper deck has the best views, but it can get windy, so bring a light jacket even in summer. They dock at 1340 E. Atwater Street downtown, and parking can be a pain, so plan to arrive early.
6. Listen to live jazz at Cliff Bell’s
Cliff Bell‘s is the real deal when it comes to jazz in Detroit. This place has been around since 1935, and stepping inside feels like time travel to the golden age of jazz clubs. They’re open Wednesday through Saturday 5 PM to midnight, and Sunday 4 PM to 9 PM.
The Art Deco interior is absolutely gorgeous, and the acoustics are perfect no matter where you sit. I’ve caught some incredible local acts here, plus they book national artists regularly. The vibe is classy but not stuffy – you can show up in jeans or dress up for a special occasion.
Fair warning about the costs though. Most entrees are $30+, and they hit you with a $20 cover charge per person for the live music (which they don’t always mention upfront). Cocktails are pricey but well-made. The food is actually good – I had their pork chops and they were legit. If you’re on a budget, go for happy hour or just order appetizers and drinks. The music typically starts around 8 PM, with some nights having multiple sets. Just don’t expect to get out cheap – this is definitely a special occasion spot, not your regular weeknight hangout.
7. Catch a show at Fox Theatre
The Fox Theatre is Detroit’s crown jewel for live entertainment, and honestly, the building itself is worth seeing even if you’re not crazy about whatever show is playing. Ticket prices vary wildly depending on what’s on – I’ve seen shows range from $40 for comedy acts to $150+ for big touring artists.
The theater hosts everything from Broadway musicals to rock concerts to comedy shows. I caught John Mulaney there last year for around $87, and the venue’s acoustics are incredible no matter where you sit. The Art Deco architecture is absolutely stunning – the ceiling alone will blow your mind.
Getting there is pretty straightforward since it’s right downtown on Woodward Avenue. They’ve got a parking structure next door for $15-20, or you can risk street parking if you’re feeling lucky. Pro tip: they’re pretty strict about their bag policy (basically no bags allowed except tiny wallets), so leave your purse at home or in the car. The box office only opens on event days from 11 AM until intermission, so buy tickets online ahead of time. Shows typically start at 7:30 or 8 PM, and they’re serious about not letting latecomers in until intermission.
8. Walk the lit paths at Belle Isle Park
Belle Isle Park transforms into something magical after dark with its illuminated walkways and incredible skyline views. The 982-acre island park is free to visit, though you’ll need a Michigan Recreation Passport ($12 annually) if you’re driving there.
I love walking the Detroit RiverWalk section at night – you get unobstructed views of downtown Detroit’s skyline all lit up, plus you can see Canada across the river. The paths are well-maintained and properly lit, so it feels safe even after dark. The James Scott Memorial Fountain looks pretty impressive when it’s illuminated too.
The Belle Isle Conservatory and Aquarium are closed at night, but their buildings still look cool from the outside with architectural lighting. I usually park near the Belle Isle Casino (it’s not actually a gambling casino, just an event venue) and walk from there. Fair warning – the island can get pretty windy since you’re surrounded by water, so bring a jacket even on warm nights. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic walk or just to decompress from city life without leaving the city limits.
9. Join a ghost tour at Historic Fort Wayne
Ghost tours at Historic Fort Wayne run seasonally, usually Friday and Saturday nights during October for the spooky season. Tickets typically cost around $25-35 per person, and you definitely want to book ahead because these sell out fast.
I did one of these tours last Halloween and it was way more entertaining than I expected. The guides really know their Detroit history, and whether or not you believe in ghosts, the stories about the fort’s military past are genuinely interesting. Fort Wayne has been around since 1845, so there’s plenty of material to work with.
The tour lasts about 90 minutes and covers both indoor and outdoor areas of the fort. Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be walking on uneven surfaces and stairs. They provide flashlights, but I’d bring your own backup just in case. The fort itself is pretty cool even without the ghost angle – it’s this massive star-shaped structure right on the Detroit River. Just know that these tours can get canceled due to weather, and they’re definitely not recommended for little kids since the content can be genuinely creepy.
10. Watch movies at Ford Drive-In Theatre
The Ford-Wyoming Drive-In is legitimately one of the coolest ways to watch movies in metro Detroit. They’re open year-round with five massive screens, and you get two movies for one price – currently $27 per car regardless of how many people you pack in.
I went there on a random Tuesday night and had a blast. You tune your car radio to specific stations to hear the audio, and the picture quality on their screens is actually really good. They’ve got a decent concession stand with classic movie snacks, plus they make fresh pizza and burgers if you want something more substantial than popcorn.
The whole experience feels like stepping back in time, but in a good way. You can bring blankets, snuggle up in your car, or even sit outside on lawn chairs if the weather’s nice. Gates open around 8 PM during summer months, with the first movie starting at dusk. Pro tip: get there early on weekends because popular movies can fill up fast. Also, bring cash for concessions – they don’t take cards at all the stands. Located at 10400 Ford Road in Dearborn, it’s about a 20-minute drive from downtown Detroit.
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11. Explore Eastern Market’s night events
Eastern Market After Dark happens once a year in September as part of the Detroit Month of Design, and it’s definitely one of the best free events in the city. In 2025, it’s scheduled for September 18th from 6 PM to 11 PM, and it draws over 30,000 people.
I went last year and was blown away by how much they pack into one night. The whole Eastern Market district transforms with art installations, live music on multiple stages, food trucks, local vendors, and galleries staying open late. Shed 2 becomes the main hub with artists and makers selling everything from jewelry to screen prints.
What makes this event special is that it’s not just one location – the whole neighborhood gets involved. Eastern Market Brewing does special events, Detroit City Distillery has DJs and dancing, and tons of local businesses stay open late with their own programming. The energy is incredible, and you can easily spend the whole evening just wandering around discovering new stuff. Just know it gets absolutely packed, so patience is key if you’re trying to move through crowds or get food. Parking fills up fast too, so consider taking rideshare or biking if you can swing it.
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12. See live music at The Magic Stick
The Magic Stick in Midtown is where you go when you want to discover your new favorite band or catch acts before they blow up. This venue has been launching careers since the ’90s, and they book an incredible mix of indie, hip-hop, electronic, and alternative acts.
I’ve seen some of my favorite shows here. The venue is small enough that you’re always close to the stage, but not so tiny that it feels cramped. The sound system is dialed in perfectly, and the crowd is usually really into whatever’s happening on stage. Ticket prices are super reasonable, usually $15-30 depending on the act.
Their rooftop patio is clutch during warm weather – you can grab drinks and hang out between sets with great views of the city. The bar downstairs has solid cocktails and local beer on tap. Shows typically start around 8 or 9 PM, but check their website because timing varies. The Majestic complex also has bowling and other venues, so you can make a whole night of it. Located at 4120 Woodward Avenue, it’s walking distance from Wayne State University and tons of other Midtown spots.
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