Watch CBS News

I Got The Blues: Best Blues Bars In Detroit

Blues and jazz continue to play a key role in the musical history of the Detroit area, even as other music takes over the mainstream scene. The downtown area's fabulous blues clubs bring the best of the genre to life on their stages night after night with the best atmosphere for rich, bluesy tunes and a great time.
Nightlife & Music, Baker's KeyBoard Lounge
Photo Credit: bakerskeyboardlounge.com

Bakers Keyboard Lounge
20510 Livernois Ave.
Detroit, MI 48221
(313) 345-6300
bakerskeyboardlounge.com

Hours: Tues to Thurs – 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.; Fri – 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sat – 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sun – 1 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Click here for a calendar of events

Bakers Keyboard Lounge in Detroit boasts some of the best blues music in the city. The club showcases local blues and jazz artists nightly in an intimate setting with great acoustic sound. Since its reopening, the owners have introduced fusions of music on select nights as well. Its impressive menu features everything from barbecued ribs to shrimp and fried chicken, making it the perfect place for a cozy date. Slip in during happy hour for solid sounds and great prices.

Nightlife & Music Blue Bars, Guitar
Photo Credit: Thinkstock.com

Bert's Marketplace
2727 Russell St.
Detroit, MI 48207-2614
(313) 567-2030
www.facebook.com

Hours: Mon, Tues, Sun – 10 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.; Fri to Sat – 10 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Located in Detroit's Eastern Market, this late night blues club serves up some of the area's best Cajun food and phenomenal local music. Big-name blues artists are known to stop in at the club for impromptu music sessions as well, so keep an ear out for special nights. Karaoke runs throughout the day with a wide variety of songs to choose from. In the summer patrons pack the outdoor patio for a side of ambiance with their blues.

Nightlife & Music Blue Bars, Floods
Photo Credit: Flood's Bar and Grille via Facebook

Flood's Bar and Grille
731 Saint Antoine St.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 963-1090
www.floodsdetroit.com

Hours: Mon – 4 p.m. to 12 a.m.; Tues to Fri – 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sat to Sun – 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Click here for news on upcoming events

An upscale, elite night club, Flood's Bar and Grille is the perfect spot to hold a private party or enjoy a date night. Expect some of the area's best cocktails and soul food right along with your blues. Live music is available every night with a interestingly alluring mix of blues, jazz and hip hop. Two stages sometimes present the genres at once for a pleasantly melodic surprise. Some of the area's best local rhythm and blues artists often take the stage here, making it a great place for music lovers who want to get to know the local sound.

Related: Detroit International Jazz Festival Brings The World Downtown

Nightlife & Music Blue Bars, Live Music
Photo Credit: Thinkstock.com

Nancy Whiskey
2644 Harrison
Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 962-4247
www.nancywhiskeydetroit.com

Hours: Mon to Sat – 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Click here for a calendar of events

Detroit's best kept blues secret is Nancy Whiskey. A small, old-school dive bar with a great indoor atmosphere, area blues lovers flock here for consistently solid tunes. Detroit's best blues artists make the place a regular home. Its cheap drinks and food keep patrons coming back, and the fact that there is never a cover is also a hit with its guests. Friendly staff and a laid back atmosphere make it one of the first choices for a bluesy night out.

Nightlife & Music Blue Bars, Live Drummer
Photo Credit: Thinkstock.com

336 Main
336 S. Main St.
Plymouth Charter Township, MI 48170
(734) 454-6500
www.336main.com

Hours: Mon to Wed – 3 p.m. to 1 a.m.; Thurs and Fri – 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Sat – 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Click here for a calendar of events

336 Main is a piano bar in downtown Plymouth. Filled nightly with the sounds of the blues, jazz, pop and rock, 336 is always a huge hit. Great sing-a-long favorites keep the place packed on a regular basis. The bar stocks the most extensive selection of spirits in the metro-Detroit area, including more than 40 brands of blended and single-malt scotches, fine wines and more than 70 specialty martinis. Expect live music nightly by the area's best blues and jazz jammers.

Related: Best Bars For Country Music And Line Dancing In Detroit

Tracy Heck is a freelance writer living in Dearborn, Michigan. She covers Music & Entertainment. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.


View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.