20 under-the-radar Detroit date spots every couple should explore

By Metro Times editorial staff on Fri, Feb 7, 2020 at 5:00 pm

Date night feeling stale? It's time to diversify your date spots. Here are some out of the ordinary date ideas for when you're seeking something different, including drive-in theaters, jazz bars, arcades, and a lot more.

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Redford Theatre

17360 Lahser Rd., Detroit
Owned and operated by the Motor City Theatre Organ Society, the Redford Theatre is a 90-year-old space holding over 1,500 people. The Theatre is known for its vintage look and style, presenting a variety of media, from movies to musicals.

Photo via Redford Theatre / Facebook

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Hamtramck Disneyland

2087 Klinger St., Hamtramck
Began by Dmytro Szylak, Hamtramck Disneyland is a collection of yard art and folk art positioned atop two garages on a 30-foot backyard. The attraction is open 24 hours a day and is now owned by Hatch Art.

Photo via Jerry Paffendorf / Flickr CC

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John K. King Used & Rare Books

901 W. Lafayette Blvd., Detroit
Boasting a collection of “one million books, give or take a dozen” in more than 900 subjects, this used book store has become an iconic West Lafayette stop. The store still prices books by hand with no database, and has the charm and layout of an old-fashioned bookstore.

Photo via Marco Mancinelli

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Kresge Court in the DIA

5200 Woodward Ave., Detroit
Kick back and relax at the courtyard cafe within one of the country’s greatest art museums. This beautifully designed rest area includes elaborate architecture and is embellished with a range of furniture styles, making it the perfect place to stop for a coffee or a phone recharge in between admiring the stunning art.

Photo via Detroit Institute of Arts / Facebook

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The Schvitz

8295 Oakland Ave., Detroit
Visit Detroit’s historic bathhouse for a day of relaxation. Unique from most existing spas in its old-school, well-worn feel, the Schvitz is the ideal spot to unwind in the sauna or get a facial, massage, or tarot card reading.

Photo via Schvitz Health Club / Facebook

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Fowling Warehouse

3901 Christopher St, Hamtramck
Love football? Love bowling? Visit Hamtramck’s 14,000-square-foot Fowling Warehouse. Fowling, a game that combines football, bowling, and horseshoes, is the central purpose of the Warehouse, which also serves food and drinks for an enjoyable experience for all ages.

Photo via Fowling Warehouse (Hamtramck) / Facebook

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Palmer Park

910 Merrill Plaisance, Detroit
This public park located next to Palmer Park Apartment Building Historic District is centered around the home of the late Senator Thomas Palmer, the original owner of the park, and provides many opportunities for recreation and relaxation within its 296 beautiful acres.

Photo via Palmer Park / Facebook

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Film night at Hamtramck’s Oloman Cafe

10215 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck
A family-run locale, this cafe transforms into a performance space and movie theatre. The cafe takes on many hats, and is able to be a photography studio, performance spot, and community meeting locale, and it has an outdoor patio as well.

Photo via Oloman Cafe / Facebook

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Ford-Wyoming Drive-In Theatre

10400 Ford Rd., Dearborn
One of the last drive-in movie theatres in the state, Ford-Wyoming has found a place in the hearts of moviegoers. The theatre has five screens and runs all movies in double features, making it the cheapest ticket in metro Detroit.

Photo via Ford-Wyoming Drive-In Theatre / Facebook

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Karaoke at Deluxx Fluxx

1274 Liberty St., Detroit
Enjoy a night of free karaoke fun at Detroit’s Deluxx Fluxx. Held every Tuesday, this open-mic karaoke event is a great place to release your inner rock star, or even just to hang out and have drinks.

Photo via Deluxx Fluxx / Facebook

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Motown Museum

2648 West Grand Blvd., Detroit
Donning a sign with the words “Hitsville U.S.A.” across the front, this museum holds the same space that was once the recording studios and residence of Berry Gordy and Motown Records. Housing artifacts, photographs, and other memorabilia, the museum transports visitors to a different time by showcasing the music that built the Motor City.

Photo via Patricia Marks / Shutterstock.com

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The Guardian Building

500 Griswold St. #1600, Detroit
With 40 floors, the Guardian Building is considered one of the must-see skyscrapers in the U.S. and a national historic landmark. The building is open 24 hours and has a photo-worthy interior. Pure Detroit runs tours, but the building is also open to the public.

Photo via Guardian Building / Facebook

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Raven Lounge

20510 Livernois Ave., Detroit
Known as Detroit’s House of Blues, this lowkey lounge pairs live blues acts with soul food. It is open Thursdays through Saturdays, and is considered a social hub for professionals and non-professionals alike.

Photo via Raven Lounge / Facebook

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Ready Player One

407 E. Fort St., Detroit
This spunky arcade bar in Downtown Detroit is a perfect place to indulge in all of your video game-related nostalgia as well as delicious food and drinks. With about 40 arcade machines from the ’80s and ’90s, Ready Player One is a haven for the nerdy millennial.

Photo via Ready Player One: Bar and Arcade / Facebook

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Dequindre Cut Greenway

Detroit
Opened in 2009, Dequindre Cut Greenway is an urban recreational path that links East Riverfront and Eastern Market. Bikes can either be rented or bought (or the ambitious can walk it), and the 20-foot-wide paved pathway has separate lanes for pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

Photo via The Dequindre Cut / Facebook

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New Center Park

2998 West Grand Blvd., Detroit
Built to host events held in the New Center area during summer, the park includes outdoor movies and concerts, happy hour, summer Jazz, and regular events for families and children. Specifically, the annual Detroit Actors Company musical is popular, as are the movie nights, both of which are free.

Photo via Courtesy photo

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Sanders Candy Factory Tour

23700 Hall Rd., Clinton Twp
Got a sweet tooth? Take a fun trip through the Sanders Candy Factory with a free guided or self-guided tour. Learn about the company, see how the candy is made, and indulge in delicious samples as you walk through the factory.

Photo via Sanders / Facebook

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Baker’s Keyboard Lounge

20510 Livernois Ave., Detroit
Serving soul food and live jazz since 1934, the lounge is known for its Art Deco style, intimacy (at only 99 seats), and the bar. Baker’s has a longstanding history of bringing in strong local and national musical talents, and holds the tagline of the world’s “oldest jazz club.”

Photo via Baker’s Keyboard Lounge / Facebook

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The Two-Way Inn

17897 Mount Elliott St., Detroit
Detroit’s oldest bar is not only a historical landmark but a great spot for a night out. This casual space is a gold mine of Detroit history, and is even rumored to be haunted by Col. Philetus Norris, an Ohio legislator who passed in 1885. A great selection of drinks paired with exemplary service makes the Two-Way Inn a must-visit Detroit destination.

Photo via GoogleMaps

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