The Ultimate Guide to Eating and Drinking for the Michigan Central Station Reopening in Detroit

Detroiters know that to survive in this city, you have to have a little grit, for one, but you also have to know to celebrate the wins, whenever possible. Which is why the reopening of Michigan Central Station, which kicks off an 11-day series of programming dubbed Michigan Central OPEN, on Thursday, June 6, has been met with much anticipation, not only to reveal its dramatic restoration to the general public, but for the opportunity to celebrate what feels like a milestone in the city’s history. Ford Motor Company spent nearly $1 billion and the past six years renovating the once long-neglected train station, and for many, its rebirth is symbolic of the Motor City’s rebound over the past several years — momentum that has sparked many changes (and mixed opinions) about what they mean for the community. Just under a year ago, the city unveiled the $6 million renovation of neighboring Roosevelt Park, featuring lush landscaping, walking paths, benches, and swings. Later in the fall, officials announced the launch of the country’s first wireless-charging public road, installed on a quarter-mile stretch of 14th Street. Plans for the area, according to the Detroit News, also include the construction of a new soccer stadium for the Detroit City FC on the site of the abandoned Southwest Detroit Hospital. Meanwhile, new housing projects continue to proliferate the surrounding area, dramatically transforming the dynamic of Detroit’s oldest neighborhood. A frenzy of Detroiters and visitors have been vying for tickets to the official grand reopening, which Michigan Central initially released ticket registration to the public on May 21. The reception immediately sold out and caused the website to crash. The highlight of the opening festivities is a free concert, “Live From Detroit: The Concert at Michigan Central,” co-produced by Eminem and his manager, Paul Rosenberg, that boasts an all-star lineup of some of Detroit’s biggest music legends, including Diana Ross, Jack White, Big Sean, Slum Village, and a roster of other huge acts. The event is also expected to stream live locally on Local 4+ and ClickOnDetroit.com and on Peacock at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time, and will air as a one-hour prime-time special Sunday on NBC. Following Thursday’s event, the public is also invited to get a first look at the first floor of the train station in a series of tours over a 10-day period. Whether you were lucky enough to score tickets or are hoping to catch some of the excitement in the surrounding neighborhood, there are plenty of opportunities to commemorate the occasion by stopping by many of the local restaurants, bars, and cafes. Several establishments will live-stream the concert, offer food or drink specials, or have found other ways to get in on the action. Welcome to Southwest Detroit Long before Ford began Michigan Central Station’s years-long restoration journey, Corktown already had a reputation as one of the city’s most dynamic restaurant and bar destinations — famous for the old-school sports bars that surrounded old Tigers Stadium, along with a newer crop of vegan-friendly diners, moody cocktail bars, a nationally-recognized Black-owned izakaya, distilleries and breweries set in industrial spaces, and a barbecue spot, Slows Bar-B-Q, that helped reinvigorate the area nearly two decades ago. Corktown is part of the greater Southwest Detroit neighborhood, home to the largest Latinx community in the state of Michigan. As such, visitors can travel just a short distance from Michigan Central and be greeted with an array of taquerias, find refuge from the summer heat with an agua fresca, experience the beauty of Detroit-style botanas, dig in on birria and other regional specialties from family-owned Mexican restaurants, find a smattering of eateries representing Central and South America, the Caribbean, and other Latin American countries, or pass through one of the largest concentrations of food trucks along a stretch of Springwells. [Image: https://platform.detroit.eater.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/chorus/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25478756/RMZ_2023.09.14___Southwest_Food_Crawl_12.JPG?quality=90&strip=all] Beware of Traffic Driving to Corktown? Note partial street closures from Michigan Avenue to Bagley and 14th Streets commence at midnight, Thursday, June 6, and will remain in effect until June 16. The road closures will only allow for pedestrian traffic, so keep that in mind if you rode your bicycle or scooter to the area. Two designated ride share zones have been set up. Folks taking a Lyft or Uber to the area can find these zones on Michigan between 17th and 18th streets and on 14th between the Fisher Freeway service road and I-75. In addition, unaccompanied minors ages 15 and under should be aware that a 10 p.m. curfew will be in place. [Media: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7z1IJDCxX4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link%5Cu0026igsh%3DMzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D] [Media: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7zIwvsua7X/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link%5Cu0026igsh%3DMzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D] Late Hours, Specials, and Screenings Many of the restaurants, bars, and cafes on and around Michigan Avenue in Corktown are planning to participate in various capacities. The kitchen at Ima Izakaya will remain open until 11 p.m. and the bar later after that on Thursday, while forgoing its popular happy hour that day and Friday. Instead, find a limited drink menu at the bar that includes a guava-yuzu punch for $12 or Modelos and High Noon hard seltzers for $5. The spot will also unveil a new feature, a walk-up counter, where visitors strolling the avenue can place orders through a quick-service entrance area at the far west door of the establishment facing Michigan Avenue. For the festivities, the walk-up service offerings include ginger-citrus marinated chicken or tofu bites and loaded Tokyo Street Fries. Other businesses, including daytime cafes Alba are Folk are planning to stay open later than usual. Meanwhile, the I/O Rooftop Lounge — perched on the top floor of the Godfrey Detroit, Curio Collection by Hilton — has revealed a menu of Ford-themed cocktails, including the Thunderbird, Mach-E, Bronco, and the Galaxie. For individuals who want to catch a live stream in the company of other Detroiters and visitors, several establishments in Corktown and nearby Mexicantown are planning viewing parties. Be sure to visit Michigan Central’s social media channels for more details. * The Downtown Detroit Partnership will host watch parties at Campus Martius Park with a capacity of up to 5,000 people and the Corner Ballpark (formerly Tigers Stadium) at 1680 Michigan Avenue and will have capacity for up to 2,500. Other watch parties taking place include: * Alpino Detroit (1426 Bagley Street) — This Eater Award-winning Alps-inspired restaurant will host an opening reception hour between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m., featuring a special cocktail launch, snacks, and limited on-site parking. The gathering will take place in the eatery’s cellar area and guests are encouraged to dress up as if they were at the original 1913 train station opening. Tickets are required and cost $65. * Supergeil (2442 Michigan Avenue) — Neighborhood döner kebab specialist and bar Supergeil will feature food and drink specials and offer to-go options. * Batch Brewing Company (1400 Porter Street) — The spot’s biergarten will host a watch party from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. * Armando’s Mexican Restaurant (4242 Vernor Highway) * La Jalisciense Supermercado & Taqueria (3923 Vernor Highway) * Black Ginger (inside Trumbull and Porter Hotel at 1331 Trumbull Suite 100) * McShane’s Irish Pub (1460 Michigan Avenue) * Mercury Burger Bar (2163 Michigan Avenue) * Slows Bar Bar-B-Q (2138 Michigan Avenue)