5 live music in Detroit our editors have drunk at, sorted by score. All Detroit nightlife.
Cliff Bell's ★ 4.8
Downtown · 2030 Park Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
Cliff Bell's on Park Avenue has poured cocktails and presented live jazz in Detroit since 1935. Reopened 2006, the canonical jazz room and supper club.
Tip: Tickets for the band run separately. The dining room is half the room; cocktails at the bar.
Baker's Keyboard Lounge ★ 4.7
new-center · 20510 Livernois Ave, Detroit, MI 48221
Baker's Keyboard Lounge on Livernois has poured drinks in Detroit since May 1933 and started booking jazz pianists in 1934, the oldest continuously operating.
Tip: Only 99 seats; tilted mirrors let the audience watch the pianist's hands. Cover varies by act.
Aretha's Jazz Cafe ★ 4.4
Downtown · 350 Madison St, Detroit, MI 48226
Aretha's Jazz Cafe inside the Music Hall on Madison Street in downtown Detroit honors Aretha Franklin with live jazz nightly. The newer of Detroit's two.
Tip: Music Hall hosts simultaneous larger shows; Aretha's downstairs runs the intimate jazz program.
Magic Stick ★ 4.4
Midtown · 4120 Woodward Ave, Detroit, MI 48201
Magic Stick in the Majestic Theatre Center on Woodward is one of Detroit's essential small rooms for live music. 200 seated, 700 standing, ten billiard.
Tip: Above the Garden Bowl, in the same building as the Majestic. Indie and hip-hop bookings.
PJ's Lager House ★ 4.1
Corktown · 1254 Michigan Ave, Detroit, MI 48226
PJ's Lager House on Michigan Avenue in Corktown serves Cajun food and live music in Detroit since 1991. Garage rock and indie bookings seven nights.
Tip: Cover charge varies by act; the kitchen runs Cajun po-boys and gumbo. Music starts late.