Cliff Bell's ★ 4.8
$$$Downtown{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': 'closed', 'wednesday': '17:00-24:00', 'thursday': '17:00-24:00', 'friday': '17:00-24:00', 'saturday': '17:00-24:00', 'sunday': '16:00-22:00'}
Cliff Bell's on Park Avenue has poured cocktails and presented live jazz in Detroit since 1935. Reopened 2006, the canonical jazz room and supper club.
Tip: Tickets for the band run separately. The dining room is half the room; cocktails at the bar.
Baker's Keyboard Lounge ★ 4.7
$$new-center{'monday': '19:00-23:00', 'tuesday': '16:00-24:00', 'wednesday': '16:00-24:00', 'thursday': '16:00-24:00', 'friday': '16:00-24:00', 'saturday': '18:00-02:00', 'sunday': 'closed'}
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
$$Downtown{'monday': '18:00-22:00', 'tuesday': '18:00-22:00', 'wednesday': '18:00-22:00', 'thursday': '18:00-23:00', 'friday': '18:00-23:00', 'saturday': '18:00-23:00', 'sunday': '18:00-22:00'}
Aretha's Jazz Cafe inside the Music Hall on Madison Street in downtown Detroit honors Aretha Franklin with live jazz nightly. The newer of Detroit's two.
Tip: Music Hall hosts simultaneous larger shows; Aretha's downstairs runs the intimate jazz program.
Magic Stick ★ 4.4
$$Midtown{'monday': 'varies by event', 'tuesday': 'varies by event', 'wednesday': 'varies by event', 'thursday': '20:00 doors', 'friday': '20:00 doors', 'saturday': '20:00 doors', 'sunday': 'varies by event'}
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
$$Corktown{'monday': 'closed', 'tuesday': 'closed', 'wednesday': '18:00-02:00', 'thursday': '18:00-02:00', 'friday': '18:00-02:00', 'saturday': '18:00-02:00', 'sunday': '18:00-02:00'}
PJ's Lager House on Michigan Avenue in Corktown serves Cajun food and live music in Detroit since 1991. Garage rock and indie bookings seven nights.
Tip: Cover charge varies by act; the kitchen runs Cajun po-boys and gumbo. Music starts late.
Cielo Rooftop ★ 4.4
$$$Downtown{'monday': '16:00-22:00', 'tuesday': '16:00-22:00', 'wednesday': '16:00-22:00', 'thursday': '16:00-23:00', 'friday': '16:00-24:00', 'saturday': '12:00-24:00', 'sunday': '12:00-22:00'}
Cielo Rooftop on West Lafayette inside the Cambria Hotel offers downtown Detroit's open-air rooftop bar. Signature craft cocktails and a view.
Tip: Sunset hour is the peak; reservations recommended for weekend evenings. Open seasonally.