A large city like Detroit always seems to hold hidden surprises: That out-of-the-way club or bistro, the newly opened shop reviving a craft long thought to be dead, or an avant-garde museum that hosts a succession of cutting-edge exhibits. The close, cozy feel of these smaller settings offers an opportunity for the creative planner to present the perfect event for a small group of clients or associates. Whether it’s an intimate dining venue or something tailored to more unconventional tastes, these niche locations will appeal to varied interests.
Looking for a venue that’s a bit unconventional? The Warehouse at The Detroit Mercantile Co. may be just the thing. The 5,000 square-foot facility occupies the space formerly used by the Detroit Fire Department to repair its equipment. Co-owner and lifelong Detroit resident Robert Jameson describes the renovated facility as “still evoking a real, raw space but with a polished urban look.” Popular events include small weddings, private parties and photo shoots. Jameson works with co-owners Sherri Jameson and Robert Stanzler, who operate an adjacent store featuring all things Detroit. // 313.831.9000
Enjoy the excitement of a dinner or cocktail cruise from April through December, or dockside service during the winter months. The Princess offers five levels (four of which are enclosed, with heating and air conditioning) of dining and/or meeting space and can accommodate groups from 50 to 500. Meals can be either buffet style or plated. Parking is not provided but is available at surface lots near the dock. // 877.338.2628
Over its history, the Gem has survived decades of neglect, multiple restorations and a spectacular five-block move-a feat so dramatic it made its way into the Guinness Book of World Records. The Gem offers a diverse selection of meal packages and meeting options, including a Detroit-themed strolling dinner. Weddings, bar or bat mitzvahs, and corporate functions for between 100 to 450 people can be accommodated. Facilities are available for rental only-no public dining is allowed. Want a good excuse to check out the Gem? Attend the Michigan Meetings + Events 2014 Readers’ Choice Best of Awards party May 29 at the theater. // 313.963.9800
An authentic French creperie, Good Girls offers a European experience, from the delicious menu to the rare posters advertising vintage French films. Owner Torya Schoeniger moved the restaurant, housed in the Park Shelton, into the space formerly occupied by Rodin this winter. Good Girls offers a meeting room with a capacity of 40, or arrangements can be made to rent the entire house for a larger function. Food can be supplied by the Good Girls staff or by outside caterers. // 13.664.0490
Among the city’s most elegant accommodations, the inn consists of six impeccably restored Victorian homes just east of Woodward in the East Ferry Avenue Historic District. Intended for very small events (maximum of 40 guests), the oak paneling, plush area rugs and tufted leather furniture evoke feelings of calm and serenity, perfect for intimate weddings or corporate executive retreats. Inn management will supply a list of professional caterers and provide expert event coordination. // 13.871.6000
Jacoby’s is the place to host a German-influenced small party or informal business gathering. The second floor of this storied 110-year-old pub (once a hangout for Detroit’s political and legal establishment) offers a private room with a capacity of 50. A full bar is offered along with a complete menu featuring ethnic items like rindfleisch rouladen (round steak) and kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes), in addition to classic American favorites. As owner Jeff Cann says, “No other place in Detroit has German food as authentic as ours.” // 313.962.7067
Max M. Fisher Music Center’s Herman and Sharon Frankel Donor Lounge
This elegantly appointed donor lounge (along with the adjoining green room) is available for rental on nonconcert dates for small dinners, corporate functions or private parties. With a strolling capacity of 100 and a sit-down limit of around 70, guests will be thoroughly impressed by the wood and marble floors, marble tabletops and Italian leather chairs. // 313.576.5065
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit
The 22,000-square-foot MOCAD offers multiple airy spaces that can be rented for distinctive corporate functions, galas and weddings. Guests can take time to contemplate the thought-provoking (and ever-changing) art exhibits. MOCAD partners with a prescreened list of professional vendors to make your event a success. Availability can vary depending on the exhibit schedule. // 313.832.6622
The Westin Book Cadillac’s signature restaurant, overseen by celebrity chef Michael Symon, offers two small meeting rooms, each perfect for a small dinner or birthday party, corporate event or family gathering. The private State Room can accommodate up to 18 guests and features a long, conference-style table. A video screen is available at no extra charge, but clients must provide other video equipment, and no microphones are allowed. The smaller glass-enclosed VIP room can host up to 10. // 313.961.2500
If walls could talk, the Roma Cafe could tell some amazing tales. Michigan’s oldest restaurant, dating from 1890, offers a richly historic setting for a dinner, small business meeting or other private function. The interior exudes an Old-World feeling in keeping with the Italian tradition. Rooms can accommodate up to 50 and are available for lunch or dinner rentals Monday through Friday, or for lunch only on Saturdays. // 313.831.5940
The Guardian Building’s Rowland Cafe (named after Wirt Rowland, the building’s architect) is one of the most breathtaking spaces in Detroit. The soaring arches of the main floor give way to a marble interior done in an Aztec and art deco theme. You’ll also find an enormous working Tiffany clock-one of only two in the world. TheKnot.com has listed the Rowland as one of the top venues in the nation. It’s no wonder metro Detroit’s event industry professionals chose the Rowland to host the 2014 EPIC Awards on March 29. // 313.964.1928
Salt & Cedar is not a meeting space in the conventional sense. It offers an array of workshops relating to the owners’ trade of letterpress printing and can be utilized for a variety of creative events. “Our workshops, led by renowned instructors, include traditional and experimental printing, ‘zine making, book structures and papermaking,” says owner Megan O’Connell. Within Salt & Cedar’s 3,000-square-foot space, farm-to-table food events, a pop-up cinema, dinner theaters, readings, design lectures and special curricular offerings are planned. // 07.671.3462
The Scarab Club has been a refuge for artists for more than 100 years. Elegant ceremony space is available in either the charming courtyard or the upstairs parlor. As Catering Manager Treena Flannery Ericson notes, “the rafter joists on the second floor are signed by legendary artists from the past, including Diego Rivera and Norman Rockwell.” Corporate events can also be accommodated. Plan ahea -this popular destination is usually booked a year in advance. // 313.831.1250
This upscale meeting spot is located in the iconic David Stott Building, a cornerstone of downtown’s evolving Griswold corridor. The Skybar offers meeting space on three levels: a well-appointed basement room with a capacity of 65; the main lounge on the first floor, which features two bars and seating space for 150; and the lounge on the 33rd floor, with four VIP rooms of various sizes. A newly expanded kitchen offers a comprehensive menu, and owner/ managing partner Zois Bricolas will work personally with clients to tailor a customized rental package. // 313.965.3054
Nestled squarely in the Bricktown section of downtown, Sweetwater occupies a classic mid- 19th-century federal-style building, which originally served as a hotel. Owner Jeffrey Cain has proudly run the Sweetwater since 1991. Today this cozy bar and grill exudes an authentic Detroit vibe and includes a backroom capable of seating up to 85 patrons. (The room can be reserved during nonpeak times only, and is not actually rented out.) As an added bonus, the Sweetwater Tavern has some of the best hamburgers in Detroit.// 313.962.2210
