Detroit: Downtown’s Shelby
It’s Friday and it is time for this week’s edition of Beckerz Bites! For those of you who know Teresa and I, you know we are always looking for something unique and cool to share with everyone. This week we have something that meets this criteria and more. I believe this to be a true hidden gem of a speakeasy, located in Detroit’s Financial District. It is located in the actual bank vault for the old Michigan Bank, which was located in the US Mortgage Bond Building, in the 1920s. We are talking about Shelby Detroit! Located at 607 Shelby St at the corner of Congress and Shelby.
You enter by going downstairs to the Coffee Down Under coffee bar, where they will take you into the actual bar. Shelby opened its doors in early 2021 after a nearly 2 year extensive renovation. There is a bar area, which is where we like to sit, as well as tables and booths along the walls plus tables located in the actual vault itself. It is dark enough to be intimate but not too dark you cannot see each other. The dress code is casual and the staff was super friendly and knowledgeable on their food and drinks.
The is not just a cocktail bar, they do have a small menu featuring what they call “shareplates” as well created by chef/owner Matt Tulpa who you will see at the end of the bar garnishing dishes before sending them out. We had the Beef Tartare, the Smoked Whitefish & Fananciers and their “Escar-No” a dish of cremini mushrooms with smoked butter served in a mushroom bouillon. There was a crusty bread served with it as well which was absolutely delicious.
Shelby Detroit is open Wed-Thurs from 5PM-12AM and Fri-Sat 5PM-1AM. It is an 18 and over establishment and while reservations are recommended walk-ins are welcome.
Until next week…Live Well, Eat Well! Enjoy Life!
- Keith & Teresa Becker