Punch Bowl Social Opens in Detroit on Wednesday

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Punch Bowl Social — a bar and entertainment venue that spans two levels of a 24,000-square-foot space, providing more than enough room for bowling, retro video games, foosball, pool, darts, shuffleboard, and private karaoke — will open on Wednesday in The Z building in downtown Detroit.

“When thinking about locations, we tried to think completely out of the box,” says Robert Thompson, founder and CEO of the restaurant, which also operates venues in Denver, Portland, and Austin. “We look for special cultures that could openly accept our concept. Detroit has a great historic culture, and everything is on the verge of popping here.

“I believe that Punch Bowl Social has a truly authentic culture that Detroit will definitely appreciate.”

After all, the gastro-diner isn’t your typical eatery. In addition to its entertainment options, the restaurant, located at 1331 Broadway St., between Grand River and Gratiot, puts a premium on dishes that are made-from-scratch. The menu — developed by Sergio Romero, the restaurant brand’s culinary director — includes upscale-comfort foods such as deviled eggs with a bacon jam, chicken and waffles complete with chipotle pecan maple syrup and candied walnuts, buffalo meatloaf, shrimp couscous salad, strawberry melted leek Quesadillas, and other locally sourced dishes.

While the food menu is consistent with the restaurant’s other locations, the drink menu has a Michigan focus, with craft cocktails mixed with homemade syrups, juice extracts, and bitters. Nine of the 12 beers on tap are Michigan-based.

Jim Ketai, CEO and managing partner of Bedrock Real Estate Services, which manages The Z, says he looked into bringing the restaurant to Detroit after visiting the Denver location.

“After seeing what they had going on, I absolutely loved it, and knew I had to go after them and bring them to Detroit,” says Ketai, who has high hopes for the newest location. “Punch Bowl Social brings a unique atmosphere to the city that is going to draw everyone out, even people from the suburbs.”

Punch Bowl Social will kick off its grand opening Wednesday with a fundraising event benefiting The Salvation Army and featuring Detroit pop/rock band Kaleido. To purchase tickets, priced at $10, click here.

For more information about Punch Bowl Social, visit punchbowlsocial.com.