Authentic Hospitality and No Home Hospitality Group have collaborated to open Ray’s bar in downtown Detroit.
Located at 19 E. Grand River Ave., Ray’s is designed to be a space that reflects Detroit through warm materials that feel nostalgic and put people at ease, references inspired by the city and the state, notes of the great outdoors, and a layout that feels as though it has always belonged, shaped by designer and Detroit native Taavo Somer’s own childhood memories of the city.
This is the fourth Ray’s location in the country and the company’s seventh Detroit operation, including San Morello, Evening Bar, The Brakeman, Penny Red’s, Gilly’s Clubhouse, and Saksey’s.
“The best hometown bars make you feel like you belong,” says Carlos Quirarte, co-founder of Authentic Hospitality. “It’s about familiarity, genuine hospitality, and creating a place people can rely on, whether it’s their first visit or their hundredth.
“Everything else, like the design, the food, and the drinks, is there to support that feeling. We wanted Ray’s to feel like it’s always been part of Detroit, somewhere people return to because they’re always welcomed like a regular.”
Since the original Ray’s in New York, Somer has helped define the brand’s identity, creating spaces that feel lived in, collected over time and “deeply personal” rather than driven by trends. For Detroit, that philosophy takes on added meaning, according to the founders.
Guests will find a lively bar, cozy booths and banquettes, intimate corners, a private dining room, and a classic photo booth, while artwork and memorabilia celebrate Detroit’s cultural history, making the city part of the experience. Every element is said to be designed to bring people together, creating a space built for regulars as much as first-timers.
The Ray’s food menu offers elevated takes on classic bar fare, from signature burgers and hot dogs to fries, shareable snacks, and other familiar favorites.
The beverage program is designed to embrace the same balance of quality and approachability as the food, pairing classic martinis and cocktails with twists, frozen drinks, approachable wines, local beers, and a perfectly poured Guinness.
Ray’s represents the first collaboration between Authentic Hospitality and NoHo Hospitality Group, bringing together two hospitality teams with a stated shared commitment to creating enduring neighborhood destinations rooted in genuine hospitality.
For more information, visit raysbarnyc.com.
