Tin Roof, a Nashville-based restaurant known for its live music and southern-style menu, will replace the longtime popular Cheli’s Chili Bar that closed late last year. The announcement was made Wednesday and the new establishment, across the street from Comerica Park, is expected to open by October.
Bob Franklin, CEO of Tin Roof, says the new restaurant will bring dozens of employees and its southern-inspired “Better Than Bar Food,” fun, and live music to the area. The location at 47 East Adams in Detroit, he adds, will create opportunities for local, emerging musicians to showcase their talents, along with regional and national artists across all genres.
“Detroit is such a great city with a great musical heritage and it has been on our radar for a long time,” Franklin says. “We know this is the right time and we could not be happier with the location near Comerica Park, Ford Field, and the historic Fox Theatre in The District Detroit.”
Cheli’s Chili Bar was owned by former Red Wing and fan favorite Chris Cheilos, who left Detroit for Chicago to be near his mother.
The Original Tin Roof opened in 2002 near Nashville’s famed Music Row and gave musicians a place to play and a place to hang out when they weren’t on stage. This will be the first Tin Roof in Michigan. The company operates 17 other bars and venues across the country.
Among the items that can be expected on the menu include Dixie Biscuits, Voodoo Shrimp Grinders, and Candy Pig Mac & Cheese.
Travis Arbogast, vice president of development at Olympia Development of Michigan, says, “With additions like Tin Roof, this is a very exciting time for the city and for The District Detroit.”
In addition to Tin Roof, The District Detroit has announced other new tenants including Sahara Restaurant & Grill, The M Den, Frita Batidos, the Detroit Medical Center Sports Medicine Institute, Warner Norcross + Judd LLP, and Google. These new establishments will join the retail businesses at Little Caesars Arena, including Mike’s Pizza Bar, Sports & Social Detroit, Kid Rock’s Made in Detroit, The District Market, and the Team Store.
