Topa, a rooftop bar atop the AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle in Brush Park located along Woodward Avenue, opens May 21. The 154-room, 10-story hotel is adjacent to the historic Bonstelle Playhouse, built in 1903.
The new venue, located at 10 Eliot St., a block south of Mack Avenue, will offer coastal cocktails and Mediterranean-inspired small plates on the roof of the hotel (11th floor), where guests will find skyline views of Midtown, downtown Detroit, and New Center.
The name “Topa” comes from the Basque word meaning “to toast” or “to clink glasses.” The new establishment includes a cocktail program rooted in coastal flavors, a menu built for sharing, and a space designed to feel like a gathering along the California coast.
Developed by Roxbury Group in Detroit and managed by Azul Hospitality, the cocktail menu draws from Mediterranean and coastal influences, with drinks like the Kalimotxo, a Basque-inspired red wine and cola spritz; the Cyprus with mezcal, cocchi rosa, and raspberry; and the Coastside, a white wine and rum blend with peach, pineapple, and citrus honey.
The Topa Carajillo, made with dark rum, espresso and cherry chocolate whip, anchors the after-dinner program.
“Topa represents the next chapter of the hospitality experience at the AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle,” says James Van Dyke, president of the Roxbury Group. “Our vision was to create a space that feels transportive, a place where guests can slow down, connect, and enjoy an atmosphere inspired by the California coast while still being surrounded by the energy of Detroit.”
Topa’s kitchen is led by Executive Chef Jorge Morales, who oversees the culinary program across the AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle campus. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Chef Morales trained under Iron Chef Jose Garces at Amada in New York and Philadelphia before opening multiple restaurant concepts, most recently the Blue Llama Jazz Club in Ann Arbor.
At Topa, he brings range to a Mediterranean-focused menu of shareable small-plates like seared halloumi, bacalao croquettes, and signature entrées including barramundi skewers with Persian rice, charred lamb chops, and grilled chicken skewers with braised chickpea and smoked tomato.
The space features reclaimed wood sourced from the historic Cadillac Hotel in Lexington.
Topa completes the offerings at the AC Hotel Detroit at the Bonstelle, creating a full-service hospitality destination. Topa joins The Conservatory and the historic Bonstelle Playhouse to create a dynamic setting for cocktails, dining, events, hotel stays, and experiences in Brush Park.
Topa will be open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 4 p.m. to midnight; and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, follow @TopaDetroit on Instagram.
