Punch Bowl Social Grand Opening

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With the construction of the Z-Deck parking – Detroit gained some fresh retail space on both sides at street level. A few places have already opened, but not quite to the fanfare and crowd as Punch Bowl Social. Detroit joins the list of existing PB Social locations in Portland, Denver and Austin that have been jammin’ for several years now, starting with Denver in 2012.

On Dec 10 they held their Grand Opening – with a limited ticket preview event from 7-9p before opening officially to the public at 9p.

There was a good bit of interest and tickets sold out online well in advance – though a few were supposed to be offered at the door. A little after 7 when I walked over (I work in the area) the line was to the corner of the building and running a bit slow. Since it was a special event and drink samples were on hand everyone needed to be ID’d (normally it’s “over 21 only” later in the evening).

Once inside, it was extremely packed. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and I maneuvered my way through the throng to try and get a look at the place and a few images.

The “Holiday Lodge” area has seating, a pool table, and a fireplace. They were sampling some desserts here – mini cupcakes, brownies and cookies.

I bumped into my friends who had snagged a small space upstairs and hauled up the steps to check out the second level.

It was little surprise to look over and see Dan Gilbert chatting with a group (and I swore I saw Devin Scillian but the crowds were too heavy to go back for a shot) as I passed through.

From here you can look out over the main set of bowling lanes.

Sound booth keeping everything level.

After a few drinks and some socializing, our bowling lane reservation came up and we headed downstairs to the lanes.

Along the way I snagged a plate and a few snacks. Some bread and cheese with dried fruit and a little hamburger.

I’m not much of a bowler, but I enjoyed watching my friends.

In order to fit in the compact space, the lanes are shorter than regulation lanes. Additionally, you’ll notice strings on the pins. This allows them to forgo a traditional pin resetter, which requires a conveyor belt return, heavier motor and pin racking system.

But bowling isn’t all there is to do – there’s a whole arcade next to the alley.

Including dart boards.

Pinball machines.

Foosball tables.

Even a shuffleboard table.

All overlooking the main floor bowling lanes. Which in turn look out on Broadway street.

In the midst of this are two Karaoke rooms. You can close the door if you’re too shy about singing for the whole world – but this was a PARTY!

Speaking of singing – I made my way back towards the front doors to the live band. Stopping for a photo of the sound board engineer on my way.

On stage was Kaleido, a local band self described as “Guns N’ Roses meets No Doubt”. Formed in 2011 and fronted by Christina Chriss (a Sterling Heights native) they’ve opened for some heavy hitters in the past couple of years such as Aerosmith, Slash, Kid Rock, The Offspring, and Evanescence.

I stepped outside for some cool air – at this point the doors were opening to the public and there was another good line forming.

I headed around the corner and took a walk through the “Belt” alley. Named for the way it crosses the midsection of the Z of the parking structure, the alley features more graffiti and even some sculptural work of current artists and promises changing art pieces in the future.

The back doors to the PBS have a set of coordinating neon signs.

Shortly after that I called it a night.

Since it was a free preview event – I can’t speak to the prices of everything. It was also quite crowded to get a good feel for the space overall. I do think though, especially since it’s a quick walk from my work, that I’ll be back during “normal” event hours to hang out again. There’s definitely a good variety of things to do to keep any group entertained, and the food was fairly tasty for appetizers.

I’m especially interested in the breakfast menu and having an excuse to take some morning meetings over their way. See you there?

 

Punch Bowl Social is located at[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_gmaps link=”#E-8_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”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]1331 BROADWAY ST.
DETROIT, MI 48226
(313) 749-9738

Open MONDAY – FRIDAY: 7:00 AM – 2:00 AM
SATURDAY: 9:00AM – 2:00 AM
SUNDAY: 9:00 AM – 2:00 AM
* Family friendly every day until 10 pm.
DJ Brunch every Sunday from 9AM – 3PM (DJ stays until 5!)

For more pictures (before the massive party started!) check out the photo set on their website: GRAND OPENING PARTY – DETROIT![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]