13 Metro Detroit bars, restaurants that closed in 2024
Andres Hot Chicken (Photo: Bandit Tavern & Hideaway)
(FOX 2) - From chain spots to local eats, diners said goodbye to numerous Metro Detroit restaurants this year.
Here's a look at a few restaurants that closed in 2024, as well as what will replace some of the empty spaces:
(This list isn't exhaustive - just a snapshot of some big closures in the past 12 months. You can also find a list of eateries closing as the year ends here.)
The Rattlesnake Club - Detroit
The Rattlesnake Club, a restaurant open for 36 years in Detroit, closed in June.
According to the restaurant, the business struggled during the Covid pandemic and never fully recovered, leading to the decision to close.
"Changing patterns in dining habits, office occupancy and traffic have negatively impacted revenues since the Covid pandemic," said Mark Tuttle, the vice president and chief financial officer of the restaurant. "Private events, which had always been a pillar of the business, have not recovered."
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"It’s an example of the state of the industry at the moment," said Emily Daunt with the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association. "Michigan’s restaurant industry is really in a more precarious position."
Bobcat Bonnie's - Ypsilanti, Partridge Creek
Local restaurant chain Bobcat Bonnie's closed two locations this year. The Partridge Creek restaurant closed in August, while Ypsilanti closed in October. When the Ypsilanti location closed, Keystone, an arcade in the basement of the restaurant, also closed.
The closures come as the business works to shrink its footprint and focus more on the restaurants that remain open.
All other Bobcat locations are still open.
What's next?
According to Stewart Beal, an Ypsilanti-area landlord who owns multiple properties in and around downtown, two new concepts are coming to the shuttered Bobcat's building.
The proprietor of Moon Winks Cafe in Dixboro plans to open a cafe serving Italian and French cuisine on the main floor, while the basement will be a speakeasy featuring live jazz.
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"We feel Matt has done his part to make things right with the Ypsilanti staff, but we encourage him to continue working towards solutions to grievances raised in the petition delivered October 7th."
Pizza Cat - Detroit, Westland
Ohio-based chain Pizza Cat first opened in Michigan in 2022 when Pizza Cat Max moved into the former Ready Player One spot in Detroit.
The chain went on to open several carryout-only Pizza Cats in suburbs, including Westland.
Pizza Cat Max closed in March, while Pizza Cat Westland closed in December.
There is now a Pizza Cat Max in Ann Arbor, along with carryout locations in Madison Heights and Oak Park.
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Pizza Cat Max closing Detroit restaurant
The Detroit Pizza Cat Max location will close after this weekend, the restaurant chain announced Friday. The pizza restaurant near Greektown took over the former Ready Player One spot in 2022.
BD's Mongolian Grill - Dearborn
The BD's Mongolian Grill in Dearborn closed abruptly in March.
BD's opened the Dearborn location in 1998, followed by several dozen restaurants around the country. The only remaining Michigan locations include Sterling Heights, Flint, and Canton.
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Dearborn BD's Mongolian Grill closes
The BD's Mongolian Grill in Dearborn closed abruptly this week.
Capri Pizza - Southfield
After more than six decades of serving up pizzas, Southfield's Capri Pizza closed in early June.
A reason for the closure was not shared. New owners took over the pizza shop in April 2021.
After the closure was revealed in a Facebook post, fans recalled memories of working at the pizza shop when they were younger and eating Capri's food for years.
What's next?
The building is currently for sale.
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Southfield's Capri Pizza closing after this week
After more than six decades of serving up pizzas, Southfield's Capri Pizza is closing.
Bandit Tavern - Royal Oak
Less than a year after Royal Oak's Jolly Pumpkin was rebranded into a Southern-inspired restaurant called Bandit Tavern, the eatery closed.
Bandit, as well as Hideaway, a bar in the basement that had changing themes, also closed.
What's next?
The building is currently for sale.
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Bandit Tavern closes months after Jolly Pumpkin rebrand in Royal Oak
Less than a year after Royal Oak's Jolly Pumpkin was rebranded into a Southern-inspired restaurant called Bandit Tavern & Hideaway, the eatery has closed.
The Morrie - Royal Oak
Another restaurant on Royal Oak's Main Street also closed for good this year.
The Morrie shuttered over the summer as the building owner shifted his focus.
The spot wasn't empty for long. Blind Owl, a restaurant with a location in New Baltimore, opened shortly after the closure, bringing its international fusion dishes to Royal Oak.
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Arctic Circle Brewing Co. - Chesterfield
This Chesterfield brewery closed just before Christmas.
News of the closure was shared in early November, with the business citing financial struggles and a drop in patronage as reasons for closing.
Though Arctic Circle did not sell its own food, the brewery regularly hosted food trucks that would dish out lunch and dinner.
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Scout Vester - Ferndale
Scout Vester, a bar featuring pinball, closed abruptly in early December, months after opening in the former home of M-Brew.
A slump in sales led to the closure. According to the owner, there were hopes that sales would increase over Thanksgiving weekend, but it didn't happen, forcing the business to close for good.
What's next?
In the new year, 177 Vester St. will house a new concept from the owner of Syndicate Ferndale.
Dana Taucher, the owner of Syndicate Ferndale, which is across the street from Scout, plans to open a second restaurant in the space.
"While I can’t reveal too much about what’s coming to 177 Vester, I can promise that our new spot will offer an approachable menu and bar designed to fill the space that’s been missing in our city," Taucher wrote in a post announcing the new venture. "It will be a place where everyone feels welcome—a place to create new memories and connections, to enjoy great food, beverages and more!"
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A week after Scout Vester closed in Ferndale, a new bar and eatery is already preparing to take over the spot. The owner of Syndicate Ferndale is opening a new restaurant in the space.
Smugglers Run - Wyandotte
Smugglers Run, a tiki bar and event venue along the Detroit River, closed over the summer.
The venue was used for concerts, weddings, and more before it shut.
"Due to the current economic environment that we all face, Smugglers Run has made the very difficult decision to close and cease operations effective immediately," the business wrote in a post announcing the closure. "Over the last six-plus years we have met and provided entertainment for so many great people."
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Wyandotte's Smugglers Run tiki bar and music venue closes
Smugglers Run in Wyandotte closed abruptly. The music venue along the Detroit River announced the closure on social media.
Chicken Guy - Livonia
Guy Fieri's chain Chicken Guy closed in late June, about a year after opening.
The spot on Plymouth Road quickly became home to another chain chicken joint - Shaq's Big Chicken.
Chicken Guy has another location in Michigan; find it at Soaring Eagle Casino and Resort in Mount Pleasant.