A JOURNAL BY SHINOLA DEDICATED TO JOY OF CRAFT

Detroit’s Summer Splendor: A Quintessential Guide

BY Ashley N. Littles

A guide to Metro Detroit's summer destination

Detroit’s diverse festival lineup, including the Motown Summer Festival, Arts Beats & Eats, the Taste of Detroit, and more, all showcase the city’s vibrant fusion of culinary, musical, and artistic cultures.

FESTIVAL SPECTRUM

Detroit’s diverse festival lineup, including the
Motown Summer Festival, Arts Beats & Eats, the
Taste of Detroit, and more, all showcase the
city’s vibrant fusion of culinary, musical,
and artistic cultures  

Royal Oak Pride (August 4-5)

Port Sanilac Blues Festival (August 4-5) 

Blues, Brews, and Barbecue (August 5)

Sidewalk Festival 2023 Lush/Sanctuary
(July 29 – August 5) 

Woodward Dream Cruise (August 19)

Arts, Beats & Eats 2023 (Sept 1-4) 

Detroit Jazz Festival (September 1-4)

Dally in the Alley (September 9)




DINING DEBUTS  

Our ever-evolving food scene offers fresh and unexpected culinary adventures. Explore this list
of newly opened finds.  

Brine Oyster House | Grosse Pointe Park  

Chamberlain Hospitality unveils its third
endeavor, Brine Oyster House, a ‘tide-to-table’
culinary experience spanning 3,800 square feet.
The establishment offers a customizable raw bar,
diverse main courses, and desserts paired with
a carefully selected assortment of curated
cocktails, beer, champagne, and wine that
accentuate seafood fare.  

Mezcal | Midtown Detroit  

Mezcal Mexican Grill debuts its second
establishment in Midtown Detroit, providing
a spectrum of Mexican dishes, including tacos, quesadillas, tortas, and enchiladas. The
dessert menu features decadent treats like flan,
tres leches, and cheesecakes. The restaurant
at 4424 Woodward Avenue accommodates
both dine-in and takeout.  

Ash—Bar | Detroit  

 A new dining destination located on the
second level of the Siren Hotel in downtown
Detroit, Ash—Bar Detroit offers a European-inspired menu available for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
every day of the week, such as steak frites,
Croque Forester, and cheeseburger with
cafe de Paris sauce. They’re open for breakfast,
lunch, and dinner seven days a week.  

Table No. 2 | Detroit   

A fine dining restaurant has reopened in
Greektown after closing in 2020 due to the
pandemic. The restaurant is led by chef Omar
Mitchell, who owns Imaginate in Royal Oak.
The menu features light starters like white
truffle popcorn or sharable meatballs and
entrees like ahi tuna with noodles, short ribs,
or duck served with mashed root vegetables.  

Downtown Street Eats Food Truck Lineup  

Detroit’s weekly food truck event offers a
revolving selection of novel and classic food
options from food trucks, carts, and local
pop-ups. This year’s assortment is available
on weekdays and special events through
fall and caters to a diverse palate.  

Mad Nice | Detroit    

A new restaurant in Midtown Detroit that
offers an unexpected, modern Italian menu
with a coastal California twist. The restaurant
features a bright and airy interior with coastal
chic decor and mid-century design, and the
menu features dishes such as grilled octopus
with fennel and orange, roasted branzino
with lemon and capers, fire-roasted pizzas,
and fusion craft cocktails. 

Salt + Ko | Southfield  

Salt + Ko is an American gastropub that
offers a menu of American classics with a
twist made with fresh ingredients. The
minimalist design and friendly service create
a chic and inviting atmosphere, with craft
cocktails and live entertainment. Salt + Ko
is the perfect setting for a brunch party,
special event, or casual meal with friends
or family.

 

CONCERT CIRCUIT

Detroit is a coveted destination for summer tours. This list of upcoming performances from artists as varied as Elton John, Luke Bryan, and The Weeknd each adds a unique note to the city’s symphony of summer.    

Comerica Park Lineup

P!nk (August 16)

The Fillmore Lineup

The Flaming Lips (August 2)  

Mt. Joy (August 5)  

The National (August 7)  

Daniel Caesar (August 30)  

The Breeders (September 9)

Fox Theatre Lineup

Smokey Robinson (August 5) 

Soundboard Detroit Lineup

Blackberry Smoke (August 3)  

The Whispers (August 6)  

Daughtry (August 12)  

Matt Fraser (August 13)  

Gavin DeGraw (August 18)  

Freddie Jackson and Regina Belle (September 17)

Ford Field Lineup

WWE Summerslam (August 5)  

Elton John (August 11)  

Luke Bryan (August 18)  

The Weeknd (August 25)  

Hans Zimmer (September 1)  

Blackpink (September 4)

The Aretha Franklin Amphitheater Lineup

D-NICE Club Quarantine LIVE (August 5)  

PJ Morton, Charity, & DJ ArieSpins (August 16)  

Maze feat. Frankie Beverly, and El DeBarge (August 19)  

Jeffrey Osborne & Stephanie Mills (August 25)  

Boyz II Men, Joe & Shanice (September 3)

Little Caesars Arena Lineup

LL Cool J, The Roots & Ice-T (August 18)  

Barry Manilow (August 22)  

Jonas Brothers (August 24)  

Greta Van Fleet & Surf Curse (September 8)  

Dave Chappelle (September 9)  

Duran Duran, Nile Rodgers & Bastille (September 16)  

Aerosmith & The Black Crowes (September 18)

Meadow Brook Amphitheater Lineup

The Beach Boys (August 20)  

The Pineknob Music Theatre Lineup

Boy George and Culture Club (August 4)  

Nickelback (August 13)  

Pentatonix (September 3)  

Rob Zombie And Alice Cooper (September 5)  

Jason Aldean “Highway Desperado Tour” (September 8)  

Here’s to a summer rich with exploration and discovery — an ode to Detroit’s dynamism. Beneath the azure summer skies, you’ll find not just destinations but a journey that is undeniably, authentically Detroit. 

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