A new bar is coming to downtown Detroit in late summer that aims to feel like it’s always been there.
The concept at Ray’s, opening in Parker’s Alley as soon as September, is billed as a “hometown bar.” Partner and hospitality veteran Carlos Quirarte says there’s a distinct difference between an old dive bar and a true hometown bar, and a lot of it comes down to friendly service.
“It’s the feeling of familiarity,” he said, adding that the Ray’s in Detroit will be inspired by bars like the old Apex Bar in Detroit, Lindsay’s Tavern in Pittsfield, Illinois, or Bar Hemingway in Paris. “It’s just like this feeling of once you’re there … it’s like a hug.”
The Ray’s in Detroit will seat around 60 people with bar stools, a few booths and maybe a tucked-away nook or two. There’s also a space for private events.
We can expect the decor to be unflashy. Think wood paneling, checkerboard floors and nods to Detroit history, the city’s sports teams, celebrities and local stars. There will be a photo booth, too. A rendering showing what the bar may look like features Romeo Okwara’s framed Detroit Lions jersey — he and Quirarte are friends — and other Detroit sports imagery, plus vintage-looking booths and light fixtures.
“It will be unique to Detroit and it will be as Detroit as we can make it,” said Quirarte, who has a history with the Detroit brand Shinola.
The drink and food menu are still being sorted out, but Quirarte said there will be bar-friendly snacks and guests can expect to get a “proper” pint of Guinness, frozen drinks and “a great martini.”
The casual spot will be open daily with no reservations required.
“I tell people, you’re not a New Yorker after 10 years or after five years, you’re a New Yorker the moment you get off that plane and you’ve decided that’s where you want to be,” he said. “And I feel like Detroit is very much like that. They accepting anyone that’s coming to contribute to the community.”
The Detroit Ray’s is a partnership between Quirarte’s Authentic Hospitality group and NoHo Hospitality Group. The latter runs other downtown hot spots like San Morello and Evening Bar in the Shinola Hotel, Gilly’s Clubhouse and Saksey’s, plus others. Ray’s is shaping up to be a more casual spot than all of those bars.
The first Ray’s opened in Manhattan in 2019 and other Ray’s followed in Brooklyn and Miami.
Look for the Detroit Ray’s to open at 19 E. Grand River, just around the corner from San Morello in the Shinola Hotel, in early September.
mbaetens@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: New York bar Ray’s is opening a Detroit location
Reporting by Melody Baetens, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Melody Baetens, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
