8 Third Places in Detroit To Gather, Connect, and Socialize

Story by Marquette Nicole

Here are 8 third places that you are sure to enjoy with a crew, a party of two, or just you.

When trying to find new places to rendezvous with your crew, there can be lots of trial and error. Maybe you’ve been to a certain venue once, then twice, leaving with a sour taste in your mouth on both occasions. When you get invited to the same place for a third time, you may think “third time’s a charm,” but when you spend most of your life at home and at work, you deserve a third place that’s a charmer the first time around. Here are 8 third places that you are sure to enjoy with a crew, a party of two, or just you.

Group of friends enjoying an outdoor Detroit nightlife party with vibrant string lights and festive atmosphere
Featured Image
Credit: Amy Cooper

Riverside Park - 3085 W. Jefferson Avenue

As we approach seasons of warmer weather, let's start with one of my favorite places to spend time outdoors. Where West Jefferson Avenue meets 24th Street, Riverside Park sits fully equipped with a dog park, basketball courts and a skate park. Riverside Park attracts people from all walks of life to blow off steam surrounded by good vibrations. The biggest thing that draws me to Riverside Park, and perhaps its most charming feature is the view. Like the name suggests, Riverside sits right on the Detroit river, practically underneath the Ambassador Bridge that connects us to Windsor. There’s nothing like the view from under the bridge while it's lit up against the Detroit sky after sunset. Morning people, you can experience a sunrise with the Windsor skyline as your backdrop. Riverside Park is open 6am-10pm daily for you to get your dose of fresh air and Vitamin D.

Spot Lite Detroit - 2905 Beaufait Street #4

Credit: Amy Cooper

Spot Lite Detroit is one of the more unsuspecting spots in the city. Known mostly for their lit club nights, Spot Lite is also open at 10am Wednesday through Saturday for you to enjoy the space during its less busy hours. On top of good music and good drinks, Spot Lite serves as an art gallery with beautiful pieces scattered around the walls of the space. They also have a record shop next to the bar for you to peruse. The club has a great atmosphere for getting work done, whether it’s a class assignment or a project for work. Whenever I need to plan a quick last minute rendezvous with the homies, Spot Lite is one of the first spots we run to. I personally love to take advantage of Spot Lite’s empty dance floor to practice my moves for when the sun goes down and the night parties start.

The Schvitz - 8295 Oakland Avenue

In every list of Third Places, there should be at least one place dedicated to relaxation and rejuvenation. Sometimes the only thing that can fix you after a long, grueling day at work, or a weekend stuck suffocating in the house is a spa day. The Schvitz is the only bathhouse in the city of Detroit, and they are committed to facilitating a restorative experience that allows you to reset your mind and body as you detox from the stressors of society. Established in 1930, offering ancient heat therapies, holistic healing, The Schvitz continues its legacy today, providing those same services and holding space for Detroiters and our visitors to take full advantage of. Being a gem of the old world, The Schvitz is the perfect escape from today’s fast pace way of life. I ran into Kennedy H., a regular at the Schvitz and she said “The Schvitz has this very authentic feel to it. Nothing phony about it. It's almost like a watering ground, especially for women, with a foundation that caters to health and wellness.” If you’re like Kennedy, and like authentic spaces that pour into you, you’ve got to add The Schvitz to your rotation of Third Places.

Aretha's Jazz Café - 350 Madison Street

Tucked away in the cozy downstairs of Music Hall Detroit, Aretha’s Jazz Café is a quaint bar and concert venue that steals the hearts of those who enter. Aretha’s highlights some of Detroit’s best underground artists, offering a singular experience to those who pass through. The venue is intimate and allows folks to converse and connect with one another on a deeper level; and on show nights, the intimate space allows the gap between entertainers and their audience to close. This fosters a deeper sense of appreciation and respect between those who curate unforgettable nights and those who have the privilege of witnessing and imbibing them. I had the pleasure of speaking with Ted Nagy, the venue’s Programming Director, and I asked him “Why is it important that venues like Aretha’s Jazz Café focus on platforming local artists?”

Aretha’s Jazz Café is, at its core, a venue that welcomes all levels of musicianship and artistry into its walls. We feel it important that local artists have a place to express themselves and we are proud to provide that place. We hope that the conversations that happen between the audience and the performers at the Café branch out into the community and ultimately circle back into the Café for more conversations
Ted Nagy Programming Director

He responded, echoing my earlier sentiments. Even on nights with no shows booked, the bar is open for folks to pass through for a moment. As someone who has experienced Aretha’s Jazz Café from the stage, the crowd, and the bar on a quiet night, the cafe is one of the city's most sacred not-so-hidden gems that you need on your list.

Paramita Sound - 1517 Broadway Street

Any place that passes the vibe check in the daylight and afterdark is entitled to a priority spot on your list of Third Places. Paramita Sound is a record shop that doubles as a music venue that features different Artists and DJs from around the city. During the day, the store is a tranquil setting to do some combing for your next vinyl haul; during the night, it’s an energetic space where you can dance the night away. Nailah R., a Paramita regular, says the thing about Paramita that keeps her coming back is, “the rare records and long lasting memories.” Nailah continues, “It’s a place where me and my friends can chill out during the day, dance all night, and just overall have a good time.”

MOCAD Café - 4454 Woodward Avenue

MOCAD Café is a cafe bar and art museum featuring works from Detroit artists as well as national and international artwork. MOCAD offers both cafe and bar drinks in a visually stimulating environment. You can sit in their cafe and order something to sip on while you work or chat, and when you need a break to stretch your legs, you can take a walk around the museum to take a look at the exhibitions they have on display. You can even just stop in for a quick drink if that’s all you have time for, and the free parking makes trips to MOCAD all the more worth it.

Vesper Books and Wine - 5001 Grand River Avenue

One of the newest additions to the Detroit scene, Vesper Books and Wine is a bookstore and wine bar where folks can come to quench their thirst. Vesper specializes in cook and beverage books, so this is the perfect chance for you to find the next recipe to add to your arsenal. The laid back environment lends itself to different kinds of vibes; quick friend dates, solo study sessions, after hour work meetings, and anything else you may have in mind. The store has only been open since December 4th, 2024 and is already a popular date location for young couples. Vesper has wasted no time becoming a stand out destination in the city for locals and visitors.

The Congregation - 9321 Rosa Parks Boulevard

The Congregation is a coffee shop, bar and event space where Detroit residents and visitors alike congregate. See what I did there? Since 1924, the building has been a chapel housing one Christian congregation after the next. In 2020 the building was converted to a community space with some modern renovations, but having most of its historical charm preserved. I, myself, have spent several afternoons and evenings sipping a chai latte while enjoying the ambience. From meetings to solo dates, The Congregation is one of the cutest spots Detroit has to offer.

Save yourself the trouble and disappointment of searching all around the city for good spots for you and your homies. Check out these charming spots in Detroit and find the escape you deserve. And who knows? Maybe one of these will be your new favorite third place, and you don’t even have to thank me later.

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Author

Marquette Nicole