Winter is fun for the first week or so after that you're left with icy roads and bone-chilling weather, and things quickly get annoying. In these frigid temperatures, any heated building is a sweet respite from freezing precipitation and bitter winds. If they happen to also include arcade games and drinks, then maybe being stuck indoors for four straight months isn't so bad. Here are 12 indoor entertainment venues to escape this weather.
Fowling Warehouse
3901 Christopher St., Hamtramck; fowlingwarehouse.com; 313-264-1288
This Hamtramck hotspot combines two of America's favorite sports — bowling and football — into one casual group party game. Whether you're looking to walk in and start throwing or want to book a large party, Fowling Warehouse has lanes available to try out this new indoor sporting trend. The Gamer's Gallery, a second floor footpool venue, also recently opened at the warehouse. Never heard of footpool? It's a game that combines billiards and soccer and it's been gaining steam around the world.
The Hub Stadium
2550 Takata Dr., Auburn Hills;
thehubstadium.com; 248-364-4000
Metro Detroit's newest "home for urban bombowling" opened in late 2016 at the site of the old Big Buck Brewery in Auburn Hills. High ceilings and plenty of room for gaming make this location a great place to throw around the ol' pigskin in the comfort of an indoor facility. The venue boasts 16 fowling alley lanes, plus ping pong and axe throwing, making it an ideal spot for a large group outing. There's also a banquet menu, so pizza parties and build-your-own taco bars are an option.
Detroit Axe
344 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; facebook.com/DetroitAxe;
248-291-5650
If you fancy yourself a strong thrower, try Detroit Axe for lumberjack-inspired fun. Opening after 5 p.m., this is a great spot to schedule an afterwork get-together for everyone to blow off some steam and smash wood together. Walk-ins are available at $20 for up to six people — a cheap destination for an evening out with your pals when the weather isn't cooperating.
Ready Player One
407 E. Fort St., Detroit; rpodetroit.com; 313-395-3300
The bar arcade trend has reached Detroit in the form of Ready Player One, which opened in late 2017. When the temperatures are down, bring your friends here to lift their spirits with comfort food, video game-inspired cocktails, and more than 40 classic arcade and pinball game machines. Guests may find their skill in games like Rampage, Ms. Pac-Man, and NBA Jam after a few drinks.
Pop + Offworld
128 Cadillac Sq., Detroit; poppizzabar.com; 313-961-9249
Located in a renovated space above Checker Bar, this space is a partnership between Offworld Arcade and Pop, a pop-up venue that hosts art shows, culinary events, and more. Now, a beautiful marriage of drinks, live entertainment, pizza, and arcade games exists for guests to enjoy seven days a week. More than a dozen different types of New York-style pizzas — "Pizza you would make if you were 17 and stoned," according to their website — are on the menu, available in slices or whole pies.
Punch Bowl Social
1331 Broadway St., Detroit; punchbowlsocial.com; 313-749-9738
Conveniently located between Greektown and Downtown, Punch Bowl Social combines newer craft cocktails with old-school bar games. This bar houses everything from billiards to bowling and shuffleboard to the original Simpsons arcade game, so come ready to compete for bragging rights — or just to relax over a friendly game. If you're looking for an early start, try Punch Bowl Social on Saturday and Sundays for their mouth-watering brunch menu.
CJ Barrymore's Family Entertainment Center
21750 Hall Rd., Charter Twp. of Clinton; cjbarrymores.com; 586-469-2800
This Macomb County mecca of all things entertainment houses plenty of indoor activities for those days when the weather outside really is frightful. Bowling, bumper cars, an arcade, laser tag, and miniature bowling are all here and under one roof. Bring your clubs and hit the golf dome to keep your swing in shape year-round.
Dave & Buster's
45511 Park Ave. Suite D, Utica;
586-930-1515
19375 Victor Pkwy., Livonia;
734-452-4600; daveandbusters.com
Let's just call Dave & Buster's what it really is: Chuck E. Cheese's for adults. With their famous appetizers — including their unbeatable beer-batter onion rings — and a plethora of drinks to choose from, there's no reason to ever leave. Convert your hard-earned cash into tokens while enjoying a wide range of arcade games — throw it back old-school with a round or two of skee-ball and Pac-Man, or venture into an apocalyptic future with Zombie Snatcher. Come in on Wednesdays for their half-off deal from open to close.
DK Beercade
36470 Jefferson Ave., Harrison Charter Twp.; terrystime.com/beercade; 586-463-8258
Located inside of Terry's Terrace, this is a cozy room to kick back with friends with a drink in one hand and a joystick in the other. This beercade's walls are lined with vintage arcade games, all listed on their website.
One Eyed Betty's
175 W. Troy St., Ferndale; oneeyedbettys.com; 248-808-6633
If you're in the mood for pinball, One-Eyed Betty's is the place to go. Located in downtown Ferndale, you're within walking distance of the shopping district and entertainment venues like the Magic Bag and the Loving Touch. Pop over to this restaurant and bar for a burger, a glass of whiskey, and a game of pinball before a show.
Lucky Strike
44320 12 Mile Rd. H-160, Novi; bowlluckystrike.com/locations/novi; 248-374-3420
Unrelated to those cigarettes they smoke in old war movies, this upscale alley offers bowling with a sophisticated edge, as it's decked out in Hollywood-themed decor Dance and drink on the weekends when DJs come in to spice it up.
Cadieux Cafe
4300 Cadieux Rd., Detroit; cadieuxcafe.com; 313-882-8560
This Belgian-themed spot in a former speakeasy is home to mussels, feather bowling, and plenty of dank Belgian beer. Cadieux Cafe has preserved an old Belgian game — similar to horseshoes and Bocce — for Detroiters to enjoy. Bring your friends here to play, drink Belgian brews, and dine on traditional Belgian favorites like steamed mussels and Belgian rabbit.
