12 Detroit spots to play games and drink when the weather sucks

By Metro Times editorial staff on Sat, Jan 13, 2018 at 12:05 am

Ah, Michigan. The weather is about as unpredictable as a newborn baby's sleep patterns, and often our carefully laid outdoor plans get cancelled with crappy conditions roll in.

Never fear, metro Detroit has a veritable host of indoor sporting venues that vary from lumberjack-style entertainment to vintage arcade gaming. The best part? You can also enjoy an adult beverage at each and everyone of these places.

Tags:

Scroll down to view images

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.
MT file photo

1 of 12

Pop+Offworld
128 Cadillac Sq., Detroit; 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.
Photo via MT file
2 of 12

The Hub Stadium
2550 Takata Dr., Auburn Hills; 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 banquet menu, so pizza parties and build-your-own taco bars are an option.
Photo via The Hub Stadium
3 of 12

Cadieux Cafe
4300 Cadieux Rd., Detroit; 313-882-8560
This Belgian-themed spot in a former speakeasy is home to mussels, feather bowling and plenty of dank Belgian beer. Proud to be the only home of feather bowling in the United States, 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 brew and dine on traditional Belgian favorites like steamed mussels and Belgian rabbit.
Photo via MT file
4 of 12

CJ Barrymore’s Family Entertainment Center
21750 Hall Rd., Charter Twp of Clinton; 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.
Photo via Trip Advisor
5 of 12

Dave & Buster’s
45511 Park Ave. Suite D, Utica; 586-930-1515 19375 Victor Pkwy., Livonia; 734-452-4600
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.
Photo via Dave & Buster’s
6 of 12

Detroit Axe
344 W. Nine Mile Rd., Ferndale; 248-291-565
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.
Photo via Detroit Axe Facebook
7 of 12

DK Beercade
36470 Jefferson Ave., Harrison Charter Township; 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 — check to see if your favorites are on their list!
Photo via Jobbie Crew
8 of 12

Lucky Strike
44320 12 Mile Rd. H-160, Novi; 248-374-3420
Unrelated to those cigarettes they smoke in old war movies, this upscale alley offers bowling with a sophisticated edge. It’s decked out in Hollywood-themed decor Dance and drink on the weekends when DJs come in to spice it up.
Photo from Lucky Strike
9 of 12

One Eyed Betty’s
175 W. Troy St., Ferndale; 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.
Photo via MT file
10 of 12

Punch Bowl Social
1331 Broadway St., Detroit; 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.
Photo via MT file
11 of 12

Ready Player One
407 E. Fort St., Detroit; 313-395-3300
The barcade 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 rising after a few drinks. Photo via Ready Player One
12 of 12

Related Slideshows

Arts & Culture

April indie movie roundup

There are a ton of low-budget, international, and just plain off-the-radar films coming out over the next few weeks, most of which…

By Jared Rasic, Last Word Features
Apr 8, 2025

5 slides

Arts & Culture

Everything we saw at Astronomicon 8 in Ypsi [PHOTOS]

Pop culture fans packed the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest for Astronomicon 8. Twiztid and Majik Ninja Entertainment hosted a…

By Josh Justice
Apr 6, 2025

64 slides

Arts & Culture

Estate sale of Noir Leather founder Keith Howarth releases more erotic artifacts [PHOTOS]

The estate sale of Keith Howarth has released even more objects from the collection of the Noir Leather founder, who ran the…

By Lee DeVito
Apr 3, 2025

219 slides

Arts & Culture

Detroit welcomes spring with its 2025 Marche du Nain Rouge parade [PHOTOS]

On the Sunday after the vernal equinox metro Detroiters welcome spring with its annual Marche du Nain Rouge parade. A tradition since…

By Lee DeVito
Mar 24, 2025

40 slides

More »

Trending in Arts & Culture

A play about the rise and fall of a Midwest mayor is back in the spotlight

By Jim McFarlin
Apr 8, 2025

Playground Detroit centers the ‘Female Gaze’ in women-only exhibition

By Randiah Camille Green
Apr 1, 2025

‘A Minecraft Movie’ is a cynical cash grab

By Jared Rasic, Last Word Features
Apr 9, 2025

This Week's Issue

Find Metro Times in Print

Subscribe to Metro Times Newsletters

Local Detroit

News & Views

Things to Do

Arts & Culture

Food & Drink

Music

Weed

Detroit in Pictures

More

Best Of Detroit

Detroit Guides

Submit an Event

Partner Corner

About Metrotimes

About Us

Advertise

Contact Us

Jobs

Staff

Big Lou Holdings, LLC

Cincinnati CityBeat

Detroit Metro Times

Louisville Leo Weekly

Sauce Magazine

Local Detroit

More

About Metrotimes

Big Lou Holdings, LLC

Bluesky

Facebook

X/Twitter

Threads

Instagram

Tiktok

Calendar Submission Guidelines

Freelance Guidelines

Privacy Policy

Terms & Conditions

All material © 2025 Detroit Metro Times, Ferndale, MI. All rights reserved.

Subscribe