The Scene

Live Jazz. Dinner. Classic Cocktails. There is only one Cliff Bell’s.

A man tips his fedora to the doorman as he leads his wife, dressed in a backless evening gown, out of the humid summer night and into the refreshing air-conditioned club.  Inside a bartender wipes the mahogany bar as a group of businessmen debate options to resolve the current economic crisis, while a couple in a corner booth discuss the president’s upcoming reelection bid.   As the man takes his seat across from his wife at their table adorned by single white flower the bandleader introduces the first song of the night, a house rendition of Gershwin’s newly released song ”Summertime.”  This is Detroit.  The year is 1935.

Photo Credit: Elizabeth Gorman

The Detroit hot spot once again features a lavish, art-deco interior, classic drinks, and French-inspired lunch and dinner menus.  Discover this cultural gem for yourself during one of our nightly jazz sets, Sunday brunch, daily lunches, or our popular happy hour Tuesday through Friday.

“Entering Cliff Bell’s is like walking onto the set of a Fred Astaire film”

- The New York Times