  Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1396 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.61.187.234 |
I had to start a new thread about this. Cliff Bells (behind the Kales Building on Park Ave) is open for the Superbowl weekend, and you people need to get your slender, sexy asses down there. Tonight it was out of control with some of the best people in Detroit. It's only open for the weekend, then closed to finish up the restoration, and will reopen, uh, later. Some of the features and benefits of checking out Cliff Bells this weekend include: * No cover charge! * Drinking in a historic bar! * High calibre (e.g. octane) drinks! * Hardly any tacky tourists! * Some of the hottest guys I have seen in town since I moved here! * A gajillion forumers to chat with! * Sneak preview of what is destined to be one of the best bars in the CBD! * Supporting great Detroiters in a great endeavor! I could go on and on, but instead why don't you get yourself down there and see for yourself? You will not be disappointed. For real Detroiters, it is *the* place to be this weekend. | ||
Steelworker Member Username: Steelworker Post Number: 559 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 68.79.88.251 |
uhhhh any hot chicks he he he | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1398 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.61.187.234 |
Hey Steelworker, sure there were. I was kind of putting that part in for a laugh (well, it's true, but downtown crowds in general are a lot more attractive this weekend). | ||
Matt Member Username: Matt Post Number: 978 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.136.149.90 |
Yes, there certainly were a lot of hot guys there... and it seemed like a lot of them were looking our way. lol | ||
Itsjeff Member Username: Itsjeff Post Number: 5482 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.42.168.211 |
It was because of the dresses. | ||
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit Post Number: 2043 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 68.40.173.250 |
Matt - Hmmmm were you checking me out hahaha Yes it was a fun time! The place was full of Detroiters. Fun time! It will be a very cool place when it opens. | ||
Matt Member Username: Matt Post Number: 979 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.136.149.90 |
If you are hot, ILD, I probably was. lol | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2363 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 208.54.94.97 |
@ CB's now...no line, no cover, standing room only but not stuffy, a ton of Steeler fans, decent prices. | ||
Leland_palmer Member Username: Leland_palmer Post Number: 180 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 68.85.145.81 |
 | ||
Shark Member Username: Shark Post Number: 182 Registered: 12-2003 Posted From: 68.255.74.55 |
That is sharp looking! | ||
Michael Member Username: Michael Post Number: 706 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.73.7.253 |
I can't wait to see it when the finishing touches are added. | ||
Wilus1mj Member Username: Wilus1mj Post Number: 26 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 67.149.62.53 |
Someone was saying when I was there earlier, it was only a temporary bar for Super Bowl. | ||
Quinn Member Username: Quinn Post Number: 666 Registered: 01-2005 Posted From: 68.42.170.20 |
It felt like a temporary bar to me, but I'll hold out hope. I didn't remember the front of the bar looking that cool (of course it was night and I was shitfaced). Very cool crowd though and we had a great time. | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1405 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.61.187.234 |
It's open temporarily for SuperBowl, but it's not a temporary bar. As mentioned above, it is open for the weekend, then closing to finish work on the inside. Hope you all had fun there tonight! | ||
Dan Member Username: Dan Post Number: 1175 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.47.194.247 |
I loved CB's. I sat right up by the band, enjoyed some great music. I can't wait for it to be open all the time. My one criticism, and I will be kind since it was their second night open, was the bar staff. I waited 20 minutes (twice) to get drinks, and they did not appear overwhelmed. The bar staff didn't even acknowledge me; they kept the gaze to the floor. I am pretty sure they are not new; I recognize at least one of them from the Bronx (I think). That combined 40 minutes of waiting was enough to irritate me, but once the music kicked in I was happy. I strongly recommend checking it out. The bar issues I am sure will be worked out in time. CB’s is a wonderful addition to downtown. | ||
Steelworker Member Username: Steelworker Post Number: 560 Registered: 02-2004 Posted From: 68.79.88.251 |
uhhh i was there tonight actually on accident and talked to some very attractive women from pittsburgh and from grossepointe. I liked the place. | ||
Barnesfoto Member Username: Barnesfoto Post Number: 1675 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 66.2.148.123 |
I last saw it months ago when they had just started the gutting... This place rocks. It was closed for 25 years, but somehow, they kept the roof fixed so there's still lots of old 1930's mahogany shimmering in the low light. I could picture my great uncle, who used to stay at the Tuller, sitting at the bar 40 years ago. If you want quicker service, slither around the back of the bar, they have a cooler with a couple of ale choices. It took me all of 30 seconds to get served. If it's a cocktail that your wanting, get in line. CB was one of 3 places we hit last night, and it was the best. The worst: The lobby of the Pontch, which had a crowd of folks gathered around the piano singing to Billy Joel songs. It was like TGI Fridays on mushrooms. | ||
Leob Member Username: Leob Post Number: 22 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.192.32.249 |
What an amazing restoration !!  | ||
Leob Member Username: Leob Post Number: 23 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.192.32.249 |
They are missing the Original Cafe' and Bar signs tho !! | ||
Eric_c Member Username: Eric_c Post Number: 638 Registered: 11-2003 Posted From: 69.220.224.157 |
Looks like it was originally just "Cliff Bell", now it's "Cliff Bell's". I'll take it, though! | ||
Michael Member Username: Michael Post Number: 707 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 67.38.16.126 |
The speak easy in the basement was Cliff Bell's, as noted by the mosaic down there, and the speak easy superceded the nightclub, so... | ||
Toolbox Member Username: Toolbox Post Number: 834 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.14.125.129 |
The Mosaic from the basement.  | ||
Wmuchris Member Username: Wmuchris Post Number: 185 Registered: 06-2005 Posted From: 69.51.137.10 |
I was there last night. Great time, the band rocked and the ladies all looked nice. We rushed the stage and danced all nigt. I hope that place stays open all the time | ||
Leland_palmer Member Username: Leland_palmer Post Number: 181 Registered: 08-2004 Posted From: 68.85.145.81 |
Here's the before for my after  | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2371 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
Last night.  | ||
Mikem Member Username: Mikem Post Number: 2372 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.43.15.105 |
Look for the yellow sign:  | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 824 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 198.208.159.18 |
I was there last night for the last quarter of the game and some of the post game festivities....the place is amazing! can't wait to see it finished, too bad it'll probably be far too "upscale" (read shiney shirts and martini's) for me | ||
Rustic Member Username: Rustic Post Number: 2022 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 130.132.177.245 |
Glad to see Cliff Bell's resurrected, from what I understand it was an old tyme Detroit institution. This would been before my time tho ... I THINK that place for years usedta be an after-hours joint popular with some DPD honchos and midlevel city employees. Unless I'm mistaken this went on for years and years AFTER it closed as a regular bar. It was really weird to go to what was basicly a run of the mill after hours joint (canned beer, Jamesons, well liquor MAYBE JW red or Dewars if ya wanna get fancy) and see it packed with that sorta clientelle. It might not have even had a working restroom (or maybe you had to go down the basement or something I forget)! Anyway it was one thing to see those kinds of people in a Berts or Pinkies where there is entertainment and atmophere OR it was another thing to go to some bare bones shady after hours joint fulla musicians, waiters, addicts and other hilifers OR it is another thing to go to some sleepy neighborhood recroom-style afterhours club tucked away deep inside some neighborhood miles from the CBD ... but this one offered a really odd juxtaposition. Yay Detroit! | ||
E_hemingway Member Username: E_hemingway Post Number: 478 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.42.176.123 |
Was there Saturday night. Awesome place. The inside is truly unique. The outside really draws you to it. It reminds me of one of those places where you have to know someone to know about it. Tucked away but not hidden. I can't wait until it's finished. Just an idea, but maybe some sort of plaque or small sign outside explaining its history as a speakeasy can be put up. Just knowing that would draw people in who are passing by to at least check the inside out. | ||
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit Post Number: 2050 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 63.149.5.130 |
I am with you Hemingway...we stumbled (literally) into it on Friday and really enjoyed ourselves - the ceiling in there is amazing. Someone said it is copper and bronze mix? Whatever it is it is beautiful. | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 829 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 198.208.159.18 |
its some kind of gold leaf...it just has a dark patina on it from age, and i assume lots of cigarette/cigar smoke. There is an area just above the entry area where they cleaned part of it off... | ||
Ilovedetroit Member Username: Ilovedetroit Post Number: 2051 Registered: 02-2005 Posted From: 63.149.5.130 |
Gravity - Are you an owner or invested in the place? Just curious. If so I think I met you on Friday. | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 831 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 198.208.159.18 |
No. I just talked to one of the owners (name starts with a "P") last night about it  ...he's probably who you spoke with as well I imagine | ||
Sharmaal Member Username: Sharmaal Post Number: 692 Registered: 09-2004 Posted From: 136.2.1.103 |
Same folks that own the Traffic Jam. That couple also owns (part) of the Bronx. Thanks to Sean and his Pops of the Town Pump. That strip is going to blow up! | ||
Michael Member Username: Michael Post Number: 708 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.74.4.30 |
The ceiling isn't gold leaf, that's for sure. It is either copper or bronze, but definitely a leaf. Above the entrance, that spherical shape was painted gold with the red on the vertical wall. | ||
Dialh4hipster Member Username: Dialh4hipster Post Number: 1409 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 68.61.187.234 |
It's true, it can't be gold. Gold is an inert metal, it does not patina. It also isn't copper, because copper oxidizes to green. Bronze seems like a good guess, but who knows? | ||
Psip Member Username: Psip Post Number: 1024 Registered: 04-2005 Posted From: 69.246.13.131 |
It may have been silver leaf, that will retain its metalic color and look gold with the smoke residue. | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 833 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 198.208.159.18 |
thanks for the chemisty lesson dial4 .... I only said gold because the clean spot that was pointed out to me was extremely bright, maybe gold doesn't describe the material accurately, but it is the best description of the color that I can come up with... | ||
Michael Member Username: Michael Post Number: 709 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 68.74.4.30 |
Well, quoting from the advertisement above, "Charles N. Agree, Detroit architect, made the outside of the Cliff Bell Bar of Haskelite Mahogany plywood and bronze. Small windows light dining alcoves within." So, my vote goes for a bronze/brass leaf. Also, note how the original nightclub/bar/restaurant only occupied 2/5's of the building. They later expanded South toward Adams, adding 50% more room. BTW, how jealous am I that grandpa was able to get 1" thick, 5' wide by 12' tall, sheets of mahogany plywood. Actually, it was probably great grandpa or great, great grandpa, but anyways. Sheesh, if only we could get that stuff now a days. | ||
Gravitymachine Member Username: Gravitymachine Post Number: 834 Registered: 05-2005 Posted From: 198.208.159.18 |
brass does seem about right now that you mention it. some of those bygone building materials are crazy...its hard to imagine a time when they were merely ordinary | ||
Leob Member Username: Leob Post Number: 24 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 24.192.32.249 |
I think a lot of Mahogany comes from Africa now. The civilized world nearly decimated the mahogany crops in Honduras and the Phillipines in the 20th Century. Michael, that photo was not an advertisement. It's from an Architectural digest in Agree's papers at the Detroit Library /Burton collection. I'd like to stop in and take some photos for my Agree Mini-bio web page: http://www.thegrandeballroom.c om/CharlesAgree.html | ||
Llyn Member Username: Llyn Post Number: 1410 Registered: 06-2004 Posted From: 68.61.197.206 |
It doesn't look like CB's takes up the entire building. Anyone know what else is going in there? | ||
Track75 Member Username: Track75 Post Number: 2214 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 12.75.19.120 |
The wood inside the bar looks gorgeous. It reminds me of the Redwood Room at the Clift in SF. Very nice. | ||
Wpitonya Member Username: Wpitonya Post Number: 21 Registered: 08-2005 Posted From: 153.9.84.55 |
I was at Cliff Bell's Friday, Saturday, and Sunday...what a great place, and I'm glad I can say later "I was here when this wasn't even done!" Go DETROIT | ||
Fury13 Member Username: Fury13 Post Number: 878 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 69.222.11.226 |
When will Cliff Bell's reopen, does anyone know? Looks like a great place. | ||
Sharmaal Member Username: Sharmaal Post Number: 694 Registered: 09-2004 Posted From: 136.2.1.103 |
30 days or so according to the builder. I spoke to him on Saturday night. |
