Cliff Bells in Detroit
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Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan, US
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Site: http://www.cliffbells.com/
- Monday:Closed
- Tuesday:Closed
- Wednesday:5–11PM
- Thursday:5–11PM
- Friday:5PM–12AM
- Saturday:5PM–12AM
- Sunday:5–11PM
I love the full experience here. Cliff Bells books the best talent to remind us Detroit is a jazz city. The interior is so pretty not to mention the acoustics. Food and drinks here are phenomenal. Wait staff is super friendly! No need to check out the band before hand just go to the show to have an unforgettable experience.
The music was amazing....The food or drinks werent the best tho. The table had a wedge salads. It was bland..typically the dressing makes it delicious, but it was bad. And it cost $13 and it was bad. Truffle fries delicious. Angus burger wasnt good either. You should start with a hand patted burger salt and pepper at a minimum. And try a full piece of cheese. And the Belle Blossom cocktail needs some alcohol. Tasted like grapefruit juice and it supposed to be pear juice, vodka and some other things. So not worth $15. Go for the music. NOT the food.
Phenomenal food and music, questionable service. My girlfriend took me for by birthday and it was quite the experience. The music and food were outstanding, but the service was pretty bad. It took forever to get water and a homeless man walked up behind me while I was eating and began to yell and spit in my face and all over my food. After they finally got him out, management and didn’t say a word to us. They checked on the trio of white gentleman right next to us, but never spoke a word to us. It ruined the night and my outlook on this place overall.
I gave Cliff Bells a two because its a good place ro sit back, relax and listen to jazz. As well as the ambiance. My draw backs is the food and how they change the menu prices. Prior to going I had viewed the menu online to be shocked to see the prices were doubled when we visited. The food was horrible and when we inquire about the menu prices we were told that they change their prices at will. To me this is a bad business practice.
Very cool show... My girlfriend and I went to a show to see Ben Sharkey. He is very talented and enjoyed his set. This was the highlight of the evening. The rest of my experience wasnt that great.The food was sub par at best and highly overpriced. Old outdated menu with lackluster effort put into it. If I were to guess the last time it was updated was in the late 70s, early 80s. The drink selection isnt the best either. I feel like the offerings need to be updated and given a more modern twist. The case would be different said offerings were done classically.... the truth is its slopped onto a plate.The venue is cool, but definitely could use some updating. I get that part of the charm is the building being old but the place is literally falling apart. The toilet in the mens restroom has a leaky toilet. The toilet water was all over the floor so I opted to use the unisex rest room.Paint from the ceiling above the stage was cracked and falling onto the floor. Carpet stained, our table was wobbly. The service staff seemed like they knew what they were doing. Except its the same old story just like every where else. Understaffed, underpaid under appreciated. Wash rinse repeat.I work in the F&B industry. I would be pretty embarrassed to work at this place. If they made a few small changes and took care of the building they would be amazed on how quickly things would change for the better for them. I truly wish them luck in the future. I would really love to see this venue be super successful.
Horrible service! I stood at the door for 10 minutes not one hostess looked upyo acknowledge me. I finally had to say i seems party may I go sit. They never came to check our coats after we asked them to. Staff was extremely rude. We sat for 45 minutes no one acknowledged us when I was ordering my drink the server walked away from me mid sentence. We ordered and never received our food. We left in the middle of the performance after waiting 2hrs and not receiving anything other than one drink and an appetizer. I will not be returning.
Went to celebrate a birthday for someone and it was their first time visiting and sadly it did not end well. The food was great and our server, Alandria, was very friendly. Some how a deranged man was able to enter the restaurant and harass patrons for money. As we were eating, this man walked right to our table SPITTING everywhere as food was being consumed and practically demanded money. He then proceeded to do the same thing at other nearby tables. It took a few minutes and multiple people to finally get him out of the restaurant. I understand things happen but what made this experience even more frustrating was how the white manager ONLY checked on the white patrons who had been harassed by this man. My party observed this and was not once approached by any member of the staff.We immediately asked for the $200+ bill and left. Would not recommend to people of color.(2-17-22) Just look at the response from Paul. No apology or anything. Just straight on the defense because they have been called out. I was there, I dont need to review the tape. Anyway, I would encourage ALL to spend your dollars elsewhere. Dirty Dog Jazz cafe in Grosse Pointe is a better option. Better experience, competent management and they actually dust the place.
Cliff Bells has a nice environment and draws a classy crowd.The service was excellent, everyone was working hard.However, the food here is not good. Nothing we ordered could compare to what Id make at home, to be fair I am a chef. The calamari was underbattered and overly salty, with way too much dipping sauce on the side- it couldnt have possibly been scratch made. The Oysters Rockefeller was good, but I know I was eating frozen spinach. We reluctantly ordered dinner since we had an hour before the live music began; chicken ballontin for me and my husband the NY strip. The presentation was nice- very old school. The chicken was good but the cabbage & new potatoes were undercooked, both times that I received them, the cabbage was so hard it hurt my teeth. For the money we paid it was so disappointing, I couldve fed my family a better meal for the price. My husbands steak was not hot. I suggested mac &cheese as a replacement; our waitress said she couldnt because it was a price difference- one should never assume bc we wouldve paid the upcharge to have an enjoyable meal. We were offered dessert to make up for the unsatisfactory meal, even that was bad- the highest priced dessert was a dry bread pudding with hard raisins. The drinks are not spectacular either- served in outdated barware. Sadly I could not recommend Cliff Bells.
Walking into this bar felt like stepping into a bygone era. The interiors and beautifully restored to their former glory. The lighting, art work and furniture are all stunning. The staff were friendly, attentive and service was swift with old world charm. The cocktail menu is extensive and the drinks we had were delicious. There was light jazz with beautiful sounds being playing in the background. It was great for an after dinner drink like we had but looks like it would be stunning for dinner too. I hope to return again in the future. Really glad we stumbled across this gem.
We had a great evening at Cliff Bells, atmosphere was what you would expect for an old school jazz club. What you dont expect is great food. We went to see our son play with his HS jazz band and decide to make a dinner date out of it. The food was awesome. I had the filet, it was tender, seasoned right and cooked perfectly. We stayed a little after my son played to hear the band and we couldnt have had a better evening.
We went out for a Detroit Prohibition Tour, which started out at Cliff Bell’s. I’d never been there, so it made sense to all meet for dinner before our tour began. Loved the music, the “feel” of the place, and the food. Mac n cheese was very good, but the duck wings were my favorite! Will definitely be back!
Always love coming here. The performances are always top notch. My only complaint is the placement of one of the bathrooms. One of the bathrooms requires you to walk on the stage... It SUCKS to see quality entertainment and someone rudely walking on the actual stage the performers are on. Extremely happy with ething else, tho.
I really enjoyed the entertainment and food every time I have been to cliff bells, up until recently they changed there whole food menu and the food that I ordered was very disgusting. I ordered chicken dumplings and cheese tray. The chicken dumplings had chicken bones in it and taste like it was reheated and the cheese tasted very old. It probably will be a good idea to get a better chef because the food is not good enough for the price.
After reading the food reviews, I almost didn’t go here, but my date wanted to try it, so we had dinner last night. I was skeptical about the food, so I only ordered a burger. The burger was good, but was done medium rare, which may not be to everyone’s liking. I wasn’t asked how I wanted it done, so I assumed it would be medium, but it was pretty red. We split the deviled eggs, which were amazing and I had a wedge salad. For a $14 wedge salad, I would have liked a little more blue cheese, bacon and dressing. There was very little with the lettuce. My date had the squash which I tried and it was very good. Overall, it was much better than I was expecting, and I would go back. I’d give it 4.5 stars if I could.
Fascinating jazz bar with a long history in Detroit. The owner came over and gave us the background on the bar, the different owners, and the long effort to restore it to its former glory. Beautiful inside, with the atmosphere of the long-ago elegant supper clubs. Their food is wonderful and the jazz bands are fun to listen to.
Iconic, Jazz Club, Cliff Bells is a Gem when it comes to PureJazz in Detroit. Its Classic, Comfortable and Elegant atmosphere place you in the Mood for Jazz.And, Classic Jazz... is what you Get! Dont Sleep on CLIFF BELLS! It playing the Jazz that makes Detroit, JAZZY!Reserve a Seat!Hard Money Guye
The band was great. However, my steak was tough and all of the food portions were small. I sent steak back and got a hamburger. They couldnt make a decent cocktail. The server had no personality. I spent $250 plus parking for a party of three for dinner and the show. Not worth it.
Great service from Our waitress and good tasting cocktails .Food unfortunately is one star, $35 for scallops and you receive 3 small scallops with a lil bit of a sauce, maybe good enough for appetizer not a main course. Chicken dish unfortunately dry, carrots were definitely not fresh. I have to say I travel a lot and been to many great and / or good restaurants all around US , some Canada , central and Eastern Europe. Food was simply disappointing at cliff bells
Hated it! The drinks were awesome. But the $16 burger was trash. Tasted like a frozen patty. The $50 New York strip looked like it was microwaved. No sear at all and my boy said it tasted like someone squeezed an entire lemon on it. My buddys wife ordered a salad and they never even brought it. To top it off the waitress was absolutely terrible and rude.
This place has a great atmosphere and the live music make you feel like you are at home listening to an actually record! The service is impeccable and the drinks and food are immaculate. When you go there bring great company and you will have an experience not an outing!
I hate to only give this place a three star rating because its an institution in Detroit but I have to be honest. The food is over priced and not worth what they charge. We ordered the risotto and it was under cooked, we sent it back and then it came out pasty. It is a really nice place and if the food was better or more appropriately priced I would give them a five star rating.
Vintage atmosphere in a classy little jazz club. Food is high end of the taste scale, prices are upper middle end of the scale. Service is good but not great - they try hard and are nice. I especially like the bar here it blends so well with the rest of the decor. You might have a little trouble finding Cliffs, but just remember that it is behind the Filmore/Fox.
Poor experience. Door staff accused my party of peeing on the floor when we cleaned the restroom before we used it. Tissue and droplets were on the floor upon entering. Door staff and only what I can assume is management were facetious and argumentative. Zero stars. I never will return nor encourage others to patronize.
Went here on a Saturday night for a drink. I sat at the bar and had a great view of the live jazz music on stage. The beer menu was above my expectations. I did not eat but from the looks of the menu the food would be expected to be top notch. All in all this place has a great atmosphere and defiantly worth the time to check out.
Just went here yesterday November 27,2021 this place still looks really nice inside. However the food is terrible I wish I could picked the stars just for the Entertainment. But it doesnt work like that the menu is very limited and what they had was awful. The food came out fast however the oyster was not good no salt. They were so small and the mussels were like the ones you get in the frozen bag with the garlic butter and lemon juice tasted as they were sitting there all day and night they had a funky taste to them and smell. The and the calamari was not seasoned at all and the dipping sauce like eating chunks of garlic no taste ar all. If you are going for the Entertainment eat before you go. Thank you
Great environment, good food and great music. I really didn’t know what to expect coming here for the first time but it definitely exceeded my expectations. I would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a night out with live music but in a more chill and not club like environment.
Just not the place it use to be, still one of my favorites. Icant walk away so easily. Couldnt get a waitress for 15 mins, and there were only 5 tables with guests. When she came she was very nice. Had to keep sending food back for poor taste and being undercooked. Bathrooms are so dated, like OLD, ugly and poorly lit. I feel like Im walking down a back alley going in the ladies room. Like seriously, call a decorator, its sad for such a well known place to have such hideous restrooms.
Great place! We had the crab cakes, filet, lamb, scallops, and creme brulee. All of it was fantastic. The music was perfect. Its surrounded by paid parking lots. The servers were a little slow, but we were in no hurry of course! I wore nice jeans and a nice polo, but I still felt underdressed. A button up and sport coat would have felt more appropriate.
Great place for live music and an old school relaxed feel. Staff here is incredibly kind and friendly. I make a point to visit this place everytime I am in Detroit. Truly a great stop for food and drinks. Great happy hour specials. The only thing I would change is to add more vegan / plant based foods to their menu.
Love this place! Very classy and swanky, with friendly service and excellent cocktails. Food is pricey but worth it for the atmosphere and music. It was our first time to Detroit and we called last minute - they had no more tables available, but there was plenty of seating at the bar. Highly recommend! We will be back next time we’re in the city!
As a music lover this is a fantastic way to dine. The drinks are good, food is delicious, music is always excellent. Went to celebrate a birthday and had a blast. Good jazz and tasty food make for a place I wish I could afford to visit more often! The age of the building brings character and history to what would otherwise be spectacular music and food and makes it a special experience.
I went here to watch my friend and his band perform (they sounded beautiful, by the way). Servive was wonderful, the food was divine, and the stage had a lovely set up.The drink section was extensive (although I didnt drink), so if you like to drink, this is a good place to sit, listen to music, and have one.Wonderful place for a date!Ive attached a photo of what I had, but sadly, I cannot remember what its called.
If I wrote a review about my 1st experience it would receive 5 stars no doubt, 10 if I could. However, we went last night to celebrate our anniversary and even though the performers were AMAZING we cant quite say the same for the food. My boyfriend ordered the salmon (the dish I ordered last time) and it was almost embarrassing how small of a piece of fish he received. Also, without any exatteration the one reason I was SO excited to go back was for the mac and cheese, a signature dish but the recipe must have changed because compared to last time we were definitely disappointed. I still recommend going because both times the musical experience was beyond exhilarating, however the quality of food compared to the price was disappointing this time around.
I havent been to cliff Bells 6 years until today. The music was awesome BUT I am certainly sure that the Chef was someone different. They had a (Labor day menu) which only had pulled pork, BBQ chicken, mushrooms, and Cat fish. I dont care for any. So i went to order cat fish and they sold out of it. I had to settle for pulled pork which i am pregnant with nausea and barely have a appetite. I received the plate and everything was not cook at its best with little to nothing on my plate. After that they did not inform us that we had to pay a cover charge which was $20 per person on top of gratuity and tax. The food was not worth $28 and up for a plate. 6 years ago they did not have a cover charge they only had tips added to the receipt and their menu used to be awesome and also the OLD Chef. Ugh i am never going back.
We had been to this place several times in the past with great experience. Used to have great food with great ambience and music.We had a reservation last night. The food was terrible, I mean TERRIBLE. Waste of money that we paid for the NY steak and salmon. Even when I brought it up to our server, she acknowledged that they have had a new chef for the past year or so, the food is more expensive than what it used to be, and the quality of food is bad.Also, we had made a reservation for dinner, and nowhere was there any mention of a cover charge. When we got our check, there was a $40 cover charge for the two of us.Bottom line, the $180 we spent there last night couldve been spent much better. Such a waste of money and time.Definitely wont go back unless they have a new chef and Manu.
My husband made reservations online for my birthday dinner last night. When we walked in we were vaguely acknowledged by a stale older black lady with glasses that seemed irritated by our existence. She asked us our reservation time and informed us that there is a $20 cover charge per person. My husband expressed he didn’t know anything about it. She took her glasses off and told us every time we call to make a reservation they let us know about the cover charge while bopping her shoulders up and down the whole time she was talking to us. He told her it was online and she confirmed with the woman behind her which implied it’s in the “need to know” section. We had no problem paying but her delivery was way off and all the unnecessary shoulder bouncing was less than professional so we took that as a sign and we left. Went around the corner to Union Assembly and it was amazing…staff, food, and ambiance. First impressions are everything!
Its lost the experience. When we went the menu was super limited. They had a full menu but they ran out of food so you could only eat what they had left. The desserts were just gross. Its used to be a nice speakeasy 20s kind of vibe but now the attire is casual (sneakers/tshirts) and just a basic restaurant. The performer that night even asked why we were so dressed up? Like um, okay. It was pretty empty for a Sunday as well. Pros, our waitress was very nice and apologetic for the menu. The singer was good but hustled for selling cds. I think we spent close to $100 for average experience. My 4th time here, and i wont be back and wouldnt recommend.
While Ive been here before and experienced better food I was disappointed in the cooking this past Saturday. I ordered French Onion soup, the 8 oz Prime Beef Filet and Roasted Garlic Mash and the Belles Blossom drink. The best things were the soup and the cocktail. My beef was severely undercooked when I asked for very well, the au jus gravy was terrible and the garlic mash was cold. A very big letdown from my previous experiences. My date hated his lampchops and cold potatoes and ordered a dominos pizza after dinner. This was a very big letdown as it was his first visit. When I return it will only be for cocktails, the atmosphere and music. I was very disheatened. 😔
The menu has changed for the worse. Our food was over cooked and the staff was very unprofessional. After spending $600.00 to dine we were told that since we cashed out if we wanted to order another round of drinks that we would have to pay another $10.00 entry fee after we already paid one. The restaurant was empty and no one was waiting outside to get in. Management claimed that the second entry fee would go to the band. Management is making the customers responsible for paying their band.I used to love this place but It has really changed. The menu is terrible and the customer service is no longer the same. The entertainment was terrible as well. Thought I was listening to a high-school band. Dont waste your time with this place. Go to Bakers Key Board Lounge.
The music and drinks was good. However the food was terrible and had no seasoning. This is supposed to be a upscale restaurant and its obvious the chef doesnt taste food. All five of us felt this way and decided the only way we would go here again is for the music and drinks.
Before going for the first time, I had read quite a few reviews stating that the main complain was that the food was too expensive for the quality that you get. My wife and I are goin to have to agree with that. She got the lobster risotto dish, and it was.... In between Ok and Good, definitely not worth $43. I ordered the salmon and felt the same way. Now I know that Im not coming here for the food, but instead for the music and to appreciate the decor, and neither of those two disappointed. Youre paying high prices for food because there is no cover charge at the door to pay for the music, plain and simple. Id recommend eating somewhere else, then come to Cliff Bells fo a drink at the bar to hear the music, but thats just my opinion. Definitely worth checking out.
The evening WAS amazing. The jazz is impeccable, the ambiance was classy/sexy and the service was in point. The ONLY complaint is the food wasnt my cup... Greens were still tough and the mash potatoes were box mash and I found a piece of wrapper inside my mash while eating... So my suggestion... Eat before you go😝
Cold mashed potatoes and steak tasted like someone dropped an entire bag of salt on it! Then to find at the end of dinner they slapped a $40 cover without any notice beforehand. Apparently its posted outside the door which we checked after and you’d need a magnifying glass to see it. Stay away from the food in this place, its below average at best and there’s so many better restaurants in the city for the money.
Cliff Bells is a jazz club in Detroit, Michigan which is located at 2030 Park Ave. It originally opened in 1935, and it is named after John Clifford Bell, an entrepreneur in Detroit in the 1930s. Its a great place to relax, people watch and listen to great music. Its a speak easy type feel, dimly lit with lit of little details throughout. Service can be a bit slow so come prepared to relax and enjoy the music.
Friendly environment, Straight Ahead jazz group was playing and they were great. Ladies restroom was clean, social distancing was in place, nice ambiance, low lighting with candles on the table, great wait staff. Only drawback was the kitchen was closed, and its was just a few minutes after 11pm.
LOVE Cliff Bells! Always have to swing in there any evening I’m in Detroit! They made me this great drink with some sort of blueberry and rosemary that I requested to be non alcoholic and it was GREAT, and our server was very friendly. Also, great jazz music of course! Foods great, a little pricey but - worth it.
Food was HORRIBLE my Mac n cheese had no cheese, I ordered broccoli and instead of the waiter asking me what else would I like to order in place of the broccoli ( they ran out) she bring me some greens which were cold and undercooked. My chicken tasted cold, and had no flavor. I’m not sure if that was the owner but he was very rude. The ambiance of the restaurant was nice however I won’t be back.
I have been to Cliff Bells before and never thought I would write a bad review. However My experience was not good. First my main issue was the man at the door. He was rude, uninviting and watched our every move paired with complaints. I don’t know who he was but I would never return just because of him! He seemed irritated by our presence. 2nd, we had a $600 bill paid it and decided to order another round of drinks before we left and were told that we would have to pay another cover charge to order more drinks (outrageous). They said the cover went to the same band that I had already paid a cover charge for!!! I have never been to an establishment where I had to pay cover twice!!! As for the entertainment, I saw more curtain time than actual music. The band played maybe 3 songs for every show. That means you pay $10 every time they return to the stage. I know there has been some changes at Cliff Bell’s because of pandemic but they have work to do and I won’t be returning no time soon. I will continue to get my live jazz entertainment from Bakers lounge.
Ive always wanted to go to this jazz club and Im so glad we finally did! I always imagined a larger interior, but its actually quite reasonably sized and I think thats a good thing. The Aral Sea Divers were playing and they were very cool. Service was nice but a tad slow, but then again our group wasnt ordering that much. I cant recommend Cliff Bells enough for some jazz appreciation or a super cool spot for a date night! The wife and I plan to go back soon to try their yummy looking food.
They always have great music here. Their food is amazing. They have a great craft cocktail list as well as a decent selection of craft beer. I recently tried some of their desserts for the first time and they were excellent! For their Saturday 930 performance we had reservations for 4 and I would encourage others to make reservations since it can get busy.
A real old classic jazz club with a really nice diverse crowd. The drinks were generous and the food looked great (we didnt eat though).We were there on a Saturday evening and the local quartet was really good. They played mostly jazz standards and did it really well!
The Ambiance of this place is amazing and the live jazz will blow you away especially if you can sit up front, you should definitely go there if youre on a first date or want to make a really good impression, the drinks are good and strong but the food portions are really small I think the biggest dish is the chicken which was really good, I do appreciate Antiques and arts and crafts the bathrooms are amazing you can tell that the stained glass in there is like 80 years old... so I recommend this place for impressions but not if youre really really hungry
Once a year, on a cold January night, the local high school jazz band plays a set at Cliff Bells. It is easily one of my favorite nights of the year. If youre a jazz lover, this is the place to be. Excellent date spot. Depending on the entertainment for the evening, reservations are recommended. Ask for a table for two up front. Dont discard the bar menu, just ask the wai staff to see it. Their hamburgers are fantastic but not on the regular menu. Ive paid a lot more for a hamburger at other local high end restaurants that do not compare to the hamburgers here. Its not a huge menu so check the menu online before hand. The menu seems to change a bit each year. You can see the look of satisfaction on peoples faces around you when they bite into their food. This is just a cool place to hang. Your date will surely be impressed by your selection.
Absolutely love this place! The burlesque shows are by far my most enjoyable experience, but the live jazz is lovely and soul-touching. Unfortunate that they have yet to have more than 1 (if that) vegan option. But Im willing to stay hopeful due to the amazing performances and lively atmosphere.
Saw a live cuban jazz band here on Friday and had the steak and a bottle of wine. Atmosphere is incredible, music was fantastic, steak was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The waitstaff were so professional and accommodating. Cant say enough good things about this wonderful establishment.
The environment here is great and the music was spectacular. The server was very nice and helpful in helping me pick out a wine selection, and the staff was very friendly. The food is quite pricey, but delicious, and definitely a great place if youre just looking to have some drinks and listen to great music.
Really fun place with great selection of beer and drinks and great food. But the best thing is music everyday they are open. I just enjoyed the Wayne State U jazz Ensemble and a Stout. A couple years ago I enjoyed Snarky Puppy there. Just recently Aloe Black an R and B singer performed. Great place
They did a FANTASTIC job hosting my boyfriend’s birthday. The band was decent. The food..AMAZING! I had salmon and he had prime rib. They even gave him a cake with a candle since I didn’t get to pick mine up. I’m behind impressed at how great our waitress was. I don’t remember her name unfortunately but I’ll be back again!
The place itself is amazing. The inside interior is very authentic and feels super cool. The music was good, but not load enough to even cover the noise of people speaking at the dining room and we have been sitting very close to the stage. That made it very hard even to hear it well. The food quality is really bad, more like fast food style yet the prices are quite high. Could be a great place, but needs quite a few changes...
Show was great. Atmosphere is great. Service was terrible (more like one star): took 15 min to get 1st round and it wasnt very busy. Prices are pretty steep for so/so drinks. Go during their Happy Hour would be my advice as there are better spots to drop this kind of $.
My wife and I have always considered it a special treat to visit this cozy jazz restaurant. The food, decor and music are always on point. We celebrated my birthday here last weekend and it was disappointing. The service was unusually slow, the server was disengaged and didnt even notice my wifes order did not come out with everyone elses. Her food came out after everyone else was done and there was no apology from the server or manager. Hopefully, this was just a bad day and does not reflect a new trend. The music and food were still delicious.
I can’t to Cliff Bell’s for brunch on a Sunday and was not really impressed. We made reservations and were sat down as soon as we walked in. I’m pretty sure we waited a good 20-30 minutes before anyone came to our table at all to say hello, or to even ask what we wanted to drink. One of the kitchen guys, or maybe he was a server, finally came to us and told us that our waitress would be with us and that they only had two waitresses. It’s funny because...the restaurant wasn’t packed at all. When she finally came, we ordered our mimosas, or should I say orange juice with little to no champagne. Small portions and little to no flavor in the food. My friends and I were just not impressed with the food, mimosas or our sever. Table was wya too small for four people. My daughter enjoyed her burger, but she enjoys any burger. Entertainment was nice. What a waste of a brunch.
Wow. Fantastic food. Very flavorful without being overseasoned. Both the chicken and pork tenderloin was so moist it practically melts in your mouth. Desserts were just a good. Cool atmosphere with the decor and live music. Did I mention its a jazz lounge that captivated all age patrons?
A few of us decided to find a jazz club after a work meeting on a Friday night and we were told this was the place. It was awesome, the Jazz trio was great, the atmosphere was romantic (not in a date way, although it could be) but in the way the place is set up, the lighting, the bar and the history. It was a step back in time, the art deco, the wood ceilings, the ladies powder rooms and my favorite, the hidden cove to walk in. Great scotch and bourbon selection too.
Went here for their Sunday brunch special with some friends. We had a great time. The atmosphere upon entering is a slick jazz club feel. There was live music and the food was great. It is more on the pricy side, with the average plate for brunch at $16. It was worth it for the experience in my opinion. If you plan to go make a reservation.
Food was tasty and atmosphere was nice. Portions are small but hearty. Enjoyed the live Jazz musician. The bartender, Mr. B was friendly and provided great customer service. The hostess which was a woman who appeared to be training another gentleman was awful. This was on Sunday morning for brunch. She appeared fluster, no customer service, inattentive, and unable to properly manage crowds. She was not able to accommodate us on a table so we eventually sat ourselves by the bar. Furthermore, the entire time we were at the restaurant, tables were open and not being utilize but time after time she told us there were no tables. Luckily, the bartender was attentive and had a good experience because of him and the live music. The hostess needs training herself on how to properly treat customers, work with large crowds, proper work etiquette, and be friendly. I gave it a 3 stars because of the terrible experience with the hostess.
The music was top notch. Ive been to Cliff Bells several times but the first time Ive had dinner. The dining experience was 9 out of 10. The only reason I didnt give it a 10 was the fact that we asked for more bread to consume the remaining gravy from the steak tips appetizer the server said that it would be an additional $2. Dont get me wrong, $2 is not a lot, but for a restaurant to charge for in this case, 3 pieces of bread, where most of the entrees are $30+ is not what my experience has been with higher end restaurants.
I absolutely love the rich building. The ceilings, the murals, the history. I love that they brought the building back to its former glory. We love catching live music here while grabbing a bite to eat. The first time we ate here we were not expecting much, we were there for the show not the food. We were so surprised at how great everything was and at such great prices. My hubby got a Wagyu steak for $50 and it is one that he still raves about years later after many a Wagyu steaks at much higher prices elsewhere. Everything we have eaten here since has been just as good and it is always such a wonderful time no matter if you go as a couple or in a group.
Eh..... food wasnt great and prices were way too high.Youd think the prices were more to make up for the entertainment, but cover for entertainment is $15 more during shows.Entertainment was good, but WAY too loud where we couldnt even yell at each other during dinner. Not so sure well be going back...
Beautiful building, great atmosphere. Pretty pricey, and the food wasnt amazing but Ill definitely be back. The bathroom was nice and had a powder room with lots of mirrors, and the music was great. Its a loud room, so thankful we chose not to sit on the stage! Parking is easy, there is a lot right in front for $10.
Had my 35th birthday brunch here. Is a great place to enjoy a relaxing Sunday afternoon. We enjoyed a wonderful live jazz pianist/ vocalist as well as bottomless bloodies and mimosas. Great environment and delicious food. Shrimp and grits is my favourite! Extra hot sauce, please.
Came here for happy hour on a Thursday night with colleagues. The place was pretty empty. The atmosphere was very old school...a 1930s feel. The service was great though. Happy hour drinks were fantastic. The truffle fries were top notch...ordered 3 rounds of those. All in all, very happy with this place. Would come here again for sure!
Fantastic food, I got the special which was a brisket hash with two poached eggs on top, I wished for more potatoes but the taste overall was amazing brisket was so juicy and just fell apart! The restaurant had an environment that you just dont see anymore, classic dimly lit piano bar. Loved it. Cant wait to come back.
I booked a large group dinner to celebrate my birthday at Cliff Bells, and I wholeheartedly regret doing so. The evening started out well; we enjoyed the historic setting and the ambiance (which is why I chose it in the first place). Our servers were friendly enough and our food was decent. But it all went downhill once we asked for the check. Five minutes after leaving it on the table, one of the servers came by to tell us she forgot to add a $10/person cover charge. That was shocking, to say the least, since half of our party had already paid upon entry. We immediately asked to speak to the manager, who came over and said hed make an exception for us. While that was nice of him, it didnt improve the situation. We ended up waiting over ONE HOUR to pay the check (granted, we had provided several credit cards but I dont see how charging them could take over 15 minutes). The whole debacle nearly ruined my birthday, and my friends left dinner with a bad taste in their mouths. I feel awful for inconveniencing them, especially those who went through the trouble to make the drive to Detroit, arrange babysitters, etc. All of that said, I do not recommend Cliff Bells — especially for large parties. There are far better, more professional establishments in Detroit that would certainly respect and appreciate your business more.
If youre in the mood for Jazz, this is the oldest jazz club in Michigan, and a very reliable spot. I have been to Cliff Bells dozens of times, and enjoyed it each and every one. There is some times a cover, and the meals are in the higher-end range, however the chef sets the menu, which changes frequently... And yes, this place has a chef rather than a cook, and the meals look and taste accordingly :)
Total reviews rating 4.5
199 Reviews for Cliff Bells 2023:
Review №1
2022-03-17Another amazing evening here. Read the stories and look at the history of this place and the man responsible. The bar staff mix like it’s art and serve with a smile and great story. The music and artists are like no other. To sit, relax, enjoy a drink and watch their artistry live right in front of you is simply the best. If in Detroit, find time to visit Cliff Bell’s.
Review №2
2021-09-27I had the most awesome birthday here last night! The food was great but the best part was the live entertainment. We also had a great hostess. I believe her name was Gloria who works at the front hostess desk as you enter. Servers were pretty prompt and courteous. Everyone had great attitudes, were full of laughter and the ambiance was superb. They have seating at the bar and tables to sit between 2 and about 6 people. There was no specific dress code as I seen people with t-shirts and jeans to business casual and dressy. It was definitely a fancy night for me! I highly recommend this place. Make sure you know what time the entertainment starts before you reserve your seats. There is a $10 cover charge automatically added to your bill for entertainment which is worth the experience.
Review №3
2021-07-20I have been wanting to visit Cliff bells for years. I was finally able to take my family there for a birthday dinner and a show. The service was excellent, the food was outstanding and so was the jazz. I highly recommend this place when you are in downtown detroit. Definitely get reservations in advance. At 7:30 on a Sunday night this place was packed. Menu items are a little pricey so your tab can add up quickly. But everything was worth the price paid. The folks here couldnt have been any nicer and the music was among the best Ive heard in the D.
Review №4
2022-03-26Food was better than expected and the music was the cherry on top! Nice mix of old school and new School Jazz 10/10 recommend.
Review №5
2021-12-28Old speak easy made into a new age bar with old world feel. Try the Majin buu or Belles Blossom. Food is spectacular.
Review №6
2022-01-09The ambience is like no other...the food and drinks are reasonably priced and delicious, the service is first class, and the entertainment is A1! Ive seen various jazz groups perform and they ALL deliver a spectacular performance! As a Detroit native I suggest that everyone experience the legendary Cliff Bells for an unforgettable night of enjoyment and fun!
Review №7
2021-09-09Its absolutely gorgeous and the staff is very attentive. The menu is pricey and your drinks are automatically upsold. The entertainment stage has a great view from entire floor. Brought back great memories from my aunt being a chef when this was LaCav French Creole or JBs on the Park!
Review №8
2022-06-26Nice service, amazing music. We got a great table front and center and enjoyed a couple of appetizers and an entree. The oysters were a little small so not sure we would get those again and I was a little disappointed that a $50 fish had 6 pin bones in it, but the risotto was really good. The lobster Mac takes work, but our server made sure to tell us that so we were prepared. Looking forward to bringing people back with us in the future.
Review №9
2021-08-02I brought my parents and girlfriend here for dinner and to watch Gayelynn McKinney and McKinney Zone. It was a magical night! They greatly enjoyed both the entertainment and the food. Additionally, the venue has a really nice Art Deco wood interior. The owner volunteered himself to take a picture for our family.My girlfriend whos a professional violinist said that while Gayelynn McKinney was superb, they should not have charged a cover charge for each person since she felt other musicians were not as professional. I could not hear the difference. Total evening for 4 people was about $191 + tips.What to get:1. Angus burger with Fries - great!2. Kale Salad - great!3. Chicken Pot Pie - great!4. Loch Durat Salmon - great!5. Roast Chicken, baby carrot & Mashed Potatoes - skip
Review №10
2022-04-18Was planning a date night for my Michigan-born boyfriend and looking for something that he hadn’t been to before. So glad I found this place - an awesome experience with great food, music, and service! I felt like I was transported back to the 50s. We got to sit right up front and had the baked ratatouille, lobster Mac, and truffle fries, all of which were delicious - and a mocktail version of the Majin Buu drink. Our server was so attentive and accommodating throughout our dinner, which I so appreciated (I asked if the food could be brought out at a later time because we were fasting for Ramadan and she truly went above and beyond). Thank you for an awesome night!!